Abstract: A medical insertion device includes an introducer assembly, a needle, and a housing. The introducer assembly includes a dilator coaxially disposed in a sheath, the dilator removably engaged to the sheath in an insertion configuration. The needle is coaxially disposed in the dilator, the needle having a distal tip and a proximal end coupled to a needle hub. The housing may be removably engaged to the dilator. The needle hub is movably disposed in the housing between a first locked position, a second locked position, and a third locked position.

Abstract: A medical insertion device includes an introducer assembly, a needle, and a housing. The introducer assembly includes a dilator coaxially disposed in a sheath, the dilator removably engaged to the sheath in an insertion configuration. The needle is coaxially disposed in the dilator, the needle having a distal tip and a proximal end coupled to a needle hub. The housing may be removably engaged to the dilator. The needle hub is movably disposed in the housing between a first locked position, a second locked position, and a third locked position.

Abstract: A medical insertion device includes an introducer assembly, a needle, and a housing. The introducer assembly includes a dilator coaxially disposed in a sheath, the dilator removably engaged to the sheath in an insertion configuration. The needle is coaxially disposed in the dilator, the needle having a distal tip and a proximal end coupled to a needle hub. The housing may be removably engaged to the dilator. The needle hub is movably disposed in the housing between a first locked position, in which the distal tip of the needle extends a first length from a distal end of the dilator, a second locked position, in which the distal tip of the needle extends a second length from the distal end of the dilator less than the first length, and a third locked position, in which the distal tip of the needle is within the dilator.

Abstract: A probe cap for use with an ultrasound probe including a head portion and an acoustic surface is disclosed. In one embodiment, the probe cap includes a body that defines a cavity sized for releasably receiving the head portion of the probe therein. The probe cap body further defines a hole that is proximate the acoustic surface of the head portion. A compliant spacer component is disposed in the hole. The spacer component can include a hydrogel and provides an acoustic path between the acoustic surface and a tissue surface of a patient. The spacer component includes a skin contact surface that defines a concavity and is deformable against the tissue surface. Additional embodiments disclose various probe cap and accompanying needle guide designs for use in assisting a clinician with ultrasound probe use and needle insertion into a patient.

Abstract: An access port includes an access port body and a needle-penetrable septum. The access port body can be of integral single-piece construction, and can define a reservoir aligned with an access opening. The access port body can further define an annular groove between the reservoir and the opening. The annular groove can have a diameter greater than a diameter of the access opening and a diameter of the reservoir. The needle-penetrable septum can include an upper portion disposed in the access opening and an annular flange disposed in the annular groove. The annular flange can extend radially outward from a lower portion of the septum, and can have a diameter greater than a diameter of the upper portion of the septum. The needle-penetrable septum can further include an annular reinforcement structure disposed within the annular flange.

Abstract: A septum for sealably covering a fluid cavity defined in an implantable device, which may be an access port, and methods for assembling the implantable device. The septum may include a resilient septum body, an annular flange extending radially outward from the septum body, and a reinforcement component disposed in the annular flange for reinforcing engagement with a corresponding annular groove defined in a body of the implantable device. The reinforcement component may inhibit unintended detachment of the septum from the implantable device.

Abstract: A medical insertion device includes an introducer assembly, a needle, and a housing. The introducer assembly includes a dilator coaxially disposed in a sheath, the dilator removably engaged to the sheath in an insertion configuration. The needle is coaxially disposed in the dilator, the needle having a distal tip and a proximal end coupled to a needle hub. The housing may be removably engaged to the dilator. The needle hub is movably disposed in the housing between a first locked position, in which the distal tip of the needle extends a first length from a distal end of the dilator, a second locked position, in which the distal tip of the needle extends a second length from the distal end of the dilator less than the first length, and a third locked position, in which the distal tip of the needle is within the dilator.

Abstract: An insertion device for use in assisting with the placement of a medical device within the body of a patient is disclosed. For example, the insertion device can be employed to assist with the placement of an introducer, which provides a conduit for insertion of a catheter into the body. In one embodiment, the insertion device comprises a needle that is removably disposed within a bore defined by the medical device, and a needle retraction assembly. The needle retraction assembly can position the needle in any one of a first position wherein a distal tip of the needle is disposed a predetermined distance distal to a distal end of the medical device, a second position wherein the needle distal tip is disposed distal but proximate to the distal end of the medical device, and a third position wherein the needle distal tip is retracted within the medical device bore.

