Abstract: A device to couple a vascular access device to a medical device may include a body, a spring, and a housing. The body may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end. The proximal end of the body may include a connector. The housing may be coupled to a proximal end of the spring and may enclose the connector. A distal end of the spring may be coupled to the body. The housing may include a flap, which may include an antimicrobial compound. When the housing is disposed in a proximal position, the flap may cover the connector, the antimicrobial compound may contact the connector, and the spring may be uncompressed. In response to movement of the housing from the proximal position to a distal position, the spring may be compressed and the flap may open.

Abstract: A cannula locator device is described herein. The cannula locator device may include a cannula. The cannula may include a distal tip, an elongated tubular shaft, and an inner lumen formed by the elongated tubular shaft. The cannula locator device may also include a first optical fiber configured to emit light and a second optical fiber configured to receive reflected light. The first and second optical fibers may be disposed within the inner lumen of the cannula. The first optical fiber may include a first distal end and a first proximal end. The second optical fiber may include a first proximal end and first distal end.

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 device to visually identify a blood vessel may include a cannula. The cannula may include a distal tip, an elongated tubular shaft, and an inner lumen formed by the elongated tubular shaft. The cannula may also include an optical fiber, which may be disposed within the inner lumen of the cannula. The optical fiber may include a distal end and a proximal end. The optical fiber may be configured to emit light from the distal end.

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 assembly including a catheter carried by a catheter adapter, a needle having a sharp distal tip and disposed in the catheter such that in a first needle position, the needle extending beyond the catheter, a septum actuator having openings, the septum actuator disposed in the catheter adapter and configured to pierce a septum, and a spring clip disposed in the septum actuator and engaging the openings of the septum actuator in the first needle position.

Abstract: A distal end of a needle may include a distal tip. The distal end may also include a first beveled surface, a second beveled surface, and a third beveled surface, which may each extend proximally from the distal tip. The first beveled surface may converge with the second beveled surface to form a first cutting edge, the second beveled surface may converge with the third beveled surface to form a second cutting edge, and the third beveled surface may converge with the first beveled surface to form a third cutting edge. The first cutting edge may be offset from the second cutting edge by about 120 degrees, the second cutting edge may be offset from the third cutting edge by about 120 degrees, and the third cutting edge may be offset from the first cutting edge by about 120 degrees.

Abstract: A method to manage flushing of a catheter assembly a clamp configured to clamp an extension tube of a catheter assembly. The clamp may include an acoustic sensor configured to detect fluid flowing through the extension tube. The clamp and the acoustic sensor may be disposed outside of the extension tube. The clamp may include a pinch clamp or a non-pinch clamp. The acoustic sensor may be embedded in the clamp. The method may include detecting, via the acoustic sensor, fluid flowing through the extension tube.

Abstract: A monitoring device may include a housing, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a fluid pathway extending through the proximal end and distal end. The distal end may include a connector configured to couple to a catheter assembly. The monitoring device may include one or more sensors disposed within the fluid pathway. The sensors may facilitate identification of an occlusion within the catheter assembly.

Abstract: A method to manage flushing of a catheter assembly may include providing a clamp for a fluid tube configured to be coupled to the catheter assembly. The clamp may include a sensor configured to detect the clamp is closed. The method may include starting a timer in response to the sensor detecting the clamp is closed. The method may include providing an alert in response to the timer reaching a predetermined duration of time. The alert may indicate to a clinician that the catheter assembly should be opened and flushed, which may prevent occlusion of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: An intravenous delivery system may operate by gravity feed, and may have a liquid source containing a liquid, a drip unit that receives the liquid from the liquid source, and tubing that receives the liquid from the drip unit for delivery to a patient. A flow rate sensor may be used to measure a flow rate of liquid through the intravenous delivery system, and may generate a flow rate signal indicative of the flow rate. A controller may receive the signal, and may compare the flow rate with a desired flow rate. If the flow rate is more or less than the desired flow rate, the controller may transmit a control signal to a flow rate regulator. The flow rate regulator may receive the control signal and, in response, modify the flow rate to bring the flow rate closer to the desired flow rate.

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. Also disclosed is a needle cover having a fixed distance between the tip of the needle and the tip of the needle cover. 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.

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 flush device may be used to flush a catheter system. The flush device may include a housing, a proximal connector coupled to the housing, and a distal connector coupled to the housing. The flush device may include a first conduit disposed within the housing and extending between the proximal connector and the distal connector. The flush device may include a second conduit disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the first conduit. The flush device may include a fluid reservoir, which may be disposed within the housing of the flush device. The flush device may include a pump that pumps fluid from the fluid reservoir, through the second conduit, and into the first conduit. The device may include a one-way valve, which may prevent fluid from flowing beyond the one-way valve toward the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: An intravenous therapy system may include a curved needle; and a curved catheter formed around the outside surface of the curved needle; wherein, upon insertion of a first length of the curved needle and curved catheter into a patient's body, a curvature angle of the curved needle and curved catheter causes the curved needle and curved catheter to intersect axially with a blood vessel in the patient's body.

Abstract: A catheter system may include a catheter adapter, which may include a distal end and a proximal end. The catheter system may include a catheter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, a catheter lumen extending through the distal end of the catheter and the proximal end of the catheter, and an inner surface forming the catheter lumen. The catheter may extend distally from the distal end of the catheter adapter. The distal end of the catheter may include one or more holes. The distal end of the catheter may include one or more channels. The holes and/or the channels may facilitate visualization of blood flashback indicating the catheter is disposed within a vein of a patient.

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: Catheter and needle assemblies with spring-powered retractable needles are described. The assemblies can include a hollow handle, a grip portion, a catheter hub with a catheter, and a needle. The needle can have a first position in which the needle is slidably disposed within the catheter and a second position in which the needle is slidably removed from the catheter and retracted at least in part into the hollow handle. The grip portion can include a trigger portion that activates a spring to move the needle from the first position into the second position. In the second position, a sharp distal point of the needle is shielded by the grip portion to prevent accidental needle sticks.

Abstract: An intravenous delivery system may operate by gravity feed, and may have a liquid source containing a liquid, a drip unit that receives the liquid from the liquid source, and tubing that receives the liquid from the drip unit for delivery to a patient. A flow rate sensor may be used to measure a flow rate of liquid through the intravenous delivery system, and may generate a flow rate signal indicative of the flow rate. A controller may receive the signal, and may compare the flow rate with a desired flow rate. If the flow rate is more or less than the desired flow rate, the controller may transmit a control signal to a flow rate regulator. The flow rate regulator may receive the control signal and, in response, modify the flow rate to bring the flow rate closer to the desired flow rate.

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.