Blood collection device and related systems and methods

Abstract

A blood collection device to reduce the risk of hemolysis in a peripheral intravenous catheter system can include a distal end. The distal end of the blood collection device can include a male luer adapter having a distal opening. The blood collection device can include a cannula in fluid communication with the male luer adapter. The cannula can include a distal end and a sharp proximal tip. The blood collection device can include an elongated neck disposed between the male luer adapter and the sharp proximal tip. The blood collection device can include a fluid pathway extending from the distal opening through the sharp proximal tip. The diameter of the fluid pathway can be constant. The full length of the fluid pathway is represented by L and the diameter of the fluid pathway is represented by D. 4 L can be equal to or less than a predetermined value.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to blood collection devices and related systems and methods. BACKGROUND

[0002] Catheters are commonly used to infuse fluids into a patient's vasculature. For example, catheters can be used to infuse solutions of normal saline, various medications, and total parenteral nutrition infusates. Catheters can also be used to withdraw blood from a patient.

[0003] Catheters can include an over-the-needle peripheral intravenous ("IV") catheter. In this case, the catheter can be fitted over an introducer needle having a sharp distal tip. The catheter and introducer needle can be assembled so that the distal tip of the introducer needle extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter with the bevel of the needle facing upward away from the patient's skin. The catheter and introducer needle are typically inserted through the skin into the patient's vasculature at a shallow angle.

[0004] To verify proper placement of the introducer needle and / or catheter in the blood vessel, the clinician typically confirms the presence of "flashback" of blood in the flashback chamber of the catheter assembly. Once the clinician confirms proper placement of the needle, the clinician can remove the needle, leaving the catheter in place for future blood withdrawal or fluid infusion.

[0005] To withdraw blood or collect a blood sample from a patient, a blood collection container can be used. The blood collection container can include a syringe or test tube with a rubber stopper at one end. In some cases, the blood collection container has had all or part of the air removed from the test tube, so the pressure inside the blood collection container is lower than the ambient pressure. Such blood collection containers are often referred to as having an internal vacuum or being vacuum tubes. A commonly used blood collection container is the BD VACUTAINER® 注册商标 tube, available from Becton Dickinson and Company of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.

[0006] The blood collection container can be coupled to the catheter. When the blood collection container is coupled to the catheter, the pressure in the vein is higher than the pressure in the blood collection container, which pushes blood into the blood collection container, thereby causing the blood collection container to fill with blood. The vacuum inside the blood collection container decreases as the blood collection container fills, until the pressure in the blood collection container is equal to the pressure in the vein and blood flow stops.

[0007] Unfortunately, when blood is drawn into the blood collection container, red blood cells are subjected to high shear stress due to the high initial pressure differential between the vein and the blood collection container, which can lead to hemolysis. Hemolysis can result in blood samples being unqualified and discarded. The high initial pressure differential can also cause catheter tip collapse, vein collapse, or other complications that prevent or limit blood from filling the blood collection container.

[0008] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is included as merely representative of one example technology area where some embodiments described herein can be practiced. SUMMARY

[0009] The present disclosure relates generally to blood collection devices and related systems and methods. In some embodiments, a peripheral intravenous catheter system can reduce the risk of mechanical hemolysis during blood collection from a patient’s vasculature. In some embodiments, a peripheral intravenous catheter system can include a peripheral intravenous catheter and a female luer adapter coupled to the peripheral intravenous catheter.

[0010] In some embodiments, a peripheral intravenous catheter system can include a blood collection device that can include a distal end. In some embodiments, the distal end of the blood collection device can include a male luer adapter that can be coupled to the female luer adapter. In some embodiments, the male luer adapter can include a distal opening. In some embodiments, the blood collection device can include a cannula in fluid communication with the male luer adapter. In some embodiments, the cannula can include a distal end and a sharp proximal tip. In some embodiments, the blood collection device can include an elongate neck disposed between the male luer adapter and the sharp proximal tip. In some embodiments, the blood collection device can include a fluid pathway extending from the distal opening through the sharp proximal tip.

