An IV catheter device comprising: a housing (100, 200) defining a chamber; a hollow compression member positioned within the housing (100, 200); a seal member positioned within the chamber and coupled to the compression member, the seal member including a bell portion which is positioned to engage a seating surface within the housing to seal a proximal portion of the chamber from a distal portion of the chamber, and a septum; and a locking member positioned within the chamber of the housing (100, 200), the locking member being positioned about and engaging the seal member to position the sealing portion of the seal member in engagement with the seating surface, the locking member including at least one channel connecting a proximal portion of the chamber to a distal portion of the chamber; wherein when the sealing portion of the seal member is moved from engagement with the seating surface within the housing (100, 200), fluid can flow about the seal member and through the at least one channel to the distal portion of the chamber, and characterized in that the seal member further includes a tab having a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the septum, the tab being dimensioned to easily pass through the hollow compression member to facilitate positioning of the compression member about septum and a chamfer or bevel positioned at the distal end of the tab, and extending distally from the septum such that movement of the tab in relation to the compression member causes the compression member to be slid over tab to a position adjacent to the septum, the tab being removably connected to the septum. a housing (100, 200) defining a chamber; a hollow compression member positioned within the housing (100, 200); a seal member positioned within the chamber and coupled to the compression member, the seal member including a bell portion which is positioned to engage a seating surface within the housing to seal a proximal portion of the chamber from a distal portion of the chamber, and a septum; and a locking member positioned within the chamber of the housing (100, 200), the locking member being positioned about and engaging the seal member to position the sealing portion of the seal member in engagement with the seating surface, the locking member including at least one channel connecting a proximal portion of the chamber to a distal portion of the chamber; wherein when the sealing portion of the seal member is moved from engagement with the seating surface within the housing (100, 200), fluid can flow about the seal member and through the at least one channel to the distal portion of the chamber, and characterized in that the seal member further includes a tab having a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the septum, the tab being dimensioned to easily pass through the hollow compression member to facilitate positioning of the compression member about septum and a chamfer or bevel positioned at the distal end of the tab, and extending distally from the septum such that movement of the tab in relation to the compression member causes the compression member to be slid over tab to a position adjacent to the septum, the tab being removably connected to the septum.