Abstract: A pinch clamp for use in occluding intravenous tubing or other similar tubing can include patient comfort features and/or lateral disengagement prevention features. These features can also be designed in a manner that allows the pinch clamps to be more easily manufactured. A pinch clamp can include a first arm that is coupled to a second arm by hinges. Each of the first and second arms can form a clamping surface that are aligned when the first arm is positioned overtop the second arm. The first arm can include opposing openings and the second arm can include opposing tabs which insert through the openings when the first arm is positioned overtop the second arm. The retaining tabs interface with the openings to prevent the first arm from separating from the second arm.

Abstract: A compliant catheter adapter may include a catheter adapter body formed of a compliant material. The catheter adapter body may have a generally elongate shape and an inner chamber. The catheter adapter body may include a compression resistant septum disposed toward the proximal end of the catheter adapter body. The compression resistant septum may have a lumen configured to receive an elongate object. The compression resistant septum may also be coupled to a compression cap that imparts a compression force on the compression resistant septum such that the lumen narrows and seals when the elongate object is removed from the lumen.

Abstract: An IV catheter system may have a catheter component with a catheter hub, a cannula extending distally from the catheter hub, and a push feature adjacent to the catheter hub. The IV catheter system may also have a needle component with a needle hub, a needle extending distally from the needle hub along an axis, and a grip extending from the needle hub, generally parallel to the axis, with a pull feature. In the insertion configuration, the needle may be positioned within the cannula and the distal end of the needle hub may be seated in a needle port of the catheter hub. In the fluid delivery configuration, the needle may be positioned outside the catheter hub. The push and pull features may be positioned to facilitate manipulation with a single hand to move the IV catheter system from an insertion configuration to a fluid delivery configuration.

Abstract: A blood sample collection system, may include a housing, the housing including a blood collection port; and a baffle chamber; a needle formed through the housing and into the blood collection port; and a baffle formed within the baffle chamber to counteract a vacuum within a blood collection tube when pierced by the needle.

Abstract: An instrument advancement device may include a housing and an extension tube extending through the housing. A wedge may be disposed within the housing. The wedge may include an arc-shaped channel. A pair of opposing pinch members configured to pinch the extension tube may be disposed within the housing and configured to move along the extension tube. An instrument may extend through the arc-shaped channel. A first end of the instrument may be fixed. In response to moving the housing distally along the extension tube, the pair of opposing pinch members may push the wedge distally. In response to movement of the wedge distally a first distance, a second end of the instrument may be configured to advance distally a second distance. A support element or compressible element may be disposed within a lumen of the extension tube to support the instrument.

Abstract: An instrument advancement device may include an instrument and an advancement feature configured to advance the instrument distally through the catheter assembly. The instrument advancement device may include a first indicator marking, a second indicator marking, and a third indicator marking. In response to aligning the advancement feature with the first indicator marking, a distal tip of the instrument may be configured to align with a distal tip of a catheter assembly. In response to aligning the advancement feature with the second indicator marking, the distal tip of the instrument may be advanced a distance distal to the distal tip of the catheter assembly. In response to aligning the advancement feature with the third indicator marking, the distal tip of the instrument may be advanced another distance distal to the distal tip of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: An instrument delivery device may include a housing, which may include a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end may be configured to couple to an intravenous catheter device. The proximal end may include a proximal connector. The proximal connector may be adjustable between a first position with respect to the housing to a second position with respect to the housing. An instrument may be disposed within the housing. An advancement wheel may extend out from the housing. In response to the advancement wheel being rotated, the instrument may be advanced through the distal end of the housing. A housing of another instrument delivery device may include an advancement element, which may include a first push tab and/or a second push tab.

Abstract: A blood sample collection system, may include a housing, the housing including a blood collection port; and a baffle chamber; a needle formed through the housing and into the blood collection port; and a baffle formed within the baffle chamber to counteract a vacuum within a blood collection tube when pierced by the needle.

Abstract: A self-slitting open lumen cannula may be used with catheter adapters to reduce manufacturing complexity and costs, as well as improve the safety of the catheter adapters against fluid leakage. The open lumen cannula may also include one or more notches to facilitate flashback visualization. The catheter adapters may further include a catheter adapter body formed of a compliant material that houses one or more compression resistant septa with at least one lumen formed by the proximal end of the needle during a self-slitting process as the catheter adapter is assembled. The compression resistant septum may also be coupled to a compression cap that imparts a radial compression force on the one or more compression resistant septa such that the at least one lumen narrows and seals when the cannula is removed.

Abstract: A vascular access instrument advancement device may include a housing and an extension tube extending through the housing. The extension tube may extend through the housing. The extension tube may include a first lumen and a second lumen. A blood collection pathway may extend through the first lumen. A wedge may be disposed within the housing and the second lumen of the extension tube. A pair of opposing pinch members may be configured to pinch the extension tube. The pair of opposing pinch members may be disposed within the housing proximal to the wedge and configured to move along the extension tube with the housing. An instrument may extend distally from the wedge. The instrument may be disposed within the second lumen. In response to moving the housing distally along the extension tube, the pair of opposing pinch members push the wedge distally and the instrument is advanced distally.

