Abstract: A catheter hub assembly. The catheter hub assembly includes a catheter hub body, a septum and a septum retainer, the catheter hub body having a distal end, a proximal and an internal wall defining an internal fluid passageway therebetween, the internal wall defining a transitional step within the internal fluid passageway, the septum positioned within the internal fluid passageway such that a distal end of the septum abuts up against the transitional step, the septum retainer at least partially receivable within the internal fluid passageway and having an outer wall shaped and sized to interlock with the inner wall of the catheter hub body, the outer wall including one or more lateral ribs configured to inhibit rotation of the septum retainer relative to the catheter hub body.

Abstract: A method of creating a feature on a needle. The method comprising the steps of providing a needle having a sharpened distal end for insertion into an insertion site on a subject, a proximal end, and a tubular wall defining an inner diameter and an outer diameter; gripping a distal portion of the needle about the outer diameter; gripping a proximal portion of the needle about an outer diameter; and applying a compressive force between the distal portion and the proximal portion sufficient to effect an outward buckling of the tubular wall, thereby increasing an outer diameter of the tubular wall between the distal portion and the proximal portion.

Abstract: A method of creating a feature on a needle. The method comprising the steps of providing a needle having a sharpened distal end for insertion into an insertion site on a subject, a proximal end, and a tubular wall defining an inner diameter and an outer diameter; gripping a distal portion of the needle about the outer diameter; gripping a proximal portion of the needle about an outer diameter; and applying a compressive force between the distal portion and the proximal portion sufficient to effect an outward buckling of the tubular wall, thereby increasing an outer diameter of the tubular wall between the distal portion and the proximal portion.

Abstract: A method of constructing a catheter assembly having an integrated septum. The method comprising molding a catheter hub having a distal end, a proximal end, and an internal wall defining an internal fluid passageway therebetween, the internal fluid wall defining an injection mold window located between the distal end and the proximal end; seating a catheter tube within the internal fluid passageway of the catheter hub, such that a proximal end of the catheter tube resides within the internal fluid passageway of the catheter hub, and a distal end of the catheter tube extends distally from the distal end of the catheter hub; plugging at least a proximal end of the catheter hub with a mold core shut off pin; and injection molding a septum in at least a portion of the internal fluid passageway between the mold core shut off pin and the proximal end of the catheter tube through the injection mold window.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter assembly that includes a catheter tube and an introducer needle that is disposed, at least in part, within the catheter tube when the introducer needle is in a ready for use position. The introducer needle includes a lateral surface that defines a relief that is positioned under the distal end of the catheter tube when the introducer is in the ready for use position to provide a flow path into a flash indication space.

Abstract: A needle assembly. The needle assembly enabling the analysis of fluid trapped in a flashback chamber after an insertion needle has been inserted into a patient's vein.

Abstract: A needle assembly. The needle assembly enabling the analysis of fluid trapped in a flashback chamber after an insertion needle has been inserted into a patient's vein.

Abstract: A catheter hub assembly. The catheter hub assembly includes a catheter hub body, a septum and a septum retainer, the catheter hub body having a distal end, a proximal and an internal wall defining an internal fluid passageway therebetween, the internal wall defining a transitional step within the internal fluid passageway, the septum positioned within the internal fluid passageway such that a distal end of the septum abuts up against the transitional step, the septum retainer at least partially receivable within the internal fluid passageway and having an outer wall shaped and sized to interlock with the inner wall of the catheter hub body, the outer wall including one or more lateral ribs configured to inhibit rotation of the septum retainer relative to the catheter hub body.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter assembly that includes a catheter tube and an introducer needle that is disposed, at least in part, within the catheter tube when the introducer needle is in a ready for use position. The introducer needle includes a lateral surface that defines a relief that is positioned under the distal end of the catheter tube when the introducer is in the ready for use position to provide a flow path into a flash indication space.

Abstract: A catheter hub assembly. The catheter hub assembly includes a catheter hub body, a septum and a septum retainer, the catheter hub body having a distal end, a proximal and an internal wall defining an internal fluid passageway therebetween, the internal wall defining a transitional step within the internal fluid passageway, the septum positioned within the internal fluid passageway such that a distal end of the septum abuts up against the transitional step, the septum retainer at least partially receivable within the internal fluid passageway and having an outer wall shaped and sized to interlock with the inner wall of the catheter hub body, the outer wall including one or more lateral ribs configured to inhibit rotation of the septum retainer relative to the catheter hub body.

