A catheter assembly (10) including a catheter (30) carried by a catheteradapter (32), a needle (20) having a sharp distaltip (24) and disposed in the catheter (30) such that in a first needleposition, the needle (20) extends beyond the catheter (30), a needlehub (80) fixed adjacent to a proximal end of the needle (20), a clip (40)disposed in the catheter adapter (32) and cooperating with theneedle (20), and a barrel assembly (70) including an inner diameter (74),wherein when the needle (20) is in a second needle position,the clip (40) encloses the distal tip (24) of the needle (20), and when theneedle (20) moves to a third needle position, the clip (40) andthe needle (20) is disposed in the inner diameter (74) of the barrel assembly(70).
