A catheter assembly includes a peripheral intravenous (“PIV”) portion that provides expedited vascular access. The catheter assembly includes an elongate catheter body defining a first lumen and includes a CVC portion, a transition portion, and a PIV portion. The PIV portion defines a relatively smaller diameter, a tapered tip, and a lumen configured to receive a needle. The needle extends through a needle access aperture, disposed through a side wall of the catheter body, through the PIV lumen, to a point beyond a distal end of the catheter body. A clinician accesses a vasculature using the needle and the PIV portion. The needle is then removed and a guidewire advanced through the lumen of the catheter body and the PIV portion into the vasculature. The CVC portion is then advanced over the guidewire into the vasculature, self-dilating the insertion site as the transition portion enters the vasculature.

A drainage liquid sampling system is disclosed and includes a connector couplable with a drainage tube of a drainage system, the connector defining an inlet port, an outlet port, and a sample port, where the inlet port, the outlet port, and the sample port are in fluid communication with each other, and a sample container couplable with the sample port. A valve within the connector selectively allows and prevents flow of drainage liquid into the sample container. A cap couplable to the sample container also includes a valve. A system for draining liquid from a patient includes the drainage liquid sampling system.

A catheter assembly includes a peripheral intravenous (“PIV”) portion that provides expedited vascular access. The catheter assembly includes an elongate catheter body defining a first lumen and includes a CVC portion, a transition portion, and a PIV portion. The PIV portion defines a relatively smaller diameter, a tapered tip, and a lumen configured to receive a needle. The needle extends through a needle access aperture, disposed through a side wall of the catheter body, through the PIV lumen, to a point beyond a distal end of the catheter body. A clinician accesses a vasculature using the needle and the PIV portion. The needle is then removed and a guidewire advanced through the lumen of the catheter body and the PIV portion into the vasculature. The CVC portion is then advanced over the guidewire into the vasculature, self-dilating the insertion site as the transition portion enters the vasculature.

An apparatus for controlling fluid flow to provide long-term access to the vascular system, and methods of making the same, are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention describe a wedge or other similarly shaped geometrical features for fixing an elastic component and controlling an internal stress of the elastic component.

New shape memory polymer compositions, methods for synthesizing new shape memory polymers, and apparatus comprising an actuator and a shape memory polymer wherein the shape memory polymer comprises at least a portion of the actuator. A shape memory polymer comprising a polymer composition which physically forms a network structure wherein the polymer composition has shape-memory behavior and can be formed into a permanent primary shape, re-formed into a stable secondary shape, and controllably actuated to recover the permanent primary shape. Polymers have optimal aliphatic network structures due to minimization of dangling chains by using monomers that are symmetrical and that have matching amine and hydroxl groups providing polymers and polymer foams with clarity, tight (narrow temperature range) single transitions, and high shape recovery and recovery force that are especially useful for implanting in the human body.

A mask is disclosed that has a gas outlet which is quiet and provides for a diffused outlet flow of gases. The outlet is preferably a slot formed between a hollow body and cover over said hollow body. The mask also preferably extends and seals under a user's chin in use.

A catheter assembly configured for use with a male luer is provided herein. The catheter assembly can comprise a catheter hub having an interior chamber and a valve located in the interior chamber. The valve can comprise a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a sidewall extending therebetween to define a valve interior. The valve can include a barrier layer having a concave shape that extends in the valve interior from the sidewall at the distal portion. The barrier layer can have at least one slit extending therethrough that is in a normally closed configuration to prevent a fluid from passing through the barrier layer. The catheter assembly can further comprise a sealing ring located circumferentially at a distal end of the valve distally to the barrier layer. The sealing ring can form a seal between the valve and the interior chamber at the distal end.

Urinary tract infections UTI may be over-diagnosed in very young children because of contamination of a urine specimen by external bacteria when using a conventional catheter. The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a coaxial catheter system and methods for its use, comprising an outer catheter that shields the distal collection opening of an inner catheter during insertion of the system through the meatus. Once the system has been deployed, the distal opening of the inner catheter is exposed in order to collect uncontaminated urine. The system may include a variety of mechanisms to advance the inner catheter relative to the outer, or to retract the outer catheter relative to the inner, a halting mechanism to limit distal movement of the outer catheter, a stopping mechanism to limit distal movement of the inner catheter, and a stabilization mechanism to hold the deployed system in place in male patients.

An embodiment includes a valve comprising: a valve channel that couples a valve input to a valve output; a one-way valve included within the channel; a filter; a first pressure relief port, wherein the first pressure relief port is configured to relieve negative pressure when pressure at the valve output is less than pressure at the valve input; a second pressure relief port, wherein the second pressure relief port is configured to relieve positive pressure when pressure at the valve output is greater than pressure at the valve input; wherein the one-way valve includes a monolithic portion that simultaneously seals the channel, the first pressure relief port, and the second pressure relief port; wherein the filter covers the first pressure relief port.

Needle assemblies and related methods having a needle hub with a needle, a catheter tube with a catheter hub and having the needle extending through the catheter tube, a valve positioned in an interior cavity of the catheter hub, a valve opener proximal of the valve, and a needle guard extending at least partially into the valve opener. The valve opener can be used with a range of needle sizes.