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BD Arterial Cannula with Floswitch (20G/22G — Peripheral Arterial Access)
IV Infusion and Transfusion

BD Arterial Cannula with Floswitch (20G/22G — Peripheral Arterial Access)

Pack Sizes Available

25 units per box

Product Description

The radial artery is not a forgiving location for inferior equipment. It sits at the wrist, smaller than a peripheral vein, and the clinical team doing the arterial line needs insertion to work on the first or second attempt. After insertion, that line stays in place for continuous blood pressure monitoring or serial arterial blood gas draws — sometimes for days. The material and design of the cannula matter from the moment of insertion to the moment of removal. BD Arterial Cannulas have been used successfully for peripheral arterial access since 1980. The catheter body is made from FEP or PUR — both fluoropolymer materials with a critical property: they remain pliable at body temperature without softening excessively, which means the catheter tracks well through tissue after the needle is withdrawn and holds its position against arterial pressure without kinking. The atraumatic needle bevel assists first-pass insertion and reduces the intimal trauma that increases the risk of postprocedural arterial occlusion. The Floswitch is the feature that distinguishes this design from basic arterial cannulas. It is an on/off valve integrated directly onto the hub that prevents blood backflow and exposure when the transducer tubing is being connected or disconnected. This matters for two reasons: air embolism risk (a Floswitch-closed hub prevents air entering an open arterial circuit) and blood exposure risk for the clinical team. The needle safety guard activates on withdrawal, covering the sharp needle bevel automatically to prevent needlestick after the cannulation is complete. The 20G size (1.1 x 45mm, red) is the most widely used for adult radial artery lines. The 22G (0.9 x 25mm, blue) is selected where arterial calibre is smaller or in patients at higher risk of occlusion — evidence from comparative trials suggests lower thrombosis rates with 22G in higher-risk populations. For critical care equipment distributors, hospital procurement offices, and ICU consumable buyers — arterial cannulas are a non-optional stock item in every ICU and theatre environment running haemodynamic monitoring. Sara Wellness exports BD arterial access products and related critical care consumables to international wholesale buyers. Fifteen years of export experience. Direct one-on-one communication on every order, flexible MOQ arrangements, and correct documentation for your import destination.

Technical Specifications

  • Brand and REF: BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company); REF 682245 (20G); BD Arterial Cannula with Floswitch; peripheral arterial catheter for invasive blood pressure monitoring and arterial blood gas sampling; in clinical use since 1980
  • Sizes and Dimensions: 20G x 1.1mm x 45mm (red hub) | 22G x 0.9mm x 25mm (blue hub); flow rate 20G: approximately 61 ml/min; flow rate 22G: approximately 36 ml/min; catheter-over-needle insertion design (Seldinger-free technique)
  • Catheter Material: FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) or PUR (Polyurethane) catheter body; stainless steel introducer needle with atraumatic bevel; fluoropolymer catheter remains pliable at body temperature with high kink resistance and compatibility with arterial pressure
  • Safety Features: Integral Floswitch on/off valve — prevents blood backflow, reduces air embolism risk, reduces blood exposure during tubing connection/disconnection; needle safety guard — automatically activates on needle withdrawal to cover sharp bevel; wings on hub for fixation
  • Regulatory Status: BD (Becton, Dickinson) CE marked; FDA cleared; ISO 13485 certified BD manufacturing; CDSCO compliant India; clinical evaluation based on use since 1980 including EU Essential Requirements compliance (Section 13.3 and 13.6); for single use in arterial cannulation only
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The BD Arterial Cannula is designed specifically for insertion into peripheral arteries — most commonly the radial artery at the wrist — for two clinical purposes: continuous invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring and serial arterial blood gas sampling. Unlike a standard IV peripheral cannula (which is inserted into a vein to deliver fluids and medications), an arterial cannula must withstand the high-pressure pulsatile blood flow of the arterial system. The catheter material (FEP or PUR fluoropolymer), hub design, and Floswitch on/off valve are all specifically engineered for arterial use. IV cannulas must not be used for arterial access as they are not designed for arterial pressure, the risk of accidental arterial drug injection without an on/off valve is dangerous, and the materials and gauges differ.

The Floswitch is an integrated on/off switching mechanism built into the BD Arterial Cannula hub. When set to the off position, it prevents blood backflow from the cannula, thereby reducing the risk of air embolism (which would occur if an open-hub arterial cannula lost connection to the transducer tubing) and reducing the risk of blood exposure to healthcare workers during transducer line connection or disconnection. The Floswitch allows the clinical team to close off the arterial line during tubing changes without requiring a separate tap or stopcock, simplifying the connection procedure and improving safety. BD's clinical evaluation has confirmed that this feature reduces both air entry risk and contamination risk during line management.

The BD Arterial Cannula is available in 20G x 1.1mm x 45mm (red hub, REF 682245) and 22G x 0.9mm x 25mm (blue hub). The 20G is the most commonly used size for adult radial arterial lines as its flow characteristics allow adequate blood sampling and pressure waveform fidelity. The 22G is preferred in specific clinical scenarios: in patients with smaller or more fragile arteries (elderly patients, patients with peripheral vascular disease or atherosclerosis), in paediatric patients, and when reducing post-procedural arterial occlusion risk is a priority. Comparative trial data indicates that a 22G catheter in high-risk populations such as atherosclerotic patients produces significantly lower arterial occlusion rates (6% vs 26% in one published RCT) and fewer puncture attempts compared with 20G.

The BD Arterial Cannula needle safety guard is an integrated safety feature that automatically activates upon withdrawal of the introducer needle from the cannula hub after successful arterial cannulation. As the needle is retracted, the guard moves to cover the sharp needle bevel, preventing accidental needlestick injury during the cannulation procedure's final step. This passive safety mechanism requires no deliberate activation by the operator — it engages as part of the normal withdrawal motion. This is consistent with OSHA and many national occupational health requirements for engineered sharps injury prevention in clinical settings where sharps exposure risk is high, such as arterial line placement in ICU and theatre environments.

After successful arterial cannulation using the BD Arterial Cannula, the wings integrated into the cannula hub are used to facilitate secure fixation. The wings provide a flat, stable surface for suturing or taping to the patient's skin to prevent displacement. The insertion site should be stabilised on a padded arm board to minimise cannula movement from patient wrist flexion, which is the most common cause of arterial line kinkling and positional blood pressure trace dampening. An occlusive transparent dressing over the insertion site allows continuous visual monitoring of the site for haematoma or signs of infection. The transducer tubing connection via the Floswitch should be confirmed secure before the hand is returned to rest position.

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