Abstract: A check valve includes an upper housing having an inlet of the check valve, a lower housing axially coupled to the upper housing and having an outlet of the check valve, a valve portion cooperatively formed by the upper and lower housings, a passageway extending between the inlet and outlet, a first filter included in the upper housing to limit passage of undesirable matter in fluid flowing through the check valve, a second filter included in the lower housing to limit passage of undesirable matter in fluid flowing through the check valve, each of the first filter and the second filter including a plurality of vertical structures disposed in the valve portion and extending axially and radially in the valve portion, and a valve member positioned in the valve portion to selectively permit fluid to flow through the check valve.

Abstract: Inserts can be formed with elution characteristics to cause the inserts to elute an antimicrobial agent when subject to a fluid within a medical device. An insert can be formed with a desired geometry to allow the insert to be compression fit within a medical device to prevent the insert from moving or becoming dislodged once inserted into the medical device. The material may also be hygroscopic so that the insert swells when subject to a fluid thereby enhancing the compression fit of the device within the medical device. In some cases, the material can be reinforced using an internal structure. Inserts can be formed in many ways including by casting, thermoforming, or extrusion. In some cases, the inserts can be formed using a peel-away sleeve or material. The peel-away sleeves can be formed of a non-sticky material which facilitates removal of the inserts once the inserts have cured.

Abstract: Inserts can be formed with elution characteristics to cause the inserts to elute an antimicrobial agent when subject to a fluid within a medical device. An insert can be formed with a desired geometry to allow the insert to be compression fit within a medical device to prevent the insert from moving or becoming dislodged once inserted into the medical device. The material may also be hygroscopic so that the insert swells when subject to a fluid thereby enhancing the compression fit of the device within the medical device. In some cases, the material can be reinforced using an internal structure. Inserts can be formed in many ways including by casting, thermoforming, or extrusion. In some cases, the inserts can be formed using a peel-away sleeve or material. The peel-away sleeves can be formed of a non-sticky material which facilitates removal of the inserts once the inserts have cured.

Abstract: Catheter assembly (10) comprises catheter (22), needle (12) having sharp distal tip disposed in catheter (22), catheter hub (14) housing catheter (22) and needle (12), catheter hub (14) having collar (34) including notch (36), needle shield (20) connected to catheter hub (14) when needle (12) is in first position, and clip (40) disposed in needle shield (20) that cooperates with needle (12), wherein clip (40) engages catheter hub (14) in first position of needle (12), and clip (40) disengages catheter hub (14) via notch (36) when needle (12) is retracted to second position to enclose at least portion of needle (12). Clip (40) is mounted in outer housing (38) of needle shield (20) via spade (66) having outer wall (70) exposed to outside of needle shield (20), in order to reduce overall width of needle shield (20).

Abstract: A check valve includes an upper housing having an inlet of the check valve, a lower housing axially coupled to the upper housing and having an outlet of the check valve, a valve portion cooperatively formed by the upper and lower housings, a passageway extending between the inlet and outlet, a first filter included in the upper housing to limit passage of undesirable matter in fluid flowing through the check valve, a second filter included in the lower housing to limit passage of undesirable matter in fluid flowing through the check valve, each of the first filter and the second filter including a plurality of vertical structures disposed in the valve portion and extending axially and radially in the valve portion, and a valve member positioned in the valve portion to selectively permit fluid to flow through the check valve.

Abstract: A check valve, including a valve and a valve support surface, to permit a fluid to move through the check valve in a first direction and resist a fluid flow through the valve in a second direction, the valve having a valve diaphragm and an isolating bridge, with a portion of the valve engaging against valve support surface to resist deformation or stretching of the valve when a backflow of fluid into the check valve occurs. The valve support surface having a first support surface and a second support surface, and the valve positioned with the valve diaphragm spaced apart from the first support surface, and the isolating bridge spaced apart from the second support surface.

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 check valve, including a valve and a valve support surface, to permit a fluid to move through the check valve in a first direction and resist a fluid flow through the valve in a second direction, the valve having a valve diaphragm and an isolating bridge, with a portion of the valve engaging against valve support surface to resist deformation or stretching of the valve when a backflow of fluid into the check valve occurs. The valve support surface having a first support surface and a second support surface, and the valve positioned with the valve diaphragm spaced apart from the first support surface, and the isolating bridge spaced apart from the second support surface.

Abstract: An obturator can include antimicrobial features which assist in sterilizing or maintaining the sterility of fluid contained within a vascular access device while the device is not being used for infusion or other access to the patient's vasculature. These antimicrobial features include antimicrobial coatings applied to various surfaces of an obturator and antimicrobial components bonded or otherwise secured to an obturator. Various combinations of antimicrobial coatings and/or components can be used on an obturator as necessary to provide a desired amount of antimicrobial agents within a particular enclosed volume of a vascular access device.

