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: 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.

Abstract: Various methods can be employed to apply an antimicrobial coating to the outer surface of catheter tubing. The antimicrobial coating minimizes the risk of microbe colonization on the outer surface of the catheter tubing when the catheter tubing is positioned within the vasculature of a patient. A catheter can be manufactured using a pre-treatment process which applies the antimicrobial coating to the catheter tubing prior to applying a lubricant over top of the coating. The lubricant can function to retain the coating on the outer surface and also to limit the diffusion of the antimicrobial agent from the coating. A catheter can include an antimicrobial coating that does not block the visibility of flashback. Because the antimicrobial coating can be minimally transparent, the coating can be applied to the outer surface in a striped pattern or other pattern that leaves a portion of the outer surface uncoated or minimally coated.

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

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 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: Various methods can be employed to apply an antimicrobial coating to the outer surface of catheter tubing. The antimicrobial coating minimizes the risk of microbe colonization on the outer surface of the catheter tubing when the catheter tubing is positioned within the vasculature of a patient. A catheter can be manufactured using a pre-treatment process which applies the antimicrobial coating to the catheter tubing prior to applying a lubricant over top of the coating. The lubricant can function to retain the coating on the outer surface and also to limit the diffusion of the antimicrobial agent from the coating. A catheter can include an antimicrobial coating that does not block the visibility of flashback. Because the antimicrobial coating can be minimally transparent, the coating can be applied to the outer surface in a striped pattern or other pattern that leaves a portion of the outer surface uncoated or minimally coated.

Abstract: Various methods can be employed to apply an antimicrobial coating to the outer surface of catheter tubing. The antimicrobial coating minimizes the risk of microbe colonization on the outer surface of the catheter tubing when the catheter tubing is positioned within the vasculature of a patient. A catheter can be manufactured using a pre-treatment process which applies the antimicrobial coating to the catheter tubing prior to applying a lubricant over top of the coating. The lubricant can function to retain the coating on the outer surface and also to limit the diffusion of the antimicrobial agent from the coating. A catheter can include an antimicrobial coating that does not block the visibility of flashback. Because the antimicrobial coating can be minimally transparent, the coating can be applied to the outer surface in a striped pattern or other pattern that leaves a portion of the outer surface uncoated or minimally coated.

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

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 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 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 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 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.

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: Various methods can be employed to apply an antimicrobial coating to the outer surface of catheter tubing. The antimicrobial coating minimizes the risk of microbe colonization on the outer surface of the catheter tubing when the catheter tubing is positioned within the vasculature of a patient. A catheter can be manufactured using a pre-treatment process which applies the antimicrobial coating to the catheter tubing prior to applying a lubricant over top of the coating. The lubricant can function to retain the coating on the outer surface and also to limit the diffusion of the antimicrobial agent from the coating. A catheter can include an antimicrobial coating that does not block the visibility of flashback. Because the antimicrobial coating can be minimally transparent, the coating can be applied to the outer surface in a striped pattern or other pattern that leaves a portion of the outer surface uncoated or minimally coated.

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.