Abstract: A vaporizer device includes various modular components. The vaporizer device includes a first subassembly. The first subassembly includes a cartridge connector that secures a vaporizer cartridge to the vaporizer device and includes at least two receptacle contacts that electrically communicate with the vaporizer cartridge. The vaporizer device includes a second subassembly. The second subassembly includes a skeleton defining a rigid tray that retains at least a power source. The vaporizer device also includes a third subassembly. The third subassembly includes a plurality of charging contacts that supply power to the power source, and an end cap that encloses an end of the vaporizer device.

Abstract: A medical IV catheter is described comprising a needle cannula having a distal point, a proximal end and further having a shaft with a circumference, a tip protector having a base the tip protector defining an opening to receive the needle cannula shaft and the tip protector is slideably mounted thereon, means coupled to the tip protector for blocking the tip protector opening so as to enclose the needle cannula distal point within the tip protector, a gasket coupled to the tip protector base defining an opening of a size to receive the needle cannula shaft, means coupled to the needle cannula shaft impeding movement of the tip protector along the needle cannula shaft beyond a pre-determined distance from the needle cannula distal point, and a flash chamber coupled to the needle cannula at the needle cannula proximal end.

Abstract: A guidewire handle having a first substantially cylindrical portion and a second substantially cylindrical portion. The guidewire handle has a first aperture to receive a guidewire. A second aperture is located in the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion. The second aperture is configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus related to an intravascular device that includes a housing coupled to a needle is claimed. A solid blunting member is coaxially nestled in the needle. An aperture or opening, located at a distal end of a side of the needle, is configured to allow fluid to flow into a space located between the needle and the catheter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for inserting a catheter into a patient. In one exemplary embodiment, a guide-tube is disposed within the catheter lumen to guide the insertion of the catheter into a patient. The catheter having two ends and at least a catheter lumen and is surrounded by a catheter wall. The guide-tube is hollow, and having a guide-tube lumen which is surrounded by a guide-tube wall. The dimension of the guide-tube is less than that of the catheter lumen.

Abstract: A catheter unit comprising a needle, an elongated blunting member coupled to a flash chamber and to a safety member, the blunting member having a blunt distal tip and an opened proximal end for allowing blood to flow generally directly to a porous member at the proximal end of the blunting member. The blunting member has a hollow lumen therebetween extending longitudinally through the needle such that the blunting member is disposed coaxially within the bore of the needle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for inserting a catheter into a patient.

Abstract: A medical IV catheter is described comprising a needle cannula having a distal point, a proximal end and further having a shaft with a circumference, a tip protector having a base the tip protector defining an opening to receive the needle cannula shaft and the tip protector is slideably mounted thereon, means coupled to the tip protector for blocking the tip protector opening so as to enclose the needle cannula distal point within the tip protector, a gasket coupled to the tip protector base defining an opening of a size to receive the needle cannula shaft, means coupled to the needle cannula shaft impeding movement of the tip protector along the needle cannula shaft beyond a pre-determined distance from the needle cannula distal point, and a flash chamber coupled to the needle cannula at the needle cannula proximal end.

Abstract: A medical IV catheter is described comprising a needle cannula having a distal point, a proximal end and further having a shaft with a circumference, a tip protector having a base the tip protector defining an opening to receive the needle cannula shaft and the tip protector is slideably mounted thereon, a biased tab and a clip coupled to the tip protector for blocking the tip protector opening so as to enclose the needle cannula distal point within the tip protector, a gasket coupled to the tip protector base defining an opening of a size to receive the needle cannula shaft, a crimp coupled to the needle cannula shaft impeding movement of the tip protector along the needle cannula shaft beyond a pre-determined distance from the needle cannula distal point, and a flash chamber coupled to the needle cannula at the needle cannula proximal end.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed in which an intravascular device allows blood to flow into a plurality of apertures longitudinally located in a portion of the needle.

Abstract: A positive engagement/disengagement catheter sleeve to reduce risks of needle sticks. The sleeve has a base and a body which define a pair of grooves. The grooves define a deformable region of the sleeve therebetween. At least one detent is provided inside the base within the deformable region. A mechanism is provided to cause the detent to disengage when the mechanism is actuated.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a needle assembly of the kind having a needle, an elongate blunting device, a shifting member, and a flash chamber. The needle is of the kind that has a needle proximal end, a sharp needle distal end and a needle canula extending therethrough. The elongate blunting device is at least partially located within the needle canula. The elongate blunting device is of the kind that has a blunting device proximal end, a blunting device distal end, and a blunting device blood flow passage therethrough through which blood can flow from the blunting device distal end to the blunting device proximal end.

