Flushable hub

• US 6,605,075 B1
• Filed: 12/21/1999
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medex Incorporated (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Burdulis, Al
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAYNARD, JENNIFER J
• Application Number:
  US09/469,741
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 604/533, 604/523, 604/247, 604/246, 604/93.01, 604/19, 604/500, 604/506, 604/96.01, 604/160, 604/264, 600/585
• US Class Current: 604/533
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0097 characterised by the hub connectors A61M39/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/01 Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters A61M25/10 takes precedence

Abstract

A catheter unit comprising a catheter having a hub, a connector and catheter, the connector comprising a first port, a second port, and third port. The first port, located at the proximal end of the connector and protruding from the connector, is coupled to a lock member. The second port, located within a cylindrical portion of the connector, is adapted to receive a guidewire. The third port is located at the distal end of the connector.

Claims

1. A method of installing a catheter in a patient comprising:

attaching a connector without a L-configuration or a Y-configuration to a catheter, the connector having a first port located at a proximal end of the connector, a second port located at a middle portion of the connector, and a third port located at a distal end of the connector;

filling a syringe with a flushing solution;

injecting an amount of the flushing solution into the catheter, thereby flushing the catheter;

cutting a portion of the catheter so that only a desired length remains;

inserting a guidewire into the second port;

advancing the catheter into a patient by use of the guidewire; and

withdrawing the guidewire from the catheter and the hub.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

coupling a syringe to the first port.

3. An assembly comprising:

a hub having a proximal end and a distal end;

a catheter coupled to the distal end of the hub;

a connector coupled to the proximal end of the hub, the connector not having a Y-configuration or an L-configuration, the connector having a proximal end and a distal end and including a first port located at the proximal end of the connector, a second port located within a middle portion of the connector, and a third port located at the distal end of the connector; and

a guidewire disposed through the second port.

4. The intravascular assembly of claim 3, wherein the connector is substantially cylindrical in shape.

5. The intravascular assembly of claim 3, wherein the connector has a substantially cylindrical body and the second port is flush with the cylindrical body.

6. The intravascular assembly of claim 5, wherein the second port is an in-line port.

7. The intravascular assembly of claim 3, further comprising:

a member lock coupled to a neck portion of the hub.

8. The intravascular assembly of claim 3, wherein the second port is adapted to receive the guidewire at about a 10°

to 45°

angle to the catheter.

9. An assembly comprising:

a hub having a proximal end and a distal end;

a catheter coupled to the distal end of the hub;

a connector coupled to the proximal end of the hub,

the connector not having a Y-shaped or an L-shaped configuration, and the connector having a first port located at a proximal end of the connector, a second port located within a middle portion of the connector having a guidewire disposed therethrough, and wherein the guidewire is directed through a channel toward a third port located at a distal end of the connector;

a locking mechanism coupled to the first port to secure a syringe.

10. The intravascular assembly of claim 9, wherein the catheter is removably coupled to the outer surface of the distal end of the hub.

11. The intravascular assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a watertight seal between the second port and third port to slidably dispose a guidewire therethrough.

12. The intravascular assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a syringe coupled to the first port.