A primer may be used with IV catheter systems. The primer may be positioned along the tubing of an extension set such that the primer divides the IV catheter system into a downstream portion and an upstream portion. The primer may vent air from both the upstream and downstream portions to allow blood to flow up to the primer while also allowing priming solution to flow down to the primer. As a result, the catheter may be inserted into the patient's vasculature without first priming the catheter. Once the air has been vented from the upstream and downstream portions of the IV catheter system, the primer may be actuated to open a fluid pathway through the primer. With the fluid pathway opened, the priming solution may commence flowing towards the patient's vasculature thereby flushing the blood from the IV catheter system.

A primer may be used with IV catheter systems. The primer may be positioned along the tubing of an extension set such that the primer divides the IV catheter system into a downstream portion and an upstream portion. The primer may vent air from both the upstream and downstream portions to allow blood to flow up to the primer while also allowing priming solution to flow down to the primer. As a result, the catheter may be inserted into the patient's vasculature without first priming the catheter. Once the air has been vented from the upstream and downstream portions of the IV catheter system, the primer may be actuated to open a fluid pathway through the primer. With the fluid pathway opened, the priming solution may commence flowing towards the patient's vasculature thereby flushing the blood from the IV catheter system.

An adapter for making a fluid connection between first and second medical fluid flow components, where the first component includes a first male or female Luer connector of a first configuration, and the component includes a second male female Luer connector of a second configuration, that is not compatible with the first configuration, includes a fluid flow conduit with a first adapter connector at a first end of the conduit and a second adapter connector at a second end of the conduit. The conduit includes a fluid flow lumen extending between the first and second ends. The first adapter connector is a male or female Luer having a first configuration that is compatible with the first medical fluid flow component connector. The second adapter connector is a male or female Luer having a second configuration that is compatible with the second medical fluid flow component connector.

An adapter for making a fluid connection between first and second medical fluid flow components, where the first component includes a first male or female Luer connector of a first configuration, and the component includes a second male female Luer connector of a second configuration, that is not compatible with the first configuration, includes a fluid flow conduit with a first adapter connector at a first end of the conduit and a second adapter connector at a second end of the conduit. The conduit includes a fluid flow lumen extending between the first and second ends. The first adapter connector is a male or female Luer having a first configuration that is compatible with the first medical fluid flow component connector. The second adapter connector is a male or female Luer having a second configuration that is compatible with the second medical fluid flow component connector.

Couplers are described herein. A coupler includes a coupler body, a plurality of first retaining fingers, and a plurality of second retaining fingers. The coupler body includes a first end and a second end, and defining a cavity, the cavity configured to receive a first connector and a second connector. The plurality of first retaining fingers are configured to engage against a collar of the first connector to prevent axial motion of the first connector relative to the coupler. The plurality of second retaining fingers are configured to engage against a shoulder of the second connector with a retention force, and release the second connector by radially expanding in response to a pullout force exerted on the second connector exceeding the retention force.

Couplers are described herein. A coupler includes a coupler body, a plurality of first retaining fingers, and a plurality of second retaining fingers. The coupler body includes a first end and a second end, and defining a cavity, the cavity configured to receive a first connector and a second connector. The plurality of first retaining fingers are configured to engage against a collar of the first connector to prevent axial motion of the first connector relative to the coupler. The plurality of second retaining fingers are configured to engage against a shoulder of the second connector with a retention force, and release the second connector by radially expanding in response to a pullout force exerted on the second connector exceeding the retention force.

Improved apparatus for use with medication in fluid form, which is particularly beneficial for medications having a relatively high viscosity. The disclosed syringe adapter has an opening that is relatively large, as compared to a conventional needle, and thus affixing the disclosed syringe adapter to a syringe improves syringeability of higher-viscosity medications. Some embodiments feature a lateral extension that prevents inserting the syringe adapter too far into a medicine bottle, and some embodiments feature a component that assists in firmly grasping. When the disclosed syringe adapter is affixed to a pistol-grip or tab-handled syringe, the medication withdrawn into the pistol-grip syringe can be more easily administered from the syringe barrel. In some embodiments, the syringe adapter will be replaced with a needle prior to injecting the medication, while in some other embodiments, the needle is affixed to the in-place syringe adapter for the injection. In yet other embodiments, the needle is affixed to a needle holder that, in turn, is affixed to the in-place syringe adapter for the injection.

A connector for forming a fluid flow pathway by connection with a reciprocal connector. Both the connector and reciprocal connector include a fluid flow blockage part sheathed within an axially compressible sheath part. A first bearing surface receives an urging force to retract the blockage part axially along the sheath part. A terminal end of the sheath part defines a second bearing surface containing a fluid flow opening with the fluid flow blockage part retractably therein. A first chassis part includes a first catch part. A second chassis part includes a second catch part and a third bearing surface spaced from the second catch part along the second chassis part. Retraction of the blockage part forms a fluid flow pathway not sooner than immediately when the openings meet to allow fluid transfer the openings avoiding fluid leakage between connected connectors.

An infusion tube system and a method for manufacture are provided. An infusion tube system including an infusion tube and a connector attached to the infusion tube at an end of the infusion tube is disclosed. The connector has a proximal end and includes a connector body extending from a distal end to a proximal end along a center axis and defining a cavity. The connector body includes an end wall with an inner surface, and at least one vent opening, and a sidewall extending from the end wall along the center axis with an inner and outer surface. The connector includes a membrane covering the at least one vent opening, the membrane being welded to the inner surface of the end wall along at least one welding seam including a first welding seam such that the membrane covers and seals the at least one vent opening.

An infusion tube system and a method for manufacture are provided. An infusion tube system including an infusion tube and a connector attached to the infusion tube at an end of the infusion tube is disclosed. The connector has a proximal end and includes a connector body extending from a distal end to a proximal end along a center axis and defining a cavity. The connector body includes an end wall with an inner surface, and at least one vent opening, and a sidewall extending from the end wall along the center axis with an inner and outer surface. The connector includes a membrane covering the at least one vent opening, the membrane being welded to the inner surface of the end wall along at least one welding seam including a first welding seam such that the membrane covers and seals the at least one vent opening.