[0011] In some embodiments, the peripheral intravenous catheter is 22G-18G, inclusive, and the full length of the fluid pathway is 2 inches. In some embodiments, the peripheral intravenous catheter is 24G, and the full length of the fluid pathway is 5.4 inches. In some embodiments, the full length of the fluid pathway is between 2 inches and 5.4 inches, inclusive.

[0012] In some embodiments, the diameter of the fluid pathway is constant, the full length of the fluid pathway is represented by L, and the diameter of the fluid pathway is represented by D. In some embodiments, the diameter of the fluid pathway can be greater than the minimum internal diameter of the peripheral intravenous catheter. In some embodiments, D 4 / L is equal to or less than a predetermined value, which can be based on the gauge of the peripheral intravenous catheter.

[0013] In some embodiments, the gauge of the peripheral intravenous catheter is 24G, and D 4 / L is equal to or less than 5.8E-08 cubic inches. In some embodiments, the gauge of the peripheral intravenous catheter is 22G, and D 4 / L is equal to or less than 1.6E-07 cubic inches. In some embodiments, the gauge of the peripheral intravenous catheter is 20G, and D 4L is equal to or less than 3.1E-07 cubic inches. In some embodiments, the peripheral intravenous catheter has a gauge of 18G, D 4 L is equal to or less than 5.8E-08 cubic inches.

[0014] In some embodiments, the male luer adapter of the blood collection device can include a collar. In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the collar can be greater than the outer diameter of the elongated neck. In some embodiments, the blood collection device can include a holder configured to receive a blood collection tube. In some embodiments, the holder can include a cylindrical body. In some embodiments, a sharp proximal tip is disposed in the center of the cylindrical body. In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the holder can be greater than the outer diameter of the elongated neck. In some embodiments, the elongated neck can be disposed between the holder and the collar. In some embodiments, the distal end of the cannula can be integrated within the elongated neck. In some embodiments, the blood collection device can be gauge specific or configured for use with a specific gauge of catheter. In some embodiments, the blood collection device can be configured for use with a single gauge of catheter or more than one gauge of catheter. In some embodiments, D can be greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the catheter.

[0015] In some embodiments, the blood collection device can include another female luer adapter disposed at the proximal end of the elongated neck. In some embodiments, the distal end of the holder can include another male luer adapter. In some embodiments, the other female luer adapter can be coupled to the other male luer adapter.

[0016] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. It should be understood that various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings. It should also be understood that the embodiments can be combined or other embodiments can be utilized, and structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, unless such changes would render the embodiments non-functional. Accordingly, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] The example embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail by the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] Figure 1A is a top perspective view of a prior art blood collection device;

[0019] Figure 1B is a cross-sectional view of a prior art blood collection device;

[0020] Figure 2Ais a top view perspective illustration of an example blood collection device according to some embodiments;

[0021] Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of a blood collection device according to some embodiments;

[0022] Figure 2C is a top view perspective illustration of an example portion of a blood collection device according to some embodiments;

[0023] Figure 2D is a cross-sectional view of the portion coupled to a remainder of a blood collection device according to some embodiments;

[0024] Figure 3A is a top view perspective illustration of an example peripheral intravenous catheter system according to some embodiments;

[0025] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of a peripheral intravenous catheter system according to some embodiments, showing an example needle assembly removed;

[0026] Figure 4A is a bar graph showing average maximum shear ratio and average blood collection rate ratio for example blood collection devices according to some embodiments compared to best-in-class prior art blood collection devices, where each blood collection device includes a fluid pathway having an overall length represented by L;

[0027] Figure 4B is a bar graph showing total maximum shear ratio and total blood collection rate for example blood collection devices according to some embodiments compared to best-in-class prior art blood collection devices, where each blood collection device includes a fluid pathway having an overall length represented by L; and

