Catheter interlock assembly

• US 5,391,152 A
• Filed: 03/12/1993
• Issued: 02/21/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Ave Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Patterson, Frank V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirsch, Paul J.
• Application Number:
  US08/030,991
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 604/165, 604/164, 604/280
• US Class Current: 604/165.04
• 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

Abstract

A catheter assembly comprising two elements each of which have a hub disposed at the proximal end thereof. The hubs are constructed so as to be complementary and rotatably engageable. When the hubs are engaged, the complementary construction of the hubs secures the axial alignment of the engaged hubs and inhibits an accidental rotational disengagement of the hubs.

Claims

1. A catheter assembly comprising:

a first catheter element having a proximal end and a distal end, the first catheter element having a hub disposed at the proximal end thereof;

a second catheter element having a proximal end and a distal end, the second catheter element having a hub disposed at the proximal end thereof wherein the second catheter element hub is engageable with the first catheter element hub;

rotatable interlock means complementarily associated with the first catheter element hub and the second catheter hub for rotatably releasably engaging the first catheter element hub and the second catheter element hub in an axial alignment;

axial securement means for securing the axial alignment of the engaged first catheter element hub and second catheter element hub; and

rotational securement means for inhibiting a rotational disengagement of the engaged first catheter element hub and second catheter element hub, the rotational securement means is in an interference fit relationship with the rotatable interlock means.

2. The catheter assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the interlock means comprises two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the first catheter element hub and two complementary slots disposed on the proximal end of the second catheter element hub for rotatably receiving the tabs.

3. The catheter assembly defined in claim 2 wherein the axial securement means comprises projections disposed on the proximal end of the second catheter element hub so as to inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the complementary slots.

4. The catheter assembly defined in claim 3 wherein each of the complementary slots terminates in an end wall defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots and further comprising a protuberance disposed on the proximal end of the second catheter element hub sized so as to provide an interference fit between the protuberance and a tab defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots, the first and second stops comprise the rotational securement means.

5. The catheter assembly defined in claim 3 wherein each of the complementary slots terminates in an end wall defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots and further comprising two protuberances disposed on the proximal end of the second catheter element hub sized so as to provide an interference fit between the protuberances and tabs defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots, the first stop and second stops comprise the rotational securement means.

6. The catheter assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the interlock means comprises two axially aligned pins disposed on the distal end of the first catheter element hub and two complementary slots disposed on the proximal end of the second catheter element hub.

7. The catheter assembly defined in claim 6 wherein the axial securement means are projections disposed on the proximal end of the second catheter element hub so as to inhibit an axial disengagement of the pins from the complementary slots.

8. The catheter assembly defined in claim 7 wherein each of the complementary slots terminates in a closed end defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the pins from the slots and further comprising a second stop comprising an interference fit between a pin and a slot along a portion of the slot, the first stop and second stop comprise the rotational securement means.

9. The catheter assembly defined in claim 7 wherein each of the complementary slots terminates in a closed end defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the pins from the slots and further comprising a second stop comprising an interference fit between the pins and the slots along a portion of each slot, the first stop and second stop comprise the rotational securement means.

10. The catheter assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the interlock means comprises two axially aligned pins disposed on the proximal end of the second catheter element hub and two complementary slots disposed on the distal end of the first catheter element hub.

11. The catheter assembly defined in claim 10 wherein the axial securement means are projections disposed on the distal end of the first catheter element hub so as to inhibit an axial disengagement of the pins from the complementary slots.

12. The catheter assembly defined in claim 11 wherein each of the complementary slots terminates in a closed end defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the pins from the slots and further comprising a second stop comprising an interference fit between a pin and a slot along a portion of the slot, the first stop and second stop comprise the rotational securement means.

13. The catheter assembly defined in claim 11 wherein each of the complementary slots terminates in a closed end defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the pins from the slots and further comprising a second stop comprising an interference fit between the pins and the slots along a portion of each slot, the first and second stop comprise the rotational securement means.

14. The catheter assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the interlock means comprises two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the first catheter element hub having a distal surface and a proximal surface and defining a plurality of indentations on the distal and proximal surfaces of the tabs, and two complementary slots disposed on the proximal end of the second catheter element hub for rotatably receiving the tabs.

