A catheter assembly (10) comprises a catheter (22), a needle (12) having a sharp distal tip disposed in the catheter (22), a catheter hub (14) housing the catheter (22) and the needle (12), the catheter hub (14) having a collar (34) including a notch (36), a needle shield (20) connected to the catheter hub (14) when the needle (12) is in a first position, and a clip (40) disposed in the needle shield (20) that cooperates with the needle (12), wherein the clip (40) engages the catheter hub (14) in the first position of the needle (12), and the clip (40) disengages the catheter hub (14) via the notch (36) when the needle (12) is retracted to a second position to enclose at least a portion of the needle (12). The clip (40) is mounted in the outer housing (38) of the needle shield (20) via a spade (66) having an outer wall (70) exposed to the outside of the needle shield (20), in order to reduce the overall width of the needle shield (20).

In some embodiments, a fluid dynamics system includes a solenoid valve including a valve body including ports including an inlet port and an outlet port, and a valve cavity having a direction of elongation and configured to provide fluid connectivity between respective ones of the ports, a solenoid coil disposed in the valve body around valve cavity, and a plunger comprising a permanent magnet, and configured to move back-and-forth along the direction of elongation between a first position and a second position in the valve cavity selectively controlling the fluid connectivity between respective ones of the ports, and a controller configured to apply at least one current to the solenoid coil to selectively move the plunger between the first position and the second position, and to selectively maintain the plunger in the first position and the second position.

In some embodiments, a fluid dynamics system includes a solenoid valve including a valve body including ports including an inlet port and an outlet port, and a valve cavity having a direction of elongation and configured to provide fluid connectivity between respective ones of the ports, a solenoid coil disposed in the valve body around valve cavity, and a plunger comprising a permanent magnet, and configured to move back-and-forth along the direction of elongation between a first position and a second position in the valve cavity selectively controlling the fluid connectivity between respective ones of the ports, and a controller configured to apply at least one current to the solenoid coil to selectively move the plunger between the first position and the second position, and to selectively maintain the plunger in the first position and the second position.

A balloon guide catheter system including a balloon guide catheter having a catheter shaft that includes: (i) a main lumen; (ii) an inflation lumen; and (iii) an exhaust lumen. The terminating distal end of the inflation lumen and the terminating distal end of the exhaust lumen being in localized fluid communication with one another underneath the balloon while in a non-inflated state. A balloon is disposed about a distal region of an outer surface of the catheter shaft. The exhaust lumen is configured to purge the residual air in a proximal direction and out from a proximal region of the balloon guide catheter.

A bidirectional vascular cannula device includes a tube and a moving mechanism having a through hole. The tube includes a tubular wall which defines therein a passage having opposite proximal and distal opened ends. The tubular wall has a secondary opening formed therethrough. Oxygenated blood infused into the passage from the proximal opened end is delivered to one end of the blood vessel from the distal opened end, and a part of the blood is delivered to the other end of the blood vessel through the secondary opening and the through hole so as to obviate ischemic caused by cannula occlusion. The moving mechanism is operable to be moved to permit a part of the moving mechanism to project outwardly and to be attached to the inner wall of the blood vessel for positioning the cannula device.

A bidirectional vascular cannula device includes a tube and a moving mechanism having a through hole. The tube includes a tubular wall which defines therein a passage having opposite proximal and distal opened ends. The tubular wall has a secondary opening formed therethrough. Oxygenated blood infused into the passage from the proximal opened end is delivered to one end of the blood vessel from the distal opened end, and a part of the blood is delivered to the other end of the blood vessel through the secondary opening and the through hole so as to obviate ischemic caused by cannula occlusion. The moving mechanism is operable to be moved to permit a part of the moving mechanism to project outwardly and to be attached to the inner wall of the blood vessel for positioning the cannula device.

A gas elimination apparatus and a method for use in an intravenous delivery system are provided. The apparatus includes a fluid inlet coupling a fluid flow into a liquid chamber, a fluid outlet protruding into the liquid chamber, and a flow diversion member proximal to the fluid outlet. The flow diversion member configured to block a direct flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The apparatus includes a membrane separating a portion of the liquid chamber from an outer chamber and a gas venting valve fluidically coupling the outer chamber with the atmosphere. The flow diversion member may be mechanically supported by at least one strut or elongate member extending along a flow direction into the liquid chamber.

A gas elimination apparatus and a method for use in an intravenous delivery system are provided. The apparatus includes a fluid inlet coupling a fluid flow into a liquid chamber, a fluid outlet protruding into the liquid chamber, and a flow diversion member proximal to the fluid outlet. The flow diversion member configured to block a direct flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The apparatus includes a membrane separating a portion of the liquid chamber from an outer chamber and a gas venting valve fluidically coupling the outer chamber with the atmosphere. The flow diversion member may be mechanically supported by at least one strut or elongate member extending along a flow direction into the liquid chamber.

An extracorporeal blood treatment device is provided that includes a hydraulic system having a plurality of flow paths. A control unit provides an operating mode for disinfecting the hydraulic system with a liquid supplied via one of the flow paths. A method for operating the extracorporeal blood treatment device is also provided. The hydraulic system has a valve device that provides several switching positions. The valve device has an inlet for a liquid for disinfecting the hydraulic system, and a plurality of outlets. In a first switching position, the inlet is connected to one of the outlets. In another switching position, the inlet is connected to a plurality of the outlets. The inlet of the valve device is in fluid communication with a first flow path and the outlets are in fluid communication with another flow path. Disinfecting liquid can simultaneously be supplied to the individual flow paths.

A breast pump milk flow sensor system and apparatus for accurately assessing both a flow rate and amount of milk expressed during a pumping session is provided. The breast pump milk flow rate sensor system and apparatus may be contained within a breast pump.