Abstract: A neonatal intravascular device having an extension tube to relief stress between a catheter adapter and a luer adapter of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: An access device provides needleless access to patient fluid lines such as intravascular catheters. A septum assembly of the access device is formed from a frame integrally molded with a septum and provides access for a tubular portion, such as a male luer taper of a syringe, of a medical device. The frame of the septum assembly is bonded to the housing of the device, which minimizes axial and rotational movement between the septum and the housing, so that the access device properly operates through multiple uses.

Abstract: The present invention related to a catheter device having a side port in which is contained an actuator, the actuator being configured to compress a tubing of the catheter device inwardly when a separated device is inserted into the side port, thereby opening a flowpath from the side port to the inner lumen of the catheter device. In some instances, the side port actuator further comprises an antimicrobial agent or is formed from an antimicrobial material whereby the actuator prevents antimicrobial growth or colonization within fluid that remains in the side port following use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap for a medical connector. More specifically, the present invention related to an antimicrobial cap for placement over a connector, wherein various features of the antimicrobial cap maintain the connector in an antiseptic state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the use of a fluid over the lifecycle of the fluid, said systems including a plurality of fluid identification stations, each station having one or more sensors to detect and identify a parameter of a fluid, wherein a each station is operably interconnected thereby permitting each station to access and verify the identity of a fluid as determined by each independent fluid identification station.

Abstract: The current invention relates to infusion devices, specifically to peripheral intravenous (IV) catheters. In particular, the invention relates to peripheral IV catheter assemblies having features to enable selective and reversible activation of fluid flow through the catheter assembly. Some implementations of the present invention include various configurations of septum valves having a barrier surface that is stressed to bias the barrier surface and provide a pathway through the septum valve.

Abstract: A flushable catheter assembly having features to enable selective activation of fluid flow through the catheter assembly is disclosed herein. A septum is placed within the catheter adapter of the catheter assembly and includes a pathway that is closed prior to being biased open via a septum activator also positioned within the catheter adapter. A plurality of air vent channels is interposed between the septum and the inner surface of the catheter adapter to permit “flashback” of blood during insertion of the catheter into a patient. The septum activator is advanced through the pathway of the septum as a coupler is attached to a proximal opening of the catheter adapter.

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: A device for controlling fluid flow through an indwelling catheter assembly. The device includes a septum that is closed by default but that may be defeated temporarily by either exerting a force on a contact surface of the septum, or by biasing the septum with a probe.

Abstract: The present invention extends generally to a vascular access device that employs a septum and septum activator designed to minimize or eliminate the possibility that fluid will flow into interstitial spaces between the septum activator and the body of the vascular access device. The septum activator can be configured with a proximal end that has an outer diameter that is at least as great as the diameter of the lumen within which the septum activator is contained.

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 ported catheter adapter and septum actuator having various features to prevent displacement and dislodging of the septum actuator when accessing the patient's vasculature via the inserted infusion device. In particular, the systems and methods of the present invention provide an intravenous infusion device incorporating a septum actuator with a retention tab that interacts with a retention ring that is incorporated into the valve of a side port. This interaction retains the septum actuator within the lumen of the catheter adapter, thereby allowing for subsequent access to the patient's vasculature.

Abstract: An attachment device for identifying one or more constituents within a fluid includes a first end configured to selectively attach to an opening of a container holding a fluid, and a sensor coupled to the attachment body. The sensor further includes one or more sensor elements positioned to detect and analyze a fluid within the container. The sensor is further configured to perform one or more tests on the fluid, wherein the one or more tests are useful in identifying one or more constituents within the fluid.

Abstract: A retention feature configured to provide interference between a threaded connection of a Luer access device and a separate device, wherein the Luer access device further comprises a septum that provides a soft interfaced between the two threadedly connected devices. The retention features of the instant invention are designed to provide the user with a tactile sensation of a tightening threaded connection, despite a soft interface between the interconnected devices. The retention features of the instant invention further prevent “spring back” and unintentional disengagement of the interconnected devices.

Abstract: The present invention extends to a blood control catheter valve for use in a catheter adapter. The blood control catheter value employs an actuator for bypassing a septum to open the blood control catheter valve. The actuator includes flexible retention arms positioned on one end which retract into the body of the actuator while the end of the actuator passes through the septum, and then expand outwardly to maintain the actuator positioned within the septum. This design facilitates the manufacturing of catheter adapters (as well as blood control catheter valves and other components that attach to the catheter adapter) because the design can reduce the tolerance requirements of such components. Further, the design provides a reliable blood control catheter valve that does not require the catheter adapter to be increased in size to accommodate the valve.

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 and introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for preventing unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a means for connecting the needle shield to the catheter hub until the sharp distal tip of the introducer needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. Thus, when the distal end of the introducer needle extends from the distal portion of the needle shield, the needle shield is connected to the catheter hub and when the sharp distal end of the introducer needle is withdrawn into the needle shield, the needle shield is disconnected from the catheter hub. At that point, the sharp needle tip is secured within the needle shield.

Abstract: An access device provides needleless access to patient fluid lines such as intravascular catheters. A septum assembly of the access device is formed from a frame integrally molded with a septum and provides access for a tubular portion, such as a male luer taper of a syringe, of a medical device. The frame of the septum assembly is bonded to the housing of the device, which minimizes axial and rotational movement between the septum and the housing, so that the access device properly operates through multiple uses.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that includes a first polymer body having tacky properties. The first polymer body has a substantially-flat exterior surface. One or more protrusions are disposed on the substantially-flat exterior surface of the first polymer body. When the one or more protrusions are in contact with a substantially-flat exterior surface of a second polymer body having tacky properties, the adhesive force between the one or more protrusions and the substantially-flat exterior surface is less than the force of gravity on the first polymer body.

Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow in a catheter assembly is disclosed herein. An intravenous catheter assembly has a catheter adapter and a needle hub, and the catheter adapter has an inner lumen. A septum is disposed within a portion of the inner lumen, and a slit is formed through the septum. A Parylene coating is disposed within the slit of the septum, the Parylene coating has a thickness of between approximately 0.00005 to 0.0005 millimeters. An introducer needle has a first end coupled to the needle hub and the second end extending through the inner lumen of the catheter adapter. A middle portion of the introducer needle is positioned within a portion of the septum.