Abstract: An apparatus can include a needle with a distal tip for insertion into a vessel of a patient, the needle defining an outer surface. The apparatus can include a catheter with a distal end and an inner surface that defines a lumen through which the needle extends. The apparatus can include a longitudinally extending stiffener positioned between the outer surface of the needle and the inner surface of the catheter. The stiffener can be movable to a distally advanced position relative to the needle to deploy the catheter and can be removable from the catheter along with the needle while in the distally advanced position. The stiffener can include a region of weakness at which the stiffener is predisposed to bend, which is closer to the distal tip of the needle than to the distal tip of the stiffener when the stiffener is in the distally advanced position.

Abstract: A method can include engaging the pericardium of a patient at two engagement positions of the pericardium. The method can further include moving the two engagement positions of the pericardium away from each other to tension a portion of the pericardium. The method can further include advancing an access device through the tensioned portion of the pericardium to introduce the access device into the pericardial space of the patient. Other and further methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical valve can include a housing that includes a sidewall and defines a chamber. The medical valve can include a septum coupled to the housing. The septum can include a proximal surface and a selectively openable closure positioned within the chamber. The medical valve can further include a plurality of projections that extend away from the sidewall and are configured to contact the proximal surface of the septum to oppose movement of a restricted portion of the septum in a proximal direction such that an aspiration cracking pressure required to open the closure to permit fluid flow through the septum in the proximal direction exceeds an infusion cracking pressure required to open the closure to permit fluid flow through the septum in the distal direction.

Abstract: A system can include a housing that can be coupled with a base catheter. The system can further include an access catheter of which a first portion is positioned within the housing and a second portion extends out of the housing through an opening when the access catheter is in a retracted position. The system can further include a stiffener encompassing at least a portion of the second portion of the access catheter, and the stiffener can be graspable at an exterior of the housing for application of force thereto to advance the access catheter from the retracted position to an extended position. When the housing is coupled to the base catheter, the first portion of the access catheter can be advanced through at least a portion of the base catheter as the access catheter is advanced to the extended position.

Abstract: A blood collection system can include a cannula for insertion into a catheter system that comprises a hub with an internal chamber, a distal port in fluid communication with the internal chamber and coupled with a catheter tube that can be preplaced in a blood vessel of a patient, and an access port in fluid communication with the internal chamber. The cannula can be inserted in the catheter tube and can include a distal opening that is positioned within the blood vessel of a patient and is in fluid communication with an interior of the blood vessel to permit blood to flow into a lumen of the cannula, and can include a proximal opening positioned within the internal chamber to permit blood to flow from the cannula into the internal chamber and through the access port of the hub.

Abstract: In certain instances, an access system includes a connector to couple with a closed intravenous catheter system that includes a valve and a catheter tube. The access system can include a reinforcement member fixedly secured to the connector so as to be immobile relative thereto and oriented such that when the connector is coupled with the closed intravenous catheter system, a distal tip of the reinforcement member is at or proximally spaced from a proximal surface of the valve. The access system can include a cannula movable relative to the reinforcement member from a retracted position to an advanced position. At least a portion of the cannula can be advanced distally through the reinforcement member and then through the valve and subsequently into the catheter tube as the cannula is transitioned from the retracted position to the advanced position.

Abstract: A method can include engaging the pericardium of a patient at two engagement positions of the pericardium. The method can further include moving the two engagement positions of the pericardium away from each other to tension a portion of the pericardium. The method can further include advancing an access device through the tensioned portion of the pericardium to introduce the access device into the pericardial space of the patient. Other and further methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: In certain instances, an access system includes a connector to couple with a closed intravenous catheter system that includes a valve and a catheter tube. The access system can include a reinforcement member fixedly secured to the connector so as to be immobile relative thereto and oriented such that when the connector is coupled with the closed intravenous catheter system, a distal tip of the reinforcement member is at or proximally spaced from a proximal surface of the valve. The access system can include a cannula movable relative to the reinforcement member from a retracted position to an advanced position. At least a portion of the cannula can be advanced distally through the reinforcement member and then through the valve and subsequently into the catheter tube as the cannula is transitioned from the retracted position to the advanced position.

Abstract: In certain instances, an access system can include a connector to couple with a catheter assembly, a reinforcement member fixedly secured to the connector, and a cannula movable relative to the reinforcement member. The cannula can include a polymeric tube and a support tube that encompasses a portion of and is stiffer than the polymeric tube. The support tube can define an inner diameter that is marginally larger than an outer diameter of the polymeric tube to prevent kinking of the polymeric tube and can be in a fixed relationship with the polymeric tube. A distal edge of the support tube is proximally spaced from a distal tip of the polymeric tube and is within the reinforcement member when the distal tip of the polymeric tube is first positioned distal of and external to the reinforcement member as the cannula is advanced.

Abstract: In certain instances, an access system can include a connector to couple with a catheter assembly, a reinforcement member fixedly secured to the connector, and a cannula movable relative to the reinforcement member. The cannula can include a polymeric tube and a support tube that encompasses a portion of and is stiffer than the polymeric tube. The support tube can define an inner diameter that is marginally larger than an outer diameter of the polymeric tube to prevent kinking of the polymeric tube and can be in a fixed relationship with the polymeric tube. A distal edge of the support tube is proximally spaced from a distal tip of the polymeric tube and is within the reinforcement member when the distal tip of the polymeric tube is first positioned distal of and external to the reinforcement member as the cannula is advanced.

