Detachable guide needle

Claim 1

A detachable composite hollow guide needle assembly for insertion into a body portion and locating a flexible catheter tube in the body for withdrawing or introducing fluids relative thereto; and comprising a metal component forming at least a portion of a tube with a sharpened split needle end of inclined plane configuration extending axially from the bottom of the metal component for body insertion to locate a catheter tube therein and having a slot of substantial width extending along the bottom of the metal component along the length thereof commencing at a point spaced from the sharpened needle end and opening at the opposite end thereof, a plastic component substantially closing the slot substantially along the length thereof and secured to adjacent portions of the metal component to form a substantially closed tube assembly to receive the catheter tube, said plastic component forming a longitudinal hinge area and handle means spaced from the sharpened needle end of the guide needle assembly, said handle means comprising a pair of juxtaposed arms each extending outwardly from the side of the metal component opposite to the side along which the slot extends and adapted to be spread apart to separate the metal component along the hinge area to provide an access opening for removal of the guide needle assembly from the body inserted catheter tube.