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.

A vascular access catheter and a method for inserting the catheter into a blood vessel. The catheter comprising a catheter body enclosing a lumen, and a catheter tip comprising a distal edge surrounding an opening opened to the lumen. The distal edge includes a pair of lateral leading edges, each of the lateral leading edges is curved downwardly and proximally from a respective front portion of the distal edge. The vascular access catheter can be provided in a vascular access kit further comprising access needle with hollow needle body and beveled tip ending with sharp needle edge.

An intravenous catheter system may include a catheter adapter, which may be integrated. The intravenous catheter system may also include a housing coupled to a proximal end of the catheter adapter, an introducer needle having a proximal end, a distal tip, and a needle lumen extending between the proximal end of the introducer needle and the distal tip, a guidewire disposed within the housing and the needle lumen, and a guidewire advancement element. The housing may include a proximal end, a distal end, and a slot. A proximal end of the introducer needle may be secured within the housing. The guidewire advancement element may extend through the slot and be moveable along the slot in a distal direction to move the guidewire from a retracted position to an advanced position, in which the guidewire may extend beyond the distal tip.

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 medical device for percutaneous or venous access is provided with an internal cavity, from which a cannula extends in a first position of work. The cannula is supported by a distal end of a cannula-holder which is able to move within the cavity under the action of a resilient thrust element to a second position of work. Actuation means associated with the body of the device are provided to permit this movement and cooperate with actuation counter-means integral with the cannula-holder. In at least one of the two positions of work, the cannula has its longitudinal axis (W) disposed inclined relative to the longitudinal axis (K) of the tubular body.

An intravenous (IV) catheter system may include a catheter adapter having a proximal end and a distal end. The IV catheter system may also include a cannula extending through the catheter adapter. A proximal end of the cannula may include a notch. The IV catheter system may also include a needle hub, which may be coupled to the proximal end of the catheter adapter. The needle hub may include a flashback chamber, which may be in fluid communication with the notch when the IV catheter system is in an insertion configuration.

An intravenous catheter system may include a catheter adapter, which may be integrated. The intravenous catheter system may also include a housing coupled to a proximal end of the catheter adapter, an introducer needle having a proximal end, a distal tip, and a needle lumen extending between the proximal end of the introducer needle and the distal tip, a guidewire disposed within the housing and the needle lumen, and a guidewire advancement element. The housing may include a proximal end, a distal end, and a slot. A proximal end of the introducer needle may be secured within the housing. The guidewire advancement element may extend through the slot and be moveable along the slot in a distal direction to move the guidewire from a retracted position to an advanced position, in which the guidewire may extend beyond the distal tip.

Exemplary embodiments described herein are directed to arteriovenous (AV) access catheters with inline needles that are protectable by sliding displacement of the catheter, and to methods of performing hemodialysis using said AV catheters. Extension (sliding) of the catheter portion of an exemplary device relative to a needle portion, after the needle of the needle portion has been used to access a patient fistula/graft, allows the catheter to cover the needle tip, thereby minimizing or eliminating the possibility that the needle may damage the fistula/graft. Because the needle still remains largely within the catheter, there is no risk of catheter collapse, kinking, etc., which could compromise blood flow during a hemodialysis procedure.

A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end. The catheter assembly may include a catheter secured within the catheter adapter and extending from the distal end of the catheter adapter. The catheter adapter may be configured to move between a first position and a second position. In response to the catheter adapter moving from the first position to the second position, an angle of the catheter adapter with respect to an insertion surface may be configured to increase, which may improve patency of the catheter assembly and alignment of a fluid path of the catheter assembly with vasculature of a patient.