An objective of the present invention is to provide an indwelling needle assembly that has a novel structure and improves operability for the practitioner. An indwelling needle assembly 10 in which an inner needle unit 16 comprises a storage housing 14 for storing a protector 52, and which is provided with a connecting member 94 that connects the storage housing 14 to an outer needle hub 20. The protector 52 prevents movement of the connecting member 94 and holds the storage housing 14 and the outer needle hub 20 in a connected state. Deformation or displacement of the protector 52 due to retraction of an inner needle 12 permits the movement of the connecting member 94 and makes it possible to release the connected state between the storage housing 14 and the outer needle hub 20.

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.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to guidewire advancement and blood flashback systems. In particular, an insertion tool includes a frangible guidewire lever configured to break and prevent further movement of a guidewire if the guidewire becomes caught. Such a feature can prevent breakage of a distal portion of the guidewire which otherwise could undesirably lead to an embolism. The insertion tool can further include a blood flash indicator that has a simplified coupling with a needle. The insertion tool can further include a guidewire advancement assembly configured to allow a clinician to hold the insertion tool proximate a distal end and operate the guidewire advancement with one hand while providing increased control over the insertion tool. The insertion tool can further include a safety clip coupled with a catheter hub and configured to close about a tip of the needle when a catheter is detached from the insertion tool.

A needle-tract assistants (100, 200) for establishing a needle tract of a predetermined length, including a needle thruster (110, 210) and a needle-in-catheter assembly (130, 230) removably loaded in the needle thruster (110, 210). The needle thruster (110, 210) can include a cradle (112, 212), a carriage(114, 214) within the cradle (112, 212), and a plunger (116, 216) coupled to the carriages (114, 214). The carriages (114, 214) can be configured to move between a proximal-end portion and a distal-end portion of the cradle(112, 212). The plungers (116, 216) can be configured to move the carriages (114, 214) within the cradle(112, 212). The plungers (116, 216) can also be configured to allow a user to set the predetermined length of the needle tract before establishing the needle tract. The needle-in-catheter assembly (130, 230) can include a hub (132, 232), a catheter tube (134, 234) extending from a distal-end portion of the hub (132, 232), and a needle (137, 237) disposed within the catheter tube (134, 234). Also described are components of the needle-tract assistants (100, 200) and methods of the needle-tract assistants (100, 200) or the components thereof.

An access system can include a connector couplable with a catheter assembly having a catheter tube that can be positioned in a blood vessel of a patient. The access system can include a reinforcement member and a cannula couplable with a fluid collection device. The cannula can include a polymeric tube that defines a distal tip and a support tube that is stiffer than the polymeric tube and encompasses a portion of the polymeric tube. The support tube can define an inner diameter that is marginally larger than an outer diameter of the polymeric tube so as to prevent kinking of the portion of the polymeric tube that is encompassed by the support tube when the polymeric tube experiences proximally and distally directed compressive forces.

A vascular access instrument advancement device may include a housing and an extension tube extending through the housing. The extension tube may extend through the housing. The extension tube may include a first lumen and a second lumen. A blood collection pathway may extend through the first lumen. A wedge may be disposed within the housing and the second lumen of the extension tube. A pair of opposing pinch members may be configured to pinch the extension tube. The pair of opposing pinch members may be disposed within the housing proximal to the wedge and configured to move along the extension tube with the housing. An instrument may extend distally from the wedge. The instrument may be disposed within the second lumen. In response to moving the housing distally along the extension tube, the pair of opposing pinch members push the wedge distally and the instrument is advanced distally.

In certain instances, an access system includes a connector to couple with a closed intravenous catheter system that includes a valve and a catheter tube. The access system can include a reinforcement member fixedly secured to the connector so as to be immobile relative thereto and oriented such that when the connector is coupled with the closed intravenous catheter system, a distal tip of the reinforcement member is at or proximally spaced from a proximal surface of the valve. The access system can include a cannula movable relative to the reinforcement member from a retracted position to an advanced position. At least a portion of the cannula can be advanced distally through the reinforcement member and then through the valve and subsequently into the catheter tube as the cannula is transitioned from the retracted position to the advanced position.

In certain instances, an access system can include a connector to couple with a catheter assembly, a reinforcement member fixedly secured to the connector, and a cannula movable relative to the reinforcement member. The cannula can include a polymeric tube and a support tube that encompasses a portion of and is stiffer than the polymeric tube. The support tube can define an inner diameter that is marginally larger than an outer diameter of the polymeric tube to prevent kinking of the polymeric tube and can be in a fixed relationship with the polymeric tube. A distal edge of the support tube is proximally spaced from a distal tip of the polymeric tube and 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 advanced.

In certain instances, an access system can include a connector to couple with a catheter assembly, a reinforcement member fixedly secured to the connector, and a cannula movable relative to the reinforcement member. The cannula can include a polymeric tube and a support tube that encompasses a portion of and is stiffer than the polymeric tube. The support tube can define an inner diameter that is marginally larger than an outer diameter of the polymeric tube to prevent kinking of the polymeric tube and can be in a fixed relationship with the polymeric tube. A distal edge of the support tube is proximally spaced from a distal tip of the polymeric tube and 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 advanced.

An access system can include a connector couplable with a catheter assembly having a catheter tube that can be positioned in a blood vessel of a patient. The access system can include a reinforcement member and a cannula couplable with a fluid collection device. The cannula can include a polymeric tube that defines a distal tip and a support tube that is stiffer than the polymeric tube and encompasses a portion of the polymeric tube. The support tube can define an inner diameter that is marginally larger than an outer diameter of the polymeric tube so as to prevent kinking of the portion of the polymeric tube that is encompassed by the support tube when the polymeric tube experiences proximally and distally directed compressive forces.