Catheter Patency Device Reduces Risk of Occlusions

A novel device could help healthcare facilities significantly reduce dependency on declotting agents commonly used to restore patency in occluded catheters.

The Neutron Needlefree catheter patency device significantly reduces all types of reflux into a catheter, which has been clinically shown to help reduce occlusions. The reduction in catheter occlusions can help minimize delay in therapy and procedures, minimize unnecessary patient discomfort, reduce length of stay, and decrease the need for and risks of expensive thrombolytic declotting agents such as alteplase, as well as the incremental clinical costs associated with managing catheter occlusions.


The innovative bellows-like design of the Neutron absorbs and physically compensates for pressure variations, based on the bidirectional silicone valve that forms a split-septum silicone seal and straight internal fluid path. The technology helps prevent reflux at all times, maintaining catheter patency. When the Neutron is not being accessed, the silicone seal forms a safe, swabbable barrier to bacterial ingress; upon Luer access, the silicone seal is depressed and the fluid path windows are exposed through the device's split-septum. Fluid is either infused or aspirated through the connector and catheter via the dedicated straight internal fluid path.

The clinical performance of the Neutron device—since its launch in 2012—has been so favorable that it has prompted the developer, ICU Medical (San Clemente, CA, USA) to offer its customers a performance guarantee that pledges that if a health care facility does not experience a reduction in catheter occlusion rates in the first three months after converting all of its central intravenous (IV) lines to the Neutron, ICU Medical will pay that facility USD 100,000.

“As the company that created the safe IV connector category, we believe in the clinical and financial value of the Neutron device, but realize that it is often difficult for clinicians to advocate for the adoption of new technology,” said Richard Costello, senior vice president of sales at ICU Medical. “We hope that by offering a 100,000 performance guarantee for the Neutron we can encourage clinicians to pursue adoption of this breakthrough technology at their facilities by taking financial risk out of the equation.”

Related Links:
ICU Medical