Devices and methods are provided for inserting a sterile
catheter, and for maintaining a sterilely sealed
catheter and
catheter insertion site over time. In one embodiment, a four-part integrated
system is provided that includes (1) a novel
vascular catheter with integrated uniform
diameter mounting, capping, and
needle safety procurement features; (2) a novel
vascular catheter dressing designed to specifically mate with and seal to this
vascular catheter to achieve a sterile seal both at the catheter-
skin insertion site and the catheter-dressing
exit site; (3) a hub protection and sterilizing apparatus that serves to stabilize, protect, and sterilize the working end of the
catheter hub as it protrudes from the sterile dressing, and that also helps to improve the ergonomics of the catheter-dressing complex in order to avoid
snagging on clothing etc.; and (4) a whole dressing accessory secondary cover and securement device. Together, the components of this
system work in a novel fashion to achieve a sterile, sealed, and fully secure
vascular access site. While each of the four components can work together as part of an integrated
system, each component can also be utilized individually, in any combination, or in conjunction with existing dressing-catheter technologies.