B. Braun Medical Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted 510(k) clearance of its Introcan Safety 3 Closed IV Catheter, the next generation of B. Braun’s Introcan Safety IV Catheter. B. Braun made the announcement during the Association for Vascular Access 2011 Annual Scientific Meeting in San Jose, Calif., in early October.

"Recent research confirms passive safety engineered devices are most effective for needlestick injury prevention," said Tom Sutton, Vice President of Vascular Access and IV Systems for B. Braun. "The Introcan Safety 3 is designed to provide clinicians with not only an effective passive needlestick safety device, but also an added layer of safety and control with a bidirectional blood control valve to aid in the prevention of blood exposure each time the device is accessed."

B. Braun’s Introcan Safety 3 will provide protection through:

• Passive safety needle shield to aid in the prevention of needlestick injuries

• Multiple access blood control valve to aid in the prevention of blood exposure

• Integrated stabilization platform to improve catheter stability and minimize movement within the vessel