Catheter apparatus

• US 5,843,046 A
• Filed: 05/29/1997
• Issued: 12/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PJM Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Paul J. Motisi
• Inventors: Tokarz, Dale, Flesher, Bruce, Motisi, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Blyveis, Deborah
• Application Number:
  US08/864,935
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 604/164, 604/167, 604/169, 604/246, 604/256, 604/247
• US Class Current: 604/256
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15003 for venous or arterial blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150221 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150992 Blood sampling from a fluid line external to a patient, such as a catheter line, combined with an infusion line; blood sampling from indwelling needle sets, e.g. sealable ports, luer couplings, valves tubing connectors and couplings A61M39/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0202 for taking samples
• 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 2039/0646 Duckbill-valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0606 without means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence

Abstract

A catheter apparatus having a housing with a throughbore. A seal is mounted within the throughbore. The seal has a peripheral sealing surface that contacts an external surface of a sleeve when the sleeve is mounted within the throughbore. A one-way valve or check valve is mounted within the throughbore, preferably between the peripheral sealing surface and the sleeve. When the sleeve is withdrawn from the throughbore, the one-way valve prevents fluid, such as a blood sample, from flowing outside of the housing.

Claims

1. A catheter apparatus comprising:

a housing having a throughbore, a sheath, a portion of said sheath mounted within said throughbore;

a seal mounted within said throughbore, said seal having a peripheral sealing surface, a one-way valve mounted within said throughbore; and

a sleeve mounted within said throughbore, said sleeve extending through said peripheral sealing surface with an external surface of said sleeve contacting said peripheral sealing surface, said sleeve having a chamber and an open end portion in communication with said chamber, and a plunger closing said open end portion of said sleeve and slidably mounted within said chamber.

2. A catheter according to claim 1 further comprising a cap, said cap retaining said seal in a mounted position with respect to said housing.

3. A catheter according to claim 2 wherein said cap retains said seal in a mounted position within said throughbore.

4. A catheter according to claim 2 wherein said cap is hermetically sealed about said throughbore and with respect to said housing.

5. A catheter according to claim 2 wherein said cap has a passageway aligned with said throughbore, and said sleeve is positioned within said passageway.

6. A catheter according to claim 1 wherein a portion of said throughbore has a circular cross section.

7. A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said sheath is sealably mounted with respect to said housing forming a hermetic seal between said throughbore and an atmosphere external to said housing.

8. A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said seal has an O-ring section forming said peripheral sealing surface.

9. A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said one-way valve comprises a bulbous end portion having at least one slit positioned in a generally central portion of said bulbous end portion.

10. A catheter according to claim 9 wherein said bulbous end portion is of a resilient deformable material.

11. A catheter according to claim 9 wherein said bulbous end portion is integrated with said seal.

12. A catheter according to claim 9 wherein said bulbous end portion has two said slits and said slits intersect each other.

13. A catheter according to claim 9 wherein said bulbous end portion converges in a direction away from said peripheral sealing surface.

14. A catheter according to claim 1 further comprising a retainer positioned within said throughbore and abutting said sheath, and said retainer having a guide surface for guiding a needle through said sheath.