CATHETER ASSEMBLIES (10) ARE GENERALLY DISCUSSED HEREIN WITH PARTICULAR DISCUSSIONS EXTENDED TO CATHETER ASSEMBLIES (10) HAVING A TIP PROTECTOR, A VALVE (46), A VALVE OPENER, AND OPTIONALLY A NEEDLE WIPER. THE VALVE OPENER IS DISPOSED INSIDE A CATHETER HUB (14) AND IS CONFIGURED TO BE PUSHED BY AN IV SET LUER CONNECTOR TO OPEN A VALVE (46) FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL CATHETERIZATION TO PASS FLUIDS OR OTHER SOLUTIONS THROUGH THE CATHETER. A TIP PROTECTOR IS INCORPORATED TO BLOCK THE NEEDLE TIP (72) AND PREVENT THE SAME FROM ACCIDENTAL NEEDLE STICK. A WIPER IS OPTIONALLY INCLUDED TO WIPE BLOOD DEPOSITS ON THE NEEDLE WHEN THE SAME RETRACTED FROM THE CATHETER. (FIG. 2)
