Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple-use intravenous (IV) catheter assembly septum and septum actuator. In particular, the present invention relates to an IV catheter assembly having a stationary septum actuator and a blood control septum, wherein the blood control septum is configured to slide within a catheter adapter of the IV catheter assembly between a compressed state and an uncompressed state. When in the compressed state, a slit of the blood control septum is opened and the septum comprises stored compressive potential energy. When the septum is released from the compressed state, the stored compressive potential energy is release and the blood control septum is restored to its original shape, thereby closing the septum's slit.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for applying an anti-pathogenic material to various surfaces of a medical device, wherein the method includes identifying various surfaces of the medical tests which include noncritical dimensions, and limiting the application of the anti-pathogenic material to those surfaces. Some aspects of the invention further include the application of an anti-pathogenic lubricant material to various parts or components of a medical device to reduce friction.

Abstract: A catheter system may include a needle assembly coupled to a catheter adapter. The needle assembly may include a housing, an introducer needle, a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a needle tip shield feature. A distal tip of the introducer needle may be configured to be proximally withdrawn from a first position to a second position in which a bump feature of the introducer needle contacts and is prevented from moving through the proximal opening. In response to withdrawal of the distal tip proximally from the second position to a third position, the housing may move proximally, and the needle tip shield feature may be released to block the distal opening. The needle tip shield feature may not contact the introducer needle when the distal tip moves proximally from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the third position, which may reduce a friction-based drag force on the introducer needle.

Abstract: A device for accommodating and magnetizing a tissue-penetrating medical device of various lengths, with or without a cover covering a portion or the entirety of the tissue-penetrating medical device, is disclosed including a sleeve member having an open proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, an outer surface having a graduated injection depth gauge to indicate needle penetration depth when the cover is placed into a magnetizer, and a hollow body extending between the proximal end and the distal end to form a protective closure over a shaft of a tissue-penetrating medical device. A device having one or more magnetizing elements sectioned into a plurality of movable segments pivoting around an axis to accommodate needles with different lengths is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a device having one or more magnetizing means mounted on a movable element to magnetize needles of various lengths.

Abstract: A catheter system having one or more needle position indicators to assist an operator in withdrawing the introducer needle to a “parked” position, as part of a catheterization procedure, wherein the needle position indicator provides a visual indication to the operator.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is disclosed that includes a catheter adapter having a port disposed on its sidewall. A valve is coupled to the port to seal the opening in the port.

Abstract: An adapter configured to couple to a catheter assembly. The adapter may include a first proximal port, a second proximal port, and a distal port. An infusion fluid pathway may extend between the first proximal port and the distal port. A blood withdrawal fluid pathway may extend between the second proximal port and the distal port. The adapter may include a one-way septum disposed in the first proximal port and configured to open to allow fluid flow in a distal direction at a pressure differential across the one-way septum. The one-way septum is disposed within the infusion fluid pathway. The adapter may include a two-way septum disposed in the second proximal port. The two-way septum may be disposed within the blood withdrawal fluid pathway.

Abstract: A system to detect occlusion of an intravenous catheter may include a housing, which may include a distal end configured to couple to a proximal end of a catheter adapter and an inner lumen forming a fluid pathway. The system may also include one or more transmitters, which may be disposed within the housing. The transmitters may be configured to transmit first energy waves along a length of an intravenous catheter at a first frequency, and a portion of the first energy waves that are reflected back from the catheter may be detected by the system. Based on the portion of the first energy waves that are reflected back from the catheter, the transmitters may transmit second energy waves along the length of the catheter at a second frequency, which may be greater than the first frequency and configured to reduce formation of blood clots within the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap for a medical connector. More specifically, the present invention related to an antimicrobial cap for placement over a connector, wherein various features of the antimicrobial cap maintain the connector in an antiseptic state.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for applying an anti-pathogenic material to various surfaces of a medical device, wherein the method includes identifying various surfaces of the medical tests which include noncritical dimensions, and limiting the application of the anti-pathogenic material to those surfaces. Some aspects of the invention further include the application of an anti-pathogenic lubricant material to various parts or components of a medical device to reduce friction.

Abstract: A catheter system may include a needle assembly coupled to a catheter adapter. The needle assembly may include a housing, an introducer needle, a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a needle tip shield feature. A distal tip of the introducer needle may be configured to be proximally withdrawn from a first position to a second position in which a bump feature of the introducer needle contacts and is prevented from moving through the proximal opening. In response to withdrawal of the distal tip proximally from the second position to a third position, the housing may move proximally, and the needle tip shield feature may be released to block the distal opening. The needle tip shield feature may not contact the introducer needle when the distal tip moves proximally from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the third position, which may reduce a friction-based drag force on the introducer needle.

Abstract: A catheter system having one or more needle position indicators to assist an operator in withdrawing the introducer needle to a “parked” position, as part of a catheterization procedure, wherein the needle position indicator provides a visual indication to the operator.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is disclosed that includes a catheter adapter having a port disposed on its sidewall. A valve is coupled to the port to seal the opening in the port.

Abstract: A vascular access device to passively open a fluid path within a vasculature. The vascular access device may include a catheter and an obturator slidably positioned within the lumen of the catheter. The catheter may have a proximal end, a distal tip comprising an opening having an inner diameter, a sidewall defining a lumen between the proximal end and distal tip. The obturator may have a distal end with an outer diameter configured to form an interference fit with the inner diameter of the distal tip. The obturator may be positioned within the lumen to open various fluid pathways. The obturator may be repositioned to move the catheter tip.

Abstract: A needle protection device may include a hub, a housing disposed within the lumen of the hub, and a needle. The housing may include a tubular portion, which may include two arms coupled thereto. Each of the arms may include a first end coupled to the tubular portion, a second end disposed within the tubular portion, and a bent portion therebetween. The second end of the first arm and the second end of the second arm may form a duckbill valve. A needle may extend through the housing. Withdrawing a sharp distal tip of the needle in a proximal direction beyond the second end of each of the arms may close the duckbill valve and facilitate removal of the housing from the hub. Shielding the sharp distal tip of the needle in this manner may prevent blood spatter and exposure to blood and blood-borne pathogens.

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: An activator attachment that can be attached to the proximal end of a catheter adapter and can activate a blood control valve within the catheter adapter.

Abstract: A cover for magnetizing a shaft of a tissue-penetrating medical device is disclosed including a sleeve member having a hollow body to form a protective closure over the shaft of the tissue-penetrating medical device. The proximal end of the hollow body provides a receiving space for receiving the shaft of the tissue-penetrating medical device. One or more magnet is disposed on the sleeve member. A magnetic shield composed of one or more shielding materials associated with the cover that minimizes any effects to the clinical environment from magnetic fields generated within the cover. Medical devices, assemblies and methods of magnetizing the shaft of a tissue-penetrating medical device using the cover are also disclosed.

Abstract: An activator attachment that can be attached to the proximal end of a catheter adapter and can activate a blood control valve within the catheter adapter.

Abstract: A delivery device to deliver a tubular instrument into a catheter extending distally from a catheter adapter. The delivery device may include a housing configured to couple to the catheter adapter. The delivery device may include a tubular instrument configured to insert through the catheter. The tubular instrument may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end. The distal end may include a distal tip, which may be closed. The proximal end may be secured within the housing. The tubular instrument may be configured to advance distally with respect to the housing. The delivery device may include a pressure-sensitive valve disposed at the distal tip or within the distal end. The pressure-sensitive valve may be configured to move from the closed position to an open position in response to a predetermined vacuum pressure level within the lumen.