#$%^&*AU2013202166B220131128.pdf#####: \tzs\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TZS\5017265_l.doc-25 03/2013 ABSTRACT An IV catheter apparatus including a tubular catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a needle having a needle shaft and a tip and wherein the needle is attached to a distal end of a needle hub, said needle being received within said tubular catheter when the needle is in a ready position, a catheter hub attached to the proximal end of said catheter, said catheter hub having a hollow interior and an inner wall, said needle being movable between said ready position in which said tip is outside of said catheter hub and a retracted position in which said tip is within the interior of said catheter hub, a needle guard positioned in the interior of said catheter hub wherein the needle guard has a resilient portion having an end wall engaged by said needle shaft when said needle is in its ready position, the end wall of the needle guard resilient portion is movable within the interior of said catheter hub to a blocking position distal of said needle tip when said needle is in its retracted position in which said needle shaft no longer exerts a force on said end wall of the resilient portion of said needle guard wherein the needle guard is retained in the catheter hub by a projection formed on the catheter hub hollow interior when the end wall of the resilient portion is engaged by the side of the needle shaft and biased radially outwardly and wherein the needle guard further includes a needle guard proximal end, wherein the needle guard prevents accidental, inadvertent contact with the needle tip when the needle is in the retracted position by a portion of the needle guard proximal end making contact with a needle crimp and the end wall of the resilient portion blocking the needle tip.((I f-i4 CNN C14 C14 0 (DN f-t (NoC (1(N 03 00 (-A CD co
