Abstract: A needle tip shield may include a needle passageway that may receive a needle, a tip shield interior space that may receive a needle block, and a fluid restriction member. The fluid restriction member may be configured to restrict fluid leakage into and/or out of the needle tip shield. The fluid restriction member may be selected from the group consisting of: (1) a fluid impedance member located adjacent the needle passageway that may impede fluid from entering into the needle tip shield through the needle passageway; (2) a fluid retention member that may retain fluid within the tip shield interior space; and (3) an anti-splatter member that may inhibit fluid splatter when the needle block moves from an open position to a closed position within the tip shield interior space.

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 catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end of the catheter adapter. The catheter assembly may include a septum disposed within the lumen, a septum actuator fixed within the lumen, and a spring disposed within the lumen distal to the septum. The septum may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a barrier that may divide an interior of the septum into a distal cavity and a proximal cavity. In response to insertion of a medical device into the proximal end of the catheter adapter, the septum may move from a proximal position to a distal position, and the septum actuator may penetrate the septum. The spring may return the septum from the distal position to the proximal position in response to removal of the medical device.

Abstract: A catheter system may include a catheter adapter and a needle shield device coupled to the catheter adapter. The needle shield device may include a needle housing and a needle assembly slideably coupled to the needle housing. The needle housing may include an elongated body and a nose portion coupled to the elongated body. The elongated body may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a slot disposed between the distal end and the proximal end of the elongated body. The needle assembly may include a needle grip and a needle hub having a protuberance coupled to the needle grip and slideably fit within the slot. To facilitate securement between the catheter adapter and the needle shield device, a flexible arm of the needle shield device may couple to the catheter adapter and/or multiple protrusions of the nose portion may contact an internal wall of the catheter adapter.

Abstract: A needle shield device may include a needle housing and a needle assembly slideably coupled to the needle housing. The needle housing may include a nose portion configured to be inserted into a catheter adapter and an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a slot disposed between the distal end and the proximal end of the elongated body. A distal portion of the slot may be sealed to prevent blood from leaking out of the needle housing. The needle assembly may include a needle grip, an introducer needle having a sharp distal tip and a proximal end, and a needle hub having a protuberance coupled to the needle grip and slideably fit within the slot. In response to movement of the needle assembly to a proximal position with respect to the needle housing, the sharp distal tip may be disposed within the needle housing.

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.