Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for preventing unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a means for connecting the needle shield to the catheter hub until the sharp distal tip of the introducer needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. Thus, when the distal end of the introducer needle extends from the distal portion of the needle shield, the needle shield is connected to the catheter hub and when the sharp distal end of the introducer needle is withdrawn into the needle shield, the needle shield is disconnected from the catheter hub. At that point, the sharp needle tip is secured within the needle shield.

Abstract: A needle shield system may include a needle, an inner tube, a clip within the inner tube, an outer tube, and/or a housing. A method of shielding a needle may include housing a portion of a needle within a clip, housing the clip within an inner tube, housing the inner tube within an outer tube, housing the outer tube within a housing, interlocking the outer tube and the housing, withdrawing the needle from the clip, trapping a tip of the needle between the clip and the inner tube, partially withdrawing the inner tube from the outer tube, and/or releasing the outer tube and the housing from each other.

Abstract: A one-piece low drag septum is provided for preventing escape of fluid from an introducer needle during removal of such a needle from a catheter and introducer needle assembly. The septum generally includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, a cavity portion, and a longitudinal axis. The distal portion acts as a primary seal to prevent escape of blood from the catheter into the assembly and is generally positioned furthest away from the user of the apparatus and nearest the patient. The cavity portion reduces friction placed on the introducer needle. The proximal portion of the septum acts as a secondary seal to prevent escape of material from the cavity, seals the cavity, and wipes the needle as it is being withdrawn from the catheter assembly.

Abstract: A Luer access device may include a housing, a septum, and a gas permeable vent in communication with at least a portion of the housing for venting gas from an extravascular system. A method of venting a medical device may include providing a gas permeable vent within a Luer access device as part of an extravascular system and venting gas from the extravascular system through the gas permeable vent of the Luer access device.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter device. The catheter device will include a septum that is housed within a housing. The septum is designed such that it will seal the housing. The catheter device also includes a needle shield. The needle shield is configured to retain a needle if the needle is withdrawn from the housing. The catheter device is further configured such that the septum includes a receiving portion that is designed to engage a portion of the needle shield. However, if the needle is withdrawn from the housing, the needle shield will disengage from the septum so that the needle shield may be separated from the septum.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for preventing unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a means for connecting the needle shield to the catheter hub until the sharp distal tip of the introducer needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. Thus, when the distal end of the introducer needle extends from the distal portion of the needle shield, the needle shield is connected to the catheter hub and when the sharp distal end of the introducer needle is withdrawn into the needle shield, the needle shield is disconnected from the catheter hub. At that point, the sharp needle tip is secured within the needle shield.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for preventing unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a means for connecting the needle shield to the catheter hub until the sharp distal tip of the introducer needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. Thus, when the distal end of the introducer needle extends from the distal portion of the needle shield, the needle shield is connected to the catheter hub and when the sharp distal end of the introducer needle is withdrawn into the needle shield, the needle shield is disconnected from the catheter hub. At that point, the sharp needle tip is secured within the needle shield.

Abstract: A one-piece low drag septum is provided for preventing escape of fluid from an introducer needle during removal of such a needle from a catheter and introducer needle assembly. The septum generally includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, a cavity portion, and a longitudinal axis. The distal portion acts as a primary seal to prevent escape of blood from the catheter into the assembly and is generally positioned furthest away from the user of the apparatus and nearest the patient. The cavity portion reduces friction placed on the introducer needle. The proximal portion of the septum acts as a secondary seal to prevent escape of material from the cavity, seals the cavity, and wipes the needle as it is being withdrawn from the catheter assembly.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly is provided including a catheter adapter at its proximal end. The catheter adapter includes a side port in fluid communication with the catheter and a septum located in the proximal end of the catheter adapter proximal of the side port. The introducer needle is connected at its proximal end to a needle hub and includes at least one notch in communication with the introducer needle lumen. The notch allows blood to flow into the open distal end of the needle and through the notch into the catheter lumen (specifically, the annular space between the outside of the introducer needle and the inside of the catheter and catheter adapter). Thereafter, the blood can flow through the annular space and then through the side port and extension tube that extends from the catheter adapter.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly is provided including a catheter adapter at its proximal end. The catheter adapter includes a side port in fluid communication with the catheter and a septum located in the proximal end of the catheter adapter proximal of the side port. The introducer needle is connected at its proximal end to a needle hub and includes at least one notch in communication with the introducer needle lumen. The notch allows blood to flow into the open distal end of the needle and through the notch into the catheter lumen (specifically, the annular space between the outside of the introducer needle and the inside of the catheter and catheter adapter). Thereafter, the blood can flow through the annular space and then through the side port and extension tube that extends from the catheter adapter.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the fluid flow rate in an extension tube of an introducer needle assembly for use as confirmation flashback. The introducer needle assembly has a catheter attached to a catheter hub with a side port, an extension tube attached to the side port on the catheter hub, and an introducer needle with a notch adapted to be inserted into a bore in the catheter. A lumber extends through the needle and is in fluid communication with the notch. The needle has an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the bore such that an annular space is defined between the catheter and the needle. The fluid, typically blood, is at a pressure and has a viscosity when the needle accesses it. A preferred minimum fluid velocity of the fluid through the extension tube is selected (preferably at least 1 inch per minute though the extension tube in certain applications).

