Abstract: A clamp for selectively compressing a portion of tubing, such as an extension leg of a PICC or other catheter, is disclosed. The clamp is able to be opened or closed with a thumb and finger of a single hand of a user and is slidably attached to the tubing so as to enable its placement as desired along the tube. In one embodiment, the tubing clamp comprises a body including first and second body portions hingedly connected to one another in a clamshell configuration, a latch for releasably latching the first and second body portions together, and at least two tube compression members. The tube compression members cooperate to compress and occlude a portion of tubing passing through the tubing clamp when the first and second body portions are latched to one another.

Abstract: A skateboard truck (200, 300), including a hanger (102?, 102??) carrying an axle (104), and a baseplate (108?, 108??). The axle holds a pair of wheels, which are steered in unison by the axle. The baseplate is coupled to the hanger to permit hanger rotation about a dynamic hanger rotation axis (138?). A static mechanism (202, 302) enforces a static pivot point at a locus (111, 109?) through which the dynamic hanger rotation axis passes during turning operation. Also, a dynamic mechanism (204, 402) causes the dynamic hanger rotation axis to pass through a plurality of dynamic hanger pivot points during that turning operation. Roll of the baseplate about a skateboard roll axis (152) is operable to cause a steering rotation of the axle, and also changes the action angle (150) of the truck.

Abstract: A clamp for selectively compressing a portion of tubing, such as an extension leg of a PICC or other catheter, is disclosed. The clamp is able to be opened or closed with a thumb and finger of a single hand of a user and is slidably attached to the tubing so as to enable its placement as desired along the tube. In one embodiment, the tubing clamp comprises a body including first and second body portions hingedly connected to one another in a clamshell configuration, a latch for releasably latching the first and second body portions together, and at least two tube compression members. The tube compression members cooperate to compress and occlude a portion of tubing passing through the tubing clamp when the first and second body portions are latched to one another.

Abstract: An insertion device for inserting a catheter into a patient's body is disclosed. The insertion device combines needle insertion, guidewire advancement, catheter insertion, and needle shielding in a single device. In one embodiment, the insertion device comprises a housing including a hollow needle distally extending from the housing. At least a portion of the catheter is pre-disposed over the needle such that the catheter is disposed substantially external to the housing. A guidewire is included, as well as an advancement assembly that is configured to selectively advance the distal end of the guidewire out a distal opening of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. The advancement assembly is further configured to enable distal catheter advancement before shielding the needle after use. The insertion device is configured to be grasped and used by a single hand of a user during advancement of the guidewire and the catheter.

Abstract: An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a patient's body is disclosed. In one embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needle distally extending from the housing with the catheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposed within the needle. A guidewire advancement assembly with a first finger pad is included for selectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. A catheter advancement assembly with a second finger pad is also included for selectively advancing the catheter into the patient. The finger pads are positioned such that a user can begin to advance the second finger pad after advancing the first finger pad without substantially re-positioning the thumb or finger of the user so as to successively advance the guidewire and catheter.

Abstract: A stabilized catheter tube for insertion into a body of a patient. The catheter tube includes a distal portion that remains stable during fluid infusion into the patient, thus reducing or eliminating whipping of the catheter distal tip. In one embodiment, the catheter tube defines at least one lumen and is formed from a tube material that defines a proximal portion and a distal portion of the catheter tube. The catheter tube is configured such that the arithmetic product of an elastic modulus and an area moment of inertia for the distal portion of the catheter tube is greater relative the arithmetic product of an elastic modulus and an area moment of inertia for the proximal portion of the tube. In one embodiment, the catheter tube is operably attached to an implantable access port and includes an enlarged distal portion relative a proximal portion of the catheter tube.

Abstract: A skateboard truck (200, 300), including a hanger (102?, 102??) carrying an axle (104), and a baseplate (108?, 108??). The axle holds a pair of wheels, which are steered in unison by the axle. The baseplate is coupled to the hanger to permit hanger rotation about a dynamic hanger rotation axis (138?). A static mechanism (202, 302) enforces a static pivot point at a locus (111, 109?) through which the dynamic hanger rotation axis passes during turning operation. Also, a dynamic mechanism (204, 402) causes the dynamic hanger rotation axis to pass through a plurality of dynamic hanger pivot points during that turning operation. Roll of the baseplate about a skateboard roll axis (152) is operable to cause a steering rotation of the axle, and also changes the action angle (150) of the truck.