Abstract: An access system can include a connector couplable with a catheter assembly having a catheter tube that can be positioned in a blood vessel of a patient. The access system can include a reinforcement member and a cannula couplable with a fluid collection device. The cannula can include a polymeric tube that defines a distal tip and a support tube that is stiffer than the polymeric tube and encompasses a portion of the polymeric tube. The support tube can define an inner diameter that is marginally larger than an outer diameter of the polymeric tube so as to prevent kinking of the portion of the polymeric tube that is encompassed by the support tube when the polymeric tube experiences proximally and distally directed compressive forces.

Abstract: An access system can include a connector couplable with a catheter assembly having a catheter tube that can be positioned in a blood vessel of a patient. The access system can include a reinforcement member and a cannula couplable with a fluid collection device. The cannula can include a polymeric tube that defines a distal tip and a support tube that is stiffer than the polymeric tube and encompasses a portion of the polymeric tube. The support tube can define an inner diameter that is marginally larger than an outer diameter of the polymeric tube so as to prevent kinking of the portion of the polymeric tube that is encompassed by the support tube when the polymeric tube experiences proximally and distally directed compressive forces.

Abstract: An access system can include a connector for coupling with a catheter assembly having a catheter tube that can be positioned in a blood vessel of a patient, a reinforcement member fixedly secured to the connector, and a cannula movable relative to the reinforcement member from a retracted position in which at least a portion of the cannula is within the reinforcement member to an advanced position. The cannula can include a polymeric tube and a support tube that encompasses a portion of the polymeric tube. The support tube defines a distal edge that is within the reinforcement member when the distal tip of the polymeric tube is first positioned distal of and external to the reinforcement member as the cannula is transitioned from the retracted position to the advanced position.

Abstract: A system can include a needle that includes a distal tip configured to be inserted into a vessel of a patient, the needle defining an outer surface. The system can further include a catheter that includes a distal end and an inner surface that defines a lumen within which a portion of the needle is positioned, the distal tip of the needle being at a position that is distal to the distal end of the catheter, the catheter further comprising a catching region of reduced diameter that extends inwardly at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A system can include a handle and a needle fixedly secured to the handle. The needle can include a distal tip that can be inserted through a sidewall of a vessel of a patient. The system can further include a catheter that defines a lumen through which the needle extends and includes an engagement surface at an interior thereof. A stiffener can be positioned within the lumen of the catheter at an exterior of the needle and can include an engagement surface that can press distally on the engagement surface of the catheter to advance the catheter distally over the needle and through a lumen of the vessel when the stiffener is advanced distally over the needle. The system can further include a stiffener hub attached to the stiffener, the stiffener hub being movably coupled with the handle so as to translate relative thereto.

Abstract: A method can include engaging the pericardium of a patient at two engagement positions of the pericardium. The method can further include moving the two engagement positions of the pericardium away from each other to tension a portion of the pericardium. The method can further include advancing an access device through the tensioned portion of the pericardium to introduce the access device into the pericardial space of the patient. Other and further methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical valve can include a housing that includes a sidewall and defines a chamber. The medical valve can include a septum coupled to the housing. The septum can include a proximal surface and a selectively openable closure positioned within the chamber. The medical valve can further include a plurality of projections that extend away from the sidewall and are configured to contact the proximal surface of the septum to oppose movement of a restricted portion of the septum in a proximal direction such that an aspiration cracking pressure required to open the closure to permit fluid flow through the septum in the proximal direction exceeds an infusion cracking pressure required to open the closure to permit fluid flow through the septum in the distal direction.

Abstract: Tissue engagement devices can include a sheath, a first arm, a second arm and an actuation cannula. At least a proximal portion of each arm is within the sheath. The actuation cannula is also within the sheath, and can move within the sheath between a retracted position and an extended position. The actuation cannula moves at least a portion of each of the first and second arms into a region between an exterior surface of the actuation cannula and an interior surface of the sheath as the actuation cannula moves to the extended position.

Abstract: A system can include a handle and a needle fixedly secured to the handle. The needle can include a distal tip that can be inserted through a sidewall of a vessel of a patient. The system can further include a catheter that defines a lumen through which the needle extends and includes an engagement surface at an interior thereof. A cannular stiffener can be positioned within the lumen of the catheter at an exterior of the needle and can include an engagement surface that can press distally on the engagement surface of the catheter to advance the catheter distally over the needle and through a lumen of the vessel when the stiffener is advanced distally over the needle. The system can further include a stiffener hub attached to the stiffener, the stiffener hub being movably coupled with the handle so as to translate relative thereto.

Abstract: Tissue engagement devices can include a sheath, a first arm, a second arm and an actuation cannula. At least a proximal portion of each arm is within the sheath. The actuation cannula is also within the sheath, and can move within the sheath between a retracted position and an extended position. The actuation cannula moves at least a portion of each of the first and second arms into a region between an exterior surface of the actuation cannula and an interior surface of the sheath as the actuation cannula moves to the extended position.