Closed system catheter

Inventors

Abitabilo, James Edward • Akcay, Gursel • Breindel, Jay T. • Chheda, Harsh D. • Felicito, Kathryn • Goral, David J. • Muskatello, James • Roehl, Christopher

Assignees

ICU Medical Inc

Abstract

A catheter hub assembly. The catheter hub assembly includes a catheter hub body, a septum and a septum retainer, the catheter hub body having a distal end, a proximal and an internal wall defining an internal fluid passageway therebetween, the internal wall defining a transitional step within the internal fluid passageway, the septum positioned within the internal fluid passageway such that a distal end of the septum abuts up against the transitional step, the septum retainer at least partially receivable within the internal fluid passageway and having an outer wall shaped and sized to interlock with the inner wall of the catheter hub body, the outer wall including one or more lateral ribs configured to inhibit rotation of the septum retainer relative to the catheter hub body.

Core Innovation

A catheter assembly is provided with a catheter hub that defines an internal fluid passageway and includes a transitional step provided within the internal fluid passageway. A septum is positioned within the internal fluid passageway such that the distal end of the septum abuts the transitional step. A septum retainer is fitted into the internal fluid passageway so that an interlock is configured between outer and inner wall surfaces, with the septum retainer contacting the proximal end of the septum and providing an aperture at the distal end of the septum retainer to provide an opening to the surface at the proximal end of the septum.

A catheter assembly further includes a catheter insertion device with a needle hub and a needle having a distal sharp tip that slidably inserts through the septum into the internal fluid passageway and the catheter tube. In a ready to use position, the distal sharp tip extends beyond the distal opening of the catheter tube, and when the needle is withdrawn from the catheter hub, the distal sharp tip is housed in a needle housing in a safe position. The septum retainer is configured to interlock with the catheter hub when the distal end of the septum retainer makes abutment contact with the surface at the proximal end of the septum.

The described catheter assembly includes fluid path components that provide additional connection and air management. A side port at the wall of the catheter hub is in fluid communication with the internal fluid passageway, and an extension tube is coupled to the side port to establish fluid communication with the internal fluid passageway. A needleless connector is shiftable between an actively opened position and a biased closed position, and a vent cap is operable between a storage position and an actively depressed position to open venting to vent trapped air within the catheter assembly.

Retention and sealing are addressed by the relationship between the septum, the transitional step, and the interlocking septum retainer features. The septum may be circumferentially compressed against the inner surface of the catheter hub to reseal the septum after needle removal. Snap-fit interlocking is described using a circumferential ridge and a circumferential channel between the septum retainer and the catheter hub, and a septum retainer-to-hub configuration is described to inhibit rearward movement by the septum by abutment contact between the septum retainer distal end and the proximal end surface of the septum.

Claims Coverage

The provided partial content identifies three independent claims: clm-00001, clm-00006, and clm-00015. Across these independent claims, the core inventive features cover a catheter hub/septum/septum-retainer arrangement with a transitional step and interlocking retention, a needle-driven insertion device with ready-to-use and safe positions, and additional features including a side port and an extension tube, optionally combined with a needleless connector and a vent cap for venting trapped air.

The independent claims collectively cover a closed catheter hub architecture where a septum abuts an internal transitional step and is retained by a septum retainer that interlocks with the hub. They further require a needle insertion device that provides a ready to use position with the distal sharp tip extending beyond the catheter tube opening and a safe position with the tip housed in a needle housing upon withdrawal. Additional independent coverage includes a side port and extension tube establishing fluid communication with the internal fluid passageway.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications

No documented applications found