MicroClave Neutral Displacement Connector

Overview

The design of your needlefree intravenous (IV) connectors plays a substantial role in your ability to limit hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSI).¹ The neutral displacement straight fluid path design, split-septum and minimal deadspace of the MicroClave work together to help minimize blood reflux into the tip of the catheter upon connection or disconnection of the luer. Not only does MicroClave provide enhanced patient safety through innovative technology, but it has also been proven to provide an effective microbial barrier against bacteria transfer and contamination.^2,3

The MicroClave can be used on all peripheral, arterial, and central venous catheters for the administration of IV fluids or medications, and can be used with blood products. Because it is a neutral displacement device, MicroClave does not require a change in clinical practice or technique and may help you address recent concerns raised by the FDA regarding the safety of positive displacement connectors.⁴

MicroClave | Neutral Displacement Connector

How it works

Unique features of the MicroClave that may help reduce the risk of bacterial contamination:

Split-septum is noted in the CDC guidelines as a preferred design feature for connectors.⁵
Straight fluid path allows for clearing of blood and blood residual with low flush volumes.⁶
Minimal deadspace(also referred to as residual volume) of 0.04 mL allows for lower flush volumes.
Flat smooth swabbable surface for ease of disnfection.
Allows a saline flush option, which can eliminate the risk of Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT).
Clamping sequence not required, reducing educational burden and risk of error.
Approved for use with power injectors.

Compare Flushing Efficiencies
of Needlefree Connectors

Accessing the Fluid Path:

When MicroClave is not beeing accessed, the silicone seal forms a safe, swabbable barrier to bacterial ingress.
Upon luer access, the silicone seal is depressed and the fluid path windows are exposed through the device's split septum.
Fluid is either infused or aspirated through the connector and catheter via the dedicated straight internal fluid path.

Technical Specifications

Residual Volume:0.04 mL

Flow Rate at Gravity:165 mL/minute

Functional Activations: 600

Blood Compatibility: Yes

MRI Compatibility: Yes

High Pressure Compatibility: 10 mL/second

Drug Compatibility

Alcohol:Yes

Lipids:Yes

Chlorhexidine: Yes

Chemotherapy: Yes

Educational Seminars & Presentations

Needle-free Connectors: Split Septum vs. Mechanical Valve…Can this classification model predict infection risk? By Marcia Ryder, PhD MS RN. APIC 2010 Satellite Symposium, Tuesday, July 13th, 2010. Running time: 1hr. 27min. Click Here to View the Seminar >>

References

Jarvis W., MD. Choosing the Best Design for Intravenous Needleless Connectors to Prevent Bloodstream Infections. Infection Control Today, August 2010 View >
Ryder M, RN, PhD. Bacterial transfer through needlefree connectors: Comparison of nin different devices. Poster presented at the Annual Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) conference 2007, Abstract 412.
Moore C, RN, MBA, CIC. Maintained Low Rate of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections (CR-BSIs) After Discontinuation of a Luer Access Device (LAD) At an Academic Medical Center. Poster presented at the annual Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Conference 2010, Abstract 4-028.View >
FDA Medical Device Safety Alert, July 28, 2010: Letter to Infection Control Practitioners Regarding Positive Displacement Needleless Connectors View >
Guideline for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections, Final Issue Review, May 17, 2010 View >
Data on file at ICU Medical. Low Volume Flush Characteristics of Unique Needlefree Connectors M1-1223 Rev. 1.

Product Literature

Product Comparisons

Publications

Developing a Closed, Intravenous Medication System for a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (131 KB)
Tanner J, Neonatal Intensive Care Journal, July-August 2012

View >

Efficacy of three different valve systems of needle-free closed connectors in avoiding access of microorganisms to endovascular catheters after incorrect handling (73 KB)
Yébenes J, Delgado M, Sauca G, Serra-Prat M, Solsona M, Almirall J, et al. Critical Care Medicine, 2008

View >

A needleless closed system device (Clave®) protects from intravascular catheter tip and hub colonization: a prospective randomized study (74 KB)
Bouza E, Munoz P, Lopez-Rodriguez J, Jesus Perez M, Rincon C, et al. Journal of Hospital Infection, 2003

View >

Clinical Reports

Comparison of Bacterial Transfer and Biofilm Formation on Intraluminal Catheter Surfaces Among Eight Connectors in a Clinically Simulated in vitro Model (107 KB)
Ryder M, Pulcini E, Parker A, James G. Presented at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Clinical Nutrition Week, February 2013

View >

Differences in bacterial transfer and fluid path colonization through needlefree connector-catheter systems in vitro (84 KB)
Ryder M, James GA, Pulcini E, deLancey, Bickle L, Parker AE. Presented at INS, May, 2011

View >

Evaluation of the Clave Technology and Resistance to Microbial Ingress (100 KB)
2008

View >

Significantly decreased rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) after discontinuation of a luer access device (LAD) at an academic medical center (72 KB)
Moore C, Landreth R, Maschmeier C, Snyder K, Priestly G, Elliott S. Presented at SHEA 2009, APIC 2010, and Facing the Challenge of CRBSIs. Managing Infection Control, November, 2009

View >

Maintained low rate of catheter related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) after discontinuation of a luer access device (LAD) at an academic medical center (72 KB)
Moore C, Landreth R, Maschmeier C, Snyder K, Priestly G, et al. Presented at APIC, July, 2010

View >

The in vivo evaluation of the flushing efficiency of different designs of clear needle-free connectors (94 KB)
Breznock EM, Sylvia CJ Jr. BioSurg, Inc., 2011

View >

Bacterial transfer through needlefree connectors: comparison of nine different devices (73 KB)
Ryder M, Fisher S, Hamilton G, Hamilton M, James G. Presented at the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America Annual Scientific Meeting, April 2007

View >

Product Reference

Disinfect to Protect

When placing a new MicroClave on a catheter, disinfect the catheter hub and prime the MicroClave.
Before accessing a MicroClave, always disinfect the injection site with the approved antiseptic per facility protocol.
Scrub the injection site in accordance with facility protocol for appropriate scrubbing and dry times.

Disinfect to Protect

Administer or Aspirate

Attach IV tubing, syringe or blood tube holder to MicroClave by inserting the luer and twisting ¼ turn, or until a friction fit is achieved.
Do not over-tighten a luer beyond the friction fit as this may damage both the luer and the MicroClave.
To disconnect, grasp MicroClave and then twist the mating luer away from MicroClave until loose. Do not hold catheter hub during disconnect as this may cause accidental removal of MicroClave from hub.

Administer or Aspirate

Flush After Each Use

Flush the MicroClave with normal saline or in accordance with facility protocol. After blood use, the MicroClave can be flushed clean and does not require change-out.
Use routine flushing in accordance with facility protocol in order to maintain catheter patency.
Change MicroClave in accordance with facility protocol and CDC guidelines.