CATHETER INSERTION DEVICE

• US 20100249707A1
• Filed: 05/28/2010
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B Braun Melsungen AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: B Braun Melsungen AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Woehr, Kevin, Raines, Kenneth C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,328,762 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/164.80
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3415 for introducing tubes or catheters, e.g. gastrostomy tubes, drain catheters A61B17/3417 takes precedence; body piercing catheter guide needles A61M25/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/325 Means obstructing the needle passage at distal end of a needle protection sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0097 characterised by the hub connectors A61M39/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0606 "Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0618 having means for protecting only the distal tip of the needle, e.g. a needle guard
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0606 without means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0693 including means for seal penetration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/221 Frangible or pierceable closures within tubing A61M39/14 takes precedence; frangible closures for containers A61J1/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3273 freely sliding on needle shaft without connection to syringe or needle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Embodiments of a catheter insertion device are discussed comprising: an approximately hollow cylindrical catheter sleeve, at whose distal end a catheter is attached; a needle sleeve with a hollow needle, which is attached thereto and which, when ready for use, extends through the catheter sleeve and the catheter, and; a needle protective element that is arranged inside the catheter sleeve while being able to move on the needle. Said needle protective element has an engaging section that engages with an engaging device, which is formed in the vicinity of the needle tip, when the hollow needle is withdrawn from the catheter sleeve. A check valve is placed inside the catheter sleeve between the catheter and the needle protective element. The hollow needle, when ready for use, extends through said check valve, and the check valve automatically closes once the needle is withdrawn.

Claims

1. A catheter insertion device comprising:

a catheter tube attached to an end of a catheter hub, the catheter tube comprising a lumen and the catheter hub comprising an interior cavity;

a needle having a needle shaft defining a needle axis attached to an end of a needle hub, said needle projecting through the lumen of the catheter tube;

a valve for regulating fluid flow positioned inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub and in mechanical communication with a movable valve actuating element for opening the valve, and wherein the valve remains inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub when the needle is removed from the catheter tube and the catheter hub; and

a needle protective element positioned on the needle shaft and inside the catheter hub adjacent the valve and distal of the needle hub in a ready position.

2. The catheter insertion device of claim 1, wherein needle protective element comprises two arms that cross one another when viewed from a perspective perpendicular to the needle shaft.

3. The catheter insertion device of claim 1, wherein the needle protective element comprises a proximal wall comprising an opening having the needle passing therethrough.

4. The catheter insertion device of claim 1, wherein the valve is a disc having at least one slit formed therein.

5. The catheter insertion device of claim 1, wherein the movable valve actuating element comprises two leg sections comprising a space therebetween for accommodating the needle protective element.

6. The catheter insertion device according to claim 1, wherein the movable valve actuating element comprises a cylindrical section.

7. The catheter insertion device of claim 6, wherein the valve actuating element comprises two proximally extending legs defining a hollow space therebetween for receiving the needle protective device.

8. The catheter insertion device according to claim 1, wherein the catheter hub is made from two separately formed hub sections that are attached to one another.

9. A catheter insertion device comprising:

a catheter hub comprising an interior cavity, an opening at a proximal end, and a catheter tube attached thereto and extending from a distal end;

a needle having a needle shaft defining a needle axis projecting distally of an end of a needle hub, said needle projecting through the catheter tube and comprising a needle tip;

a valve for regulating fluid flow positioned inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub for regulating fluid flow into the interior cavity;

said valve remaining inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub when the needle is removed from the catheter tube and the catheter hub and said valve being in contact with a valve actuating element when in an open position for fluid flow; and

a needle protective device for preventing unintended needle sticks, said needle protective device positioned in-line with the catheter hub and the needle hub and having at least a portion extending distally of the proximal end of the catheter hub.

10. The catheter insertion device of claim 9, further comprising an enlarged needle section configured to engage an opening on the needle protective device.

11. The catheter insertion device of claim 9, wherein the needle protective device comprises a proximal wall and two arms extending distally thereof.

12. The catheter insertion device of claim 11, wherein the two anus intersect one another.

13. The catheter insertion device of claim 9, wherein the valve actuating element comprises two leg sections comprising a space therebetween for accommodating the needle protective device.

14. The catheter insertion device of claim 9, wherein the needle protective device comprises a resilient portion made from a metal material for moving the needle protective device from a ready position to a protected position.

15. The catheter insertion device of claim 9, wherein the valve actuating element is formed as a hollow cylinder with a truncated cone-shaped distal end section

16. The catheter insertion device of claim 15, wherein the valve actuating element comprises two proximally extending legs defining a hollow space therebetween for receiving the needle protective device.

17. The catheter insertion device according to claim 9, wherein the needle protective device is biased against the needle.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the valve actuating element comprises two proximally extending legs defining a hollow space therebetween for receiving the needle protective device.

18. A method of manufacturing a catheter insertion device comprising:

forming a catheter hub comprising a body comprising an interior cavity with an opening at a proximal end and attaching a catheter tube thereto;

positioning a valve in sealing communication with the interior cavity of the catheter hub for regulating fluid flow through the interior cavity;

positioning a valve actuating element in mechanical communication with the valve for deflecting the valve to permit fluid flow through the interior cavity of the catheter hub;

positioning a needle protective device at least partially inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub such that the needle protective device is in-line with the catheter hub and the valve opener;

positioning a needle hub having a needle attached thereto proximally of the catheter hub so that the needle projects through the catheter hub and the catheter tube; and

wherein the valve remains inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub when the needle is removed from the catheter tube and the catheter hub.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the needle comprises a sharp needle tip and an enlarged needle section near the needle tip.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the valve has a plurality of radially elastically expandable valve flaps.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the needle protective device comprises a guard section for blocking the needle tip.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the valve actuating element is formed as a hollow cylinder with a truncated cone-shaped distal end section.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the needle protective device comprises two arms extending distally of a proximal wall.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the needle protective device comprises a resilient portion made from a metallic material for moving the needle protective device from a ready position to a protected position.

26. A catheter insertion device comprising a catheter hub comprising an interior cavity, an opening at a proximal end, and a catheter tube attached thereto and extending from a distal end;

a needle having a needle shaft defining a needle axis projecting distally of an end of a needle hub, said needle projecting through the catheter tube and comprising a needle tip;

a valve for regulating fluid flow positioned inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub for regulating fluid flow into the interior cavity;

said valve remaining inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub when the needle is removed from the catheter tube and the catheter hub;

a needle protective device for preventing unintended needle sticks, said needle protective device positioned in-line with the catheter hub and the needle hub and having at least a portion extending distally of the proximal end of the catheter hub; and

wherein the needle protective device comprises a resilient portion made from a metallic material for moving the needle protective device from a ready position to a protected position.

27. The catheter insertion device of claim 26, wherein the needle protective device comprises a proximal wall and two arms extending distally thereof.

28. The catheter insertion device of claim 26, further comprising an enlarged needle section configured to engage an opening on the needle protective device.

29. The catheter insertion device of claim 26, further comprising a valve actuating element disposed at least partially inside the catheter hub for abutting against the valve for fluid flow through the catheter hub.

30. The catheter insertion device of claim 27, wherein the two arms intersect one another.

31. The catheter insertion device of claim 29, wherein the valve actuating element comprises two leg sections comprising a space therebetween for accommodating the needle protective device.

32. The catheter insertion device of claim 29, wherein the valve actuating element comprises a cylindrical section.