Abstract: A fluid control component configured for controlling fluid flow through the hub of a catheter assembly during and after placement into the patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the fluid control component comprises a body disposed within a cavity of the hub, the body being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the body does not pierce a valve disposed in the hub when in the first position and wherein the body pierces the valve when in the second position. The body includes a conduit to enable fluid flow through an internal portion of the body when the body is in the second position, and a plurality of longitudinal ribs disposed on an exterior surface of the body. The longitudinal ribs can provide fluid flow channels between the valve and an external portion of the body when the body is in the second position.

Abstract: A fluid control component configured for controlling fluid flow through the hub of a catheter assembly during and after placement into the patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the fluid control component comprises a body disposed within a cavity of the hub, the body being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the body does not pierce a valve disposed in the hub when in the first position and wherein the body pierces the valve when in the second position. The body includes a conduit to enable fluid flow through an internal portion of the body when the body is in the second position, and a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs disposed on an exterior surface of the body. The ribs provide at least one fluid flow channel between the valve and an external portion of the body when the body is in the second position.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is disclosed. The catheter insertion device includes a retractable needle for establishing access to a subcutaneous vessel of the patient and a manually extensible guidewire for guiding the initially attached catheter into the vessel. In one embodiment, the catheter insertion device comprises a housing, a hollow needle retractably extending from the housing, a catheter initially disposed on a portion of the needle, a guidewire including a portion initially disposed within the needle, a guidewire advancement feature configured to selectively advance a distal end of the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle, and a needle retention component configured to selectively enable retraction of the needle into the housing. The needle retention component is configured to be actuated by the guidewire advancement feature. In one embodiment, one-handed operation of the device is possible.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is disclosed. The catheter insertion device includes a retractable needle for establishing access to a subcutaneous vessel of the patient and a manually extensible guidewire for guiding the initially attached catheter into the vessel. In one embodiment, the catheter insertion device comprises a housing, a hollow needle retractably extending from the housing, a catheter initially disposed on a portion of the needle, a guidewire including a portion initially disposed within the needle, a guidewire advancement feature configured to selectively advance a distal end of the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle, and a needle retention component configured to selectively enable retraction of the needle into the housing. The needle retention component is configured to be actuated by the guidewire advancement feature. In one embodiment, one-handed operation of the device is possible.

Abstract: A catheterization system for treatment of patients can include a peripherally inserted central catheter comprising a catheter tube joined to an extension leg with a junction and a securement device that fits around a portion of the junction to inhibit movement. The catheter tube can include a taper proximate the junction, the taper transitioning the catheter tube from a larger outer diameter and a larger wall thickness to a smaller outer diameter and a smaller wall thickness. The taper and thicker wall thickness near the junction can help prevent damage to the catheter tube near the junction when bent (e.g., to secure a proximal region of the catheter to a patient's arm). The securement device can configured to fit around an outer diameter of the junction to inhibit movement of the junction when the junction is held in the securement device.

Abstract: A guidance system for assisting with the insertion of a needle into a patient body utilizing ultrasound imaging or other suitable imaging technology. The guidance system can include an imaging device including a probe for producing an image of an internal body portion target, such as a blood vessel. One or more sensors can be included with the probe. The sensors can sense a detectable characteristic related to the needle, such as a magnetic field of a magnet included with the needle. The system can include a processor that uses data relating to the sensed characteristic to determine a 3-D position of the needle. The system can include a display for depicting the position of the needle. A needle assembly including a hub, cannula, and magnetic element is also disclosed, wherein a magnetic axis of the magnetic element is configured to be coaxially aligned with the needle cannula.

Abstract: A fluid control component configured for controlling fluid flow through the hub of a catheter assembly during and after placement into the patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the fluid control component comprises a body disposed within a cavity of the hub, the body being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the body does not pierce a valve disposed in the hub when in the first position and wherein the body pierces the valve when in the second position. The body includes a conduit to enable fluid flow through an internal portion of the body when the body is in the second position, and a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs disposed on an exterior surface of the body. The ribs provide at least one fluid flow channel between the valve and an external portion of the body when the body is in the second position.

