Abstract: Embodiments of catheter placement systems described herein include a temporary splittable sheath anchor, disposed on an outer surface of a needle. The splittable anchor moves with respect to the needle when accessing the vessel, allowing for a temporary anchor to be created as soon as venous access is confirmed via flashback. The clinician can advance the anchor over the needle once vessel access has been confirmed by flashback. The needle can then be removed without further insertion into the vessel, mitigating accidental trauma. The guidewire can then be introduced through the anchor and advanced to a target location within the vasculature. The anchor can then be removed by splitting and withdrawing the anchor proximally. Embodiments further include a splittable advancement sheath including a guidewire and configured to be drawn thorough a housing and split to allow the guidewire to separate from the advancement sheath and advance into the vasculature.

Abstract: A needle for accessing a vasculature of a patient is disclosed. The cannula of the needle includes a fluid lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end and a guideway lumen extending proximally away from the distal end. The guideway lumen is configured for placement of a guidewire therein, and the guideway lumen includes a guideway slot extending along a length of the guideway lumen, where the guideway slot extends radially through a guideway-lumen wall and extends along the guideway lumen to the distal end. Also disclosed is a sheath covering the cannula and the sheath includes a separable portion through which guidewire may laterally pass. Also disclosed is a collar rotatably positionable between a guidewire secure position and a guidewire release position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter, which in some embodiments includes a distal section configured to enter a skin insertion site. The distal section can include a tapered junction having one or more dilation structures configured to dilate the skin insertion site. The distal section can further include a distal portion extending from a distal end of the tapered junction, the distal portion having a diameter smaller than a proximal portion of the catheter. In combination, the tapered junction, the one or more dilation structures, and the specific actions of the user urging the catheter into the insertion site can result in an improved fit of the catheter in the insertion site.

Abstract: A mechanical dilator is disclosed, which can include a first arm coupled to a second arm by a fulcrum, the first arm and the second arm cooperatively defining a lock and stop mechanism configured to limit lateral movement of the first arm with respect to the second arm. The mechanical dilator can further include a dilator body having a first side extending from the first arm and a second side extending from the second arm, where the fulcrum is configured to translate lateral movement of the first arm relative to the second arm to lateral movement of the first side relative to the second side.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter placement system with a stiffening system and associated methods thereof. The catheter placement system can include a needle, catheter (e.g. rapid insertion central catheter), one or more guidewires, and a stiffening system, configured to place the catheter while containing portions of the catheter placement system that contact the patient within a sterile environment. Advantageously, the catheter placement system can provide all tools necessary for accessing a vasculature, dilating the insertion site and placing the catheter within a single device, mitigating repeated insertion of multiple tools and reducing the risk of introducing pathogens or the like. Further, the overall time required to place the catheter is reduced, reducing patient down time and improving patient outcomes.

Abstract: Aspiration syringes and methods thereof are disclosed. An exemplary aspiration syringe can include a barrel, a plunger disposed in the barrel, and an aspiration mechanism. The aspiration mechanism can include a thumb-support member coupled to a distal portion of the barrel and a syringe housing slidably disposed around the barrel. The syringe housing can include a proximal portion coupled to a proximal portion of the plunger and a distal portion terminating with a flange incorporated into a finger-support member. The aspiration mechanism can be configured for withdrawing the plunger from the barrel as the finger-support member is slid over the barrel toward the thumb-support member. An example method of the foregoing aspiration syringe can include a fluid-aspirating step including aspirating fluid from a fluid-containing space with a single hand over a medial portion of the syringe by squeezing together the finger-support member and the thumb-support member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter placement system including a splittable needle and dilator. The system can include a housing having one or more flexible sections and a pleated section. A user can grasp an elongate medical device using the flexible sections and transition the housing pleated section between an extended and collapsed configuration to urge the elongate medical device proximally or distally. The system can also include a needle retraction mechanism configured to split the needle long a longitudinal axis and roll up the separate portions to allow one or more elongate medical devices to pass therebetween. The system can also include a dilator splitter configured to separate a dilator along a longitudinal axis and radially displace the dilator portions to allow one or more elongate medical devices to pass therebetween. Advantageously, the system can maintain the elongate medical device in a sterile environment, mitigating the introduction of pathogens.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for organizing a catheter system is disclosed. The catheter assembly can include a molded hub, a catheter tube coupled to a distal end of the molded hub, a plurality of extension legs having distal ends coupled to the molded hub, and a securing mechanism. The molded hub can include a pair of hub lumens forming a hub portion of a pair of fluid pathways through the catheter assembly. The catheter tube can include a pair of catheter tube lumens. The securing mechanism can be configured to secure the plurality of extension legs together. The securing mechanism can be in the form of a slidable collar including a proximal opening and distal opening, wherein the slidable collar is positioned over the plurality of extension legs.

Abstract: Disclosed are enclosures for establishing a sterile environment over a patient for a medical procedure, as well as systems and methods thereof. An enclosure can include an expandable portion of a barrier separating a sterile environment inside of the enclosure from a non-sterile environment outside of the enclosure and a patient-interfacing portion of the barrier. The enclosure can also include a support system coupled to the patient-interfacing portion of the barrier in some embodiments. The patient-interfacing portion of the barrier can include one or more fenestrations for placement directly over one or more areas of interest of the patient, as well as for access to the areas of interest from within the sterile environment. When present, the support system can flank the fenestration. The support system is configured to support the enclosure on a surface when placed over an appendage of the patient or a main body of the patient.

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.