CATHETER ASSEMBLIES ARE GENERALLY DISCUSSED HEREIN WITH PARTICULAR DISCUSSIONS EXTENDED TO CATHETER ASSEMBLIES HAVING A TIP PROTECTOR (50), A VALVE (46), A VALVE OPENER (48), AND OPTIONALLY A NEEDLE WIPER. THE VALVE OPENER (48) IS DISPOSED INSIDE A CATHETER HUB (14) AND IS CONFIGURED TO BE PUSHED BY AN IV SET LUER CONNECTOR TO OPEN A VALVE FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL CATHETERIZATION TO PASS FLUIDS OR OTHER SOLUTIONS THROUGH THE CATHETER. A TIP PROTECTOR (50) 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 (16) WHEN THE SAME IS RETRACTED FROM THE CATHETER.
