A catheter integral with a valved needle-free connector (38) provides a safetycatheter device configured to receive a blunt cannula (62) and sharp needle(50) forming an insertion mechanism. The sharp needle is mounted within aneedle tube and a control handle (58) is used to slide the sharp needle out ofand into the protective needle tube. When the insertion mechanism (34) ismounted to the connector and the control handle is used to slide the sharpneedle out of the tube, a blunt cannula first moves into contact with andenters the bore of the valve mechanism of the connector opening it andprotecting it from damage that may be caused by the sharp needle. The sharpneedle is then extended through the connector and extends out the distal endof the catheter so that a venipuncture procedure may be performed to properlylocate the catheter in the patients circulatory system. Once located, theneedle may be retracted into the insertion mechanism, the insertion mechanismdisconnected from the connector, and discarded.
