Abstract: A valve actuator that moves in a catheter assembly between a first position where a valve is closed and a second position where the valve is open, the valve actuator including a shaft portion at a distal end of the valve actuator that is configured to pierce the valve, a mating portion at a proximal end of the valve actuator that is configured to engage a Luer device, a diameter reduction region that connects the shaft portion and the mating portion, and a plurality of windows that extend through the valve actuator for flushing fluid, the plurality of windows being disposed in the diameter reduction region, wherein each of the plurality of windows does not extend a full length of the diameter reduction region.

Abstract: A system for confirmation of fluid delivery to a patient at the clinical point of use is provided. The system includes a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device has a housing; at least one imaging sensor associated with the housing; a data transmission interface; a data reporting accessory for providing data to the user; a microprocessor for managing the at least one imaging sensor, the data transmission interface, and the data reporting accessory; and a program for acquiring and processing images from the at least one imaging sensor. The system further includes a fluid delivery apparatus; and one or more identification tags attached to or integrally formed with the fluid delivery apparatus. The program processes an image captured by the at least one imaging sensor to identify the one or more identification tags and acquires fluid delivery apparatus information from the one or more identification tags.

Abstract: A system for confirmation of fluid delivery to a patient at the clinical point of use is provided. The system includes a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device has a housing; at least one imaging sensor associated with the housing; a data transmission interface; a data reporting accessory for providing data to the user; a microprocessor for managing the at least one imaging sensor, the data transmission interface, and the data reporting accessory; and a program for acquiring and processing images from the at least one imaging sensor. The system further includes a fluid delivery apparatus; and one or more identification tags attached to or integrally formed with the fluid delivery apparatus. The program processes an image captured by the at least one imaging sensor to identify the one or more identification tags and acquires fluid delivery apparatus information from the one or more identification tags.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device configured to be worn by a user while performing an invasive procedure for enhancing visualization of desired anatomical structures is provided. The wearable electronic device includes: a housing; at least one imaging sensor associated with the housing; and a visual display integrally formed with or associated with the housing. The device is configured to acquire an image of an invasive access site of a patient with the at least one imaging sensor, process the image to determine a location of a desired anatomical structure, and display a virtual trace of the location to the user via the visual display.

Abstract: An obturator assembly includes an obturator at least partially positionable within a lumen of a device. The obturator has a distal end with a tip portion and an opposing proximal end. A sensor assembly is at the tip portion. The sensor assembly is configured to sense one or more environmental characteristics and to generate one or more signals representative of the one or more environmental characteristics. A hub is operatively coupled to the obturator. The hub is also operatively coupled to electronic circuitry that is coupled in signal communication with the sensor assembly. In certain embodiments, the electronic circuitry is configured to receive the one or more signals from the sensor assembly and transmit the one or more signals to remote reception circuitry and/or display a datum representative of the one or more environmental characteristics on a display of the hub.

Abstract: A system for confirmation of fluid delivery to a patient at the clinical point of use is provided. The system includes a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device has a housing; at least one imaging sensor associated with the housing; a data transmission interface; a data reporting accessory for providing data to the user; a microprocessor for managing the at least one imaging sensor, the data transmission interface, and the data reporting accessory; and a program for acquiring and processing images from the at least one imaging sensor. The system further includes a fluid delivery apparatus; and one or more identification tags attached to or integrally formed with the fluid delivery apparatus. The program processes an image captured by the at least one imaging sensor to identify the one or more identification tags and acquires fluid delivery apparatus information from the one or more identification tags.

Abstract: A peripheral catheter having a catheter tip diffuser for reducing an exit velocity of an infusant within the catheter. Pluralities of diffusion side holes are provided on the tip portion of the catheter. Some examples further include pluralities of annularly arranged, staggered diffusion holes provided on the tip portion of an intravenous catheter to streamline infusant issued from the diffusion holes. An inner surface of each diffusion hole is further angled relative to the inner surface of the catheter lumen such that an infusant within the lumen exits the catheter though the diffusion holes at an angle less than 90°.

Abstract: A valve actuator that moves in a catheter assembly between a first position where a valve is closed and a second position where the valve is open, the valve actuator including a shaft portion at a distal end of the valve actuator that is configured to pierce the valve, a mating portion at a proximal end of the valve actuator that is configured to engage a Luer device, a diameter reduction region that connects the shaft portion and the mating portion, and a plurality of windows that extend through the valve actuator for flushing fluid, the plurality of windows being disposed in the diameter reduction region, wherein each of the plurality of windows does not extend a full length of the diameter reduction region.

Abstract: A method of preventing blood leakage through a septum of a catheter assembly when a needle is disposed within a slit of the septum may include providing a lubricant within multiple gaps disposed between an outer surface of the needle and the slit. The lubricant may include a viscosity greater than 1,000 centipoise. Providing the lubricant within the multiple gaps may include applying the lubricant to the outer surface of the needle, and inserting the lubricated needle distally through the slit of the septum. Providing the lubricant within the multiple gaps may include applying the lubricant to a tip of a septum actuator of the catheter assembly, and penetrating the septum with the lubricated septum actuator. Providing the lubricant within the plurality of gaps may include dispensing the lubricant within the slit of the septum prior to insertion of the septum into the lumen of the catheter adapter.

Abstract: A system for confirmation of fluid delivery to a patient at the clinical point of use is provided. The system includes a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device has a housing; at least one imaging sensor associated with the housing; a data transmission interface; a data reporting accessory for providing data to the user; a microprocessor for managing the at least one imaging sensor, the data transmission interface, and the data reporting accessory; and a program for acquiring and processing images from the at least one imaging sensor. The system further includes a fluid delivery apparatus; and one or more identification tags attached to or integrally formed with the fluid delivery apparatus. The program processes an image captured by the at least one imaging sensor to identify the one or more identification tags and acquires fluid delivery apparatus information from the one or more identification tags.

