Catheter and needle system and method of inserting a catheter

A method for inserting a catheter into a patient comprising:

• telescopically engaging the catheter around a needle in fluidic communication with a flash chamber;
• coupling a fluidic channel, which fluidically communicates with the catheter, to a flush fluid source supplying a flush fluid;
• flushing the fluidic channel with the flush fluid;
• substantially stopping fluid flow through the fluidic channel at a point, thereby defining a flush fluid volume between the point and the distal end of the catheter;
• decoupling the fluidic channel and the flush fluid source;
• inserting the catheter, engaged with the needle, into the patient at an insertion site;
• and
• allowing a flash fluid to flow to the flash chamber by a fluid path defined by the needle.

A system for inserting a catheter comprising:

• a frame comprising:
• a catheter hub configured to provide a first anchoring point on a patient and configured to receive a catheter insertable in the patient at an insertion site, a stabilization hub configured to provide a second anchoring point on the patient, and a flexible tubular lateral member defining a lumen, extending between the catheter hub and the stabilization hub;
• a fluidic channel configured to fluidically communicate with the catheter and transfer a fluid to the catheter, wherein the fluidic channel is configured to pass through the lumen of the flexible tubular lateral member and at least one of the catheter hub and the stabilization hub, and wherein the fluidic channel comprises a turnabout portion configured to angularly displace a direction of fluid flow;
• an extension tubing configured to couple to the fluidic channel, wherein the extension tubing comprises a tubing clamp configured to restrict the extension tubing at a restriction point thus resulting in a lack of a pressure differential across the fluidic channel;
• and
• a flush fluid source configured to couple to the extension tubing and supply a flush fluid to the catheter.

A system for inserting a catheter comprising:

• a housing comprising a needle mount and a flash chamber;
• a needle having a distal end insertable through the catheter and a proximal end coupled to the needle mount, wherein the needle comprises a lumen configured to provide a fluid path to the flash chamber;
• a sheath telescopically engaged with the housing and circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the needle, wherein the sheath operates in:
• a retracted position, wherein the sheath exposes the distal end of the needle, and
• an extended position, wherein the sheath substantially surrounds the distal end of the needle,
• wherein the sheath is coupleable to a medical device such that removal of the needle from the medical device draws the sheath over the needle, thereby transitioning the sheath from the retracted position to the extended position;
• and
• a slider, longitudinally engaged with at least one of the sheath and the housing and including a restraint that selectively engages the sheath, wherein:
• when the restraint is engaged with the sheath, the restraint reinforces the coupling of the sheath to the medical device;
• and
• when the restraint is disengaged from the sheath, the restraint weakens the coupling of the sheath to the medical device.