[0028] Figure 4C is a bar graph showing average maximum shear ratio and average blood collection rate ratio for example blood collection devices according to some embodiments compared to best-in-class prior art blood collection devices, where each blood collection device includes a fluid pathway having an overall length represented by L. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 065,785, filed August 14, 2020, entitled “Blood Collection Devices and Related Systems and Methods,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0030] Reference will now be made to Figures 1A-1B , showing a prior art blood collection device 10. The prior art blood collection device 10 can correspond to a BD VACUTAINER® Blood Collection Set, available from Becton Dickinson and Company of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.注册商标 LUER-LOK 商标 Access device. Prior art blood collection device 10 is typically used during blood withdrawal via an extension set of a catheter assembly inserted into a patient's vasculature. Prior art blood collection device 10 is configured to receive a blood collection container such as a BD VACUTAINER 注册商标 tube. Prior art blood collection device 10 includes a cannula 12 configured to puncture a rubber stopper of a BD VACUTAINER 注册商标 tube in response to insertion of the BD VACUTAINER 注册商标 tube into prior art blood collection device 10.

[0031] Reference is now made to Figures 2A-2B , showing a blood collection device 20, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, blood collection device 20 can include a distal end 22 and a proximal end 24. In some embodiments, distal end 22 of blood collection device 20 can include a male luer adapter 26, which can include a distal opening 28. In some embodiments, blood collection device 20 can include a cannula 30 in fluid communication with male luer adapter 26. In some embodiments, cannula 30 can include a distal end 32 and a sharp proximal tip 34. In some embodiments, cannula 30 can be composed of metal or other suitable material configured to puncture a seal of a blood collection container such as a blood collection tube. In some embodiments, an elastic sheath 31 is provided and sharp proximal tip 34 can puncture the elastic sheath 31 in response to insertion of a blood collection container into blood collection device 20, which can be compressed in a distal direction by the blood collection container.

[0032] In some embodiments, blood collection device 20 can include an elongated neck 35 disposed between male luer adapter 26 and sharp proximal tip 34. In some embodiments, blood collection device 20 can include a fluid pathway 36 extending from distal opening 28 through sharp proximal tip 34. In some embodiments, a diameter 37 of fluid pathway 36 is constant. In some embodiments, a full length 38 of fluid pathway 36 is denoted by L and a diameter 37 of fluid pathway 36 is denoted by D, which will be referred to in greater detail later.

[0033] In some embodiments, the male luer adapter 26 of the blood collection device 20 can include a collar 39 that can extend around a protrusion 40 of the male luer adapter 26. In some embodiments, the distal opening 28 can be disposed within a distal-most portion of the protrusion 40. In some embodiments, an inner surface of the collar 39 can be threaded to form a luer lock fit with a corresponding female luer adapter. In other embodiments, the inner surface of the collar 39 can be smooth to form a slip fit with a corresponding female luer adapter. In some embodiments, the fluid pathway 36 can be formed entirely by the cannula 30, which can extend through the collar 39 and form the protrusion 40 and the distal opening 28.

[0034] In some embodiments, an outer diameter of the collar 39 can be greater than an outer diameter of the elongated neck 35. In some embodiments, the blood collection device 20 can include a holder 41 configured to receive a blood collection container, such as a blood collection tube. In some embodiments, the holder 41 can include a cylindrical body 42. In some embodiments, the sharp proximal tip 34 can be disposed at a center of the cylindrical body 42 to facilitate piercing a seal of the blood collection container in response to insertion of the blood collection container within a proximal opening 44 of the cylindrical body 42.

[0035] In some embodiments, an outer diameter of the cylindrical body 42 can be greater than an outer diameter of the elongated neck 35. In some embodiments, the elongated neck 35 can be disposed between the holder 41 and the collar 39. In some embodiments, the distal end 32 of the cannula 30 can be integrated and fixed within the elongated neck 35. In some embodiments, the resilient sheath 21 can be coupled to an inner surface of the holder 41.

