Provided is a system and method for an ergonomic needle protector. More specifically, provided is an ergonomic needle protector for a needle having a first curvature. The ergonomic needle protector has a flexible body having a first end and a second end, and an internal channel extending from the first end towards the second end. The flexible body is formed of a resilient material structured and arranged to return to a curved state along the length of the flexible body according to a second curvature different from the first curvature of the needle. The internal channel is structured and arranged to receive the needle when the flexible body is deformed to conform the internal channel to the first curvature and frictionally bind against the needle when the flexible body is released back to the second curvature. An associated method of use is also provided.

A method of power injecting a contrast medium into a patient, including obtaining a power-injectable access port suitable for power injection. The power injectable access port includes a housing defining a reservoir, and a septum. The septum may include a self-sealing material, and a radiopaque material. The radiopaque material may form a selected pattern when an x-ray is taken through the septum for identifying the power-injectable access port as being suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port may be structured for accommodating a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and may be designed to accommodate a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. After implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, the method may include imaging the power-injectable access port and confirming via the selected pattern in the septum that the power-injectable access port is suitable for injecting the contrast medium.

Needle devices are described. The needle devices can have a catheter hub, a needle hub, a housing located between the catheter hub and the needle hub. The housing can have an engagement mechanism to removably attach the housing to the catheter hub. The housing can further include a release element to release the engagement mechanism from the catheter hub to disengage the housing from the catheter hub. A flow regulator can be positioned inside the catheter hub. The flow regulator can include a stem and a sleeve.

Needle shielding systems are disclosed. The needle shielding system comprises a needle, a cover sleeve, and a needle shield. The needle has a needle tip and a needle bulge spaced apart from the needle tip. The cover sleeve is slidably mounted over the needle and comprises an end portion having an internal diameter smaller than the width of the needle bulge, and a cover sleeve shaft extending from the end portion towards the needle tip and having an internal diameter larger than the width of the needle bulge. The needle shield comprises a base plate slidably mounted over the needle adjacent to the end portion, and at least one resilient arm extending from the base plate towards the needle tip. In use the needle shield and cover sleeve move along the needle until the end portion contacts the needle bulge and the cover sleeve shaft and the arm cover the needle tip.

Embodiments of a catheter insertion device are discussed comprising: an approximately hollow cylindrical catheter sleeve, at whose distal end a catheter is attached; a needle sleeve with a hollow needle, which is attached thereto and which, when ready for use, extends through the catheter sleeve and the catheter, and; a needle protective element that is arranged inside the catheter sleeve while being able to move on the needle. Said needle protective element has an engaging section that engages with an engaging device, which is formed in the vicinity of the needle tip, when the hollow needle is withdrawn from the catheter sleeve. A check valve is placed inside the catheter sleeve between the catheter and the needle protective element. The hollow needle, when ready for use, extends through said check valve, and the check valve automatically closes once the needle is withdrawn.

The present invention is a simple-to-use IV placement assist device with an added safety feature. A catheter advancer is slidably integrated with a base to guide advancement of a catheter linearly along the insertion path of the needle and catheter. A safety feature is engaged by a movable component moving from a first position to a second position, such movable enabling relative movement between the base and catheter advancer and/or catheter assembly, rotation of the needle about its length axis, and/or minor advancement of the catheter assembly to sheath the tip of the needle. The IV placement assist device stabilizes and guides the critical needle insertion and catheter advancement steps of a complication-prone and very common procedure.

The invention relates to an intravenous catheter apparatus comprising: a catheter hub (12) arranged at a proximal end of a catheter tube (10), the catheter hub (12) having an inner surface (14) defining a chamber (16); a needle (20) defining an axial direction and having a needle tip (24), the needle (20) extending through the chamber (16) and the catheter tube (10) when in a ready position; a needle guard (32) slidably arranged on the needle (20) and at least partially received in the chamber (16) when the needle (20) is in the ready position, the needle guard (32) including a base portion (34) and first and second arms (36, 38) extending from the base portion (34), wherein the first arm (36) is deflected radially outwards by the needle (20) against a restoring force when the needle (20) is in the ready position whereby the needle guard (32) is brought into retaining contact with the catheter hub (12); and wherein the catheter apparatus includes a valve which separates a distal space arranged in distal direction from the valve from a proximal space arranged on proximal direction from the valve. The invention further provides that the valve opens based on a pressure differential between the pressure prevailing in the distal space and the pressure prevailing in the proximal space.

A method of power injecting a contrast medium into a patient, including obtaining a power-injectable access port suitable for power injection. The power injectable access port includes a housing defining a reservoir, and a septum. The septum may include a self-sealing material, and a radiopaque material. The radiopaque material may form a selected pattern when an x-ray is taken through the septum for identifying the power-injectable access port as being suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port may be structured for accommodating a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and may be designed to accommodate a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. After implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, the method may include imaging the power-injectable access port and confirming via the selected pattern in the septum that the power-injectable access port is suitable for injecting the contrast medium.

A catheter assembly may include a catheter, catheter adapter, needle, needle guard, and housing. The housing may be coupled to the needle guard and disposed within a lumen of the catheter adapter. The needle guard may include first and second resilient arms, which may include first and second curved portions, respectively. When the needle is in a ready position, the first and second curved portions may be urged by a shaft of the needle into retaining contact with an inner wall of the catheter adapter. When the needle is in the retracted position, the shaft may no longer bias the first and second resilient arms outwardly such that the retaining contact between the first and second curved portions and the catheter adapter is released, and the housing and the needle guard enclose a distal tip of the needle.

Embodiments of a catheter insertion device are discussed comprising: an approximately hollow cylindrical catheter sleeve, at whose distal end a catheter is attached; a needle sleeve with a hollow needle, which is attached thereto and which, when ready for use, extends through the catheter sleeve and the catheter, and; a needle protective element that is arranged inside the catheter sleeve while being able to move on the needle. Said needle protective element has an engaging section that engages with an engaging device, which is formed in the vicinity of the needle tip, when the hollow needle is withdrawn from the catheter sleeve. A check valve is placed inside the catheter sleeve between the catheter and the needle protective element. The hollow needle, when ready for use, extends through said check valve, and the check valve automatically closes once the needle is withdrawn.