Abstract: An IV device assembly may include a lumen forming a fluidic channel within the IV device assembly. The lumen may be fluidically coupled to a vascular access device (VAD) coupler via a funnel coupler, and an IV device assembly coupler at a proximal end of the lumen. The IV device assembly may also include one or more of the following: a collapsible sleeve formed coaxially around a first portion of the lumen and mechanically coupled to the funnel coupler, a patency instrument formed along a second portion of the lumen within the collapsible sleeve and into the VAD coupler, a translation handle that translates the patency instrument out of a distal end of the VAD coupler, and a fixed grip formed around the lumen to maintain a position of the IV device assembly relative to the translation handle.

Abstract: A catheter system may include a catheter adapter, a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter, an introducer needle extending through the catheter, a flash chamber in fluid communication with a needle lumen of the introducer needle, and a seal element. The introducer needle may include a wall defining the needle lumen, a first notch formed through the wall, and a second notch formed through the wall. The seal element may be proximal to the first notch and the second notch and within the catheter between an outer surface of the introducer needle and an inner surface of the catheter. The seal element may prevent priming fluid from travelling distal to the seal element. The seal element in conjunction with the first notch, the second notch, and the flash chamber may facilitate pressure-driven blood flow into the catheter for detection of flashback and transfixing when priming occurs prior to insertion into vasculature.

Abstract: An instrument configured to be inserted through a vascular access device includes a helical coil formed by a wire, with the helical coil defining a central passage, and a core wire extending along a longitudinal axis of the helical coil through at least a portion of the central passage of the helical coil. At least a portion of the core wire includes a planar surface extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis and a semi-cylindrical surface extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A catheter adapter includes a body having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, with the body including an inlet port positioned between the first end and the second end and defining a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end of the body, a catheter configured to be inserted into a patient's vasculature, with the catheter positioned at the first end of the body, and a stabilizer including a first wing member and a second wing member, with a portion of the stabilizer extending beyond the inlet port of the body in a direction extending along the longitudinal axis from the first end of the body to the second end of the body.

Abstract: A cover for magnetizing a shaft of a tissue-penetrating medical device is disclosed including a sleeve member having a hollow body to form a protective closure over the shaft of the tissue-penetrating medical device. The proximal end of the hollow body provides a receiving space for receiving the shaft of the tissue-penetrating medical device. One or more magnet is disposed on the sleeve member. A magnetic shield composed of one or more shielding materials associated with the cover that minimizes any effects to the clinical environment from magnetic fields generated within the cover. Medical devices, assemblies and methods of magnetizing the shaft of a tissue-penetrating medical device using the cover are also disclosed.

Abstract: An introducer needle may include a proximal end, a distal tip, and a needle lumen extending therebetween. The introducer needle may include a wall defining the needle lumen, a first notch formed through the wall, and a second notch formed through the wall. A catheter system may include a catheter adapter, a catheter extending distally from the distal end of the catheter adapter, a flash chamber coupled to the introducer needle, and the introducer needle, which may extend through the catheter. The first and second notches and the flash chamber may facilitate pressure-driven blood flow into the catheter for improved flashback and detection of transfixation when the catheter is primed prior to insertion into vasculature of a patient or otherwise.

Abstract: A catheter system may include a catheter assembly, which may include a catheter adapter and a catheter extending from a distal end of the catheter adapter. The catheter system may include a needle assembly, which may include a barrel, a needle hub slidably disposed within the barrel, and an introducer needle secured within the needle hub and extending through the catheter. The needle assembly may also include a stop surface coupled to the barrel and an activation latch. The activation latch may be slidable from a first position to a second position with respect to the barrel. In response to the activation latch being in the first position, the stop surface may contact the activation latch and depression of the activation latch may be prevented. In response to sliding of the activation latch from the first position to the second position, the stop surface may not contact the activation latch, which may depress.

Abstract: Pinch-style clamps can be designed for use in clamping or occluding plastic tubing, such as intravenous tubing. These pinch clamps can include a soft, polymer material applied to various surfaces of the pinch clamp to prevent abrasion or irritation to the patient, increase friction between the pinch clamp and the user operating said pinch clamp, increase friction between engaged surfaces of the pinch clamp to prevent premature or unintended disengagement of the clamp, or increase friction between the outer surfaces of the tubing and the clamping surfaces of the clamp. Various features or components can be employed to prevent lateral disengagement of the pinch clamp. A pinch clamp may also be configured with rounded outer edges to enhance patient comfort.

Abstract: A pinch clamp for use in occluding intravenous tubing or other similar tubing can include patient comfort features and/or lateral disengagement prevention features. These features can also be designed in a manner that allows the pinch clamps to be more easily manufactured. A pinch clamp can include a first arm that is coupled to a second arm by hinges. Each of the first and second arms can form a clamping surface that are aligned when the first arm is positioned overtop the second arm. The first arm can include opposing openings and the second arm can include opposing tabs which insert through the openings when the first arm is positioned overtop the second arm. The retaining tabs interface with the openings to prevent the first arm from separating from the second arm.