Abstract: A fluid control component configured for controlling fluid flow through the hub of a catheter assembly during and after placement into the patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the fluid control component comprises a body disposed within a cavity of the hub, the body being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the body does not pierce a valve disposed in the hub when in the first position and wherein the body pierces the valve when in the second position. The body includes a conduit to enable fluid flow through an internal portion of the body when the body is in the second position, and a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs disposed on an exterior surface of the body. The ribs provide at least one fluid flow channel between the valve and an external portion of the body when the body is in the second position.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is disclosed. The catheter insertion device includes a retractable needle for establishing access to a subcutaneous vessel of the patient and a manually extensible guidewire for guiding the initially attached catheter into the vessel. In one embodiment, the catheter insertion device comprises a housing, a hollow needle retractably extending from the housing, a catheter initially disposed on a portion of the needle, a guidewire including a portion initially disposed within the needle, a guidewire advancement feature configured to selectively advance a distal end of the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle, and a needle retention component configured to selectively enable retraction of the needle into the housing. The needle retention component is configured to be actuated by the guidewire advancement feature. In one embodiment, one-handed operation of the device is possible.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient includes a retractable needle for establishing access to a subcutaneous vessel of the patient and a manually extensible guidewire for guiding the initially attached catheter into the vessel. In one embodiment, the catheter insertion device includes a housing, a hollow needle retractably extending from the housing, a catheter initially disposed on a portion of the needle, a guidewire including a portion initially disposed within the needle, a guidewire advancement feature configured to selectively advance a distal end of the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle, and a needle retention component configured to selectively enable retraction of the needle into the housing. The needle retention component is configured to be actuated by the guidewire advancement feature. In one embodiment, one-handed operation of the device is possible.

Abstract: A fluid control component configured for controlling fluid flow through the hub of a catheter assembly during and after placement into the patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the fluid control component comprises a body disposed within a cavity of the hub, the body being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the body does not pierce a valve disposed in the hub when in the first position and wherein the body pierces the valve when in the second position. The body includes a conduit to enable fluid flow through an internal portion of the body when the body is in the second position, and a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs disposed on an exterior surface of the body. The ribs provide at least one fluid flow channel between the valve and an external portion of the body when the body is in the second position.

Abstract: A catheterization system for treatment of patients can include a peripherally inserted central catheter comprising a catheter tube joined to an extension leg with a junction and a securement device that fits around a portion of the junction to inhibit movement. The catheter tube can include a taper proximate the junction, the taper transitioning the catheter tube from a larger outer diameter and a larger wall thickness to a smaller outer diameter and a smaller wall thickness. The taper and thicker wall thickness near the junction can help prevent damage to the catheter tube near the junction when bent (e.g., to secure a proximal region of the catheter to a patient's arm). The securement device can configured to fit around an outer diameter of the junction to inhibit movement of the junction when the junction is held in the securement device.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is disclosed. The catheter insertion device includes a retractable needle for establishing access to a subcutaneous vessel of the patient and a manually extensible guidewire for guiding the initially attached catheter into the vessel. In one embodiment, the catheter insertion device comprises a housing, a hollow needle retractably extending from the housing, a catheter initially disposed on a portion of the needle, a guidewire including a portion initially disposed within the needle, a guidewire advancement feature configured to selectively advance a distal end of the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle, and a needle retention component configured to selectively enable retraction of the needle into the housing. The needle retention component is configured to be actuated by the guidewire advancement feature. In one embodiment, one-handed operation of the device is possible.

Abstract: A guidance system for assisting with the insertion of a needle into a patient body is disclosed. The guidance system utilizes ultrasound imaging or other suitable imaging technology. In one embodiment, the guidance system comprises an imaging device including a probe for producing an image of an internal body portion target, such as a vessel. One or more sensors are included with the probe. The sensors sense a detectable characteristic related to the needle, such as a magnetic field of a magnet included with the needle. The system includes a processor that uses data relating to the sensed characteristic to determine a 3-D position of the needle. The system includes a display for depicting the position of the needle. A needle assembly including a hub, cannula, and magnetic element is also disclosed, wherein a magnetic axis of the magnetic element is configured to be coaxially aligned with the needle cannula.