Abstract: Disclosed are two-piece rapidly insertable central catheter (“RICCs”), introducers, and methods. For example, an introducer and a distal catheter piece of a RICC can be combined in an introducer assembly configured to be actuated with a single finger of a hand while the introducer is held between a thumb and another finger or fingers of the same hand. A catheter-advancement hub of the introducer includes a manifold coupled to a proximal portion of a distal catheter-hub piece of the distal catheter piece. An introducer needle of a syringe of the introducer has a needle shaft extending through the manifold and a distal end of the distal catheter piece. An introducer housing is over a syringe tip, the manifold, and the proximal portion of the distal catheter piece. The introducer housing of the introducer configured to provide column strength to a catheter tube of the distal catheter piece during a venipuncture.

Abstract: Rapidly insertable central catheters (“RICCs”) including catheter assemblies and methods thereof are disclosed. A RICC assembly can include a RICC, an introducer, and a coupling system configured to couple the RICC and the introducer together. A catheter tube of the RICC includes a side aperture in a distal-end portion of the catheter tube, which opens into an introducing lumen extending to a distal end of the RICC. The introducer includes an introducer needle extending through the distal end of the RICC when the RICC assembly is in at least a ready-to-deploy state thereof. The introducer is configured to be actuated with a single finger of a hand while holding a distal-end portion of the introducer between a thumb and another finger or fingers of the hand. The coupling system includes a distal coupler slidably attached to the catheter tube proximal of the side aperture.

Abstract: An insertion device to assist in accessing an access port that has been subcutaneously implanted in the body of a patient is disclosed. The implanted access port is accessed by a needle of a needle assembly, such as a needle-based infusion set. The insertion device may include a body having a stabilizing portion and a guide portion. The stabilizing portion stabilizes a position of the implanted access port when the body is placed on the skin of the patient atop the implanted access port. The guide portion is designed to guide a needle of the needle assembly along a predetermined path such that the needle transcutaneously pierces a septum of the implanted access port.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are two-piece catheters and methods thereof. For example, a two-piece catheter can include a proximal catheter piece and a distal catheter piece. The proximal catheter piece includes a proximal catheter-hub piece and one or more extension legs respectively including one or more extension-leg lumens. Each extension leg of the one-or-more extension legs is coupled to the proximal catheter-hub piece by a distal-end portion of the extension leg. The distal catheter piece includes a distal catheter-hub piece and a catheter tube including one or more catheter-tube lumens. The catheter tube is coupled to the distal catheter-hub piece by a proximal-end portion of the catheter tube. The two-piece catheter has a connected state in which the proximal catheter-hub piece is connected to the distal catheter-hub piece such that the one-or-more catheter-tube lumens are respectively fluidly connected to the one-or-more extension-leg lumens across a two-piece catheter hub.

Abstract: Rapidly insertable central catheters (“RICCs”) including catheter assemblies and methods thereof are disclosed. For example, a RICC assembly includes a RICC and an introducer. The RICC includes a catheter tube, a catheter hub, and one or more extension legs coupled in the foregoing order. The catheter tube includes a side aperture that opens into an introducing lumen that extends from at least the side aperture to a distal end of the RICC. The introducer includes a retractable-needle device, a syringe, and a coupling hub that couples the retractable-needle device and the syringe together proximal of the side aperture in a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC assembly. The retractable-needle device includes an introducer needle. A needle tip in a distal-end portion of a shaft of the introducer needle extends beyond the distal end of the RICC when the RICC assembly is in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC assembly.

Abstract: Rapidly insertable central catheters (“RICCs”) including catheter assemblies and methods thereof are disclosed. A RICC assembly can include a RICC, an introducer, and a coupling system configured to couple the RICC and the introducer together. A catheter tube of the RICC includes a side aperture in a distal-end portion of the catheter tube, which opens into an introducing lumen extending from the side aperture to a distal end of the RICC. The introducer includes a syringe and an introducer needle having a cannula. The coupling system includes a distal coupler slidably attached to the catheter tube proximal of the side aperture.

Abstract: Guidewire-management devices and systems thereof are disclosed herein. A guidewire-management device can include a guidewire, a first sleeve, and a second sleeve. The first sleeve can be configured for distally feeding the guidewire out of the guidewire-management device. The first sleeve can also be configured for proximally feeding the guidewire into the guidewire-management device. The second sleeve can be proximal of the first sleeve in the guidewire-management device. The second sleeve can be configured for feeding the guidewire in concert with the first sleeve. At least a length of the guidewire extending between the first sleeve and the second sleeve can be disposed within a sterile barrier configured to maintain sterility of the guidewire.

Abstract: A connection system includes a first connector and a second connector configured for establishing one or more electrical connections through a drape. The first connector can include an alignment protrusion and a first piercing element having one or more electrical contacts configured to pierce the drape. The second connector can include an alignment notch, a channel, and a first receptacle configured to receive the first piercing element when inserted therein. The alignment notch can be configured to accept the alignment protrusion when the first connector is aligned with the second connector then disposed over the second connector. The channel can be configured to allow the alignment protrusion to slide along a length of the second connector. The first receptacle can have one or more electrical contacts configured to form at least a first electrical connection of the one or more electrical connections with the first connector.

Abstract: Connection systems and methods thereof facilitate establishing electrical connections through a barrier such as a drape without compromising a sterile field established by the barrier. A connection system can include two connectors. A first connector can include a first-connector housing defining a cavity, a slideable end piece coupled to a distal-end portion of the first-connector housing, and at least a first piercing element connected to a first electrical lead. The first piercing element can be configured to enter the cavity and pierce a barrier disposed in the cavity when the slideable end piece is advanced toward a proximal-end portion of the first-connector housing. A second connector can include at least a first receptacle within a second-connector housing connected to a second electrical lead. The first receptacle can be configured to form at least a first electrical connection with the first piercing element after the first piercing element pierces the barrier.

