Multifunction adaptor for an open-ended catheter

• US 20050261664A1
• Filed: 03/08/2005
• Published: 11/24/2005
• 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., Evans, John G., Hibdon, Dwight, Rome, Guy T., Zawacki, John A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,578,803 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/508
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/062 used with a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0686 comprising more than one seal
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0097 characterised by the hub connectors A61M39/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0606 without means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/12 for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/225 Flush valves, i.e. bypass valves for flushing line

Abstract

A multifunction adaptor for an open-ended catheter that allows placement of the catheter while minimizing the risk of air embolism or blood loss through the open (proximal) end of the catheter body. In one variation, the design allows passage of a standard guidewire for “over-the-guidewire” placement techniques and a connection for catheter flushing using a standard syringe. In another variation, the multifunction adaptor is configured for coupling a tunneler to the proximal end of a catheter.

Claims

1. An adaptor comprising:

a housing including a passageway extending therethrough, a distal end of the housing being configured for temporary attachment to a proximal end of a catheter, a proximal portion of the passageway being configured to receive a tunneler; and

a valve positioned within the passageway.

2. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the valve includes a guidewire guide.

3. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a polymeric structure including an hourglass-shaped lumen and a slit opening at a proximal end of the polymeric structure.

4. The adaptor according to claim 1, further comprising a compression mechanism positioned within the passageway for securing a tunneler within the passageway.

5. The adaptor according to claim 4, wherein the compression mechanism comprises a compression sleeve or a locking disk.

6. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the proximal portion of the passageway further comprises a tapered surface configured to receive a male luer, and a raised surface profile for engaging a proximal barbed end of the tunneler.

7. The adaptor according to claim 6, further comprising a locking disk positioned within the passageway for engaging a distal tapered end of the tunneler.

8. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the passageway includes a first mechanism for engaging a tapered end of the tunneler, and further includes a second mechanism for engaging a barbed end of the tunneler.

9. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the housing is further configured with a male luer lock interface.

10. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein a distal portion of the housing comprises a locking collar, and the proximal portion of the passageway further comprises a tapered surface configured to receive a male luer.

11. The adaptor according to claim 9, wherein a proximal portion of the passageway further comprises an interface for gripping onto the barb on the tunneler, and an interface for gripping onto the tapered end of the tunneler.

12. The adaptor according to claim 9, wherein the valve includes a guidewire guide.

13. The adaptor according to claim 9, wherein the valve comprises polymeric structure including an hourglass-shaped lumen and a slit opening at the proximal end of the polymeric structure, and wherein the proximal portion of the passageway further comprises a tapered surface configured to receive a male luer.

14. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a barb-shaped locking interface at the distal end of the housing.

15. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the passageway further comprises a channel for centering a guidewire, the channel being positioned distal of the valve.

16. An adaptor comprising:

a housing including a passageway extending therethrough, a distal end of the housing being configured for temporary attachment to a proximal end of a catheter, a proximal portion of the passageway being configured to receive a male luer;

a valve positioned within the passageway; and

a guidewire guide located within the passageway and distal of the valve.

17. The adaptor according to claim 16, wherein the valve and the guidewire guide are integrated within a polymeric structure, the polymeric structure includes an hourglass-shaped lumen and a slit opening at the proximal end of the polymeric structure, and the adaptor further comprises an interface located within the passageway for engaging a tunneler.

18. The adaptor according to claim 16, further comprising a locking collar located at a distal portion of the housing for engaging the proximal end of the catheter.

19. A method of placing a catheter into a patient comprising:

sealing the proximal end of the catheter with an adaptor that includes a valve;

inserting the distal end of the catheter over a guidewire and advancing the catheter into the patient;

passing the guidewire through the valve to exit a proximal end of the adaptor;

removing the guidewire from the catheter; and

inserting a tunneler into the proximal end of the adaptor.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:

tunneling a proximal portion of the catheter through a subcutaneous channel in the patient'"'"'s body;

inserting a male luer on a syringe into the proximal end of the adaptor;

infusing a lumen of the catheter with fluids; and

/or

removing the tunneler along with the adaptor from the proximal end of the catheter.

21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

removing the tunneler;

removing the adaptor; and

attaching an extension tubing to the proximal end of the catheter.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the valve comprises a slit opening and a guidewire guide.

23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the valve comprises a polymeric structure including an hourglass-shaped lumen, and a slit opening at the proximal end of the polymeric structure.

24. A multifunctional adaptor configured for attachment to a proximal end of a catheter, comprising:

a housing including a lumen therethrough;

means for sealing the lumen except when the adaptor is being accessed by an medical instrument; and

means for coupling the housing to a tunneler.

25. The multifunctional adaptor according to claim 24, further comprising means for coupling the housing to a syringe.

26. An adaptor comprising:

a housing including a lumen extending from a distal end of the housing to the proximal end of the housing;

a valve positioned within the lumen; and

wherein the lumen further comprises a neck portion located proximal of the valve, and the neck portion being configured to receive a guidewire and form a seal around a circumferential surface of the guidewire.

27. The adaptor according to claim 26 further comprising:

a catheter, a proximal end of the catheter is coupled to the distal end of the housing.

28. The adaptor according to claim 26 wherein the distal end of the housing comprises an interface for connection to a proximal end of a catheter.

29. The adaptor according to claim 28 wherein a proximal portion of the adaptor further comprises an interface for receiving a tunneler.

30. The adaptor according to claim 26 wherein the valve and the neck portion of the lumen are integrated within a single piece of polymeric material, and the neck portion comprises a circular lumen cross-section for sealing around the guidewire.