15. The catheter assembly defined in claim 14 wherein the axial securement means are projections disposed on the proximal end of the second catheter element hub so as to inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the complementary slots.

16. The catheter assembly defined in claim 15 wherein each of the complementary slots terminates in a closed end defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots and further comprising a second stop comprising an interference fit between a tab and a slot along a portion of the slot, the first and second stop comprise the rotational securement means.

17. The catheter assembly defined in claim 15 wherein each of the complementary slots terminates in a closed end defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots and further comprising an interference fit between the tabs and the slots along a portion of each slot, the first and second stop comprise the rotational securement means.

18. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

an introducer hub having a distal end and proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and further defining an introducer conduit therethrough and a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

a dilator comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the dilator defining a longitudinal dilator conduit, the dilator having a tapered distal portion, the dilator being receivable through the introducer conduit so that the tapered distal portion of the dilator extends beyond the distal end of the introducer sheath;

a dilator hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the dilator hub disposed at the proximal end of the dilator and further defining a dilator conduit therethrough;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the dilator hub;

two circumferentially extending projections disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub so as to form two slots for rotatably receiving the tabs and that terminate in end walls defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the projections further inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots; and

two protuberances disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub, each of the protuberances is sized to provide an interference fit between the protuberance and one of the radially extending tabs so as to define a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction.

19. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

an introducer hub having a distal end and proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and further defining an introducer conduit therethrough and a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

a dilator comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the dilator defining a longitudinal dilator conduit, the dilator having a tapered distal portion, the dilator being receivable through the introducer conduit so that the tapered distal portion of the dilator extends beyond the distal end of the introducer sheath;

a dilator hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the dilator hub disposed at the proximal end of the dilator and further defining a dilator conduit therethrough;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the dilator hub having a distal surface and a proximal surface, and defining a plurality of indentations on the distal and proximal surfaces of the tabs;

two circumferentially extending projections disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub so as to form two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the tabs that terminate in end walls defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the projections further inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots; and

a plurality of protuberances extending circumferentially along the projections and circumferentially along a surface of the cylindrical recess in the proximal end of the introducer hub such that the two slots are complementary to the tabs, the protuberances are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the protuberances and the tabs defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction.

20. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

a dilator comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the dilator defining a longitudinal dilator conduit, the dilator having a tapered distal portion, the dilator being receivable through the introducer conduit so that the tapered distal portion of the dilator extends beyond the distal end of the introducer sheath;

a dilator hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the dilator hub disposed at the proximal end of the dilator and further defining a dilator conduit therethrough;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the dilator hub having a distal surface and a proximal surface;

two axially aligned pins disposed on the distal surface of the tabs; and

an introducer hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and defining an introducer conduit therethrough, a cylindrical recess at the proximal end and two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the tabs that terminate in closed ends defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the slots are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the introducer hub and the tabs defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction, and the introducer hub further defining projections sized so as to inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots.

21. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

an introducer hub having a distal end and proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and further defining an introducer conduit therethrough and a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

two axially aligned pins disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub;

a dilator comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the dilator defining a longitudinal dilator conduit, the dilator having a tapered distal portion, the dilator being receivable through the introducer conduit so that the tapered distal portion of the dilator extends beyond the distal end of the introducer sheath; and

a dilator hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the dilator hub disposed at the proximal end of the dilator and defining a dilator conduit therethrough and two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the pins that terminate in closed ends defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the pins from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the slots are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the dilator hub and the pins defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the pins from the slots in a second circumferential direction, and the dilator hub further defining projections sized so as to inhibit an axial disengagement of the pins from the slots.

22. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

an introducer hub having a distal end and proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and further defining an introducer conduit therethrough and a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

an obturator comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the obturator defining a longitudinal obturator conduit, the obturator being receivable through the introducer conduit;

an obturator hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the obturator hub disposed at the proximal end of the obturator and further defining an obturator conduit therethrough;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the obturator hub;

two circumferentially extending projections disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub so as to form two slots for rotatably receiving the tabs and that terminate in end walls defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the projections further inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots; and

two protuberances disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub, each of the protuberances is sized to provide an interference fit between the protuberance and one of the radially extending tabs so as to define a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction.

23. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

an introducer hub having a distal end and proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and further defining an introducer conduit therethrough and a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

an obturator comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the obturator defining a longitudinal obturator conduit, the obturator being receivable through the introducer conduit;

an obturator hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the obturator hub disposed at the proximal end of the obturator and further defining an obturator conduit therethrough;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the obturator hub having a distal surface and a proximal surface, and defining a plurality of indentations on the distal and proximal surfaces of the tabs;

two circumferentially extending projections disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub so as to form two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the tabs that terminate in end walls defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the projections further inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots; and

a plurality of protuberances extending circumferentially along the projections and circumferentially along a surface of the cylindrical recess in the proximal end of the introducer hub such that the two slots are complementary to the tabs, the protuberances are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the protuberances and the tabs defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction.

24. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

an obturator comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the obturator defining a longitudinal obturator conduit, the obturator being receivable through the introducer conduit;

an obturator hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the obturator hub disposed at the proximal end of the obturator and further defining an obturator conduit therethrough;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the obturator hub having a distal surface and a proximal surface;

two axially aligned pins disposed on the distal surface of the tabs; and

an introducer hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and defining an introducer conduit therethrough, a cylindrical recess at the proximal end and two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the tabs that terminate in closed ends defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the slots are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the introducer hub and the tabs defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction, and the introducer hub further defining projections sized so as to inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots.

25. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

an introducer hub having a distal end and proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and further defining an introducer conduit therethrough; and

a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

two axially aligned pins disposed with the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub;

an obturator comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the obturator defining a longitudinal obturator conduit, the obturator being receivable through the introducer conduit; and

an obturator hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the obturator hub disposed at the proximal end of the obturator and defining a obturator conduit therethrough and two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the pins that terminate in closed ends defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the pins from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the slots are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the obturator hub and the pins defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the pins from the slots in a second circumferential direction, and the obturator hub further defining projections sized so as to inhibit an axial disengagement of the pins from the slots.

26. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

an introducer hub having a distal end and proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and further defining an introducer conduit therethrough and a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

a sleeve comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end;

a sleeve hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the sleeve hub disposed at the proximal end of the sleeve;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the sleeve hub;

two circumferentially extending projections disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub so as to form two slots for rotatably receiving the tabs and that terminate in end walls defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the projections further inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots; and

two protuberances disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub, each of the protuberances is sized to provide an interference fit between the protuberance and one of the radially extending tabs so as to define a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction.

27. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

an introducer hub having a distal end and proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and further defining an introducer conduit therethrough and a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

a sleeve comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end;

a sleeve hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the sleeve hub disposed at the proximal end of the sleeve;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the sleeve hub having a distal surface and a proximal surface, and defining a plurality of indentations on the distal and proximal surfaces of the tabs;

two circumferentially extending projections disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub so as to form two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the tabs that terminate in end walls defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the projections further inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots; and

a plurality of protuberances extending circumferentially along the projections and circumferentially along a surface of the cylindrical recess in the proximal end of the introducer hub such that the two slots are complementary to the tabs, the protuberances are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the protuberances and the tabs defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction.

28. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

a sleeve comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end;

a sleeve hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the sleeve hub disposed at the proximal end of the sleeve;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the sleeve hub having a distal surface and a proximal surface;

two axially aligned pins disposed on the distal surface of the tabs; and

an introducer hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and defining an introducer conduit therethrough, a cylindrical recess at the proximal end and two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the tabs that terminate in closed ends defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the slots are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the introducer hub and the tabs defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction, and the introducer hub further defining projections sized so as to inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots.

29. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

an introducer hub having a distal end and proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and further defining an introducer conduit therethrough; and

a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

two axially aligned pins disposed with the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub;

a sleeve comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end; and

a sleeve hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the sleeve hub disposed at the proximal end of the sleeve and defining and two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the pins that terminate in closed ends defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the pins from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the slots are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the sleeve hub and the pins defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the pins from the slots in a second circumferential direction, and the sleeve hub further defining projections sized so as to inhibit an axial disengagement of the pins from the slots.

30. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

an introducer hub having a distal end and proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and further defining an introducer conduit therethrough and a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

a Tuohy-Borst connector comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the Tuohy-Borst connector defining a longitudinal connector conduit;

a Tuohy-Borst hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the Tuohy-Borst hub disposed at the proximal end of the Tuohy-Borst connector and further defining a connector conduit therethrough;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the Tuohy-Borst hub;

two circumferentially extending projections disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub so as to form two slots for rotatably receiving the tabs and that terminate in end walls defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the projections further inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots; and

two protuberances disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub, each of the protuberances is sized to provide an interference fit between the protuberance and one of the radially extending tabs so as to define a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction.

31. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

an introducer hub having a distal end and proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and further defining an introducer conduit therethrough and a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

a Tuohy-Borst connector comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the Tuohy-Borst connector defining a longitudinal connector conduit;

a Tuohy-Borst hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the Tuohy-Borst hub disposed at the proximal end of the Tuohy-Borst connector and further defining a connector conduit therethrough;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the Tuohy-Borst hub having a distal surface and a proximal surface, and defining a plurality of indentations on the distal and proximal surfaces of the tabs;

two circumferentially extending projections disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub so as to form two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the tabs that terminate in end walls defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the projections further inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots; and

a plurality of protuberances extending circumferentially along the projections and circumferentially along a surface of the cylindrical recess in the proximal end of the introducer hub such that the two slots are complementary to the tabs, the protuberances are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the protuberances and the tabs defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction.

32. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

a Tuohy-Borst connector comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the Tuohy-Borst connector defining a longitudinal connector conduit;

a Tuohy-Borst hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the Tuohy-Borst hub disposed at the proximal end of the Tuohy-Borst connector and further defining a connector conduit therethrough;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the Tuohy-Borst hub having a distal surface and a proximal surface;

two axially aligned pins disposed on the distal surface of the tabs; and

an introducer hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and defining an introducer conduit therethrough, a cylindrical recess at the proximal end and two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the tabs that terminate in closed ends defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the slots are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the introducer hub and the tabs defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction, and the introducer hub further defining projections sized so as to inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots.

33. A catheter assembly comprising:

an introducer sheath comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the introducer sheath defining an introducer conduit along a longitudinal axis;

an introducer hub having a distal end and proximal end, the introducer hub disposed at the proximal end of the introducer sheath and further defining an introducer conduit therethrough; and

a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

two axially aligned pins disposed with the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the introducer hub;

a Tuohy-Borst connector comprising an elongated tubular element having a distal end and a proximal end, the Tuohy-Borst connector defining a longitudinal connector conduit; and

a Tuohy-Borst hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the Tuohy-Borst hub disposed at the proximal end of the dilator and defining a connector conduit therethrough and two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the pins that terminate in closed ends defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the pins from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the slots are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the Tuohy-Borst hub and the pins defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the pins from the slots in a second circumferential direction, and the Tuohy-Borst hub further defining projections sized so as to inhibit an axial disengagement of the pins from the slots.

34. A catheter assembly comprising:

a first catheter element having a proximal end and a distal end;

a first catheter element hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the first catheter element hub disposed at the proximal end of the first catheter element;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the first catheter element hub;

a second catheter element having a proximal end and a distal end;

a second catheter element hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the second catheter element hub disposed at the proximal end of the second catheter element and further defining a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

two circumferentially extending projections disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the second catheter element hub so as to form two slots for rotatably receiving the tabs and that terminate in end walls defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in the first circumferential direction, the projections further inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots; and

two protuberances disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the second catheter element hub, each of the protuberances is sized to provide an interference fit between the protuberance and one of the radially extending tabs so as to define a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction.