Abstract: A method of constructing a catheter assembly having an integrated septum. The method comprising molding a catheter hub having a distal end, a proximal end, and an internal wall defining an internal fluid passageway therebetween, the internal fluid wall defining an injection mold window located between the distal end and the proximal end; seating a catheter tube within the internal fluid passageway of the catheter hub, such that a proximal end of the catheter tube resides within the internal fluid passageway of the catheter hub, and a distal end of the catheter tube extends distally from the distal end of the catheter hub; plugging at least a proximal end of the catheter hub with a mold core shut off pin; and injection molding a septum in at least a portion of the internal fluid passageway between the mold core shut off pin and the proximal end of the catheter tube through the injection mold window.

Abstract: A method of creating a feature on a needle. The method comprising the steps of providing a needle having a sharpened distal end for insertion into an insertion site on a subject, a proximal end, and a tubular wall defining an inner diameter and an outer diameter; gripping a distal portion of the needle about the outer diameter; gripping a proximal portion of the needle about an outer diameter; and applying a compressive force between the distal portion and the proximal portion sufficient to effect an outward buckling of the tubular wall, thereby increasing an outer diameter of the tubular wall between the distal portion and the proximal portion.

Abstract: A safety catheter insertion assembly including a catheter hub coupling assembly. The safety catheter insertion assembly having a needle hub slideably coupled to a needle housing such that the needle hub is moveable between a first position wherein an insertion needle extends from the needle housing, and a second position wherein the sharp distal tip is housed within the needle housing, the catheter hub coupling assembly coupling the catheter hub to the needle housing in the first position and releasing the catheter hub from the needle housing in the second position.

Abstract: A needle assembly. The needle assembly enabling the analysis of fluid trapped in a flashback chamber after an insertion needle has been inserted into a patient's vein.

Abstract: A needle assembly. The needle assembly enabling the analysis of fluid trapped in a flashback chamber after an insertion needle has been inserted into a patient's vein.

Abstract: A catheter hub assembly. The catheter hub assembly includes a catheter hub body, a septum and a septum retainer, the catheter hub body having a distal end, a proximal and an internal wall defining an internal fluid passageway therebetween, the internal wall defining a transitional step within the internal fluid passageway, the septum positioned within the internal fluid passageway such that a distal end of the septum abuts up against the transitional step, the septum retainer at least partially receivable within the internal fluid passageway and having an outer wall shaped and sized to interlock with the inner wall of the catheter hub body, the outer wall including one or more lateral ribs configured to inhibit rotation of the septum retainer relative to the catheter hub body.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter hub defining an interior cavity and a catheter tube extending distally thereof. A rigid actuator extends proximally in the interior cavity and supports a seal member thereon. The seal member includes a central membrane, a distal portion, and a proximal portion. An hourglass shaped actuator cavity is formed in the distal portion and receives a barbed end of the actuator. The outer surface of the seal member is in partial circumferential engagement with the catheter hub to define an air path that allows fluid communication between areas of the interior cavity distal and proximal of the seal member. A punch tool is provided to form a tri-slit in the membrane of the seal member.

Abstract: A safety catheter insertion assembly including a catheter hub coupling assembly. The safety catheter insertion assembly having a needle hub slideably coupled to a needle housing such that the needle hub is moveable between a first position wherein an insertion needle extends from the needle housing, and a second position wherein the sharp distal tip is housed within the needle housing, the catheter hub coupling assembly coupling the catheter hub to the needle housing in the first position and releasing the catheter hub from the needle housing in the second position.

Abstract: A needle assembly. The needle assembly enabling the analysis of fluid trapped in a flashback chamber after an insertion needle has been inserted into a patient's vein.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter hub defining an interior cavity and a catheter tube extending distally thereof. A rigid actuator extends proximally in the interior cavity and supports a seal member thereon. The seal member includes a central membrane, a distal portion, and a proximal portion. An hourglass shaped actuator cavity is formed in the distal portion and receives a barbed end of the actuator. The outer surface of the seal member is in partial circumferential engagement with the catheter hub to define an air path that allows fluid communication between areas of the interior cavity distal and proximal of the seal member. A punch tool is provided to form a tri-slit in the membrane of the seal member. The seal member may be configured for multi-use and include a biasing member that moves the seal member to force the membrane back over the actuator to close the membrane.