Abstract: A method for using a medical device in connection with a catheter for regulation or transfer of fluids to and from a patient. The method may include obtaining and using a medical device including a diaphragm having two unidirectional slit valves disposed therein that actuate in different directions, one slit valve actuating in one direction in response to infusion-induced pressure and another slit valve actuating in another direction in response to aspiration-induced pressure. The method may include infusing fluid through one of the unidirectional slit valves, through a lumen, and into a patient's body. The method may also include aspirating fluid from a patient's body through the lumen and another unidirectional slit valve.

Abstract: A dilator system for insertion of a catheter or other elongate device into a body of a patient includes a catheter having a lumen that initially defines a first inner diameter. The catheter includes a swellable material that swells after insertion into the body. A dilator includes an elongate body that is initially disposed in the catheter lumen and a tapered head extending from a distal end of the catheter lumen. The dilator head defines an outer diameter that is larger than the first inner diameter of the catheter lumen. After insertion of the dilator head and a distal portion of the catheter into the body, the catheter swells such that the lumen defines a second inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the dilator head. This enables the dilator to be proximally removed from the body via the catheter lumen defining the second diameter.

Abstract: An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a patient's body is disclosed. The insertion tool unifies needle insertion, guidewire advancement, and catheter insertion in a single device. In one embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needle distally extending from the housing with at least a portion of the catheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposed within the needle. A guidewire advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. In one embodiment a catheter advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the catheter into the patient. Each advancement assembly can include a slide or other actuator that enables a user to selectively advance the desired component. Guidewire and catheter locking systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed comprising a diaphragm having at least one slit valve disposed therein, and a valve housing configured to secure the diaphragm at a peripheral portion of the diaphragm, wherein a central portion of the diaphragm is positioned relative to the peripheral portion of the diaphragm such that compressive forces acting on the peripheral portion of the diaphragm create moment forces which bias the slit valve in a closed position. A method is disclosed for using the device in connection with a catheter for regulation of fluids to and from a patient.

Abstract: An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is disclosed. The insertion tool unifies needle insertion, guidewire advancement, and catheter insertion in a single device. In one embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needle distally extending from the housing with at least a portion of the catheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposed within the needle. A guidewire advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. In one embodiment a catheter advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the catheter into the patient. Each advancement assembly can include a slide or other actuator that enables a user to selectively advance the desired component.

Abstract: An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is disclosed. The insertion tool unifies needle insertion, guidewire advancement, and catheter insertion in a single device. In one embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needle distally extending from the housing with at least a portion of the catheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposed within the needle. A guidewire advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. In one embodiment a catheter advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the catheter into the patient. Each advancement assembly can include a slide or other actuator that enables a user to selectively advance the desired component.

Abstract: An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is disclosed. The insertion tool unifies needle insertion, guidewire advancement, and catheter insertion in a single device. In one embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needle distally extending from the housing with at least a portion of the catheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposed within the needle. A guidewire advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. In one embodiment a catheter advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the catheter into the patient. Each advancement assembly can include a slide or other actuator that enables a user to selectively advance the desired component.

Abstract: An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a patient's body is disclosed. The insertion tool unifies needle insertion, guidewire advancement, and catheter insertion in a single device. In one embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needle distally extending from the housing with at least a portion of the catheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposed within the needle. A guidewire advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. In one embodiment a catheter advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the catheter into the patient. Each advancement assembly can include a slide or other actuator that enables a user to selectively advance the desired component. Guidewire and catheter advancement assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A clamp for selectively compressing a portion of tubing, such as an extension leg of a PICC or other catheter, is disclosed. The clamp is able to be opened or closed with a thumb and finger of a single hand of a user and is slidably attached to the tubing so as to enable its placement as desired along the tube. In one embodiment, the tubing clamp comprises a body including first and second body portions hingedly connected to one another in a clamshell configuration, a latch for releasably latching the first and second body portions together, and at least two tube compression members. The tube compression members cooperate to compress and occlude a portion of tubing passing through the tubing clamp when the first and second body portions are latched to one another.

Abstract: A guidance system for assisting with the insertion of a needle into a patient 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 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 or otherwise aligned with the needle cannula.