INTRAVENOUS CATHETER BLOOD CONTROL DEVICE

• US 20090281481A1
• Filed: 05/12/2008
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Harding, Weston F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,366,684 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0036 characterised by a septum having particular features, e.g. having venting channels or being made from antimicrobial or self-lubricating elastomer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/062 used with a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0633 the seal being a passive seal made of a resilient material with or without an opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/064 Slit-valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0606 "Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/06 Haemostasis valves, i.e. gaskets sealing around a needle, catheter or the like, closing on removal thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0606 without means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus to control blood flow through an intravenous catheter in accordance with the present invention may include a substantially resilient helical outer shell and an inner valve portion formed therein. The inner valve portion may be configured to open upon compressing the substantially resilient helical outer shell. In some embodiments, the inner valve portion may include mating portions that substantially align to provide fluid leakage therebetween. Compressing the substantially resilient helical outer shell by, for example, inserting a Luer device into a catheter adapter containing the substantially resilient outer shell, may cause the mating portions to misalign, thereby creating a fluid path.

Claims

1. An apparatus to control blood flow through an intravenous catheter, the apparatus comprising:

a substantially resilient helical outer shell; and

an inner valve portion formed within the substantially resilient helical outer shell, the inner valve portion configured to open upon compressing the substantially resilient helical outer shell.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substantially resilient helical outer shell comprises an elastomeric material.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elastomeric material comprises silicone rubber.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner valve portion comprises mating portions that substantially align to provide controlled fluid leakage therebetween.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein compressing the substantially resilient helical outer shell causes the mating portions to misalign to create a fluid path.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the mating portions are configured to receive a needle therebetween.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substantially resilient helical outer shell is configured to be retained within a catheter adapter.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the substantially resilient helical outer shell is oriented within the catheter adapter such that a Luer device inserted into the catheter adapter compresses the substantially resilient helical outer shell.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the substantially resilient helical outer shell is translated towards a catheter coupled to an end of the catheter adapter upon insertion of the Luer device.

10. A method to control blood flow through an intravenous catheter, the method comprising:

providing a substantially resilient helical outer shell;

forming within the substantially resilient helical outer shell an inner valve portion;

positioning the substantially resilient helical outer shell within a catheter adapter; and

orienting the substantially resilient helical outer shell such that a Luer device inserted into the catheter adapter compresses the substantially resilient helical outer shell to open the inner valve portion.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein forming within the substantially resilient helical outer shell an inner valve portion comprises molding mating portions within the substantially resilient helical outer shell that substantially align to provide controlled fluid leakage therebetween.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein compressing the substantially resilient helical outer shell causes the mating portions to misalign to create a fluid path.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the mating portions comprise a substantially elastomeric material.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the mating portions are configured to selectively deform to receive a needle therebetween.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the substantially resilient helical outer shell comprises an elastomeric material.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising inserting the Luer device into the catheter adapter to compress the substantially resilient helical outer shell.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein inserting the Luer device into the catheter adapter further translates at least a portion of the substantially resilient helical outer shell towards a catheter coupled to an end of the catheter adapter.

18. An intravenous catheter assembly to control fluid flow through an intravenous catheter, the intravenous catheter assembly comprising:

piercing means for piercing a blood vessel to acquire intravenous access;

intravenous catheter means for providing fluid communication between the blood vessel and fluid administration means for administering a fluid to a patient; and

valve means for controlling fluid flow through the intravenous catheter means, the valve means comprising substantially resilient helical outer shell means for positioning within the intravenous catheter means to mediate fluid flow, and inner valve means for creating a fluid path upon compressing the substantially resilient helical outer shell means.

19. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 18, wherein the substantially resilient helical outer shell means is oriented within the intravenous catheter means such that a Luer device inserted into the intravenous catheter means compresses the substantially resilient helical outer shell means to open the inner valve means.

20. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 18, wherein the inner valve means comprises mating means for providing controlled fluid leakage therebetween.