Abstract: An instrument advancement device may include a housing, which may include a slot. The instrument advancement device may be configured to couple to a catheter assembly. The instrument advancement device may include an advancement element, which may extend through the slot and may be configured to move linearly along the slot between a retracted position and an advanced position. In response to movement of the advancement element from a retracted position to an advanced position, an instrument of the instrument advancement device may be advanced beyond a distal end of the housing and may be configured to open a path through an occlusion in the catheter assembly or vasculature. The instrument advancement device may include a septum that includes a shape and/or a lube to reduce septum resistance and buckling of the instrument during advancement of the instrument.

Abstract: An instrument advancement device may include a housing, which may include a slot. The instrument advancement device may be configured to couple to a catheter assembly. The instrument advancement device may include an advancement element, which may extend through the slot and may be configured to move linearly along the slot between a retracted position and an advanced position. In response to movement of the advancement element from a retracted position to an advanced position, an instrument of the instrument advancement device may be advanced beyond a distal end of the housing and may be configured to open a path through an occlusion in the catheter assembly or vasculature. The instrument advancement device may include a septum, which may be engaged to facilitate sealing of the housing and/or prevent buckling of the instrument.

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: Sampling systems and techniques that increase pickup efficiency and shedding efficiency of an analyst of interest collected from a surface are provided. In one aspect, an absorbent swab collects an analyte of interest, such as a hazardous contaminant, from a test area demarcated by a template. The sampling techniques can include swab speed and force protocols specifying how fast and how hard the user should apply the swab across the surface to improve pickup efficiency. The sampling techniques can include instructions for inverting a container enclosing the swab and collected contaminant to improve shedding efficiency from the swab.

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.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter device can have a probe with a selectively permeable distal end. The probe can be inserted through a catheter while the catheter is positioned intravenously to facilitate fluid flow into or out from the catheter such as by removing an occlusion or repositioning the catheter. Due to its selective permeability, the distal end of the probe can minimize the likelihood of the probe becoming occluded while it is inserted intravenously and may provide control over the rate of fluid flow into or out from the catheter.

Abstract: A vascular access device may include a housing, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end of the housing and the proximal end of the housing. The distal end of the housing may include a connector configured to couple to a catheter assembly. The vascular access device may include a bag, which may be coupled to the proximal end of the housing. The vascular access device may include an instrument and a pincher disposed within the bag. The pincher may be configured to pinch the instrument to move the instrument distally through the lumen of the housing and into the catheter assembly.

Abstract: A delivery device to deliver a guidewire through an intravenous catheter assembly may include a housing, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a slot. The delivery device may include a guidewire, which may include a proximal end and a distal end. The delivery device may include a guidewire hub disposed within the housing. The guidewire may be secured to the guidewire hub, and the guidewire hub may be configured to move along the slot to advance the guidewire in a distal direction. The distal end of the guidewire may include a fluid permeable structure. For example, the fluid permeable structure may include an elongated core and a coil extending around the elongated core. In some embodiments, a space between the elongated core and the coil may be configured to receive blood in response to the guidewire being inserted into the vasculature.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, an inner surface extending through the distal end and the proximal end and forming a lumen, and a side port forming a side port pathway through a sidewall of the catheter adapter and in fluid communication with the lumen. The catheter assembly may include a catheter extending distally from the distal end of the catheter adapter. The catheter assembly may include a septum disposed within the lumen proximal to the side port pathway. A portion of the inner surface proximal to the catheter and distal to the septum may include one or more of the following: a textured surface, a channel configured to direct fluid flowing into the lumen from the side port, a protrusion extending inwardly into the lumen opposite the side port pathway, and an annular shoulder.

