FLUSHING STYLET

Systems and methods for use medical procedures including catheters and stylets are disclosed. The catheter includes a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a lumen, and the wall defining at least one side opening from the outer surface to the inner surface. The stylet includes an elongate body defining a passage and at least one aperture in fluid communication with the passage. The stylet also includes a first blocking dam secured to the elongate body proximal to the at least one aperture and a second blocking dam secured to the elongate body distal to the at least one aperture. The stylet is movable within the lumen to a position in which the first and second blocking dams are, respectively, proximal and distal to the at least one side opening of the catheter and each of the first and second blocking dams is sealingly engaged with the inner surface of the catheter such that fluid introduced into the lumen, from the passage and through the at least one aperture of the stylet, is directed through the at least one side opening of the catheter.