Systems and methods for providing a flushable catheter assembly

A closed IV catheter assembly, comprising:

• a luer port having an inner lumen, the inner lumen having a proximal end, a distal end and a middle portion;
• a recess forming the middle portion of the inner lumen, the recess being configured to receive a septum, the septum forming a defeatable barrier between the proximal end and the distal end of the inner lumen;
• a ventilation channel interposed between the septum and an inner surface of the inner lumen of the luer port, the ventilation channel having a surface area and a perimeter selected to permit passage of at least one of air and blood between the proximal end and the distal end of the inner lumen, at a desired rate of flow;
• a septum activator positioned within the proximal end of the inner lumen, the septum activator having a first end for biasing open a slit of the septum, and a second end having a contact surface, the septum activator further including a sealing portion that extends from an exterior surface of the septum activator and contacts the surface of the inner lumen thereby preventing fluid from flowing into interstitial spaces between the septum and the sealing portion of the septum activator;
• and
• an opening forming a proximal end of the luer port, wherein an external device is inserted through the opening to contact the contact surface of the septum activator thereby advancing the first end of the septum activator through the slit of the septum, wherein the ventilation channel permits the passage of at least one of air and blood before the first end of the septum activator is advanced through the slit of the septum.