Locking catheter connector and method

• US 20060264814A1
• Filed: 03/30/2006
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sage, Shahn S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,678,101 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/67
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1027 Quick-acting type connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1044 Verifying the connection, e.g. audible feedback, tactile feedback, visual feedback, using external light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1011 Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/12 for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation

Abstract

Connectors, connection systems, and methods for coupling a catheter or catheter assembly to a stem of a medical device. Exemplary connectors may include a seal attached at or near a proximal end of the catheter, and a tubular housing that includes a locking member operable to connect the catheter to the medical device, preferably without the use of tools. Exemplary methods may include: inserting the stem of the device into the housing, wherein the housing is configured to press the seal against the stem, compressing the seal, and moving the locking member into a locked position.

Claims

1. A connector for removably coupling a catheter to a medical device, the connector comprising:

a tubular housing comprising an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein the interior surface defines a lumen configured to receive both a proximal end portion of the catheter and a stem of the medical device, and further wherein a lock opening extends through the housing between the exterior surface and the interior surface; and

a locking member comprising a locking leg movable, relative to the lock opening, between an unlocked position, wherein the locking leg is located at or beyond the interior surface, and a locked position, wherein the locking leg protrudes inwardly past the interior surface and into the lumen of the housing.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the locking member engages a groove formed in the stem of the medical device when the locking member is in the locked position.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the locking member is pivotally attached to the housing.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the proximal end portion of the catheter comprises a seal.

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein the seal comprises a flange portion comprising a contact surface configured to contact an abutting surface located on the interior surface of the housing.

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein the seal further comprises a body portion extending from the flange portion.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the body portion of the seal comprises a tapered outer surface.

8. The connector of claim 4, wherein the housing is configured to at least partially surround the seal.

9. The connector of claim 4, wherein the seal is attached to the catheter with an adhesive.

10. The connector of claim 4, wherein the seal is molded to the catheter.

11. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a cover member configured to at least partially surround the housing.

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein the cover member is radiopaque.

13. The connector of claim 1, wherein the lock opening in the housing forms at least one receiving slot configured to accommodate the locking leg of the locking member.

14. The connector of claim 13, wherein the locking member is captivated by the at least one receiving slot.

15. The connector of claim 13, wherein the locking member comprises two locking legs.

16. The connector of claim 15, wherein the two locking legs are connected to form a substantially U-shaped locking member.

17. The connector of claim 15, wherein each locking leg defines a secant with respect to a cross section of the lumen of the housing when the locking member is in the locked position.

18. The connector of claim 15, wherein the housing comprises at least two receiving slots.

19. The connector of claim 15, wherein the two locking legs each comprise a pivoting locking wing.

20. The connector of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a stop portion, and wherein the locking leg further comprises a first lock tab configured to contact the stop portion when the locking member is moved from the locked position.

21. The connector of claim 20, wherein the locking leg further comprises a second lock tab configured to contact the stem of the medical device when the locking member is moved from the locked position.

22. The connector of claim 1, wherein the medical device comprises an implantable infusion pump.

23. A method for coupling a catheter to a medical device, the method comprising:

inserting a stem of the medical device into a tubular housing of a catheter connector, the tubular housing surrounding a seal of the catheter;

compressing the seal against the stem sufficiently to align two lock openings formed through a wall of the tubular housing with a groove formed in the stem; and

moving a locking leg, relative to each of the lock openings, to a locked position, wherein the locking leg extends through the tubular housing and into the groove.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein moving the locking leg comprises pivoting the locking leg relative to the lock opening of the tubular housing prior to inserting the stem of the device into the housing.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising sliding a cover member axially over the tubular housing prior to inserting the stem of the device into the housing.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the cover member biases the locking leg to the locked position.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein moving the locking leg comprises translating the locking leg relative to the lock opening of the tubular housing.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the seal comprises a flange portion comprising a contact surface configured to contact an abutting surface located on an interior surface of the tubular housing.

29. A connection system for coupling medical tubing to a stem of a medical device, the system comprising:

a catheter assembly comprising the medical tubing and a seal attached at or near a proximal end of the tubing, the seal comprising;

a flange portion comprising a contact surface, the flange portion substantially normal to a longitudinal axis of the medical tubing; and

a tapered body portion extending from the flange portion of the seal;

a tubular housing comprising an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein the interior surface defines a lumen configured to receive both a proximal end portion of the catheter assembly and the stem of the medical device, and further wherein a lock opening extends through the housing between the exterior surface and the interior surface;

a locking member comprising a locking leg movable, relative to the lock opening, between an unlocked position, wherein the locking leg is located at or beyond the interior surface, and a locked position, wherein the locking leg protrudes inwardly past the interior surface and into the lumen of the housing; and

a cover member configured to at least partially surround the housing member when the locking member is in the locked position.

30. The connection system of claim 29, wherein the medical device is an implantable infusion pump.