An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided, as well as methods of inserting medical devices. Embodiments include removing a substantially cylindrical cap from an inserter to expose a substantially cylindrical sleeve, removing a cover from a substantially cylindrical container holding sensor components, and fitting the sensor components into the inserter.

An IV catheter device can include or being configured to employ a probe assembly having an integrated fluid flushing mechanism. The probe assembly can be configured in a variety of ways to cause flushing fluid to be injected through a fluid permeable structure of the probe as the probe is advanced distally from a catheter. In this way, the fluid permeable structure can be kept clear of any occlusion that may otherwise form. With the probe extending distally from the catheter, a blood sample may be collected.

An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided, as well as methods of inserting medical devices. Embodiments include removing a substantially cylindrical cap from an inserter to expose a substantially cylindrical sleeve, removing a cover from a substantially cylindrical container holding sensor components, and fitting the sensor components into the inserter.

A flushable catheter device has an outer tube with a first distal end opening to be introduced into a blood vessel and defining a first lumen. An inner tube is disposed in the first lumen with a second distal end opening proximally spaced from the first distal end opening and defining a second lumen. A space axially disposed between the end openings defines an outflow/inflow inhibiting portion which inhibits a flow of fluid out from the first lumen into the into the vessel as a result of a perfusion of a flushing fluid being supplied through the first lumen and into the second lumen.

A venous access device includes a hub and a bifurcated cannula. The hub includes a bifurcated connecting arm, a blood sampling arm connected to the bifurcated connecting arm, a fluid transfer arm connected to the bifurcated connecting arm, a blood sampling channel and a fluid transfer channel. The blood sampling channel passes through the blood sampling arm and the bifurcated connecting arm. The fluid transfer channel passes through the fluid transfer arm and the bifurcated connecting arm. The bifurcated cannula is coupled to the bifurcated connecting arm and includes a blood sampling lumen having a blood sampling port, a fluid transfer lumen having a fluid transfer port, and a dividing member separating the blood sampling lumen from the fluid transfer lumen. The blood sampling port is 2 mm to 20 mm proximal from the fluid transfer port. The blood sampling channel is fluidly connected to the blood sampling lumen, and the fluid transfer channel is fluidly connected to the fluid transfer lumen.

A catheter assembly and/or an introducer may include one or more features configured to guide a probe and/or a catheter distally through a septum. The catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter and the septum. The catheter adapter may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. In some embodiments, the septum may be disposed within the lumen. The septum may include a proximal surface that is tapered inwardly in a distal direction such that the proximal surface of the septum is configured to guide the probe and/or the catheter distally through the septum. The catheter assembly may be configured to receive an introducer, which may include an introducer element. A proximal end of the introducer element may include another proximal surface that is tapered inwardly in the distal direction such that the other proximal surface is configured to guide the probe or the catheter distally through the septum.

Provided is a puncture needle that receives lower puncture resistance than conventional techniques. A puncture needle in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes a needle body (10) that includes a main portion (12) and a distal portion (11) tapering from the main portion (12) and that is rotatable about a central axis (1) of the needle body (10), the needle body (10) including needle parts (15) separated by a boundary along the central axis, each of the needle parts (15) being independently translatable along the central axis (1).

A non-coring needle for use in accessing an implanted medical device is disclosed. The non-coring needle is configured to include a compact bevel face relative to standard non-coring needles. In one embodiment, the non-coring needle comprises a hollow cannula that defines a lumen and terminates at a sharpened distal tip. The cannula includes a proximal portion and a bent distal portion. The distal portion defines a bevel face extending proximally from the distal tip, and the bevel face includes the lumen distal opening. The bevel face defines an open angle of at least about one degree with respect to a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion of the cannula. The bevel face is also laterally offset from the proximal portion of the cannula by an offset distance of no more than about 0.010 inch. A portion of the bevel face is dulled to prevent access port septum coring.

An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes at least one skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the surface of the skin, and a inner lumen in communication with the first end; at least one actuator operatively associated with the at least one skin-penetration member; and at least one catalyst device configured to cause perfusion of body fluid at the sampling site; wherein the at least one actuator is configured to locate the at least one skin-penetration member so as to obstruct the wound opening while transporting body fluid through the inner lumen. Associated methods are also described.

A needle including a cannula having a multi-beveled point is disclosed. The multi-beveled point includes a primary bevel, two middle bevels, and two tip bevels. Each of the middle bevels extends between the primary bevel and one of the tip bevels. The primary bevel is provided on the cannula at a first angle of inclination and a first angle of rotation, the two middle bevels are provided on the cannula at a second angle of inclination and a second angle of rotation, and the two tip bevels are provided on the cannula at a third angle of inclination and a third angle of rotation. The third angle of inclination is greater than the second angle of inclination, the second angle of inclination is greater than the first angle of inclination, and the second angle of rotation is equal to the third angle of rotation.