Abstract: A device to couple a vascular access device to a medical device may include a body, a spring, and a housing. The body may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end. The proximal end of the body may include a connector. The housing may be coupled to a proximal end of the spring and may enclose the connector. A distal end of the spring may be coupled to the body. The housing may include a flap, which may include an antimicrobial compound. When the housing is disposed in a proximal position, the flap may cover the connector, the antimicrobial compound may contact the connector, and the spring may be uncompressed. In response to movement of the housing from the proximal position to a distal position, the spring may be compressed and the flap may open.

Abstract: A vein simulator can enable a clinician to perform a PIVC workflow. This workflow can include preparation of simulated skin, insertion of a PIVC into a simulated vein, flushing a line of the PIVC and dressing and securing the PIVC to the simulated skin. The vein simulator may be formed of simulated tissue, simulated skin that is integrated into the simulated tissue and an embedded simulated vein that may be positioned within a protruding vein channel. Because the simulated skin is integrated into the simulated tissue, the vein simulator will provide a more realistic experience while practicing the workflow. A vein simulator may include one or more sensors to provide real-time feedback to a clinician while practicing the workflow.

Abstract: A catheter system may include a catheter assembly and a needle assembly. The needle assembly may include a cover disposed over a push button. An inner surface of the cover may include a projection, and the cover may be configured to slide proximally. In response to the cover sliding proximally, the projection may be configured to contact the push button, and the push button may be configured to depress. The push button may include a living hinge. The housing may include a flange contacting a proximal end of the push button to prevent the proximal end of the button from being depressed. In response to bending of the living hinge, the push button may be configured to move distal to the flange and depress. In response to depression of the push button, the needle hub may move proximally within the barrel to retract the introducer needle.

Abstract: An intravenous delivery system may operate by gravity feed, and may have a liquid source containing a liquid, a drip unit that receives the liquid from the liquid source, and tubing that receives the liquid from the drip unit for delivery to a patient. A flow rate sensor may be used to measure a flow rate of liquid through the intravenous delivery system, and may generate a flow rate signal indicative of the flow rate. A controller may receive the signal, and may compare the flow rate with a desired flow rate. If the flow rate is more or less than the desired flow rate, the controller may transmit a control signal to a flow rate regulator. The flow rate regulator may receive the control signal and, in response, modify the flow rate to bring the flow rate closer to the desired flow rate.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a cannula. The cannula may include a distal tip, an elongated tubular shaft, and an inner lumen formed by the elongated tubular shaft. A first portion of the elongated tubular shaft may have a first outer diameter. The first portion may be proximate the distal tip. A second portion of the elongated tubular shaft may have a second outer diameter. The second outer diameter may be greater than the first outer diameter. The catheter assembly may also include a catheter adapter, which may include a catheter and a catheter hub. The second portion of the elongated tubular shaft may be at least partially disposed in the catheter hub.

Abstract: A device to couple a vascular access device to a medical device may include a body, a spring, and a housing. The body may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end. The proximal end of the body may include a connector. The housing may be coupled to a proximal end of the spring and may enclose the connector. A distal end of the spring may be coupled to the body. The housing may include a flap, which may include an antimicrobial compound. When the housing is disposed in a proximal position, the flap may cover the connector, the antimicrobial compound may contact the connector, and the spring may be uncompressed. In response to movement of the housing from the proximal position to a distal position, the spring may be compressed and the flap may open.

Abstract: A smart obturator assembly includes a hub forming a central passage. The hub is configured to couple to a proximal end of a device that forms a lumen such that the central passage is in fluid communication with the lumen. A collar on the hub includes electronic circuitry in signal communication with remote reception circuitry. An obturator is movably positionable within the lumen. The obturator is movable within the lumen between a first position and a second position. The obturator includes a distal end and a sensor at the distal end. The sensor is configured to sense an environmental characteristic within a patient’s blood stream, generate a signal representative of the environmental characteristic, and transmit the signal to the electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry is configured to receive the signal and transmit the signal to the remote reception circuitry.

Abstract: A method to manage flushing of a catheter assembly may include providing a clamp for a fluid tube configured to be coupled to the catheter assembly. The clamp may include a sensor configured to detect the clamp is closed. The method may include starting a timer in response to the sensor detecting the clamp is closed. The method may include providing an alert in response to the timer reaching a predetermined duration of time. The alert may indicate to a clinician that the catheter assembly should be opened and flushed, which may prevent occlusion of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: A catheter system may include a catheter adapter, which may include a distal end and a proximal end. The catheter system may include a catheter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, a catheter lumen extending through the distal end of the catheter and the proximal end of the catheter, and an inner surface forming the catheter lumen. The catheter may extend distally from the distal end of the catheter adapter. The distal end of the catheter may include one or more holes. The distal end of the catheter may include one or more channels. The holes and/or the channels may facilitate visualization of blood flashback indicating the catheter is disposed within a vein of a patient.

