Valves are described for intravenous (IV) catheter assemblies for controlling fluidic flow. The valve can prevent blood leakage in multiple access use situations. A thinner area of the valve around a slit is provided. The thicker area of the valve is to provide rigidity to the valve so that it is able to return to a closed configuration when a Luer connector is removed.

A fluid sampling or infusion device for an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus comprises: a protective body (29) having a first aperture (30) and a second aperture (31) and comprising a connecting device (28) configured to connect, optionally in removable manner, the protective body (29) to a sampling or infusion site (20) of the extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus (1); a needle assembly (33) comprising a first end (34) connected or connectable, optionally in removable manner, to a syringe (22) and a needle (35) protruding from a second end opposite the first end (34). The needle assembly (33) is movable inside the protective body (29) between a first position and a second position. In the first position the needle (35) is completely enclosed by the protective body (29) and in the second position the needle (35) protrudes from the second aperture (31) to pierce the sampling or infusion site (20).

Embodiments of an actuated cannula seal are disclosed In some embodiments, a cannula seal includes a base portion that engages with a cannula; and a seal portion integrally formed with the base portion, the sealing portion capable of engaging with an instrument shaft, the sealing portion capable of being actuated by an actuator so that the sealing portion is continually in motion relative to the instrument shaft. The actuation of the sealing portion can be accomplished by rotation or vibration of the sealing portion relative to the instrument shaft.

A hub assembly with a hub body connected to a tube from an external appliance, a hub outer casing which is coupled to the hub body and forms a liquid passage, a slitted separating wall disposed in the liquid passage in the hub outer casing, a filter disposed on the living body-side of the separating wall to allow the passage of gas and regulate the passage of liquid, and a ventilation passage which communicates between the liquid passage and the outside of the hub outer casing by way of the filter, wherein an end portion of the ventilation passage on the separating wall side of an opening portion facing the liquid passage is in a location at most 10 mm toward the distal end side relative to the distal end of the separating wall.

A method of preventing blood leakage through a septum of a catheter assembly when a needle is disposed within a slit of the septum may include providing a lubricant within multiple gaps disposed between an outer surface of the needle and the slit. The lubricant may include a viscosity greater than 1,000 centipoise. Providing the lubricant within the multiple gaps may include applying the lubricant to the outer surface of the needle, and inserting the lubricated needle distally through the slit of the septum. Providing the lubricant within the multiple gaps may include applying the lubricant to a tip of a septum actuator of the catheter assembly, and penetrating the septum with the lubricated septum actuator. Providing the lubricant within the plurality of gaps may include dispensing the lubricant within the slit of the septum prior to insertion of the septum into the lumen of the catheter adapter.

Provided is a method performing vascular surgery utilizing a guiding apparatus that includes an adaptor and an introducer, by inserting a longitudinal section of the adaptor into the introducer and operating a valve of the introducer by moving a cursor provided on a side wall of the introducer within a travel region of the cursor. Operating the valve either fixedly attaches or releases the longitudinal section of the adaptor within or from the introducer. The adaptor includes an inner volume that encloses a plurality of ducts and the introducer includes an inner volume that aligns with the inner volume of the adaptor when the valve is fixedly attached the longitudinal section of the adaptor within the introducer, thereby providing ducts that allow an instrument to pass entirely through both the adaptor and the introducer.

An integral seal system includes a body that defines a central opening, and an asymmetric seal extending into the central opening and including a diaphragm and an annular flange that extends between the body and the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm has a cross-sectional thickness larger than a cross-sectional thickness of the annular flange. A duckbill seal extends distally from a bottom of the body and defines one or more parting lines that separate opposing seal flaps. The diaphragm complements insertion and extraction drag forces generated by the duckbill seal against a surgical tool shaft extended therethrough such that total insertion and extraction drag forces generated by the integral seal system are equalized.

Hemostasis valves and methods for making and using hemostasis valves are disclosed. An example method for assembling a hemostasis valve may include positioning a plunger along a threaded proximal end region of a main body. The threaded proximal end region may include one or more threads and an axial slot extending through the one or more threads. The method may also include advancing the plunger along the threaded proximal end region to a position where a proximal end of the plunger is disposed distally of at least a portion of the one or more threads and disposing a nut adjacent to the threaded proximal end region. The method may also include aligning an alignment tab of the nut with the axial slot, engaging the nut with the one or more threads while the alignment tab is aligned with the axial slot, and rotating the nut 45-270.

Hemostasis valves and methods for making and using hemostasis valves are disclosed. An example hemostasis valve may include a main body having a distal end region and a proximal end region. A first seal member may be disposed within the proximal end region of the main body. A plunger may be coupled to the proximal end region of the main body. The plunger may be designed to shift between a first position and a second position. A first locking member may be disposed along the proximal end region of the main body. A second locking member may be disposed along the plunger. The second locking member may be designed to engage the first locking member.

Needle assemblies and related methods in which a valve opener is used to push into a valve to open one or more slits on the valve to open the valve. The needle assemblies each includes a needle hub with a needle, a catheter tube with a catheter hub and the valve and valve opener positioned in the interior cavity of the catheter hub. The valve can have a valve skirt and a nose section of the valve opener can locate therein. One or more reliefs can be provided with the valve opener so that an elbow or diagonal section on a needle guard can project from a holding space within the valve opener through the relief.