Vascular access device blood sealing and exposure prevention

摘要

An extravascular system for accessing the vasculature of a patient including a catheter having an interior surface, a needle disposed within the catheter, and/or a needle cap defining at least one capillary space and including a flexible seal surrounding the at least one capillary space. The flexible seal may engage the interior surface of the catheter. A method of controlling exposure to a liquid from an extravascular system including providing a wicking material positioned adjacent to a flow channel such that any fluid located external to the flow channel is retained by the wicking material. The wicking material may be incorporated into any extravascular system where exposure to liquids is undesirable.

主权项

1. A catheter assembly comprising:
a catheter adapter having a proximal end and a distal end; a catheter that extends from the distal end of the catheter adapter; and a needle assembly, the needle assembly comprising:
a needle hub configured to attach to the proximal end of the catheter adapter;a needle having a proximal end secured within the needle hub and a distal end that extends out through the distal end of the catheter when the needle hub is attached to the catheter adapter; anda needle cap having a needle port forming an opening through the needle cap, wherein the needle cap is contained within the needle hub when the needle hub is attached to the catheter adapter such that the distal end of the needle extends out through the needle port, whereas, when the needle hub is removed from the catheter adapter, the needle cap extends to a position overtop the distal end of the needle thereby securing the distal end of the needle within the needle cap, the needle cap including a plurality of capillary tubes that extend in parallel with at least a portion of the needle port, each capillary tube having a distal opening that is positioned adjacent to a distal opening of the needle port such that blood that exits the distal end of the needle port is collected within the capillary tubes to thereby prevent the blood from exiting the needle cap.