In general, medical sheath systems that can employ retainer devices having a plurality of channels configured to retain a sheath assembly in one or more curved configurations are described. In one embodiment, a retainer device may releasably retain a curvable tube of the sheath assembly in any of multiple curved configurations that range, for example, in selectable increments between 0° to 180°.

The present invention relates to a valve component for a medical valve assembly, the valve component comprising a deformable body for location in a valve assembly housing, the deformable body comprising a conduit for receiving one or more medical instruments there-through, one or more helical grooves being formed on a surface of the conduit, the one or more helical grooves extending into the deformable body from the conduit surface.

A vascular access device may have a vented blood collection port. The vented blood collection port can be provided on a side port of the vascular access device that is positioned between a catheter adapter and an extension set. The side port provides separate fluid pathways for collecting blood and injecting fluids to thereby isolate the blood from the extension set. The vented blood collection port may be provided in the form of a septum housing that moves from a blood collection position to a fluid injection position. When in the blood collection position, the septum housing may enable the extension set to be primed and remain primed during a blood draw.

A valve actuator that moves in a catheter assembly between a first position where a valve is closed and a second position where the valve is open, the valve actuator including a shaft portion at a distal end of the valve actuator that is configured to pierce the valve, a mating portion at a proximal end of the valve actuator that is configured to engage a Luer device, a diameter reduction region that connects the shaft portion and the mating portion, and a plurality of windows that extend through the valve actuator for flushing fluid, the plurality of windows being disposed in the diameter reduction region, wherein each of the plurality of windows does not extend a full length of the diameter reduction region.

A cannula for use in an access assembly includes an instrument valve housing including first and second housing sections and defining a cavity and a valve assembly disposed within the cavity of the instrument valve housing. The valve assembly includes a seal assembly including an outer flange and a septum seal extending across the outer flange, a guard assembly disposed within the outer flange of the seal assembly, and a centering mechanism. The guard assembly includes a plurality of guard members. Each guard member of the plurality of guard members includes a ring portion and a flap portion. The flap portions of the guard members of the guard assembly are configured to engage and stretch the septum seal during reception of a surgical instrument through the valve assembly.

A catheter assembly including a catheter hub being connectable to a device for the infusion or withdrawal of fluids; a hollow extension tube connected at its distal end to the catheter hub, the extension tube connectable at its proximal end to a device for infusing fluid into the chamber within the catheter hub; a valve assembly disposed within the chamber of the catheter hub having a first valve member and a second valve member preventing the flow of fluid through the chamber to or from the proximal end of the catheter hub. A needle guard assembly is also provided.

An apparatus for the uninterrupted administration of fluid to an animal body during clean blood collections is disclosed. Embodiments include an intravenous device defining a first fluid channel, wherein the first fluid channel is configured to selectively transport IV fluid to an animal body and draw a bodily fluid from the body, and a connection member configured to connect to a catheter to the first fluid channel and defining a concave distal end. A second fluid channel continuously provides IV fluid to a lumen coaxially located within the catheter. The concave surface is shaped to create a fluid flow pattern that quickly and completely removes residual bodily fluid remaining at the concave distal end. Embodiments include a concave surface defining an asymmetric funnel shape, a vertex of which is centered on the first fluid channel.

In general, medical sheath systems that can employ retainer devices having a plurality of channels configured to retain a sheath assembly in one or more curved configurations are described. In one embodiment, a retainer device may releasably retain a curvable tube of the sheath assembly in any of multiple curved configurations that range, for example, in selectable increments between 0° to 180°.

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.

A cannula for use in an access assembly includes an instrument valve housing including first and second housing sections and defining a cavity and a valve assembly disposed within the cavity of the instrument valve housing. The valve assembly includes a seal assembly including an outer flange and a septum seal extending across the outer flange, a guard assembly disposed within the outer flange of the seal assembly, and a centering mechanism. The guard assembly includes a plurality of guard members. Each guard member of the plurality of guard members includes a ring portion and a flap portion. The flap portions of the guard members of the guard assembly are configured to engage and stretch the septum seal during reception of a surgical instrument through the valve assembly.