Abstract: A patency checking system, may include a fluid path to be coupled to an intravenous (IV) device at a distal end of the fluid path; a patency port formed along a length of the fluid path; and a plunger fluidically coupled to the fluid path at the patency port to selectively draw blood into the fluid path to confirm patency of the fluid path.

Abstract: A catheter system may include a catheter hub, a septum disposed within the catheter hub, a catheter tube extending from the catheter hub, a needle hub, and an introducer needle secured within the needle hub. The catheter hub may include a push tab and one or more ribs, which may extend outwardly from an upper surface of the catheter hub. The ribs may be shorter in height than the push tab and/or may be generally parallel to the push tab. The introducer needle may include a flashback notch. In response to insertion of the introducer needle into vasculature, blood may flow into the introducer needle, through the flashback notch, and into a flashback chamber disposed between the septum and the catheter tube. The flashback chamber may be disposed distal to the push tab and the ribs, which may improve visualization of the flashback chamber by a user.

Abstract: A patency checking system, may include a fluid path to be coupled to an intravenous (IV) device at a distal end of the fluid path; a patency port formed along a length of the fluid path; and a plunger fluidically coupled to the fluid path at the patency port to selectively draw blood into the fluid path to confirm patency of the fluid path.

Abstract: A catheter system may include a catheter hub, a septum disposed within the catheter hub, a catheter tube extending from the catheter hub, a needle hub, and an introducer needle secured within the needle hub. The catheter hub may include a push tab and one or more ribs, which may extend outwardly from an upper surface of the catheter hub. The ribs may be shorter in height than the push tab and/or may be generally parallel to the push tab. The introducer needle may include a flashback notch. In response to insertion of the introducer needle into vasculature, blood may flow into the introducer needle, through the flashback notch, and into a flashback chamber disposed between the septum and the catheter tube. The flashback chamber may be disposed distal to the push tab and the ribs, which may improve visualization of the flashback chamber by a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peripheral intravenous catheters, and in particular to an integrated peripheral intravenous catheter having a low profile securement platform, a needle hub having an interior compartment and further comprising a paddle grip, and an extension tube coupled to the catheter and stored within the interior compartment of the needle hub prior to catheterization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peripheral intravenous catheters, and in particular to an integrated peripheral intravenous catheter having a low profile securement platform, a needle hub having an interior compartment and further comprising a paddle grip, and an extension tube coupled to the catheter and stored within the interior compartment of the needle hub prior to catheterization.

Abstract: Pinch-style clamps can be designed for use in clamping or occluding plastic tubing, such as intravenous tubing. These pinch clamps can include a soft, polymer material applied to various surfaces of the pinch clamp to prevent abrasion or irritation to the patient, increase friction between the pinch clamp and the user operating said pinch clamp, increase friction between engaged surfaces of the pinch clamp to prevent premature or unintended disengagement of the clamp, or increase friction between the outer surfaces of the tubing and the clamping surfaces of the clamp. Various features or components can be employed to prevent lateral disengagement of the pinch clamp. A pinch clamp may also be configured with rounded outer edges to enhance patient comfort.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a catheter, catheter adapter, needle, needle guard, and housing. The housing may be coupled to the needle guard and disposed within a lumen of the catheter adapter. The needle guard may include first and second resilient arms, which may include first and second curved portions, respectively. When the needle is in a ready position, the first and second curved portions may be urged by a shaft of the needle into retaining contact with an inner wall of the catheter adapter. When the needle is in the retracted position, the shaft may no longer bias the first and second resilient arms outwardly such that the retaining contact between the first and second curved portions and the catheter adapter is released, and the housing and the needle guard enclose a distal tip of the needle.

Abstract: Pinch-style clamps can be designed for use in clamping or occluding plastic tubing, such as intravenous tubing. These pinch clamps can include a soft, polymer material applied to various surfaces of the pinch clamp to prevent abrasion or irritation to the patient, increase friction between the pinch clamp and the user operating said pinch clamp, increase friction between engaged surfaces of the pinch clamp to prevent premature or unintended disengagement of the clamp, or increase friction between the outer surfaces of the tubing and the clamping surfaces of the clamp. Various features or components can be employed to prevent lateral disengagement of the pinch clamp. A pinch clamp may also be configured with rounded outer edges to enhance patient comfort.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a catheter, catheter adapter, needle, needle guard, and housing. The housing may be coupled to the needle guard and disposed within a lumen of the catheter adapter. The needle guard may include first and second resilient arms, which may include first and second curved portions, respectively. When the needle is in a ready position, the first and second curved portions may be urged by a shaft of the needle into retaining contact with an inner wall of the catheter adapter. When the needle is in the retracted position, the shaft may no longer bias the first and second resilient arms outwardly such that the retaining contact between the first and second curved portions and the catheter adapter is released, and the housing and the needle guard enclose a distal tip of the needle.