Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, which may include a body and a side port extending outwardly from the body. The body may include a distal end, a proximal end, and an inner surface extending through the distal end and the proximal end and forming a lumen. An angle of the side port with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body may be adjustable. The catheter assembly may include a catheter extending distally from the distal end of the catheter adapter. The catheter assembly may include a septum disposed within the lumen proximal to a side port pathway extending through the side port and in fluid communication with the lumen.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. A wedge adapter may be retained within the lumen and have a wedge coupled thereto. The wedge may be configured to retain an end of a catheter such that a tip of the catheter extends through the distal end of the catheter adapter. A control feature may extend through an end or side wall of the catheter adapter. The control feature may be configured to manipulate the wedge to control a position of the tip of the catheter to open a fluid path within a vasculature.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, which may include a body and a side port extending outwardly from the body. The body may include a distal end, a proximal end, and an inner surface extending through the distal end and the proximal end and forming a lumen. An angle of the side port with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body may be adjustable. The catheter assembly may include a catheter extending distally from the distal end of the catheter adapter. The catheter assembly may include a septum disposed within the lumen proximal to a side port pathway extending through the side port and in fluid communication with the lumen.

Abstract: An introducer assembly introduces an elongate member into a tubular structure and may be configured into ready, introduced, and detached modes. The introducer assembly has a guide tube, a slide collar, and proximal and distal connector assemblies. The guide tube has a proximal body, and a distal portion, the distal portion being rotatably connected to the proximal body. The slide collar has a grip, a slide post, and a centered capture structure. The proximal connector assembly is detachably nested within the centered capture structure. The distal connector assembly is detachably nested within the distal portion and is connectable to the tubular structure. The introducer assembly may be converted from the ready mode to the introduced mode to the detached mode by manual manipulation to introduce and secure the elongate member within the connected tubular structure, and then detach the guide tube leaving the elongate member within the connected tubular structure.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation (EMR) delivery system for delivering EMR at wavelengths, intensities, exposures, and durations to locations inside and/or outside a patient's body in, on, and surrounding a tubular structure such as a tube, catheter, and/or a catheter extension to prevent, reduce, and/or eliminate infectious agents in, on, or surrounding the tubular structure. A smart light engine box generates the therapeutic EMR, controls treatments, and monitors the health of the system. A fiber optic disposable, introduced and positioned by an introducer assembly, makes at-home use of the EMR delivery system possible. Specific embodiments of the EMR delivery system for use with peritoneal dialysis catheters, dialysis accesses, and hemodialysis accesses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter having a catheter extending from its distal end. The catheter may include a proximal end, a tip, and a length of tubing therebetween. The length of tubing may include one or more position indicators to indicate a position of the catheter relative to a vasculature. The catheter assembly may include an introducer needle extending through the length of tubing and comprising a sharp distal tip configured to introduce the catheter into the vasculature.

Abstract: A marker device includes: a ring structure having a distal end, a proximal end, and a body, wherein the ring structure is made from a radiopaque material; wherein the distal end comprises protruding elements disposed circumferentially around an axis of the ring structure; and wherein the proximal end is configured to couple with, or extends from, a tubular structure. A catheter includes: a marker device having a ring structure with a distal end, a proximal end, and a body, wherein the ring structure is made from a radiopaque material; and a polymeric tube distal to the marker device, wherein the polymeric tube comprises a distal tip extending circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the catheter; wherein the distal end comprises a distal ring tip extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis, and wherein the distal ring tip does not completely lie in any plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter having a catheter extending from its distal end. The catheter may include a proximal end, a tip, and a length of tubing therebetween. The length of tubing may include one or more position indicators to indicate a position of the catheter relative to a vasculature. The catheter assembly may include an introducer needle extending through the length of tubing and comprising a sharp distal tip configured to introduce the catheter into the vasculature.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, a catheter, and a dressing to securely apply traction to the catheter where the catheter is disposed within a vasculature of a patient. The catheter adapter may include a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The catheter may extend from the distal end of the catheter adapter. The dressing may include a first section adjustably coupled to a second section. The first section may be configured to secure the catheter adapter and/or the catheter to the patient. The second section may be configured to be adjustably positioned relative to the first section to apply the traction to the catheter within the vasculature.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation (EMR) delivery system for delivering EMR at wavelengths, intensities, exposures, and durations to locations inside and/or outside a patient's body in, on, and surrounding a tubular structure such as a tube, catheter, and/or a catheter extension to prevent, reduce, and/or eliminate infectious agents in, on, or surrounding the tubular structure. A smart light engine box generates the therapeutic EMR, controls treatments, and monitors the health of the system. A fiber optic disposable, introduced and positioned by an introducer assembly, makes at-home use of the EMR delivery system possible. Specific embodiments of the EMR delivery system for use with peritoneal dialysis catheters, dialysis accesses, and hemodialysis accesses are also disclosed.

