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Publication Number
US-10751512-B2
Publication Date
2020-08-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
An intravenous (IV)catheter apparatus comprising: a tubular catheter (10) having a proximal end (50) and a distal end (16) mounted to a catheter hub (40); a needle (12) defining an axial direction (A) having a needle shaft (22) with a needle tip (14) at a distal end (16) and a needle hub mounted to the proximal end (50) of the needle shaft (22); a needle guard (30) arranged movably on the needle shaft (22), wherein said needle shaft (22) extends through said tubular catheter (10) such that said needle tip (14) of said needle (12) protrudes from said distal end (16) of said tubular catheter (10); and wherein said needle shaft (22) is provided with: an engagement means (26) adapted to engage with the said needle guard (30) in order to prevent said needle guard (30) from sliding off said needle tip (14); and one or more lateral openings (28) covered by said tubular catheter (10).
Core Innovation
An intravenous (IV) catheter apparatus is provided with a tubular catheter having a proximal end and a distal end mounted to a catheter hub, and a needle defining an axial direction (A) with a needle shaft and a needle tip at a distal end. The needle shaft extends through the tubular catheter such that the needle tip protrudes from the distal end of the tubular catheter, and a needle guard is arranged movably on the needle shaft.
The needle shaft includes engagement means adapted to engage with the needle guard in order to prevent the needle guard from sliding off the needle tip. The needle shaft is provided with at least two lateral openings arranged along the circumference of the needle shaft in a direction transverse to the axial direction (A) and covered by the tubular catheter.
Each lateral opening comprises a slit defining a longitudinal slit axis extending in a direction transverse to the axial direction (A), including a first lateral opening arranged proximal to the engagement means and a second lateral opening arranged distal to the engagement means, with the first and second lateral openings arranged on opposite sides of the needle shaft. The needle guard comprises a first arm and a second arm, and at least one lateral opening is arranged on the needle shaft out of a path of the first and second arms of the needle guard in the axial direction (A) when the needle is retracted.
This arrangement supports needle lumen-to-catheter interior communication through the lateral openings that are covered by the tubular catheter to provide visible blood flashback through a transparent catheter for improved venipuncture confirmation.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim defining the overall structure of an IV catheter apparatus with specific needle/guard engagement and lateral slit openings positioned and constrained relative to the needle guard during retraction. The inventive features are as follows.
Needle tip protrusion through tubular catheter
A needle shaft extends through the tubular catheter such that the needle tip of the needle protrudes from the distal end of the tubular catheter.
Movable needle guard prevented from sliding off
A needle guard arranged movably on the needle shaft, wherein the needle shaft includes engagement means adapted to engage with the needle guard in order to prevent the needle guard from sliding off the needle tip.
Transverse slits covered by tubular catheter with proximal and distal placement
At least two lateral openings arranged along the circumference of the needle shaft in a direction transverse to the axial direction (A) and covered by the tubular catheter, wherein each lateral opening comprises a slit defining a longitudinal slit axis extending in a direction transverse to the axial direction (A), the first lateral opening arranged proximal to the engagement means, and the second lateral opening arranged distal to the engagement means.
Opposite-side lateral openings and needle-guard-arm path avoidance
The first and second lateral openings are arranged on opposite sides of the needle shaft, and the needle guard comprises a first arm and a second arm wherein at least one lateral opening is arranged on the needle shaft out of a path of the first and second arms of the needle guard in the axial direction (A) when the needle is retracted.
Overall, the independent claim centers on a tubular catheter with a protruding needle tip, a movably arranged needle guard that is secured against sliding off by engagement means, and transverse slit-shaped lateral openings covered by the tubular catheter whose placement is coordinated relative to the engagement means and arranged out of the first and second needle-guard-arm path during retraction.
Stated Advantages
Enables rapid, visible blood flashback through a transparent catheter.
Improves venipuncture confirmation.
Documented Applications
Venipuncture confirmation using an IV catheter apparatus with visible blood flashback.
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