Abstract: An IV catheter system may include a catheter component with a catheter hub, a cannula extending distally from the catheter hub, and a securement platform. The securement platform may include a wing, which may extend from the catheter hub. The IV catheter system may also include a needle component with a needle hub, a needle extending distally from the needle hub along an axis, and a grip extending from the needle hub. The grip may be generally parallel to the axis and disposed on a side of the needle hub. The wing and the grip may be positioned to facilitate manipulation with a single hand to move the IV catheter system from an insertion configuration towards a fluid delivery configuration.

Abstract: A catheter system may include a catheter adapter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end. The catheter system may include a connector coupled to the proximal end of the catheter adapter. The connector may include a T-connector. The catheter system may include a connector support device, which may be wedge-shaped to support the connector at an insertion angle.

Abstract: A catheter adapter may include a distal end, a proximal end, a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a side port. A central axis of a fluid path extending through the side port may be disposed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the catheter adapter. The angle may be less than 45°. Additionally or alternatively to the angle being less than 45°, the catheter adapter may include a wedge and/or an insert configured to facilitate instrument delivery to the catheter assembly via the side port.

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: A storage container having a base storage compartment configured to receive a divider by which the storage compartment is divided into two or more sub-compartments, wherein divider includes a tool configured to provide a secondary utility or function unrelated to dividing the storage compartment.

Abstract: An instrument advancement device may include a housing and an extension tube extending through the housing. A wedge may be disposed within the housing. The wedge may include an arc-shaped channel. A pair of opposing pinch members configured to pinch the extension tube may be disposed within the housing and configured to move along the extension tube. An instrument may extend through the arc-shaped channel. A first end of the instrument may be fixed. In response to moving the housing distally along the extension tube, the pair of opposing pinch members may push the wedge distally. In response to movement of the wedge distally a first distance, a second end of the instrument may be configured to advance distally a second distance. A support element or compressible element may be disposed within a lumen of the extension tube to support the instrument.

Abstract: An instrument advancement device may include an instrument and an advancement feature configured to advance the instrument distally through the catheter assembly. The instrument advancement device may include a first indicator marking, a second indicator marking, and a third indicator marking. In response to aligning the advancement feature with the first indicator marking, a distal tip of the instrument may be configured to align with a distal tip of a catheter assembly. In response to aligning the advancement feature with the second indicator marking, the distal tip of the instrument may be advanced a distance distal to the distal tip of the catheter assembly. In response to aligning the advancement feature with the third indicator marking, the distal tip of the instrument may be advanced another distance distal to the distal tip of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: An instrument delivery device may include a housing, which may include a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end may be configured to couple to an intravenous catheter device. The proximal end may include a proximal connector. The proximal connector may be adjustable between a first position with respect to the housing to a second position with respect to the housing. An instrument may be disposed within the housing. An advancement wheel may extend out from the housing. In response to the advancement wheel being rotated, the instrument may be advanced through the distal end of the housing. A housing of another instrument delivery device may include an advancement element, which may include a first push tab and/or a second push tab.

Abstract: A vascular access device may include a housing. An inner surface of the housing may include a groove disposed within the housing between the proximal end and the distal end. An advancement element may extend through the slot and may be configured to move linearly along the slot between a retracted position and an advanced position. An instrument, having a first end and a second end, may be disposed within the groove. In response to movement of the advancement element from the retracted position to the advanced position, the second end of the instrument may be advanced beyond the distal end. A support feature may be disposed on top of the groove or within the groove and configured to move distally in response to movement of the advancement element from the retracted position to the advanced position. The support feature may limit displacement of the instrument from the groove.

Abstract: An IV catheter system may include a catheter component with a catheter hub, a cannula extending distally from the catheter hub, and a securement platform. The securement platform may include a wing, which may extend from the catheter hub. The IV catheter system may also include a needle component with a needle hub, a needle extending distally from the needle hub along an axis, and a grip extending from the needle hub. The grip may be generally parallel to the axis and disposed on a side of the needle hub. The wing and the grip may be positioned to facilitate manipulation with a single hand to move the IV catheter system from an insertion configuration towards a fluid delivery configuration.