Abstract: A catheter assembly, includes a catheter body, a tubular structure and a stabilizing cuff around a longitudinal length of the tubular structure. The tubular structure may be affixed to an exterior surface of the catheter body, and may include a tapered outer surface at a first terminal end of the tubular structure. The tapered outer surface may have a first outer diameter at the first terminal end of the tubular structure and a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter at a terminal end of the tapered outer surface opposite the first terminal end. The tubular structure may have a third outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter at a second terminal end of the tubular structure opposite the first terminal end.

Abstract: An insertion device for use in assisting with the placement of a medical device within the body of a patient is disclosed. For example, the insertion device can be employed to assist with the placement of an introducer, which provides a conduit for insertion of a catheter into the body. In one embodiment, the insertion device comprises a needle that is removably disposed within a bore defined by the medical device, and a needle retraction assembly. The needle retraction assembly can position the needle in any one of a first position wherein a distal tip of the needle is disposed a predetermined distance distal to a distal end of the medical device, a second position wherein the needle distal tip is disposed distal but proximate to the distal end of the medical device, and a third position wherein the needle distal tip is retracted within the medical device bore.

Abstract: An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. Such an access port may comprise a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. Further, the access port may include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. Further, the subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature. In one embodiment, an identification feature is engraved or otherwise defined by the access port, so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.

Abstract: A septum for sealably covering a fluid cavity defined in an implantable device, which may be an access port, and methods for assembling the implantable device. The septum may include a resilient septum body, an annular flange extending radially outward from the septum body, and a reinforcement component disposed in the annular flange for reinforcing engagement with a corresponding annular groove defined in a body of the implantable device. The reinforcement component may inhibit unintended detachment of the septum from the implantable device.

Abstract: A probe cap for use with an ultrasound probe including a head portion and an acoustic surface is disclosed. In one embodiment, the probe cap includes a body that defines a cavity sized for releasably receiving the head portion of the probe therein. The probe cap body further defines a hole that is proximate the acoustic surface of the head portion. A compliant spacer component is disposed in the hole. The spacer component can include a hydrogel and provides an acoustic path between the acoustic surface and a tissue surface of a patient. The spacer component includes a skin contact surface that defines a concavity and is deformable against the tissue surface. Additional embodiments disclose various probe cap and accompanying needle guide designs for use in assisting a clinician with ultrasound probe use and needle insertion into a patient.

Abstract: A catheter assembly, includes a catheter body, a tubular structure and a stabilizing cuff around a longitudinal length of the tubular structure. The tubular structure may be affixed to an exterior surface of the catheter body, and may include a tapered outer surface at a first terminal end of the tubular structure. The tapered outer surface may have a first outer diameter at the first terminal end of the tubular structure and a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter at a terminal end of the tapered outer surface opposite the first terminal end. The tubular structure may have a third outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter at a second terminal end of the tubular structure opposite the first terminal end.

Abstract: An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. Such an access port may comprise a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. Further, the access port may include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. Further, the subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature. In one embodiment, an identification feature is engraved or otherwise defined by the access port, so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter, a tubular structure affixed to an exterior surface of the catheter, and a stabilizing cuff affixed to, and at least partially embedded within, the tubular structure. The tubular structure may include a tapered surface extending from an end of the tubular structure to an exterior surface of the catheter. A method of manufacturing a catheter assembly may include positioning a tubular structure about a catheter, positioning a stabilizing cuff near the tubular structure, and partially embedding at least a portion of the stabilizing cuff within the tubular structure while shaping the tubular structure to form a tapered surface. A temporary sleeve may be positioned about the tubular structure prior to shaping the tubular structure. The tubular structure may also be preformed to include a tapered end prior to positioning the tubular structure about the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is disclosed comprising a catheter, a tubular structure affixed to an exterior surface of the catheter, and a stabilizing cuff affixed to, and at least partially embedded within, the tubular structure. The tubular structure may include a tapered surface extending from an end of the tubular structure to an exterior surface of the catheter. A method of manufacturing a catheter assembly is also disclosed. For example, such a method may comprise positioning a tubular structure about a catheter, positioning a stabilizing cuff near the tubular structure, and partially embedding at least a portion of the stabilizing cuff within the tubular structure while shaping the tubular structure to form a tapered surface. A temporary sleeve may be positioned about the tubular structure prior to shaping the tubular structure. The tubular may also be performed to include a tapered end prior to positioning the tubular structure about the catheter.

Abstract: An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. Such an access port may comprise a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. Further, the access port may include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. Further, the subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature. In one embodiment, an identification feature is engraved or otherwise defined by the access port, so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.