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: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to guidewire advancement and blood flashback systems. In particular, an insertion tool includes a frangible guidewire lever configured to break and prevent further movement of a guidewire if the guidewire becomes caught. Such a feature can prevent breakage of a distal portion of the guidewire which otherwise could undesirably lead to an embolism. The insertion tool can further include a blood flash indicator that has a simplified coupling with a needle. The insertion tool can further include a guidewire advancement assembly configured to allow a clinician to hold the insertion tool proximate a distal end and operate the guidewire advancement with one hand while providing increased control over the insertion tool. The insertion tool can further include a safety clip coupled with a catheter hub and configured to close about a tip of the needle when a catheter is detached from the insertion tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extending a guidewire from an insertion tool are disclosed. A guidewire assembly includes a slider configured to engage a guidewire carrier. The guidewire carrier defines a lumen configured to receive a guidewire therein. The guidewire carrier is biased to a non-linear, coiled resting state and can elastically transition to a linear extended state. As the guidewire assembly and slider are urged distally, the slider transitions the guidewire carrier from the non-linear state to the linear extended state. A distance travelled by the slider is less than a distance travelled by a tip of the guidewire as the guidewire carrier transitions from the coiled state to the linear state.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a catheter insertion device including a proximal housing rotatably coupled to a distal housing. Embodiments further include a catheter hub rotatably coupled to the distal housing and a catheter advancement carrier disposed therebetween. The device allows a clinician to rotate the catheter hub, or the proximal or distal housings relative to each other such that a slider, needle retraction button, catheter hub wings, or extension arm can be positioned conveniently depending on the location of the insertion site, e.g. left or right radial artery. Further, the catheter advancement carrier can include detachable tabs to allow the device to lay adjacent the skin surface of the patient, depending on left-side or right-side configuration of the device. The device can further include a gate structure to allow distal ingress of the slider assembly into the housing slot, facilitating manufacture of the device.

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: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to guidewire advancement and blood flashback systems. In particular, the insertion tool includes a frangible guidewire lever configured to break and prevent further movement of the guidewire if the guidewire becomes caught. Such a feature can prevent breakage of a distal portion of the guidewire which otherwise could undesirably lead to an embolism. The insertion tool can further include a blood flash indicator that has a simplified coupling with the needle. The insertion tool can further include a guidewire advancement assembly configured to allow the clinician to hold the insertion tool proximate a distal end and operate the guidewire advancement with one hand while providing increased control over the insertion tool. The insertion tool can further include a safety clip coupled with the catheter hub and configured to close about the needle tip when the catheter is detached from the device.

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 syringe structured to permit multiple filling and emptying cycles with a single syringe, but then to automatically disable that syringe to resist syringe reuse subsequent to a final dose-ejecting cycle. The syringe includes a plunger with a distal tip carrying capture structure that protrudes from the dispensing aperture of the syringe at a fluid fully-expelled position. A fluid discharge attachment can be coupled to the syringe to guide dispensing one or more dose of treatment substance. A first locking element, typically carried by the fluid discharge attachment, couples with the capture structure to resist retraction of the fully-depressed plunger, and thereby resists reciprocation of the plunger to prevent reuse of the syringe. Effectively, the discharge aperture of the syringe is pinned between an internally disposed stopper and the external capture structure.

Abstract: Described is an atomizing nozzle having a relatively small frontal area permitting insertion of a nozzle into small diameter medical conduit(s). A body of a preferred nozzle has a characteristic size (e.g., cross-section diameter) of less than about 0.2 inch (0.5 cm). The nozzle body is typically carried on an extension member, which can be transversely flexible to permit passage of a nozzle body through a tube and along a nonlinear path. The nozzle body is typically connected to an extension member by way of a lap joint associated with the nozzle body. Preferred embodiments have a De/O ratio of less than 12.0, a Db/O ratio of less than about 18, and a Db/De ratio of less than about 1.1. Certain embodiments include a swirling chamber disposed upstream of the ejection orifice and having a proximal wall with a portion configured to at least approximate a portion of a dome, or other curved surface.

Abstract: Devices adapted to facilitate draining fluid from the abdominal/peritoneal cavity of a medical patient. The invention may be embodied in one or more element of an access port, insertion assist device, and/or abdominal catheter. A preferred abdominal catheter provides a drain field that can be inserted into the abdominal compartment, through an access opening having a small cross-section, in a stowed configuration and subsequently expanded to provide a large drain area through which to extract fluid from the compartment.

Abstract: A temporary airway that can be used to facilitate an intubation procedure. Desirably, the temporary airway is removable from an installed intubation conduit without requiring disassembly of the intubation system and interrupting breathing treatment of the patient. Certain embodiments include an intubation lumen, and a treatment lumen. The intubation lumen is configured to assist in guiding an intubation conduit into operable position in a medical patient. The treatment lumen is operable to apply an anesthetic agent, and/or treatment fluids, including gas, such as Oxygen or compressed air. Certain treatment lumens are associated with a fluid dispersion nozzle, most preferably an atomizing nozzle.