Reinforced catheter tips, catheters including rapidly insertable central catheters (“RICCs”), and methods thereof reduce the number of steps and medical devices involved in introducing catheters into patients. In an example of a catheter, a RICC can include a catheter tube, a catheter hub coupled to a proximal portion of the catheter tube, and a plurality of extension legs extending from the catheter hub. The catheter tube can include a first section in a distal portion of the catheter tube and a second section proximal of the first section. The first section of the catheter tube can distally terminate with a catheter tip reinforced with a reinforcement band therein. The plurality of extension legs that extend from the catheter hub can be equal in number to a plurality of lumens extending through the RICC. In another example, a method can include a method of making the foregoing RICC.

A fluid transfer device for use with a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) including an introducer body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a flow tube at least partially housed within the introducer body, wherein the flow tube is configured to be selectively extendable from the introducer body. The fluid transfer device also includes a lever lock coupled to the distal end of the introducer body, wherein the lever lock includes a lumen configured to allow the flow tube to pass therethrough, and wherein an effective length of the lever lock relative to the distal end of the introducer body is adjustable in order to accommodate use of the fluid transfer device with indwelling catheters of the PIVC having various lengths.

A method of reducing blood flow within an aneurysm includes: injecting a contrast agent into a blood vessel including an aneurysm; expanding a stent, from a delivery device, across the aneurysm; and confirming that a stagnated area forms in the aneurysm. The stagnated area can form a crescent shape, a mushroom shape, a hemispherical shape, and/or a flat side. Upon confirming that the stagnated area forms in the aneurysm, the delivery device can be withdrawn from the blood vessel. The stagnated area can include the contrast agent. If the stagnated area does not form in the aneurysm, a second occluding device may be deployed. After withdrawing the delivery device, substantially all of the aneurysm progressively thromboses.

A method of reducing blood flow within an aneurysm includes: injecting a contrast agent into a blood vessel including an aneurysm; expanding a stent, from a delivery device, across the aneurysm; and confirming that a stagnated area forms in the aneurysm. The stagnated area can form a crescent shape, a mushroom shape, a hemispherical shape, and/or a flat side. Upon confirming that the stagnated area forms in the aneurysm, the delivery device can be withdrawn from the blood vessel. The stagnated area can include the contrast agent. If the stagnated area does not form in the aneurysm, a second occluding device may be deployed. After withdrawing the delivery device, substantially all of the aneurysm progressively thromboses.

A multifunctional enclosure is described having an elongated sleeve configured with an enlarged opening for the insertion of an elongated member of a medical probe. The multifunctional enclosure is configured to prevent the elongated member of the medical probe from swinging and becoming damaged during transport. The multifunctional enclosure may further comprise an attachment component for securing the medical probe to the multifunctional enclosure. Furthermore, at least one vent may be configured onto the multifunctional enclosure, such as on a first end closure portion. The vent may allow for adequate flow for sterilization and/or drying.

An example introducer is disclosed. An example introducer includes an inner liner including a lumen, a distal region and at least one folded portion extending along the distal region. The introducer also includes a reinforcing member having a length and including at least one spine extending along the length of the reinforcing member. The introducer also includes a sheath disposed along at least a portion of the introducer, wherein the sheath includes at least one perforation, wherein material adjacent to the at least one folded portion is removed from a distal portion of the introducer to form a tip region. The introducer also includes a tip member disposed along the tip region.

A catheter has a body including a proximal region, a neck region, and a distal region. A shaping wire is disposed within the distal region to predispose it into at least a partial loop, which may have a fixed or variable radius of curvature. The shaping wire includes a distal portion having a circular transverse cross-sectional shape and a proximal portion having a non-circular (e.g., rectangular) transverse cross-sectional shape. The proximal portion of the shaping wire can have a width-to-thickness ratio of at least about 4, such as about 4.67. A transition portion can promote a gradual transition from the circular to the non-circular transverse cross-sectional shape, for example by increasing a width of the shaping wire by about 0.001″ and/or by decreasing a thickness of the shaping wire by about 0.001″ for every about 0.004″ in length through the transition portion.

Catheter assemblies may include introducer needles having a notch or similar structure that allows flashback blood to enter the annular space between a catheter tube and an introducer needle of an IV catheter. The presence of flashback blood in this annular space can provide a clinician with an early, visible indication that a needle has entered a vein. The notch, however, may create a leak path for blood to escape outside of the catheter assembly, unless contained. Disclosed herein is a notch containment that prevents the notch from providing a leak path for blood to escape outside of the catheter during or after needle withdrawal.

The present invention provides a drug composition comprising particles comprising a biodegradable or bioerodable polymer and a drug, a soluble, biodegradable or bioerodible excipient, a bulking agent and a reconstitution aid. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical formulation and a unit dosage form of the pharmaceutical formulation. The invention provides methods of treatment of a disease or condition accordingly. The invention also provides a drug composition for use in a cannulation device.

An introducer may include a layered tubular member having an inner liner including at least one folded portion extending along a distal region of the inner liner in a delivery configuration; a reinforcing member disposed over at least a portion of the inner liner, the reinforcing member including a plurality of longitudinal spines defining a plurality of openings disposed between adjacent longitudinal spines, wherein each folded portion is circumferentially overlapped by one of the plurality of openings; and an outer sheath disposed over the reinforcing member, wherein the outer sheath includes at least one perforation circumferentially overlapping each folded portion; and a tip member fixedly attached to a tapered distal region of the layered tubular member. The inner liner may extend to a distal end of the layered tubular member. At least a portion of each folded portion may terminate proximal of the distal end of the layered tubular member.