Patent ID: 9737686
Date: 2017-08-22
CPC Classifications: A61M

Claim:
1. An intravenous catheter assembly, comprising: a catheter adapter having a sidewall extending between a distal end and a proximal end and an inner lumen extending within the sidewall between the distal end and the proximal end; an intravenous catheter coupled to the distal end of the catheter adapter, the intravenous catheter having an inner lumen in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the catheter adapter; a needle septum positioned within the inner lumen of the catheter adapter, the needle septum forming a seal to prevent fluid from flowing out, through the proximal end of the inner lumen of the catheter adapter; an introducer needle extending through the inner lumen of the catheter adapter and the inner lumen of the intravenous catheter, a distal end of the introducer needle extending out from a distal end of the intravenous catheter to enable the introducer needle to be inserted into the vasculature of a patient to place the intravenous catheter within the patient's vasculature, the introducer needle extending through the needle septum, the needle septum configured to form the seal when the introducer needle is withdrawn from the needle septum; a port disposed on the sidewall of the catheter adapter, the port forming an opening between the inner lumen and an external environment, the opening being positioned proximal to the needle septum such that the introducer needle passes under the opening formed by the port prior to withdrawal of the introducer needle from the catheter adapter and such that, after the introducer needle is withdrawn, fluid may flow through the port but not through the proximal end of the catheter adapter; and a septum activator positioned within the inner lumen of the catheter adapter, the septum activator configured to be forced through the needle septum to open a fluid pathway through the inner lumen; and a button extending through the port, wherein when the button is pressed a first time the septum activator is forced through the needle septum.