Abstract: Methods for forming a rib on a cannula for cooperation with a safety cover which securably and reliably locks the tip of a cannula in an interior chamber within the safety cover. The cover comprises an elongate body having the interior chamber and an axial through hole which extends along the entire length of the body, through the interior chamber and through which the cannula is slidably received. Displacing elements are positioned within the interior chamber, each of which includes a hole for receiving the cannula therethrough, and which displaces upon retraction of the tip of the cannula, thereby preventing subsequent advancement of the cannula tip. The cannula includes a thickened rib adjacent to the tip, and the safety cover should correspondingly include an annular section in the rear portion thereof. The through hole extending through the rear portion has a diameter which is smaller than the thickened rib of the cannula whereby the cannula tip may not be retracted from the safety cover.

Abstract: In a first process described a tapered catheter tip is molded by placing a tubular catheter over a mandrel and inserting the mandrel and catheter assembly into a mold having an inner mold surface. The molded catheter with flash is thereafter removed from the mold and the mandrel removed from the catheter. The catheter and flash are inserted into a jig which defines an opening through which the flash extends. The opening is defined by a cutting surface and the flash extends above such cutting surface. A cutter is then moved along the cutting surface in order to severe the flash at precisely the appropriate point along the catheter length to leave a formed trimmed catheter. The catheter is thereafter removed from the jig for further processing.

Abstract: A catheter hub to nose engagement for securely engaging the hub of a catheter to the nose of a catheter emplacement unit is described. The attachment mechanism may be as simple as an elastic tube which provides an interference fit between the catheter hub and the nose of the emplacement unit. In an alternate embodiment the nose has a longitudinal slot to provide a split nose tip. The split nose tip is held in a separated position by the passage of a cannula therethrough and an enlarged burr end securely engages the hub and nose together. In another embodiment the nose has a longitudinally tapered nose tip and the tapered nose tip has an enlarged burr end to securely engage the hub and nose together. In a further embodiment the nose has an internal undercut in which an elastic plug is secured which is positioned between the catheter hub and nose.

Abstract: A process for forming the tips on catheters is described in which the catheter is placed on a mandrel and molded in a mold. The mandrel may then be removed and a second mandrel inserted. The second mandrel having a larger diameter and adapted to contact inner surface of the mold to thereby cut any flash formed at the end of the catheter and separate the flash from the catheter tip. Alternatively, the mandrel and catheter are inserted into the mold to mold the outer surface of the catheter thereafter removed and inserted into a die to punch the flash from the tip of the catheter material. The punch process may be carried out by either the same mandrel or a second mandrel adapted to the purpose of cutting or punching the flash from the catheter.

Abstract: An improved self-capping disposable needle assembly for use in combination with a skin puncture apparatus is provided. More specifically, an improved self-capping disposable needle assembly for use with a catheter which assembly contains a pleated sleeve made from any natural or synthetic fiber material is provided. The fiber materials employed as the pleated sleeve optionally may be treated with a suitable agent that provides the fiber material with a hydrophobic coating and prevents fluids such as blood from seeping therefrom.

Abstract: A safety cover which securably and reliably locks the tip of a cannula in an interior chamber within the safety cover. The cover comprises an elongate body having the interior chamber and an axial through hole which extends along the entire length of the body, through the interior chamber and through which the cannula is slidably received. Displacing elements are positioned within the interior chamber, each of which includes a hole for receiving said cannula therethrough, and which displaces upon retraction of the tip of said cannula, thereby preventing subsequent advancement of said cannula tip. In a first embodiment the displacing elements are annular rings. In a second embodiment, the elements are rigid balls having through holes. In a third embodiment, the displacing elements are a pair of conical elements, one of which is spring biased, each of which includes an offset hole.

Abstract: A catheter needle tip protector which assures that the needle is secured against accidental punctures after it is withdrawn from a patient's body. A catheter comprises a catheter hub, and a needle tip protector positioned within the catheter hub. A catheter needle defines a needle tip, with the needle being secured to a needle housing by first and second unequal biasing wires which extend between the needle housing and the needle tip protector. When the needle is withdrawn from the catheter hub, the first and second biasing wires extend the needle tip protector relative to the needle to an oblique position caused by the unequal biasing in which the needle tip is positioned within the needle tip protector. The first and second unequal biasing wires can comprise first and second coiled wires, which can have different biasing strengths to bias the needle tip protector to the oblique position, or can have different lengths to bias the needle tip protector to the oblique position.

Abstract: A new catheter stick protector is described having a metal flap clip which snaps down into place to prevent return of the needle through the protector device once withdrawn. The device is small and received over the needle to provide an interface between the needle hub and the hub of a catheter like product. A sleeve of hydrophobic or fluid impermeable material is provided and attached at one end to the needle hub and at a second end to the tip protector. The length of the material is selected to hold the tip protector in a position just extending beyond the tip of the needle of a catheter inserter.