Abstract: A medical device includes a body and an interior surface of the body that communicates with a fluid capable of delivering a pathogen to the interior surface. The medical device may also have an energy source coupled with the vascular access device that provides energy to the interior surface of the body to repress pathogenic activity. A method of repressing pathogenic activity in a vascular access device includes providing a body having an interior surface and energizing the vascular access device to repress pathogenic activity on the interior surface.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel assembly includes a handle having at least one attachment element and at least one guide element. The assembly also has a guard including at least one guide member configured to engage the at least one guide element of the handle such that the guard is movably connectable with the handle. The guard includes a first biased arm having a first boss and a second cantilevered arm having a second boss. The assembly also includes a blade having an attachment groove configured to engage the attachment element of the handle. The blade includes a first hole configured to receive the first boss when the blade is connected to the guard and a second hole configured to receive the second boss when the blade is connected to the guard.

Abstract: A combination cantilever push tab and finger rest is associated with the needle shield and extends distally from the distal end of the needle shield. The cantilever push tab and finger rest includes a cantilever portion that extends distally from the needle shield, preferably from an exterior surface of the needle shield, and an upstanding tab portion at the distal end of the cantilever portion. This configuration causes the upstanding tab to extend over the proximal portion of the catheter adapter and allows a clinician to insert a catheter using virtually any clinically acceptable technique for inserting a catheter into a patient.

Abstract: A needle shield assembly with a needle having a distal tip and a static feature is provided. The needle shield assembly includes an adapter having an open distal terminus and an open proximal terminus to allow passage of the needle and a needle shield slidably associated with the adapter having an open distal end and an open proximal end where the open proximal end is sufficiently narrow to restrict proximal movement of the needle static feature causing the shield to move in a proximal direction when the needle is pulled proximally after the static feature has established contact with the needle shield proximal end. The assembly includes a canting plate having an unactivated first position and an activated second position that restricts needle movement. The canting plate is activated via a canting plate retention system in communication with the canting plate and responsive to proximal movement of the needle.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for preventing unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a means for connecting the needle shield to the catheter hub until the sharp distal tip of the introducer needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. Thus, when the distal end of the introducer needle extends from the distal portion of the needle shield, the needle shield is connected to the catheter hub and when the sharp distal end of the introducer needle is withdrawn into the needle shield, the needle shield is disconnected from the catheter hub. At that point, the sharp needle tip is secured within the needle shield.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for preventing unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a means for connecting the needle shield to the catheter hub until the sharp distal tip of the introducer needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. Thus, when the distal end of the introducer needle extends from the distal portion of the needle shield, the needle shield is connected to the catheter hub and when the sharp distal end of the introducer needle is withdrawn into the needle shield, the needle shield is disconnected from the catheter hub. At that point, the sharp needle tip is secured within the needle shield.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for preventing unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a means for connecting the needle shield to the catheter hub until the sharp distal tip of the introducer needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. Thus, when the distal end of the introducer needle extends from the distal portion of the needle shield, the needle shield is connected to the catheter hub and when the sharp distal end of the introducer needle is withdrawn into the needle shield, the needle shield is disconnected from the catheter hub.

Abstract: A combination cantilever push tab and finger rest is associated with the needle shield and extends distally from the distal end of the needle shield. The cantilever push tab and finger rest includes a cantilever portion that extends distally from the needle shield, preferably from an exterior surface of the needle shield, and an upstanding tab portion at the distal end of the cantilever portion. This configuration causes the upstanding tab to extend over the proximal portion of the catheter adapter and allows a clinician to insert a catheter using virtually any clinically acceptable technique for inserting a catheter into a patient.

Abstract: A combination cantilever push tab and finger rest is associated with the needle shield and extends distally from the distal end of the needle shield. The cantilever push tab and finger rest includes a cantilever portion that extends distally from the needle shield, preferably from an exterior surface of the needle shield, and an upstanding tab portion at the distal end of the cantilever portion. This configuration causes the upstanding tab to extend over the proximal portion of the catheter adapter and allows a clinician to insert a catheter using virtually any clinically acceptable technique for inserting a catheter into a patient.

Abstract: A combination cantilever push tab and finger rest is associated with the needle shield and extends distally from the distal end of the needle shield. The cantilever push tab and finger rest includes a cantilever portion that extends distally from the needle shield, preferably from an exterior surface of the needle shield, and an upstanding tab portion at the distal end of the cantilever portion. This configuration causes the upstanding tab to extend over the proximal portion of the catheter adapter and allows a clinician to insert a catheter using virtually any clinically acceptable technique for inserting a catheter into a patient.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catheter having an improved tape down wing. This wing is oval and has a length to width ratio of between about 1:1 to about 1:3. In addition, the wing has a flat bottom with a domed cross-section. The ratio of the cross-sectional thickness, edge to center, is between about 1:1.5 to about 1:4.

Abstract: The luer adapter of this invention includes a barbed portion having a generally cylindrical distal portion, a generally conical portion, a generally cylindrical portion and a generally outwardly tapered proximal portion. The shape of the barb is substantially the same as the shape of the lumen at the proximal end of a catheter but is slightly larger radially and slightly shorter axially than the proximal portion of the lumen. This ensures that when the barb is inserted into the proximal portion of the lumen the luer adapter is positively locked to the catheter.