Abstract: A valve actuator that moves in a catheter assembly between a first position where a valve is closed and a second position where the valve is open, the valve actuator including a shaft portion at a distal end of the valve actuator that is configured to pierce the valve, a mating portion at a proximal end of the valve actuator that is configured to engage a Luer device, a diameter reduction region that connects the shaft portion and the mating portion, and a plurality of windows that extend through the valve actuator for flushing fluid, the plurality of windows being disposed in the diameter reduction region, wherein each of the plurality of windows does not extend a full length of the diameter reduction region.

Abstract: A peripheral catheter having a catheter tip diffuser for reducing an exit velocity of an infusant within the catheter. Pluralities of diffusion side holes are provided on the tip portion of the catheter. Some examples further include pluralities of annularly arranged, staggered diffusion holes provided on the tip portion of an intravenous catheter to streamline infusant issued from the diffusion holes. An inner surface of each diffusion hole is further angled relative to the inner surface of the catheter lumen such that an infusant within the lumen exits the catheter though the diffusion holes at an angle less than 90°.

Abstract: An obturator assembly includes an obturator positionable within a lumen of a device and movable within the lumen between a first position and a second position. The obturator includes a distal tip portion, wherein, with the obturator in the first position, the distal tip portion limits fluid communication through the lumen and, with the obturator in the second position, the distal tip portion provides fluid communication through the lumen.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly, including a flexible catheter and a catheter hub having an outer surface portion. The assembly includes an introducer needle disposed in the catheter, a needle shield having a resilient clip adapted to flex between first and second positions. The resilient clip includes a cantilevered arm with a pawl. In the resilient clip's first position, the cantilevered arm is flexed so that the pawl frictionally contacts the catheter hub's outer surface portion to retain the needle shield with the catheter hub. In the second position, the pawl no longer frictionally contacts the hub's outer surface, thereby permitting needle shield displacement relative to the catheter hub.

Abstract: A smart obturator assembly includes a hub forming a central passage. The hub is configured to couple to a proximal end of a device that forms a lumen such that the central passage is in fluid communication with the lumen. A collar on the hub includes electronic circuitry in signal communication with remote reception circuitry. An obturator is movably positionable within the lumen. The obturator is movable within the lumen between a first position and a second position. The obturator includes a distal end and a sensor at the distal end. The sensor is configured to sense an environmental characteristic within a patient's blood stream, generate a signal representative of the environmental characteristic, and transmit the signal to the electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry is configured to receive the signal and transmit the signal to the remote reception circuitry.

Abstract: A method of preventing blood leakage through a septum of a catheter assembly when a needle is disposed within a slit of the septum may include providing a lubricant within multiple gaps disposed between an outer surface of the needle and the slit. The lubricant may include a viscosity greater than 1,000 centipoise. Providing the lubricant within the multiple gaps may include applying the lubricant to the outer surface of the needle, and inserting the lubricated needle distally through the slit of the septum. Providing the lubricant within the multiple gaps may include applying the lubricant to a tip of a septum actuator of the catheter assembly, and penetrating the septum with the lubricated septum actuator. Providing the lubricant within the plurality of gaps may include dispensing the lubricant within the slit of the septum prior to insertion of the septum into the lumen of the catheter adapter.

Abstract: A system for confirmation of fluid delivery to a patient at the clinical point of use is provided. The system includes a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device has a housing; at least one imaging sensor associated with the housing; a data transmission interface; a data reporting accessory for providing data to the user; a microprocessor for managing the at least one imaging sensor, the data transmission interface, and the data reporting accessory; and a program for acquiring and processing images from the at least one imaging sensor. The system further includes a fluid delivery apparatus; and one or more identification tags attached to or integrally formed with the fluid delivery apparatus. The program processes an image captured by the at least one imaging sensor to identify the one or more identification tags and acquires fluid delivery apparatus information from the one or more identification tags.

Abstract: An obturator assembly includes an obturator positionable within a lumen of a device and movable within the lumen between a first position and a second position. The obturator includes a distal tip portion, wherein, with the obturator in the first position, the distal tip portion limits fluid communication through the lumen and, with the obturator in the second position, the distal tip portion provides fluid communication through the lumen.

Abstract: A smart obturator assembly includes a hub forming a central passage. The hub is configured to couple to a proximal end of a device that forms a lumen such that the central passage is in fluid communication with the lumen. A collar on the hub includes electronic circuitry in signal communication with remote reception circuitry. An obturator is movably positionable within the lumen. The obturator is movable within the lumen between a first position and a second position. The obturator includes a distal end and a sensor at the distal end. The sensor is configured to sense an environmental characteristic within a patient's blood stream, generate a signal representative of the environmental characteristic, and transmit the signal to the electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry is configured to receive the signal and transmit the signal to the remote reception circuitry.

Abstract: An obturator assembly includes an obturator at least partially positionable within a lumen of a device. The obturator has a distal end with a tip portion and an opposing proximal end. A sensor assembly is at the tip portion. The sensor assembly is configured to sense one or more environmental characteristics and to generate one or more signals representative of the one or more environmental characteristics. A hub is operatively coupled to the obturator. The hub is also operatively coupled to electronic circuitry that is coupled in signal communication with the sensor assembly. In certain embodiments, the electronic circuitry is configured to receive the one or more signals from the sensor assembly and transmit the one or more signals to remote reception circuitry and/or display a datum representative of the one or more environmental characteristics on a display of the hub.