Method and apparatus for introducing an intravenous catheter

• US 6,156,010 A
• Filed: 06/17/1998
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Injectimed Inc.
• Original Assignee: Injectimed Inc.
• Inventors: Ohnemus, Randall E., Kuracina, Thomas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BIANCO, PATRICIA
• Application Number:
  US09/099,114
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 604/164, 604/264, 604/523, 604/187-88, 604/190, 604/218, 604/200-202, 604/240, 604/272, 604/167-69, 604/181, 600/573, 600/576-80, 600/167.02
• US Class Current: 604/168.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0693 Flashback chambers

Abstract

A method an apparatus for introducing an intravenous catheter. In one embodiment, a catheter having a flashback chamber is provided, the flashback chamber having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner wall. The distal end of the flashback chamber being in fluid communication with the catheter needle. A moveable member within the flashback chamber sealingly engages with the inner wall of the flashback chamber, the member being movable within the flashback chamber in a direction from the distal end to the proximal end of the flashback chamber. The movement of the member creates a vacuum within the flashback chamber.

Claims

1. A system for introducing an intravenous catheter into a patient comprising:

a needle having a proximal end and a distal end;

a catheter tube slidably disposed over the needle;

a needle hub, the proximal end of the needle secured within the needle hub;

a flashback chamber having proximal and distal ends and an inner wall, the distal end of the flashback chamber being connected to the needle hub, the proximal end of the needle being in fluid communication with the distal end of the flashback chamber; and

a flash plug sealingly engaged to and in fluid communication with the inner wall of said flashback chamber, said flash plug being transitionable between;

i. a first non-operative configuration;

ii. a second operative configuration wherein said flash plug controllably creates a vacuum in said flashback chamber; and

wherein the flashback chamber and the flash plug each have an elliptical shape such that the rotation of the flash plug releases the sealing engagement of at least a portion of the flash plug with the inner wall of the flashback chamber.

2. The catheter of claim 1 further comprising venting means for venting the flashback chamber to the atmosphere.

3. The catheter of claim 2 further comprising an aperture providing an air flow passage between the internal chamber of the flash plug to the ambient atmosphere.

4. The catheter of claim 3 wherein the movement restricting means includes a projection on the flash plug that is engageable with a first recess in the inner wall of the flashback chamber.

5. The catheter of claim 2 further comprising a fluid absorbing member located in the internal chamber of the flash plug.

6. The catheter of claim 2 further comprising a second opening located at or near the proximal end of the flash plug and a porous membrane located in the internal chamber that allows gaseous substances to flow through the membrane and substantially prevents fluids from flowing through the membrane.

7. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the flash plug has a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the flash plug being proximal to the distal end of the flashback chamber when the flash plug is fully inserted into the flashback chamber, the flash plug having an internal chamber with an opening at the distal end of the flash plug.

8. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the flash plug further includes means for restricting the movement of the flash plug in a second direction from the proximal end to the distal end of the flashback chamber.

9. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the flash plug comprises a flange portion and a longitudinal body extending outwardly from the flange portion, the body being dimensioned smaller than the flashback chamber, the member comprising an elastomeric o-ring positioned on said body.

10. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the inner wall of the flashback chamber has a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter, the flash plug member having a third diameter, first diameter being substantially equal to or less than the third diameter, the second diameter being greater than the third diameter.

11. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the flash plug has a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the flash plug being proximal to the distal end of the flashback chamber when the flash plug is fully inserted into the flashback chamber, the flash plug having an internal chamber at a sub-atmospheric pressure, the distal end of the flash plug being piercable by the proximal end of the needle when the flash plug is fully inserted into the flashback chamber.

12. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the flash plug has a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the flash plug being proximal to the distal end of the flashback chamber when the flash plug is fully inserted into the flashback chamber, the flash plug having an internal chamber with a first opening at the distal end of the flash plug and a second opening at the proximal end of the flash plug, a removable end cap in sealing engagement with the second opening.

13. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the member is movable within the flashback chamber in a second direction from the proximal end to the distal end of the flashback chamber.