[0036] Referring now to Figures 2C-2D In some embodiments, the blood collection device 20 can include a female luer adapter 46 disposed at a proximal end of the elongated neck 35. In some embodiments, a distal end of the holder 41 can include a male luer adapter 48. In some embodiments, the female luer adapter 46 can be coupled to the male luer adapter 48. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the blood collection device 20 can include an extension 50 that a user can couple to the holder 41 to provide the elongated neck 35 and an increased L, which can reduce the risk of hemolysis. In these and other embodiments, D can correspond to an inner diameter of the cannula 30. In some embodiments, an inner diameter of the elongated neck 35 can equal D along all or a portion of the elongated neck 35. In some embodiments, the male luer adapter 48 can be similar or identical to the male luer adapter 26 in one or more features and / or operations.

[0037] Referring now to Figures 3A-3BFIG. 1 shows a peripheral intravenous catheter system 52 in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the peripheral intravenous catheter system 52 can include a peripheral intravenous catheter 54 and a female luer adapter 56 coupled to the peripheral intravenous catheter 54. In some embodiments, the peripheral intravenous catheter system 52 can include a blood collection device 20 that can reduce the risk of hemolysis.

[0038] In some embodiments, the peripheral intravenous catheter system 52 can include a catheter adapter 58 that can include a distal end 60, a proximal end 62, and a lumen 64 extending through the distal end 60 and the proximal end 62 of the catheter adapter 58. In some embodiments, the peripheral intravenous catheter 54 can extend distally from the distal end 60 of the catheter adapter 58.

[0039] In some embodiments, the male luer adapter 26 of the blood collection device 20 can be coupled to the female luer adapter 56. In some embodiments, the position of the peripheral intravenous catheter system 52 and / or the female luer adapter 56 can be changed. In some embodiments, the peripheral intravenous catheter system 52 can include an extension tube 66 that can include a distal end integral with a side port 68 of the catheter adapter 58 and a proximal end integral with the female luer adapter 56. In some embodiments, the side port 68 can be disposed between the distal end 60 and the proximal end 62 of the catheter adapter 58 and in fluid communication with the lumen 64. In some embodiments, the proximal end 62 of the catheter adapter 58 can include the female luer adapter 56, and the blood collection device 20 can be coupled to the proximal end 62 of the catheter adapter 58.

[0040] In some embodiments, a septum 70 can be disposed within the lumen 64 of the catheter adapter 58. In some embodiments, a guide needle 72 of a needle assembly 74 can extend through the septum 70 and the peripheral intravenous catheter 54 when the peripheral intravenous catheter system 52 is inserted into the vasculature of a patient. In some embodiments, the needle assembly 74 can be removed from the peripheral intravenous catheter system 52 in response to the peripheral intravenous catheter 54 being inserted into the vasculature. In some embodiments, the guide needle 72 can include a sharp distal tip 76 and can extend from a hub 78 of the needle assembly 74 that can be coupled to the proximal end 62 of the catheter adapter 58.

[0041] Generally, the maximum shear stress during blood collection through peripheral intravenous catheter 54 is much higher than the maximum shear stress during blood collection using another type of catheter. In some embodiments, the full length of fluid pathway 36 is between 2 inches and 5.4 inches, inclusive, which can reduce the maximum shear stress during blood collection. In some embodiments, the gauge of peripheral intravenous catheter 54 is between 22G and 18G, inclusive, and the full length of fluid pathway 36 can be approximately 2 inches. In some embodiments, increasing the full length of fluid pathway 36 from 1 inch (as in prior art blood collection device 10 of Figures 1A-1B ) to approximately 2 inches for a 22G-18G, inclusive, peripheral intravenous catheter 54 results in a reduction of the maximum shear stress during blood collection by an unexpected amount.

