A catheter assembly comprises a catheter (18), a needle (12) having a sharp distal tip disposed within the catheter (18), a catheter hub (14) connected to the catheter (18) having the needle (12) passing therethrough, the catheter hub (14) including a valve (38) that selectively permits or blocks a flow of fluid through the catheter (18), a valve actuator (54) that moves between a first position and a second position, and a return member (56) that returns the valve actuator (54) from the second position to the first position, and a needle protection member (176) that encloses the sharp distal tip of the needle (12).

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to valve configurations providing sealable access for medical instruments to a working channel, such as a working channel for an endoscope.

The invention is directed to methods and devices to facilitate positioning of a catheter into a vessel and selectively controlling flow of fluids through the catheter until desired using one or more valves.

An antimicrobial catheter includes an elongated body adapted to be inserted into a body cavity of a patient that is not vascular or the urethra. An antimicrobial surface is positioned along an exterior circumferential surface of the elongated body, wherein the antimicrobial surface is configured to inhibit pathogens. The elongated body has at least one interior lumen defined by a sidewall forming the elongated body. The exterior circumferential surface extends between a first end of the elongated body and a second end of the elongated body.

An introducer hub assembly, such as an introducer hub assembly of a leadless cardiac pacemaker, including a hemostatic seal having a cross-slit configuration, is described. The hemostatic seal can be retained between a hub cap and an introducer hub. The hemostatic seal includes a first section having first slits intersecting along a longitudinal axis of the introducer hub, and a second section having second slits intersecting along the longitudinal axis. The first slits are angularly offset relative to the second slits to reduce a likelihood that fluid will leak directly through the seal. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

A novel seal is provided along with a valve for implementing the seal in the form of a hemostatic catheterization valve. A pressure-sensing form of the hemostatic valve is also provided. The novel seal includes a pair of cooperating conical gaskets divided through their apexes into a plurality of edge-abutting semi-conical flaps. The seals are angularly fixed in orientation relative to each other using registering structures such as complementary tabs and sockets. More specifically, the seams where the semi-conical flaps abut are angularly off-set between the two conical gaskets by a predetermined amount.

The invention relates to a coupling component for a fluid coupling (1) for releasably connecting fluid-conveying components, in particular fluid-conveying components in medical equipment, wherein the coupling component comprises a coupling housing (14) through which a fluid channel (17) passes in regions and which is provided with a coupling recess (7) that is sunken into a surface (15) of the coupling housing (14), wherein a channel opening (18) of the fluid channel (17) ends at an end face (19) of the coupling recess (7). According to the invention, it is provided that the channel opening (18) is covered by a membrane seal (4) which is made of a resilient material and through which a fluid gap passes (8) that is designed such that the membrane seal (4), when in a resting position, seals the channel opening (18) and, when in an operative position, opens the channel opening (18), wherein at least one yielding depression (29) is formed in the coupling recess (7) adjacently to the channel opening (18), which depression is designed for an yielding movement of a region (36, 37) of the membrane seal (4) when the membrane seal (4) transitions from the resting position into the operative position.

Hemostasis valves and methods for making and using hemostasis valves are disclosed. An example hemostasis valve may include a main body having a proximal end region. A cartridge may be at least partially disposed within the proximal end region. The cartridge including a seal member. The cartridge may have a proximal member, a distal member, and may define a seal holding region. The seal member may have an axial thickness of about 0.04 to about 0.2 inches. The seal member may be secured within the seal holding region by a mechanical bond.

Preloaded catheters are manufactured with a stylet, guidewire, or similar medical device disposed within the catheter, extending through a valve of the connector at a proximal end. During storage and transport, the stylet can remain in place for a prolonged period of time, which can cause stretching, indentations, and damage to the valve faces. These indentations can cause the valve leak, resulting in failure of the device as a whole. Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to devices and methods for preventing contact between the medical device and the valve faces, mitigating damage thereto.

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.