35. The catheter assembly defined in claim 34 wherein the second catheter element comprises an introducer sheath.

36. The catheter assembly defined in claim 35 wherein the first catheter element comprises a dilator.

37. The catheter assembly defined in claim 35 wherein the first catheter element comprises an obturator.

38. The catheter assembly defined in claim 35 wherein the first catheter element comprises a sleeve.

39. The catheter assembly defined in claim 35 wherein the first catheter element comprises a Tuohy-Borst connector.

40. A catheter assembly comprising:

a first catheter element having a proximal end and a distal end;

a first catheter element hub that having a distal end and a proximal end, the first catheter element hub disposed at the proximal end of the first catheter element;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the first catheter element hub, the tabs having a distal surface and proximal surface and defining a plurality of indentations on the distal and proximal surfaces of the tabs;

a second catheter element having a proximal end and a distal end;

a second catheter element hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the second catheter element hub disposed at the proximal end of the second catheter element and further defining a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

two circumferentially extending projections disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the second catheter element hub so as to form two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the tabs that terminate in end walls defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the projections further inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots; and

a plurality of protuberances extending circumferentially along the projections and circumferentially along a surface of the cylindrical recess in the proximal end of the second catheter element hub such that the two slots are complementary to the tabs, the protuberances are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the protuberances and the tabs defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction.

41. The catheter assembly defined in claim 40 wherein the second catheter element comprises an introducer sheath.

42. The catheter assembly defined in claim 41 wherein the first catheter element comprises a dilator.

43. The catheter assembly defined in claim 41 wherein the first catheter element comprises an obturator.

44. The catheter assembly defined in claim 41 wherein the first catheter element comprises a sleeve.

45. The catheter assembly defined in claim 41 wherein the first catheter element comprises a Tuohy-Borst connector.

46. A catheter assembly comprising:

a first catheter element having a proximal end and a distal end;

a first catheter element hub being a distal end and a proximal end, the first catheter element hub disposed at the proximal end of the first catheter element;

two radially extending tabs disposed on the distal end of the first catheter element hub, the tabs having a distal surface and a proximal surface;

two axially aligned pins disposed on the distal surface of the tabs;

a second catheter element having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a second catheter element hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the second catheter element hub disposed at the proximal end of the second catheter element and defining a cylindrical recess at the proximal end and two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the tabs that terminate in closed ends defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the slots are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the second catheter element hub and the tabs defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the tabs from the slots in a second circumferential direction, and the second catheter element hub further defining projections sized so as to inhibit an axial disengagement of the tabs from the slots.

47. The catheter assembly defined in claim 46 wherein the second catheter element comprises an introducer sheath.

48. The catheter assembly defined in claim 47 wherein the first catheter element comprises a dilator.

49. The catheter assembly defined in claim 47 wherein the first catheter element comprises an obturator.

50. The catheter assembly defined in claim 47 wherein the first catheter element comprises a sleeve.

51. The catheter assembly defined in claim 47 wherein the first catheter element comprises a Tuohy-Borst connector.

52. A catheter assembly comprising:

a first catheter element having a proximal end and a distal end;

a second catheter element having a proximal end and a distal end;

a second catheter element hub having a proximal end and a distal end, the second catheter element hub disposed at the proximal end of the second catheter element and defining a cylindrical recess at the proximal end;

two axially aligned pins disposed within the cylindrical recess at the proximal end of the second catheter element hub; and

a first catheter element hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the first catheter element hub disposed at the proximal end of the first catheter element and defining two circumferentially extending slots for rotatably receiving the pins that terminate in closed ends defining a first stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the pins from the slots in a first circumferential direction, the slots are sized so as to provide an interference fit between the first catheter element hub and the pins defining a second stop to inhibit a rotational disengagement of the pins from the slots in a second circumferential direction, and the first catheter element hub further defining projections sized so as to inhibit an axial disengagement of the pins from the slots.

53. The catheter assembly defined in claim 52 wherein the second catheter element comprises an introducer sheath.

54. The catheter assembly defined in claim 53 wherein the first catheter element comprises a dilator.

55. The catheter assembly defined in claim 53 wherein the first catheter element comprises an obturator.

56. The catheter assembly defined in claim 53 wherein the first catheter element comprises a sleeve.

57. The catheter assembly defined in claim 53 wherein the first catheter element comprises a Tuohy-Borst connector.