One piece low drag septum

A septum assembly for providing a seal about a needle and for sealing closed when the needle is withdrawn, the septum assembly comprising:

• a septum housing;
• a one-piece septum inserted within the septum housing, the one-piece septum having a longitudinal axis, a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a cavity portion between the distal and proximal portions;
• wherein the cavity portion extends completely through the proximal portion of the one-piece septum;
• and
• a slit extending through and substantially sealing the distal portion of the one-piece septum.

A method of sealing a catheter adapter during the storage, use, and removal of a needle projecting therethrough, the method comprising:

• providing a catheter adapter including an introducer needle extending therethrough, the needle having a proximal end, and a distal end with a bore;
• and
• providing a one-piece elastomeric septum disposed about the needle and positioned within the catheter adapter, the one-piece septum having a cavity provided between a proximal septum portion and a distal septum portion of the septum, the cavity having an inner diameter greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the needle, the cavity extending completely through the proximal portion of the one-piece septum;
• wherein the septum conforms its shape to the dimensions of the needle during storage and use of the catheter adapter, and wherein the septum seals closed upon withdrawal of the needle.

An introducer needle assembly, comprising:

• a catheter adapter;
• a one-piece septum disposed within the catheter adapter, the one-piece septum having a longitudinal axis, a distal portion, a proximal portion;
• an introducer needle selectively inserted through the one-piece septum;
• a slit extending through the distal portion of one-piece septum, the slit applying a first force to the inserted introducer needle when the introducer needle is inserted through the slit;
• wherein the proximal portion of the one-piece septum comprises an elongated needle sheath that applies a second force to the inserted introducer needle when the introducer needle is inserted through the elongated needle sheath;
• and
• wherein the first force is greater than the second force.