Patent ID: 8679063

Claim:
A system for controlling fluid flow in a catheter assembly, comprising: an intravenous catheter assembly having a catheter adapter and a needle hub, the catheter adapter having an inner lumen; a septum disposed within a portion of the inner lumen; a ventilation channel interposed between the septum and an inner surface of the inner lumen of the catheter adapter, the ventilation channel having a surface area and perimeter selected to permit passage of air and prevent passage of blood; a slit formed through the septum; a coating, formed of vapor deposited polyxylylene polymers, disposed within the slit of the septum, the coating having a thickness of between approximately 0.00005 to 0.0005 millimeters; and an introducer needle having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the needle hub and the second end extending through the inner lumen of the catheter adapter, a middle portion of the introducer needle being positioned within a portion of the septum.