Abstract: An extravascular system for accessing the vasculature of a patient including a catheter having an interior surface, a needle disposed within the catheter, and/or a needle cap defining at least one capillary space and including a flexible seal surrounding the at least one capillary space. The flexible seal may engage the interior surface of the catheter. A method of controlling exposure to a liquid from an extravascular system including providing a wicking material positioned adjacent to a flow channel such that any fluid located external to the flow channel is retained by the wicking material. The wicking material may be incorporated into any extravascular system where exposure to liquids is undesirable.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing blood exposure or contamination upon withdrawal of a hypodermic needle is provided. The apparatus may include a needle having a tip and a shield configured to at least partially entrap the needle tip upon withdrawal of the needle. The apparatus may further include a blood stabilizing material disposed such that upon withdrawal of the needle the blood stabilizing material is disposed in operative association with the needle tip such that blood carried by the needle is prevented from escaping the apparatus. In some exemplary implementations, the blood stabilizing material may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the shield. The shield of the hypodermic needle may include protective device and/or a housing for shielding the needle tip upon withdrawal. The housing may be adapted to at least partially cover the needle tip upon withdrawal of the needle.

Abstract: An extravascular system includes a catheter assembly, a needle assembly, and a hemostatic adapter. The catheter assembly defines a lumen extending from a distal end thereof to a catheter hub at a proximal end thereof. The needle assembly includes a needle hub disposed at a proximal end of a needle disposed within the lumen defined by the catheter assembly. The hemostatic adapter defines a passage and is adapted to be operatively associated with the needle assembly and the catheter assembly. The hemostatic adapter-further includes at least one liquid-reactive material adapted to at least substantially seal the passage. The liquid-reactive material is selected and configured to morph upon contact with liquids to provide a mechanical barrier to prevent blood flow. A fluid may be injected into the lumen and/or passage by way of an optional port to provide a fluidic barrier in addition to the mechanical barrier.

Abstract: A tip shield of a catheter assembly has a resilient clip compartment, which may become blood-filled during use of the catheter assembly. The resilient clip inside the compartment is released upon withdrawal of the needle of the catheter assembly to disengage the catheter hub from the tip shield. The resilient clip also prevents re-exposure of the needle after being withdrawn into the tip shield. The blood-filled compartment may potentially leak or splash through an opening from the compartment when the resilient clip is released. A covering blocks the opening from the tip shield to minimize the risk of blood exposure. In addition, the covering minimizes the risk of premature release of the resilient clip and re-exposure of the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing blood exposure or contamination upon withdrawal of a hypodermic needle is provided. The apparatus may include a needle having a tip and a shield configured to at least partially entrap the needle tip upon withdrawal of the needle. The apparatus may further include a blood stabilizing material disposed such that upon withdrawal of the needle the blood stabilizing material is disposed in operative association with the needle tip such that blood carried by the needle is prevented from escaping the apparatus. In some exemplary implementations, the blood stabilizing material may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the shield. The shield of the hypodermic needle may include protective device and/or a housing for shielding the needle tip upon withdrawal. The housing may be adapted to at least partially cover the needle tip upon withdrawal of the needle.

Abstract: An extravascular system includes a catheter assembly, a needle assembly, and a hemostatic adapter. The catheter assembly defines a lumen extending from an opening at a distal end thereof to a catheter hub at a proximal end thereof. The needle assembly includes a needle hub disposed at a proximal end of a needle disposed within the lumen defined by the catheter assembly. The needle has a needle tip extending from the opening of the catheter assembly. The hemostatic adapter defines a passage and is adapted to be operatively associated with the needle assembly and the catheter assembly. The hemostatic adapter further includes at least one liquid-reactive material adapted to at least substantially seal the passage upon contact with one or more liquids. The liquid-reactive material is selected and configured to morph upon contact with liquids to provide a mechanical barrier to prevent blood flow.

Abstract: An extravascular system for accessing the vasculature of a patient including a catheter having an interior surface, a needle disposed within the catheter, and/or a needle cap defining at least one capillary space and including a flexible seal surrounding the at least one capillary space. The flexible seal may engage the interior surface of the catheter. A method of controlling exposure to a liquid from an extravascular system including providing a wicking material positioned adjacent to a flow channel such that any fluid located external to the flow channel is retained by the wicking material. The wicking material may be incorporated into any extravascular system where exposure to liquids is undesirable.