Abstract: A cannula capture mechanism is described herein. The capture mechanism may include an inner housing, outer housing, and a cannula. The outer housing may be configured to move between a compressed and a decompressed state. An outer surface of the inner housing may include one or more interlock components. When the cannula is exposed from a distal end of the inner housing, the one or more interlock components may interact with one or more interlock surfaces formed in another surface of the catheter device. When the cannula is retracted proximally within the inner housing, the inner housing may contract radially inward causing the one or more interlock components to be separated from the one or more interlock surfaces and the outer housing to move to the decompressed state and extend distally over a distal portion of the inner housing.

Abstract: A device for coupling to a fluid connector of an IV administration set to resist contamination of the fluid connector and IV administration set and permit priming of the IV administration set. The device including a cover body having a cavity for receiving the fluid connector, a priming passage for priming fluid from the IV administration set through the fluid connector, and a coupling tab extending from the cover body, the coupling tab permitting the cover body to be coupled to a length of an IV line or other portion of the IV administration set to resist contamination and permit priming of the IV administration set.

Abstract: A catheter having a catheter body with a lumen and a distal lumen opening. The catheter's lumen extends through the catheter body along a longitudinal axis of the catheter body. A hole is formed through a wall of a distal portion of the catheter body. A portion of the proximal surface of the hole is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the catheter body. The acute angle of the proximal hole surface opens proximally with respect to the catheter body.

Abstract: A ported catheter adapter having a combined blood control valve and port valve, wherein the combined valve comprises one or more vents that permit the passage of air and prevent the passage of fluids. The one or more vents are located on the outer surface of the valve so as to avoid being overlapped with the pathway of the side port. As such, fluid communication between the side port and the vents is prevented. Various venting configurations are provided. The invention further includes a valve actuator that is advanced through a slit in the membrane of the valve to provide a pathway for fluid to bypass the valve.

Abstract: A cannula capture mechanism is described herein. The capture mechanism may include an inner housing, outer housing, and a cannula. The outer housing may be configured to move between a compressed and a decompressed state. An outer surface of the inner housing may include one or more interlock components. When the cannula is exposed from a distal end of the inner housing, the one or more interlock components may interact with one or more interlock surfaces formed in another surface of the catheter device. When the cannula is retracted proximally within the inner housing, the inner housing may contract radially inward causing the one or more interlock components to be separated from the one or more interlock surfaces and the outer housing to move to the decompressed state and extend distally over a distal portion of the inner housing.

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 venous catheter having a catheter tip comprising recessed diffusion holes for increasing the snag-resistance of the venous catheter. The invention further provides systems and methods for providing axial ridges interposed between diffusion holes for increasing the rigidity of the vented catheter tip.

Abstract: A check valve includes an upper housing having an inlet of the check valve, a lower housing axially coupled to the upper housing and having an outlet of the check valve, a valve portion cooperatively formed by the upper and lower housings, a passageway extending between the inlet and outlet, a first filter included in the upper housing to limit passage of undesirable matter in fluid flowing through the check valve, a second filter included in the lower housing to limit passage of undesirable matter in fluid flowing through the check valve, each of the first filter and the second filter including a plurality of vertical structures disposed in the valve portion and extending axially and radially in the valve portion, and a valve member positioned in the valve portion to selectively permit fluid to flow through the check valve.

Abstract: Flow controllers for intravenous (IV) tubing are provided. A flow controller may include first and second structural members defining a cavity therebetween for a portion of the tubing, wherein the first structural member is linearly slidable along a length of the tubing to compress at least part of the portion of the tubing to control flow of a medical fluid through the tubing. A flow controller may include a first ramped wedge structure, a second ramped wedge structure configured to slide over the first ramped wedge structure to compress a portion of the IV tubing disposed between the first ramped wedge structure and the second ramped wedge structure, a yoke having a linear slot, a wheel having a pin that is radially separated form a center of the wheel and is slidably disposed in the linear slot, and a transfer structure coupled to the yoke and the first ramped wedge structure. IV sets that include a flow controller are also provided.

Abstract: A vascular access device includes an antimicrobial coating that provides kink resistance to a catheter. The antimicrobial coating can extend along a length of the catheter to provide antimicrobial protection when the catheter is inserted into the patient's vasculature. The antimicrobial coating can also increase the effective diameter of the catheter to minimize the likelihood that the catheter will become kinked.