An access system can include a connector for coupling with a catheter assembly having a catheter tube that can be positioned in a blood vessel of a patient, a reinforcement member fixedly secured to the connector, and a cannula movable relative to the reinforcement member from a retracted position in which at least a portion of the cannula is within the reinforcement member to an advanced position. The cannula can include a polymeric tube and a support tube that encompasses a portion of the polymeric tube. The support tube defines a distal edge that is within the reinforcement member when the distal tip of the polymeric tube is first positioned distal of and external to the reinforcement member as the cannula is transitioned from the retracted position to the advanced position.

A catheter assembly includes a catheter hub defining an interior cavity and a catheter tube extending distally thereof. A rigid actuator is positioned to extend proximally in the interior cavity and support a seal member positioned thereon in the interior cavity. The seal member includes a central membrane, a distal portion, and a proximal portion. An hourglass shaped actuator cavity is formed in the distal portion and receives a barbed end of the actuator. The outer surface of the seal member is in partial circumferential engagement with the catheter hub to define an air path that allows fluid communication between areas of the interior cavity distal and proximal of the seal member. The seal member may be configured for multi-use and include a biasing member that moves the seal member to force the membrane back over the actuator to close the membrane.

A catheter system having one or more needle position indicators to assist an operator in withdrawing the introducer needle to a “parked” position, as part of a catheterization procedure, wherein the needle position indicator provides a visual indication to the operator.

A connector to secure a winged needle set to a catheter assembly may include a male luer lock. The male luer lock may include a tapered male discharge nozzle and a locking ring surrounding the tapered male discharge nozzle. The locking ring may be internally threaded. The connector may include a septum configured to prevent flow through the tapered male discharge nozzle. The connector may include an arm, which may include a first end, a second end, and a hinge portion disposed between the first end and the second end. The first end may be coupled to the male luer lock. In response to the hinge portion moving from an open position to a closed position, the arm may be configured to secure the winged needle set to the connector.

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.

A vascular access system which may be configured for blood draw may include a housing, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a slot disposed between the distal end and the proximal end. The slot may include a notch. The vascular access system may include a cannula hub, which may be disposed within the housing and movable with respect to the slot. The cannula hub may include a tab extending through the slot. The vascular access system may include a cannula extending distally from the cannula hub. In response to the tab being disposed within the notch, a distal tip of the cannula may be disposed within the housing. In response to advancing the tab along the slot to a distal end of the slot, the distal tip of the cannula is disposed distal to the distal end of the housing.

An IV catheter device includes a needle component having an elongated needle with a sharp distal tip and a catheter component having a hollow body through which the needle passes. The IV catheter device further includes an actuatable obturator that is disposed within the needle component and moves between a pre-deployment position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the actuatable obturator is disposed within an inner lumen of the elongated needle and a blunt distal end of the obturator is located distal to the sharp distal tip so as to blunt the elongated needle.

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.

Vascular access system embodiments can be configured to remove gas and a piercing member from a catheter assembly. In some embodiments, vascular access systems can remove gas and at least a portion of a piercing member concurrently or simultaneously. In some embodiments, vascular access systems can remove gas before removing at least a portion of a piercing member. In several embodiments, a vascular access system can include a first barrel configured to remove gas and a second barrel configured to retract a piercing member.

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.