[0042] In some embodiments, the gauge of the peripheral intravenous catheter is 24G, and the full length of fluid pathway 36 can be approximately 5.4 inches. In some embodiments, increasing the full length of fluid pathway 36 from 1 inch (as in prior art blood collection device 10 of Figures 1A-1B ) to approximately 5.4 inches for a 24G peripheral intravenous catheter 54 results in a reduction of the maximum shear stress during blood collection by an unexpected amount.

[0043] In some embodiments, the diameter of fluid pathway 36 can be greater than the minimum internal diameter of peripheral intravenous catheter 54. In some embodiments, D 4 / L is equal to or less than a predetermined value, which can be based on the gauge of peripheral intravenous catheter 54. In some embodiments, the predetermined value can correspond to a value at which the risk of hemolysis is determined to be low. In some embodiments, the gauge of the peripheral intravenous catheter is 24G, D 4 / L is equal to or less than 5.8E-08 cubic inches. In some embodiments, the gauge of the peripheral intravenous catheter is 22G, D 4 / L is equal to or less than 1.6E-07 cubic inches. In some embodiments, the gauge of the peripheral intravenous catheter is 20G, D 4 / L is equal to or less than 3.1E-07 cubic inches. In some embodiments, the gauge of the peripheral intravenous catheter is 18G, D 4 / L is equal to or less than 5.8E-08 cubic inches.

[0044] Referring now to Figure 4A , a bar graph shows blood collection device 20 compared to a best-in-class prior art blood collection device (i.e., a 21G BD VACUTAINER 注册商标 ULTRATOUCH 商标Maximum shear ratio and blood collection rate ratio of the push button blood collection set, also known as the "21 G UT w BC set" or "UT" compared to the UT. In some embodiments, the gauge of the peripheral intravenous catheter is 24G and the full length of the fluid pathway 36 can be approximately 5.4 inches. In some embodiments, the full length of the fluid pathway 36 is increased from 1 inch (as in the prior art blood collection device 10 of Figures 1A-1B UT) to approximately 5.4 inches for a 24G peripheral intravenous catheter 54 (see FIG. 3), resulting in a decrease in the maximum shear stress ratio during blood collection compared to the UT by an unexpected amount. In some embodiments, the full length of the fluid pathway 36 (see FIG. 2) is increased from 1 inch (as in the prior art blood collection device 10 of Figures 1A-1B UT) to approximately 2 inches for a peripheral intravenous catheter 54 (see FIG. 3) of 18G-22G, resulting in a decrease in the maximum shear stress ratio during blood collection compared to the UT by an unexpected amount.

[0045] In some embodiments, the blood collection rate will be the same as the UT when the maximum shear stress is matched for a peripheral intravenous catheter 54 of 18G or 20G. In some embodiments, the blood collection rate can be slightly slower than the UT for a peripheral intravenous catheter 54 of 22G, while for a peripheral intravenous catheter 54 of 24G, the blood collection rate is significantly lower than the blood collection rate of the UT when the maximum shear stress is matched. Referring now to Figure 4B , bar graphs show the maximum shear ratio and blood collection rate ratio of the blood collection device 20 compared to the best-in-class prior art blood collection device (i.e., the BD VACUTAINER 注册商标 ULTRATOUCH 商标 push button blood collection set, also known as the "21 G UT w BC set" or "UT". Results are shown for the blood collection device 20 with D equal to 0.024 inches and 0.017 inches. Results are shown for the blood collection device 20 with L equal to 1 inch, 1.6 inches, and 1.44 inches.

[0046] In some embodiments, for a peripheral intravenous catheter 54 of 24G, if the D of the fluid pathway 36 is reduced to 0.017 inches, the L of the fluid pathway 36 can be significantly reduced to 1.44 inches, which can be just greater than the minimum inner diameter of the tip of the peripheral intravenous catheter 54. In some embodiments, as long as the D is greater than the minimum inner diameter of the tip and the D 4L is kept at 5.8e-8 cubic inches, the maximum shear stress when blood is drawn with a 24G peripheral intravenous catheter 54 will match the maximum shear stress when blood is drawn with a UT. Similarly, in some embodiments, with a 22G-18G (inclusive) peripheral intravenous catheter 54, the L of the fluid pathway 36 can be significantly reduced to 1.6 inches to match the maximum shear stress when UT. However, in some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4B the blood draw rate is only 1 / 3 of the UT.

