US Patent 7001396 Safety introducer assembly and method

An introducer assembly includes an outer sheath, and a dilator assembly that includes a dilator hub and a dilator sheath. The dilator sheath is disposed within the outer sheath passage, and a proximal end of the dilator sheath is movably disposed within the dilator hub. The dilator assembly further includes a needle disposed within the dilator sheath, and coupled with the dilator hub. The dilator sheath has a first position and a second position relative to the dilator hub, where in the first position the needle distal end extends out from the dilator sheath distal end, and in the second position the dilator sheath is extended over the needle distal end.