Abstract: An obturator assembly includes an obturator positionable within a lumen of a device and movable within the lumen between a first position and a second position. The obturator includes a distal tip portion, wherein, with the obturator in the first position, the distal tip portion limits fluid communication through the lumen and, with the obturator in the second position, the distal tip portion provides fluid communication through the lumen.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, which may include a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The distal end may include a catheter configured to be inserted into vasculature of a patient. The catheter assembly may also include a septum, which may be disposed within the lumen of the catheter adapter. The septum may be secured within the lumen in response to increased pressure by one or more of the following: one or more septum stoppers, a retention disc of a needle assembly, a U-shaped washer, and a conical washer.

Abstract: An intravenous delivery system may operate by gravity feed, and may have a liquid source containing a liquid, a drip unit that receives the liquid from the liquid source, and tubing that receives the liquid from the drip unit for delivery to a patient. A flow rate sensor may be used to measure a flow rate of liquid through the intravenous delivery system, and may generate a flow rate signal indicative of the flow rate. A controller may receive the signal, and may compare the flow rate with a desired flow rate. If the flow rate is more or less than the desired flow rate, the controller may transmit a control signal to a flow rate regulator. The flow rate regulator may receive the control signal and, in response, modify the flow rate to bring the flow rate closer to the desired flow rate.

Abstract: An extravascular system is provided which includes a catheter adapter having a blood control septum configured to control flow of a fluid through the catheter adapter, the catheter adapter further having a catheter configured for intravenous insertion. The extravascular system further includes a septum activator slidably inserted within the catheter adapter and configured for advancement through the blood control septum to provide a fluid pathway through the blood control septum. Further still, the extravascular system includes an external safety mechanism comprising a needle hub and a needle shield interconnected via a tether, wherein the needle shield includes a safety clip that is configured to retain a sharpened end of the introducer needle within the needle shield. Some implementations further comprise an access port forming a portion of the catheter adapter and providing selective access to the lumen of the catheter adapter.

Abstract: A method to manage flushing of a catheter assembly may include providing a clamp for a fluid tube configured to be coupled to the catheter assembly. The clamp may include a sensor configured to detect the clamp is closed. The method may include starting a timer in response to the sensor detecting the clamp is closed. The method may include providing an alert in response to the timer reaching a predetermined duration of time. The alert may indicate to a clinician that the catheter assembly should be opened and flushed, which may prevent occlusion of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: A smart obturator assembly includes a hub forming a central passage. The hub is configured to couple to a proximal end of a device that forms a lumen such that the central passage is in fluid communication with the lumen. A collar on the hub includes electronic circuitry in signal communication with remote reception circuitry. An obturator is movably positionable within the lumen. The obturator is movable within the lumen between a first position and a second position. The obturator includes a distal end and a sensor at the distal end. The sensor is configured to sense an environmental characteristic within a patient's blood stream, generate a signal representative of the environmental characteristic, and transmit the signal to the electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry is configured to receive the signal and transmit the signal to the remote reception circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple-use intravenous (IV) catheter assembly septum and septum actuator. In particular, the present invention relates to an IV catheter assembly having a stationary septum actuator and a blood control septum, wherein the blood control septum is configured to slide within a catheter adapter of the IV catheter assembly between a compressed state and an uncompressed state. When in the compressed state, a slit of the blood control septum is opened and the septum comprises stored compressive potential energy. When the septum is released from the compressed state, the stored compressive potential energy is release and the blood control septum is restored to its original shape, thereby closing the septum's slit.

Abstract: A method for site assessments of a catheter insertion site and/or dressing includes: scanning the catheter insertion site and/or dressing with an image capture device and/or sensor; selecting a patient baseline site location and skin tone; recording a baseline condition using a computing device; determining a site assessment rate using a computing device; prompting a clinician to make a site assessment of the catheter insertion site and/or dressing using a computing device; and recording site assessment information in an electronic medical record using a computing device.

Abstract: An extravascular system is provided which includes a catheter adapter having a blood control septum configured to control flow of a fluid through the catheter adapter, the catheter adapter further having a catheter configured for intravenous insertion. The extravascular system further includes a septum activator slidably inserted within the catheter adapter and configured for advancement through the blood control septum to provide a fluid pathway through the blood control septum. Further still, the extravascular system includes an external safety mechanism comprising a needle hub and a needle shield interconnected via a tether, wherein the needle shield includes a safety clip that is configured to retain a sharpened end of the introducer needle within the needle shield. Some implementations further comprise an access port forming a portion of the catheter adapter and providing selective access to the lumen of the catheter adapter.

Abstract: A catheter system may include a catheter adapter, which may include a distal end and a proximal end. The catheter system may include a catheter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, a catheter lumen extending through the distal end of the catheter and the proximal end of the catheter, and an inner surface forming the catheter lumen. The catheter may extend distally from the distal end of the catheter adapter. The distal end of the catheter may include one or more holes. The distal end of the catheter may include one or more channels. The holes and/or the channels may facilitate visualization of blood flashback indicating the catheter is disposed within a vein of a patient.

Abstract: A vein simulator system can be used by clinicians to improve their proficiency in placing catheters such as PIVCs or in otherwise accessing a vasculature. A vein simulator system can include a simulated portion of a body, such as a simulated human arm, that includes at least one simulated vein. The vein simulator system can also include a control system, one or more sensors and one or more feedback components. The control system can leverage the one or more sensors to generate feedback during a clinician's attempt to place a catheter and can output the feedback via the feedback components, either during or after the attempt.