Valved catheter

• US 20050209572A1
• Filed: 03/18/2004
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Barron, William R., Hamatake, Bret, Rome, Guy
• Granted Patent: US 7,094,218 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/250
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0037 characterized by lumina being arranged side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0028 characterized by features relating to at least one lumen located at the proximal part of the catheter, e.g. alterations in lumen shape or valves catheter hubs A61M25/0097
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0075 Valve means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0097 characterised by the hub connectors A61M39/10

Abstract

A valved catheter that allows placement and withdrawal of an accessing device or attachable unit without the risk of air embolism or blood loss. The valved catheter includes a catheter tube having a necked portion in its proximal end that forms an integral valve, the necked portion being surrounded by a compression sleeve that biases the valve in a closed position.

Claims

1. A valved catheter, comprising a catheter tube and a compression sleeve, said catheter tube comprising at least one lumen and having a necked portion formed in a proximal end thereof, said compression sleeve being positioned around said necked portion, wherein said at least one lumen is biased in a closed position at said necked portion by said compression sleeve, and wherein said at least one lumen assumes an open position when an attachable unit or accessing device is inserted through said necked portion.

2. The valved catheter according to claim 1, wherein said catheter comprises a first lumen and a second lumen separated by a septum along a length of said catheter tube.

3. The valved catheter according to claim 2, wherein said valved catheter is attached to an attachable bifurcation, said attachable bifurcation providing substantially unobstructed flow of a fluid from said attachable bifurcation to said catheter tube.

4. The valved catheter according to claim 1, wherein said necked portion comprises a safety valve with substantially zero dead space.

5. The valved catheter according to claim 1, wherein said compression sleeve comprises a compression ring and a compression wedge.

6. The valved catheter according to claim 5, wherein said compression ring is made of a metal, polymer or spring steel material.

7. The valved catheter according to claim 1, wherein said compression sleeve is made of silicone.

8. The valved catheter according to claim 1, wherein said compression sleeve is made from a material that has a hardness in the range of approximately 50 to 80 Shore A, and wherein said catheter tube is made from a material that has a hardness in the range of approximately 40 to 60 Shore A.

9. The valved catheter according to claim 1, wherein said compression sleeve is made from a material that has a hardness in the range of approximately 70 to 100 Shore A, and wherein said catheter tube is made from a material that has a hardness in the range of approximately 60 to 80 Shore A.

10. The valved catheter according to claim 9, wherein said compression sleeve is made from a silicone material that has a hardness of approximately 80 Shore A, and wherein said catheter tube is made from a polyurethane material that has a hardness in the range of approximately 70 to 75 Shore A.