14. A system for introducing an intravenous catheter into a patient comprising:

a needle having a proximal end and a distal end;

a catheter tube slidably disposed over the needle;

a needle hub, the proximal end of the needle secured within the needle hub;

a flashback chamber having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner wall, the distal end of the flashback chamber being connected to the needle hub, the proximal end o the needle being in fluid communication with the distal end of the flashback chamber; and

a flash plug sealingly engaged to and in fluid communication with the inner wall of said flashback chamber, said flash plug being transitionable between;

i. a first non-operative configuration;

ii. a second operative configuration wherein said flash plug controllably creates a vacuum in said flashback chamber; and

wherein the flashback chamber and the flash plug each have an elliptical shape such that the rotation of the flash plug releases the sealing engagement of at least a portion of the flash plug with the inner wall of the flashback chamber.

15. A method for drawing blood into a flashback chamber of an intravenous catheter comprising the steps:

a) providing a system for introducing an intravenous catheter, said system comprising a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, a catheter tube slidably disposed over the needle, a needle hub, the proximal end of the needle secured within the needle hub, a flashback chamber having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner wall, the distal end of the flashback chamber being connected to the needle hub, the proximal end of the needle being in fluid communication with the distal end of the flashback chamber, and a flash plug sealingly engaged to and in fluid communication with said flashback chamber, said flash plug being transitionable between;

i. a first non-operative configuration;

ii. a second operative configuration wherein said flash plug controllably creates a vacuum in said flashback chamber; and

wherein the flashback chamber and the flash plug each have an elliptical shape such that the rotation of the flash plug releases the sealing engagement of at least a portion of the flash plug with the inner wall of the flashback chamber;

b) introducing the distal end of the needle into a vein; and

c) causing said flash plug to transition from said non-operative configuration to said operative configuration.

16. A method for drawing blood into a flashback chamber of an intravenous catheter comprising the steps:

a) providing a system for introducing an intravenous catheter, said system comprising a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, a catheter tube slidably disposed over the needle, a needle hub, the proximal end of the needle secured within the needle hub, a flashback chamber having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner wall, the distal end of the flashback chamber being connected to the needle hub, the proximal end of the needle being in fluid communication with the distal end of the flashback chamber, and a flash plug sealingly engaged to and in fluid communication with said flashback chamber, said flash plug being transitionable between;

i. a first non-operative configuration;

ii. a second operative configuration wherein said flash plug controllably creates a vacuum in said flashback chamber; and

wherein the flashback chamber and the flash plug each have an elliptical shape such that the rotation of the flash plug releases the sealing engagement of at least a portion of the flash plug with the inner wall of the flashback chamber;

b) introducing the distal end of the needle into a portion of a body having a vein;

c) causing said flash plug to transition from said non-operative configuration to said operative configuration; and

d) introducing the distal end of the needle into the vein.

17. A system for introducing and intravenous catheter into a patient comprising:

(a) a needle having a proximal end and a distal end;

(b) a catheter tube slidably disposed over the needle;

(c) a needle hub, the proximal end of the needle secured within the needle hub;

(d) a flashback chamber having a proximal and distal ends and an inner wall, the distal end of the flashback chamber being connected to the needle and, the proximal end of the needle being in fluid communication with the distal end of the flashback chamber;

(e) a flash plug sealingly engaged with the inner wall of the flashback chamber, the flash plug being moveable within the flashback chamber in a first direction from a distal end to the proximal end of the flashback chamber, movement of the flash plug in the first direction creating a vacuum in the flashback chamber; and

(f) wherein the flash plug has a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the flash plug being proximal to the distal end of the flashback chamber when the flash plug is fully inserted into the flashback chamber, the flash plug having an internal chamber with an opening at the distal end of the flash plug, said internal chamber having a movable diaphragm located therewithin.

18. A method for drawing blood into a flashback chamber an intravenous catheter, the intravenous catheter comprising of a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, a catheter tube slidably disposed over the needle, a needle hub having a proximal end of the needle secured therewithin, a flashback chamber having proximal and distal ends in an inner wall, the distal end of the flashback chamber being connected to the needle hub and the proximal end of the needle being in fluid communication with the distal end of the flashback chamber, and a flash plug sealingly engaged with the inner wall of the flashback chamber, the flash plug having a distal end and a proximal end and oriented such that the distal end of the flash plug is proximal to the distal end of the flashback chamber, the flash plug being movable within the flashback chamber in a first direction from a distal end to the proximal end of the flashback chambers such that movement of the flash plug in the first direction creates a vacuum in the flashback chamber, the flash plug further having an internal chamber with an opening of the distal end thereof, said internal chamber having a movable diaphragm located therewithin:

a) introducing the distal end of the needle into a vein; and

b) moving the flash plug in said direction to create a vacuum in the flashback chamber.