Abstract: A valve actuator that moves in a catheter assembly between a first position where a valve is closed and a second position where the valve is open, the valve actuator including a shaft portion at a distal end of the valve actuator that is configured to pierce the valve, a mating portion at a proximal end of the valve actuator that is configured to engage a Luer device, a diameter reduction region that connects the shaft portion and the mating portion, and a plurality of windows that extend through the valve actuator for flushing fluid, the plurality of windows being disposed in the diameter reduction region, wherein each of the plurality of windows does not extend a full length of the diameter reduction region.

Abstract: A medical instrument or device, such as a catheter, has echogenic properties, in addition to or as an alternative to radiopaque properties, to facilitate detection of the medical instrument or device during medical procedures using suitable imaging methods, such as ultrasound imaging and/or x-ray imaging methods. In example embodiments, an example catheter has a relatively increased radiopacity and echogenicity to facilitate a clinician with detecting the catheter with ultrasound imaging and/or x-ray imaging methods to assist the clinician with the insertion, placement, and/or maintenance of the catheter, for example.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter (18), a needle (12) having a sharp distal tip disposed within the catheter (18), a catheter hub (14) connected to the catheter (18) having the needle (12) passing therethrough, the catheter hub (14) including a valve (38) that selectively permits or blocks a flow of fluid through the catheter (18), a valve actuator (54) that moves between a first position and a second position, and a return member (56) that returns the valve actuator (54) from the second position to the first position, and a needle protection member (176) that encloses the sharp distal tip of the needle (12).

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter (18), a needle (12) having a sharp distal tip disposed within the catheter (18), a catheter hub (14) connected to the catheter (18) having the needle (12) passing therethrough, the catheter hub (14) including a valve (38) that selectively permits or blocks a flow of fluid through the catheter (18), a valve actuator (54) that moves between a first position and a second position, and a return member (56) that returns the valve actuator (54) from the second position to the first position, and a needle protection member (176) that encloses the sharp distal tip of the needle (12).

Abstract: Medical tube can have a continuous inner layer having a continuous outer layer thereon, in which the inner layer includes a polyolefin such as a polyethylene or polypropylene or a functionalized polyolefin. The outer layer can include a thermoplastic polymer such as one or more of, or a blend including, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a thermoplastic olefin (TPO), a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a styrene-containing thermoplastic elastomer (S-TPE), a polyolefin elastomer (POE), a styrenic blocking copolymer (SBC). Advantageously, the outer layer and/or the inner layer do not include polyvinyl chloride. Such tubing can be used as medical device such as with infusion sets.

Abstract: Medical devices having an alkaline resistant halogenated polymer include a halogenated polymer incorporating one or more of a polymeric stabilizer, a polymeric plasticizer or a free radical inhibitor or combinations thereof. The medical devices can be used to administer high pH formulations to a patient in need of such administration by administering the formulation through contact the an alkaline resistant halogenated polymer.

Abstract: A valve actuator that moves in a catheter assembly between a first position where a valve is closed and a second position where the valve is open, the valve actuator including a shaft portion at a distal end of the valve actuator that is configured to pierce the valve, a mating portion at a proximal end of the valve actuator that is configured to engage a Luer device, a diameter reduction region that connects the shaft portion and the mating portion, and a plurality of windows that extend through the valve actuator for flushing fluid, the plurality of windows being disposed in the diameter reduction region, wherein each of the plurality of windows does not extend a full length of the diameter reduction region.

Abstract: A valve actuator that moves in a catheter assembly between a first position where a valve is closed and a second position where the valve is open, the valve actuator including a shaft portion at a distal end of the valve actuator that is configured to pierce the valve, a mating portion at a proximal end of the valve actuator that is configured to engage a Luer device, a diameter reduction region that connects the shaft portion and the mating portion, and a plurality of windows that extend through the valve actuator for flushing fluid, the plurality of windows being disposed in the diameter reduction region, wherein each of the plurality of windows does not extend a full length of the diameter reduction region.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter (18), a needle (12) having a sharp distal tip disposed within the catheter (18), a catheter hub (14) connected to the catheter (18) having the needle (12) passing therethrough, the catheter hub (14) including a valve (38) that selectively permits or blocks a flow of fluid through the catheter (18), a valve actuator (54) that moves between a first position and a second position, and a return member (56) that returns the valve actuator (54) from the second position to the first position, and a needle protection member (176) that encloses the sharp distal tip of the needle (12).

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter (18), a needle (12) having a sharp distal tip disposed within the catheter (18), a catheter hub (14) connected to the catheter (18) having the needle (12) passing therethrough, the catheter hub (14) including a valve (38) that selectively permits or blocks a flow of fluid through the catheter (18), a valve actuator (54) that moves between a first position and a second position, and a return member (56) that returns the valve actuator (54) from the second position to the first position, and a needle protection member (176) that encloses the sharp distal tip of the needle (12).

Abstract: A medical instrument or device, such as a catheter, has echogenic properties, in addition to or as an alternative to radiopaque properties, to facilitate detection of the medical instrument or device during medical procedures using suitable imaging methods, such as ultrasound imaging and/or x-ray imaging methods. In example embodiments, an example catheter has a relatively increased radiopacity and echogenicity to facilitate a clinician with detecting the catheter with ultrasound imaging and/or x-ray imaging methods to assist the clinician with the insertion, placement, and/or maintenance of the catheter, for example.

Abstract: A valve actuator that moves in a catheter assembly between a first position where a valve is closed and a second position where the valve is open, the valve actuator including a shaft portion at a distal end of the valve actuator that is configured to pierce the valve, a mating portion at a proximal end of the valve actuator that is configured to engage a Luer device, a diameter reduction region that connects the shaft portion and the mating portion, and a plurality of windows that extend through the valve actuator for flushing fluid, the plurality of windows being disposed in the diameter reduction region, wherein each of the plurality of windows does not extend a full length of the diameter reduction region.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter (18), a needle (12) having a sharp distal tip disposed within the catheter (18), a catheter hub (14) connected to the catheter (18) having the needle (12) passing therethrough, the catheter hub (14) including a valve (38) that selectively permits or blocks a flow of fluid through the catheter (18), a valve actuator (54) that moves between a first position and a second position, and a return member (56) that returns the valve actuator (54) from the second position to the first position, and a needle protection member (176) that encloses the sharp distal tip of the needle (12).

Abstract: A medical device, such as a vascular catheter, is at least partly made from a formulation which comprises a relatively soft polymer, a compatible, relatively stiff polymer, and up to about 15 weight percent of a fluorine-containing polymer, to provide a material which has inherent lubricating characteristics against, for example, a guidewire in a guidewire lumen of the catheter. In one embodiment, the tip of the catheter may be made of such a fluorinated formulation, while the catheter body may be fluorine-free.