[0047] Referring now to Figure 4C , a bar graph shows the maximum shear ratio and blood collection rate ratio of the blood collection device 20 compared to a best-in-class prior art blood collection device, i.e., a 21G BD VACUTAINER 注册商标 ULTRATOUCH 商标 push button blood collection set, also referred to as the “21G UT w BC set” or “UT”. Results are shown for the blood collection device 20 with D equal to 0.024 inches, 0.017 inches, 0.036 inches, 0.029 inches, and 0.023 inches. Results are shown for the blood collection device 20 with L equal to 1 inch, 1.44 inches, 2.92 inches, 2.25 inches, and 1.73 inches. In some embodiments, different geometries of the blood collection device 20 can be used for different catheter gauges.

[0048] In some embodiments, when the maximum shear stress is matched to the UT, the limiting factor for the blood collection rate is the smallest inner diameter in the peripheral intravenous catheter system, which can be the smallest inner diameter of the tip of the peripheral intravenous catheter 54. For a 20G or 18G peripheral intravenous catheter 54, the blood collection rate can be increased by increasing the D of the fluid pathway 36. In some embodiments, the blood collection rate can be increased by increasing the D to be greater than the smallest inner diameter in the peripheral intravenous catheter system. In some embodiments, the blood collection rate can be increased by increasing the L while keeping the D 4 smaller than a predetermined or critical value to reduce the maximum shear stress to match or be less than the maximum shear stress when UT. In some embodiments, with a 22G peripheral intravenous catheter 54, the L can be reduced from 2 inches to 1.73 inches by reducing the D to be just greater than the smallest inner diameter of the tip when matching the maximum shear of the UT.

[0049] In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a peripheral intravenous catheter system can include selecting a target maximum shear stress, such as the maximum shear stress when UT. In some embodiments, the method can include increasing the L while keeping the D 4reducing the current maximum shear stress of the peripheral intravenous catheter system when / is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0050] All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the disclosure and the concepts disclosed herein and are to be construed as not limiting the disclosed application. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A peripheral venous catheter system, said peripheral venous catheter system being used to reduce the risk of hemolysis, said peripheral venous catheter system comprising: Peripheral venous catheter; A concave Luer adapter connected to the peripheral intravenous catheter; Blood collection device, including: The distal end includes a convex Luer adapter connected to the concave Luer adapter, the convex Luer adapter including a distal opening; The cannula is in fluid communication with the convex Luer adapter, wherein the cannula includes a distal end and a sharp proximal tip; A slender neck, disposed between the convex Luer adapter and the sharp proximal tip; and A fluid passage having a constant diameter extends from the distal opening of the convex Luer adapter through the sharp proximal tip of the cannula.

2. The peripheral venous catheter system according to claim 1, wherein, The peripheral venous catheter is 22G-18G, wherein the total length of the fluid passage is 2 inches.

3. The peripheral venous catheter system according to claim 1, wherein, The peripheral venous catheter is 24G, and the total length of the fluid access is 5.4 inches.

4. The peripheral venous catheter system according to claim 1, wherein, The diameter of the fluid passage is constant and is greater than the minimum inner diameter of the peripheral venous catheter, wherein the peripheral venous catheter is of specification 24G, the total length of the fluid passage is represented by L, and the diameter of the fluid passage is represented by D, where D... 4 / L equals or is less than 5.8E-08 cubic inches.

