IV catheter with in-line valve and methods related thereto

A vascular access device comprising:

• a housing including a housing proximal portion and a housing distal portion which define a chamber therein, the housing proximal portion having a distal reduced-diameter portion and a widened portion, the chamber having a proximal end positioned at a junction of the reduced-diameter portion and the widened portion;
• a seal member movable from a first position to a second position, the seal member having a septum and a sealing portion and being disposed within the chamber to sealingly engage with at least a portion of the junction in the first position and permit fluid flow through the housing in the second position;
• a compression member positioned at least partially about the septum and being configured and dimensioned to apply an inwardly directed force to apply pressure to the septum;
• and
• an object that is arranged to pass through the septum.

An in-line IV catheter device comprising:

• a housing defining a chamber having a proximal portion and a distal portion;
• an elongated cannula removably extending through the housing and defining an axis;
• a seal member positioned within the proximal portion of the chamber for sealing engagement with housing and, thereby, preventing fluid flow through the in-line valve IV catheter device, the seal member having sidewalls that extend along the axis and defining a proximal cavity and a septum, wherein the elongated cannula can be selectively passed through the septum;
• and
• a compression member at least partially surrounding the septum, the compression member being configured and dimensioned to apply an inwardly directed force to the septum such that the septum seals when the elongated cannula is removed;
• wherein when fluid flow in either direction through the in-line valve IV device is desired, the seal member can be selectively displaced from the proximal portion of the chamber to establish an open fluid flow path within the housing.

An in-line valve IV catheter device comprising:

• a housing including an inner wall defining a chamber;
• a tubular member extending distally from the housing and defining a lumen therein that is fluidly coupled to the chamber;
• a seal member disposed within the chamber and including a septum configured to removably receive an introducer needle, wherein the septum is spaced from the inner walls of the housing;
• and
• a compression member coupled to the seal member and being positioned at least partially about the septum spaced from the inner wall of the housing, the compression member being configured and dimensioned to apply an inwardly directed force to the seal member to assist re-sealing of the septum during and after withdrawal of the introducer needle from the septum.