Abstract: A one-piece low drag septum is provided for preventing escape of fluid from an introducer needle during removal of such a needle from a catheter and introducer needle assembly. The septum generally includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, a cavity portion, and a longitudinal axis. The distal portion acts as a primary seal to prevent escape of blood from the catheter into the assembly and is generally positioned furthest away from the user of the apparatus and nearest the patient. The cavity portion reduces friction placed on the introducer needle. The proximal portion of the septum acts as a secondary seal to prevent escape of material from the cavity, seals the cavity, and wipes the needle as it is being withdrawn from the catheter assembly.

Abstract: Needle capture mechanisms and arrangements are provided. One such arrangement includes a needle defining a longitudinal needle axis having a sharp distal tip, a shank portion, and a needle feature defining at least one localized area along the shank of increased outer diameter; a needle shield; and a biasing member adapted to exert a generally downward biasing force upon the needle. Another such arrangement includes a needle defining a longitudinal needle axis having a sharp distal tip, a shank portion, and a needle feature defining at least one localized area along the shank of increased outer diameter; a needle shield, the needle shield comprising a pocket formed therein having an inclined surface; a split collet disposed within the pocket, the split collet having a variable inner bore; and a biasing element disposed within the pocket for biasing the split collet toward the inclined surface of the pocket.

Abstract: A needle shield system may include a needle, an inner tube, a clip within the inner tube, an outer tube, and/or a housing. A method of shielding a needle may include housing a portion of a needle within a clip, housing the clip within an inner tube, housing the inner tube within an outer tube, housing the outer tube within a housing, interlocking the outer tube and the housing, withdrawing the needle from the clip, trapping a tip of the needle between the clip and the inner tube, partially withdrawing the inner tube from the outer tube, and/or releasing the outer tube and the housing from each other.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for preventing unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a means for connecting the needle shield to the catheter hub until the sharp distal tip of the introducer needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. Thus, when the distal end of the introducer needle extends from the distal portion of the needle shield, the needle shield is connected to the catheter hub and when the sharp distal end of the introducer needle is withdrawn into the needle shield, the needle shield is disconnected from the catheter hub. At that point, the sharp needle tip is secured within the needle shield.

Abstract: Needle capture mechanisms and arrangements are provided. One such arrangement includes a needle defining a longitudinal needle axis having a sharp distal tip, a shank portion, and a needle feature defining at least one localized area along the shank of increased outer diameter; a needle shield; and a biasing member adapted to exert a generally downward biasing force upon the needle. Another such arrangement includes a needle defining a longitudinal needle axis having a sharp distal tip, a shank portion, and a needle feature defining at least one localized area along the shank of increased outer diameter; a needle shield, the needle shield comprising a pocket formed therein having an inclined surface; a split collet disposed within the pocket, the split collet having a variable inner bore; and a biasing element disposed within the pocket for biasing the split collet toward the inclined surface of the pocket.

Abstract: A Luer access device may include a housing, a septum, and a gas permeable vent in communication with at least a portion of the housing for venting gas from an extravascular system. A method of venting a medical device may include providing a gas permeable vent within a Luer access device as part of an extravascular system and venting gas from the extravascular system through the gas permeable vent of the Luer access device.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for preventing unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a means for connecting the needle shield to the catheter hub until the sharp distal tip of the introducer needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. Thus, when the distal end of the introducer needle extends from the distal portion of the needle shield, the needle shield is connected to the catheter hub and when the sharp distal end of the introducer needle is withdrawn into the needle shield, the needle shield is disconnected from the catheter hub. At that point, the sharp needle tip is secured within the needle shield.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for preventing unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a means for connecting the needle shield to the catheter hub until the sharp distal tip of the introducer needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. Thus, when the distal end of the introducer needle extends from the distal portion of the needle shield, the needle shield is connected to the catheter hub and when the sharp distal end of the introducer needle is withdrawn into the needle shield, the needle shield is disconnected from the catheter hub. At that point, the sharp needle tip is secured within the needle shield.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is disclosed having wings extending from the catheter adapter wherein each of the wings includes a stiffening member located therein. Each of the stiffening members may also define a means for maintaining the position of the stiffening members during the molding process to ensure that the stiffening member is properly located in the wing.