A catheter system may include a catheter assembly. The catheter assembly may include the catheter adapter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, an inner surface forming a lumen, the lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end, and a side port disposed between the distal end and the proximal end. The catheter assembly may include an annular valve, which may be disposed within the lumen and aligned with the side port. The annular valve may seal a fluid pathway from the side port to the lumen. The catheter assembly may include a retainer ring disposed proximal and/or proximate the annular valve within the lumen. The catheter assembly may include a catheter extending distally from the distal end of the catheter adapter.

Blood sample optimization systems and methods are described that reduce or eliminate contaminates in collected blood samples, which in turn reduces or eliminates false positive readings in blood cultures or other testing of collected blood samples. A blood sample optimization system can include a blood sequestration device located between a patient needle and a sample needle. The blood sequestration device can include a sequestration chamber for sequestering an initial, potentially contaminated aliquot of blood, and may further include a sampling channel that bypasses the sequestration chamber to convey likely uncontaminated blood between the patient needle and the sample needle after the initial aliquot of blood is sequestered in the sequestration chamber.

A medical device for accessing body tissue or fluid is disclosed. The medical device may include an introducer sheath and a valve that impedes the flow of fluid through the introducer sheath. An assembly for selectively coupling components of a medical device is also disclosed. The assembly may comprise two components configured to engage with one another by at least a snap fit-type connection. This connection may facilitate disengagement of the two components via actuation of a release mechanism.

A vascular access device including a catheter adapter, a port opening, and an elastomeric valve. The catheter adapter extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The port opening is formed in a surface of the catheter adapter in fluid communication with a side port of the catheter adapter and the lumen. A structural geometry of the port opening directs a fluid into the lumen in a proximal direction. The elastomeric port valve is disposed within the lumen and configured to deform in response to a transverse force applied thereto. A proximal gap may result between the inner wall forming the lumen and a proximal side of the elastomeric port valve, thereby opening a fluid path.

Blood sample optimization systems and methods are described that reduce or eliminate contaminates in collected blood samples, which in turn reduces or eliminates false positive readings in blood cultures or other testing of collected blood samples. A blood sample optimization system can include a blood sequestration device located between a patient needle and a sample needle. The blood sequestration device can include a sequestration chamber for sequestering an initial, potentially contaminated aliquot of blood, and may further include a sampling channel that bypasses the sequestration chamber to convey likely uncontaminated blood between the patient needle and the sample needle after the initial aliquot of blood is sequestered in the sequestration chamber.

A method of delivering a urological device includes providing a catheter and a urological valve that can be retained within the catheter; advancing the catheter toward a bladder neck of a user; withdrawing the catheter from the user; and deploying the urological valve out of the catheter into the bladder neck or urethra of the user.

An extension cannula and in-line connector for use with a conventional ECMO return cannula is provided. The extension cannula includes a self-expanding conduit transitionable between a collapsed insertion state and an expanded, deployed state via a retractable sheath. The extension cannula may be inserted through a conventional ECMO return cannula such that the proximal end of the self-expanding conduit is disposed within and proximal to the end of the conventional ECMO cannula, while the distal end of the self-expanding conduit is disposed in a patient's thoracic aorta to improve cerebral oxygenation, maintain systemic arterial pulsatility, and reduce the potential for end-organ injury. The extension cannula and/or in-line connector may be used to permit delivery of additional interventional or vascular equipment using a single port of access, thereby avoiding complications associated with contemporary VA-ECMO.

A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway includes a substantially transparent housing having a proximal end with a proximal opening and a distal end with a distal opening, and a cavity extending therebetween. The connector provides a substantially visible fluid flow path extending through a substantial portion of the connector.

A method of manufacturing a seal assembly for a surgical access assembly includes forming a seal assembly having a monolithic construction. The seal assembly includes a support member, seal sections connected to the support member, bridges disposed between adjacent seal sections and interconnecting the adjacent seal sections, and a plurality of standoffs extending from each seal section. The method also includes placing the seal assembly into a treatment bath, cutting the bridges, and folding the seal assembly.

A hub is provided for a sheath, catheter, or other tubular device that includes a tubular body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a hub passage extending between the proximal end and the distal end; a valve mounted in the tubular body adjacent the proximal end comprising a proximal surface adjacent the proximal end and a distal surface adjacent an intermediate region of the hub passage; a side port comprising a first end coupled to an outer surface of the tubular body adjacent the intermediate region, a second outer end, and a port passage extending between the second end and the first end and communicating with the intermediate region of the hub passage; and a guide element in the side port adjacent the first end for directing fluid introduced into the second end through the port passage towards the distal surface of the valve.