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: 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: Contamination detection systems, kits, and techniques are described for testing surfaces for the presence of hazardous contaminants, while minimizing user exposure to these contaminants. Even trace amounts of contaminants can be detected. A collection kit provides a swab that is simple to use, easy to hold and grip, allows the user to swab large areas of a surface, and keeps the user's hands away from the surface being tested. The kit also provides open and closed fluid transfer mechanism to transfer the collected fluid to a detection device while minimizing user exposure to hazardous contaminants in the collected fluid. Contamination detection kits can rapidly collect and detect hazardous drugs, including trace amounts of antineoplastic agents, in healthcare settings at the site of contamination.

Abstract: A support device to support a catheter assembly may include a platform, which may include an upper surface and a bottom surface. The support device may include an extension element coupled to the upper surface of the platform. The extension element may include a distal end, which may include a first connector configured to couple to the catheter assembly, and a proximal end, which may include a second connector. The extension element may include a valve that may be movable between a first position and a second position. In response to the valve being moved to the first position, a fluid pathway extending through the cannula and the extension element may be open and straight. In response to the valve being moved to the second position, the fluid pathway may be closed. The support device may include a cannula, which may be swaged within the extension element.

Abstract: An introducer needle may include a proximal end, a distal tip, and a needle lumen extending therebetween. The introducer needle may include a wall defining the needle lumen, a first notch formed through the wall, and a second notch formed through the wall. A catheter system may include a catheter adapter, a catheter extending distally from the distal end of the catheter adapter, a flash chamber coupled to the introducer needle, and the introducer needle, which may extend through the catheter. The first and second notches and the flash chamber may facilitate pressure-driven blood flow into the catheter for improved flashback and detection of transfixation when the catheter is primed prior to insertion into vasculature of a patient or otherwise.

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 catheter insertion device is provided for positioning and inserting a catheter, particularly a midline catheter into a patient. The insertion device includes an actuator assembly movable with respect to a housing for deploying the catheter over a needle. A step-wise movement of the actuator advances a catheter assembly, including the catheter, in stages over the introducer needle. An indexing finger of the catheter assembly engages the actuator body during distal advancement of the actuator, and deflects as the actuator is moved proximally. The device further includes a lockout device such as a button, collar, slider, or tab, which allows movement of the catheter relative to the needle but prevents advancement of the catheter to the first stage of the step-wise movement.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device including a catheter, an introducer adapted to attach the device to a peripheral intravenous line (PIV), an actuator movably coupled to the introducer, and a catheter support movably coupled to the introducer. The catheter support is positioned between the actuator and the distal end of the introducer. The actuator moves the catheter between a first position disposed within the introducer and a second position where the end of the catheter extends beyond the end of the introducer and into the PIV. The catheter support includes a rigid or collapsible tether and a hub attached to the tether and defining a passageway. The catheter extends from the actuator through the passageway of the catheter support to the distal end of the introducer. As the actuator moves the catheter, the actuator contacts the catheter support and moves the catheter support with respect to the introducer.

Abstract: A blood draw device including an introducer and an actuator. The introducer has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and an inner volume, and includes a top surface having a first portion of a first length and a second portion of a second length. The first portion may have a smooth surface along the first length and the second portion has a plurality of ridges along the second length. The actuator includes an exterior portion positioned above the top surface and an interior portion positioned within the inner volume, wherein the exterior portion of the actuator includes an engagement member and a downwardly-extending tab projecting below the engagement member such that the downwardly-extending tab of the actuator may contact at least the plurality of ridges of the second portion of the introducer to provide at least one of tactile and audible feedback to a user.

Abstract: A medical device includes a catheter having proximal and distal ends, and defining a lumen, an introducer having proximal and distal ends, and defining an inner volume configured to movably receive the catheter. The distal end of the introducer has a lock configured to couple the introducer to an intravenous line, the introducer having a flexible member arranged within the inner volume configured to limit deflection of the catheter as the catheter is moved within the introducer, and an actuator movably coupled to the introducer. The actuator has a first portion disposed outside the introducer and a second portion disposed in the inner volume of the introducer and coupled to the catheter. The actuator configured to move relative to the introducer to move the catheter between first and second positions, such that the first portion is disposed within the intravenous line when the introducer is coupled to the intravenous line.

Abstract: A blood draw device for use with a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall defining a lumen, a secondary catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall defining a lumen, an introducer having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall defining an inner volume configured to movably receive the catheter, and an actuator movably coupled to the introducer. The actuator having a first portion disposed outside of the introducer and a second portion disposed in the inner volume of the introducer. The second portion of the actuator having a main body with a first height and an extension with a second height. The main body and the extension define an opening, with the catheter and the secondary catheter attached to the actuator and in fluid communication with the opening.