Abstract: An introducer assembly introduces an elongate member into a tubular structure and may be configured into ready, introduced, and detached modes. The introducer assembly has a guide tube, a slide collar, and proximal and distal connector assemblies. The guide tube has a proximal body, and a distal portion, the distal portion being rotatably connected to the proximal body. The slide collar has a grip, a slide post, and a centered capture structure. The proximal connector assembly is detachably nested within the centered capture structure. The distal connector assembly is detachably nested within the distal portion and is connectable to the tubular structure. The introducer assembly may be converted from the ready mode to the introduced mode to the detached mode by manual manipulation to introduce and secure the elongate member within the connected tubular structure, and then detach the guide tube leaving the elongate member within the connected tubular structure.

Abstract: A vein simulator can enable a clinician to perform a PIVC workflow. This workflow can include preparation of simulated skin, insertion of a PIVC into a simulated vein, flushing a line of the PIVC and dressing and securing the PIVC to the simulated skin. The vein simulator may be formed of simulated tissue, simulated skin that is integrated into the simulated tissue and an embedded simulated vein that may be positioned within a protruding vein channel. Because the simulated skin is integrated into the simulated tissue, the vein simulator will provide a more realistic experience while practicing the workflow. A vein simulator may include one or more sensors to provide real-time feedback to a clinician while practicing the workflow.

Abstract: An instrument advancement device may include a housing, which may include a slot. The instrument advancement device may be configured to couple to a catheter assembly. The instrument advancement device may include an advancement element, which may extend through the slot and may be configured to move linearly along the slot between a retracted position and an advanced position. In response to movement of the advancement element from a retracted position to an advanced position, an instrument of the instrument advancement device may be advanced beyond a distal end of the housing and may be configured to open a path through an occlusion in the catheter assembly or vasculature. The instrument advancement device may include a septum that includes a shape and/or a lube to reduce septum resistance and buckling of the instrument during advancement of the instrument.

Abstract: An instrument advancement device may include a housing, which may include a distal end and a proximal end. An instrument, such as a vascular access instrument configured to enter vasculature of a patient, may be disposed within the housing. The instrument advancement device may include an advancement element. In response to movement of the advancement element with respect to the housing, the instrument may be configured to advance distal to the distal end of the housing. The housing or a distal end of the housing may include a compressible portion proximate a chamber configured to hold blood. In response to compression of the compressible portion, the housing may be configured to dispense blood distally from the chamber through the distal end of the housing.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include an adapter having a distal end, a proximal end, a side port, and an adapter lumen. The catheter assembly may include a catheter hub, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, a catheter hub lumen, and another side port. The catheter assembly may include an extension tube. A distal end of the extension tube may be coupled to the other side port, and the distal end of the adapter may be coupled to a proximal end of the extension tube. A fluidic seal may be formed around a tube of an instrument advancement device when the tube is advanced into the adapter. As an example, a portion of the adapter lumen between the distal end of the adapter and the side port may include an annular protrusion configured to form the fluidic seal.

Abstract: An instrument advancement device may include a housing, which may include a slot. The instrument advancement device may be configured to couple to a catheter assembly. The instrument advancement device may include an advancement element, which may extend through the slot and may be configured to move linearly along the slot between a retracted position and an advanced position. In response to movement of the advancement element from a retracted position to an advanced position, an instrument of the instrument advancement device may be advanced beyond a distal end of the housing and may be configured to open a path through an occlusion in the catheter assembly or vasculature. The instrument advancement device may include a septum, which may be engaged to facilitate sealing of the housing and/or prevent buckling of the instrument.

Abstract: A vascular access device may include a housing, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a slot. An advancement element may extend through the slot and may be configured to move linearly along the slot between a retracted position and an advanced position. In response to movement of the advancement element from the retracted position to the advanced position, a probe of the vascular access device may be advanced beyond the distal end. The vascular access device may include one or more features to reduce buckling of the probe and limit displacement of the probe. For example, the vascular access device may include a protrusion fixed within the housing distal to the advancement element. As another example, the vascular access device may include a distally-extending arm and/or a recess configured to receive the distally extending arm.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, which may include a body and a side port extending outwardly from the body. The body may include a distal end, a proximal end, and an inner surface extending through the distal end and the proximal end and forming a lumen. The catheter assembly may include one or more components to facilitate flushing of the catheter assembly. For example, an angle of the side port with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body may be adjustable. The catheter assembly may include a catheter extending distally from the distal end of the catheter adapter. The catheter assembly may include a septum disposed within the lumen proximal to a side port pathway extending through the side port and in fluid communication with the lumen.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end of the catheter adapter. The catheter assembly may also include a catheter extending from the distal end of the catheter adapter. The distal tip of the catheter may include a magnetic material. A method of repositioning the distal tip of the catheter may include inserting the distal tip of the catheter into a blood vessel. The method may include attaching another magnetic material to skin, and the distal tip of the catheter may move toward the other magnetic material. At least one of the magnetic material and the other magnetic material may include a magnet. A kit may include the catheter assembly and/or the other magnetic material.