5. The peripheral venous catheter system according to claim 1, wherein, The diameter of the fluid passage is constant, wherein the diameter of the fluid passage is greater than the minimum inner diameter of the peripheral venous catheter, wherein the peripheral venous catheter is of specification 22G, wherein the total length of the fluid passage is represented by L, and wherein the diameter of the fluid passage is represented by D, where D... 4 / L equals or is less than 1.6E-07 cubic inches.

6. The peripheral venous catheter system according to claim 1, wherein, The diameter of the fluid passage is constant, wherein the diameter of the fluid passage is greater than the minimum inner diameter of the peripheral venous catheter, wherein the peripheral venous catheter is of specification 20G, wherein the total length of the fluid passage is represented by L, and wherein the diameter of the fluid passage is represented by D, where D 4 / L equals or is less than 3.1E-07 cubic inches.

7. The peripheral venous catheter system according to claim 1, wherein, The diameter of the fluid passage is constant, wherein the diameter of the fluid passage is greater than the minimum inner diameter of the peripheral venous catheter, wherein the peripheral venous catheter is of specification 18G, wherein the total length of the fluid passage is represented by L, and wherein the diameter of the fluid passage is represented by D, where D 4 / L equals or is less than 5.8E-08 cubic inches.

8. The peripheral venous catheter system according to claim 1, wherein, The convex Luer adapter includes a collar, wherein the outer diameter of the collar is larger than the outer diameter of the elongated neck.

9. The peripheral venous catheter system according to claim 8, wherein, The blood collection device further includes a retainer configured to receive a blood collection tube, wherein the retainer comprises a cylindrical body, and wherein a sharp proximal tip is disposed at the center of the cylindrical body.

10. The peripheral venous catheter system according to claim 9, wherein, The outer diameter of the retainer is larger than the outer diameter of the elongated neck, wherein the elongated neck is disposed between the retainer and the collar.

11. The peripheral venous catheter system according to claim 1, wherein, The distal end of the cannula is integrated within the slender neck.

12. The peripheral venous catheter system according to claim 9, wherein, The blood collection device further includes another concave Luer adapter disposed at the proximal end of the elongated neck, wherein the distal end of the retainer includes another convex Luer adapter, the other concave Luer adapter being coupled to the other convex Luer adapter.

13. A blood collection device for reducing the risk of hemolysis in peripheral intravenous catheter systems, the blood collection device comprising: The distal end includes a convex Luer adapter, wherein the convex Luer adapter includes a distal opening; The cannula is in fluid communication with the convex Luer adapter, wherein the cannula includes a distal end and a sharp proximal tip; A slender neck, disposed between the convex Luer adapter and the sharp proximal tip; and A fluid passage extending from the distal opening through the sharp proximal tip, wherein the diameter of the fluid passage is constant between the distal opening of the convex Luer adapter and the sharp proximal tip of the cannula.

14. The blood collection device according to claim 13, wherein, The fluid passage has a total length between 2 inches and 5.4 inches, including the endpoints.

15. The blood collection device according to claim 13, wherein, The total length of the fluid passage is represented by L, and the diameter of the fluid passage is represented by D, where D 4 / L is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

16. The blood collection device according to claim 15, wherein, The blood collection device is configured for use with a catheter, wherein D is greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the catheter.

17. The blood collection device according to claim 16, wherein, The blood collection device further includes a retainer configured to receive a blood collection tube, wherein the retainer comprises a cylindrical body, and wherein a sharp proximal tip is disposed at the center of the cylindrical body.

18. The blood collection device according to claim 17, wherein, The outer diameter of the retainer is larger than the outer diameter of the elongated neck, wherein the convex Luer adapter includes a collar, and the elongated neck is disposed between the retainer and the collar.

19. The blood collection device according to claim 17, wherein, The distal end of the cannula is integrated within the slender neck.

20. The blood collection device according to claim 17, wherein, The blood collection device further includes another concave Luer adapter disposed at the proximal end of the elongated neck, wherein the distal end of the retainer includes another convex Luer adapter, wherein the other concave Luer adapter is coupled to the other convex Luer adapter.

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