Abstract: A connector interface configured to enable component interconnection with a location sensor of a catheter placement system is disclosed. The catheter placement system is configured to assist a clinician in positioning a catheter in a desired location within a body of a patient. In one embodiment, the location sensor assembly comprises a location sensor body for temporary placement on a portion of the patient body, and a connector interface. The connector interface is configured to removably attach to the location sensor and provide a plurality of electrically conductive pathways between the location sensor and additional components of the catheter placement system to enable the additional components to operably connect with the location sensor. The connector interface further includes a first connector configured to operably connect with a second connector of one of the additional components of the catheter placement system through a drape interposed between the first and second connectors.

Abstract: A power injectable port assembly for use with a power injector system, including a power injectable port. The power injectable port can include a body formed from a bio-compatible plastic material, and can include a cap and a base. A septum is captured between the cap and the base and is accessible through an opening in the cap. The base can define a cavity and the septum can be positioned over the cavity. The base can include a lower surface with a radiopaque identification feature observable via imaging technology subsequent to subcutaneous implantation of the power injectable port.

Abstract: Connection systems and methods thereof facilitate establishing electrical connections through a barrier such as a drape without compromising a sterile field established by the barrier. A connection system can include two connectors. A first connector can include a first-connector housing defining a cavity, a slideable end piece coupled to a distal-end portion of the first-connector housing, and at least a first piercing element connected to a first electrical lead. The first piercing element can be configured to enter the cavity and pierce a barrier disposed in the cavity when the slideable end piece is advanced toward a proximal-end portion of the first-connector housing. A second connector can include at least a first receptacle within a second-connector housing connected to a second electrical lead. The first receptacle can be configured to form at least a first electrical connection with the first piercing element after the first piercing element pierces the barrier.

Abstract: A connection system includes a first connector and a second connector configured for establishing one or more electrical connections through a drape. The first connector can include an alignment protrusion and a first piercing element having one or more electrical contacts configured to pierce the drape. The second connector can include an alignment notch, a channel, and a first receptacle configured to receive the first piercing element when inserted therein. The alignment notch can be configured to accept the alignment protrusion when the first connector is aligned with the second connector then disposed over the second connector. The channel can be configured to allow the alignment protrusion to slide along a length of the second connector. The first receptacle can have one or more electrical contacts configured to form at least a first electrical connection of the one or more electrical connections with the first connector.

Abstract: A catheter placement system for positioning a catheter in a vasculature of a patient using at least two different modalities. The catheter placement system includes a console with a display, a stylet removably positionable within a lumen of the catheter, a tip location sensor, and an external electrode. The stylet may include an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor assembly for detecting ECG signals of a node of a heart of the patient, and a first connector in communication with the ECG sensor assembly. The tip location sensor may be configured to detect the stylet when the catheter is disposed within the vasculature of the patient, and to communicate information of the stylet to the console. The console may be configured to receive at least one aspect of the ECG signal detected by the ECG sensor assembly indicative of proximity of the ECG sensor assembly to the node.

Abstract: A needle guide for use with a handheld probe having a connector protruding from a probe surface. The needle guide can include an upper portion including an upper surface, a lower portion defining a cavity to receive the connector of the handheld probe, and a needle channel. The needle channel can extend from a proximal portion of the upper surface to a distal end of the upper surface. The needle channel can have a fixed size. The needle guide can include a guide surface extending into the upper portion and the lower portion of the needle guide at a proximal end of the needle guide. The guide surface can include a concave shape with a conical surface that funnels into a proximal end of the needle channel.

Abstract: A catheter placement system designed to establish a conductive pathway through a sterile barrier from a sterile field to a non-sterile field. The catheter placement system can include a stylet having a first connector including a piercing component, and a sensing component, and a data-receiving component having a second connector. The data-receiving component can be designed for positioning in the non-sterile field under the sterile barrier. The first connector can be designed to conductively connect to the second connector of the data-receiving component through the sterile barrier via the piercing component without compromising the sterile field.

Abstract: Needle guide systems for a sonography device are disclosed. The needle guide systems include both fixed and adjustable needle guides. In one embodiment, the needle guide includes a needle guide body that is rotatably mounted to a probe of a sonography device. A plurality of needle channels is disposed on a surface of the needle guide body. Each needle channel can be selectively rotated into position to guide a needle into a body of a patient at a predetermined needle insertion angle. If another needle insertion angle is desired, the needle guide is rotated to place a new needle channel defining the desired needle insertion angle into position. In another embodiment, a needle guide is disclosed and includes an extended guide feature, such as a guide cone, to assist in inserting a needle into the needle channel.

Abstract: An access port for subcutaneous implantation is typically connected to a catheter, a distal portion of which is disposed within a vein or other vessel of the patient. The access port described herein is configured with enhanced fluid handling features to improve fluid flow therethrough while reducing the likelihood of clotting or occlusions in the attached catheter, thus improving system patency. The access port includes a body defining a reservoir, a needle-penetrable septum covering the top opening of the reservoir, a stem including a lumen in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a volume control device positioned in the reservoir. The volume control device includes a floor designed to move from a first position below the side opening to a second position adjacent the bottom surface, and a spring element positioned between the floor and the bottom surface, the spring element biasing the floor in the first position.

Abstract: An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient's vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to introduction of the catheter. ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart. Various methods for establishing a conductive pathway between a sterile field of the patient and a non-sterile field are also disclosed.