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Publication Number
US-10426943-B2
Publication Date
2019-10-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
An insert for a luer-type catheter connection includes a fluid pathway connecting a female end and a male end. The male end is configured for slidable insertion into a female luer fitting of a catheter, and the female end is configured to receive a male luer nozzle of a fluid delivery device. The insert also includes a threaded collar having internal threading faced for coupling with the female luer fitting and external threading faced for coupling with a locking collar on the fluid delivery device. A cartridge located in the fluid pathway is configured to hold a patency agent and further to release the patency agent into the catheter when fluid is passed through the cartridge.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an insert for a luer-type catheter connection that includes a male end shaped for insertion into a female luer fitting of a catheter, and a female end shaped to receive and attach to a male luer nozzle of a fluid delivery device. A fluid pathway connects the female end and the male end, and a cartridge located in the fluid pathway holds a patency agent comprising an antiseptic.
The cartridge is positioned for the patency agent to be released from the cartridge and into the catheter as a locking fluid flows through the fluid pathway and comes in direct contact with the patency agent. The locking fluid and the patency agent are thereby locked within a lumen of the catheter.
The cartridge geometry is configured to reduce flow resistance and enable diffusion and distribution of the patency agent within the fluid pathway and into the catheter lumen. The cartridge can be formed using porous material, including sponge or foam, or fiber or ceramic, and the insert can also include an end cap, including a removable self-sealing injectable end cap, to cap the access port between uses.
Claims Coverage
The patent excerpt includes two independent claims, and across them there are five main inventive elements.
Dual luer-type catheter connection insert with cartridge-held patency agent
An insert for a luer-type catheter connection having a male end shaped for insertion into a female luer fitting of a catheter, a female end shaped to receive and attach to a male luer nozzle of a fluid delivery device, a fluid pathway connecting the female end and the male end, and a cartridge located in the fluid pathway holding a patency agent comprising an antiseptic.
Direct-contact release and locking of patency agent into catheter lumen via locking fluid
The cartridge is positioned for the patency agent to be released from the cartridge and into the catheter as a locking fluid flows through the fluid pathway and comes in direct contact with the patency agent, thereby locking the locking fluid and the patency agent within a lumen of the catheter.
Cartridge sizing leaving intervening space and enabling flow around the cartridge
The cartridge is sized and shaped such that locking fluid flows around the cartridge and such that the cartridge is sized and shaped to leave an intervening space between the cartridge and the male luer nozzle of the fluid delivery device when attached to the female end.
Connecting luer insert, coupling fluid delivery device, and flowing locking fluid for delivery
A method for locking a catheter that connects an insert to a catheter by inserting the male end into the luer fitting, couples a fluid delivery device containing locking fluid to the female end, and flows the locking fluid through the fluid pathway into the catheter so the locking fluid comes in direct contact with the patency agent while flowing so the patency agent is delivered with the locking fluid into the lumen of the catheter.
Claim coverage centers on an insert with a cartridge holding an antiseptic patency agent positioned in a luer-type fluid pathway so that locking fluid directly contacts and releases the patency agent into the catheter lumen, with cartridge sizing and geometry that direct flow around the cartridge and leave an intervening space. A corresponding catheter-locking method connects the insert to a catheter, couples a fluid delivery device containing locking fluid, and flows the locking fluid to deliver the patency agent into the catheter lumen.
Stated Advantages
Maintains patency.
Reduces infection, including blood stream infections.
Reduces blood clotting.
Reduces biofouling.
Documented Applications
Catheter locking using a luer-type catheter connection insert with a cartridge holding a patency agent and a fluid delivery device containing locking fluid.
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