Phlebotomy needle with shape memory alloy flashback sensor

1. A phlebotomy device comprising:

a needle defining a lumen and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the distal end portion including a sharpened tip configured to pierce tissue;

a deformable valve positioned about the proximal end portion of the needle; and

a sensor formed of a shape memory alloy disposed at least partially within the lumen, the sensor having a first state and a second state;

wherein the sensor is configured to transition from the first state to the second state upon exposure to blood at physiological temperature and the deformable valve is configured to move between a first collapsed position and a second extended position upon transition of the sensor from the first state to the second state, the sensor being positioned to contact the deformable valve to move the deformable valve from the first collapsed position to the second extended position as the sensor transitions from the first state to the second state.

2. The phlebotomy device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is made of nickel-titanium alloy.

3. The phlebotomy device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a wire.

4. The phlebotomy device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the sensor has a generally helical shape.

5. The phlebotomy device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being fixed within the lumen of the needle.

6. The phlebotomy device according to claim 1 , further comprising a needle holder supporting the needle.

7. The phlebotomy device according to claim 6 , wherein the needle holder defines a cavity, wherein the distal end portion of the needle extends outwardly from the cavity and the proximal end portion of the needle is supported within the cavity.

8. The phlebotomy device according to claim 1 , wherein the deformable valve includes a tubular section, an indicator, and a weakened wall section connecting the tubular section and the indicator.

9. The phlebotomy device according to claim 8 , wherein the indicator is made of an elastomeric material.

10. The phlebotomy device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor extends proximally when transitioning from the first state to the second state.

11. A phlebotomy device comprising:

a needle defining a lumen and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the distal end portion including a sharpened tip configured to pierce tissue;

a sensor formed of a shape memory alloy disposed at least partially within the lumen, the sensor having a first state and a second state and being configured to transition from the first state to the second state upon exposure to blood at physiological temperature;

a needle holder supporting the needle and defining a cavity, wherein the distal end portion of the needle extends outwardly from the cavity and the proximal end portion of the needle is supported within the cavity; and

a deformable valve positioned about the proximal end portion of the needle, the deformable valve having a first configuration and a second configuration, the deformable valve contacting the sensor such that when the sensor is in the first state, the deformable valve is in the first configuration and when the sensor transitions to the second state, the deformable valve is moved to the second configuration.

12. The phlebotomy device according to claim 11 , wherein the deformable valve includes a tubular section, an indicator, and a weakened wall section connecting the tubular section and the indicator.

13. The phlebotomy device, according to claim 5 ,

wherein the sensor has a non-linear portion that transitions to a substantially linear state when in contact with blood at physiological temperature.

14. The phlebotomy device of claim 13 wherein the non-linear portion of the sensor has a sinusoidal configuration.