Safety catheter system and method
First Claim
1. A safety catheter system that provides access to a biological site, the system comprising:
- a catheter defining a lumen and having a first end for insertion into the biological site and a second end;
a connector for controlling the flow of fluid through the lumen of the catheter, the connector having an internal fluid passageway by which fluid may flow through the connector, the connector comprising;
a housing having a first port and a second port, the first port being adapted to receive a blunt cannula and the second port being connected to the second end of the catheter; and
a movable element positioned within the housing, the movable element having a first position at a first location in the housing at which the movable element blocks fluid flow through the housing and a second position at a second location within the housing at which the movable element permits fluid flow through the housing, where the second location is a larger inner diameter section of the housing and the moveable element having a head defining a naturally open bore forming a part of the fluid passageway through the connector, the head being configured such that when the movable element is in the second position, the bore opens thereby permitting fluid flow through the connector, the head being further configured such that when the moveable element is in the first position the bore moves to a closed configuration preventing fluid flow; and
an insertion mechanism comprising;
a blunt cannula adapted for insertion through the first port of the housing and into contact with the head of the movable element to move the movable element to the second position at which the bore opens, the blunt cannula also configured to slide within the open bore of the head of the movable element; and
a needle having a sharp tip, the needle slidably engaged with the blunt cannula and adapted to extend through the blunt cannula after the blunt cannula has slid within the bore of the movable element, the needle also adapted to slide through the catheter until the sharp tip projects beyond the first end of the catheter so that the sharp tip may penetrate the biological site to locate the catheter in the biological site;
wherein the blunt cannula protects the movable element from possible damage by the sharp needle.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter integral with a valved needle-free connector provides a safety catheter device configured to receive a blunt cannula and sharp needle forming an insertion mechanism. The sharp needle is mounted within a needle tube and a control handle is used to slide the sharp needle out of and into the protective needle tube. When the insertion mechanism is mounted to the connector and the control handle is used to slide the sharp needle out of the tube, a blunt cannula first moves into contact with and enters the bore of the valve mechanism of the connector opening it and protecting it from damage that may be caused by the sharp needle. The sharp needle is then extended through the connector and extends out the distal end of the catheter so that a venipuncture procedure may be performed to properly locate the catheter in the patient'"'"'s circulatory system. Once located, the needle may be retracted into the insertion mechanism, the insertion mechanism disconnected from the connector, and discarded.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A safety catheter system that provides access to a biological site, the system comprising:
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a catheter defining a lumen and having a first end for insertion into the biological site and a second end; a connector for controlling the flow of fluid through the lumen of the catheter, the connector having an internal fluid passageway by which fluid may flow through the connector, the connector comprising; a housing having a first port and a second port, the first port being adapted to receive a blunt cannula and the second port being connected to the second end of the catheter; and a movable element positioned within the housing, the movable element having a first position at a first location in the housing at which the movable element blocks fluid flow through the housing and a second position at a second location within the housing at which the movable element permits fluid flow through the housing, where the second location is a larger inner diameter section of the housing and the moveable element having a head defining a naturally open bore forming a part of the fluid passageway through the connector, the head being configured such that when the movable element is in the second position, the bore opens thereby permitting fluid flow through the connector, the head being further configured such that when the moveable element is in the first position the bore moves to a closed configuration preventing fluid flow; and an insertion mechanism comprising; a blunt cannula adapted for insertion through the first port of the housing and into contact with the head of the movable element to move the movable element to the second position at which the bore opens, the blunt cannula also configured to slide within the open bore of the head of the movable element; and a needle having a sharp tip, the needle slidably engaged with the blunt cannula and adapted to extend through the blunt cannula after the blunt cannula has slid within the bore of the movable element, the needle also adapted to slide through the catheter until the sharp tip projects beyond the first end of the catheter so that the sharp tip may penetrate the biological site to locate the catheter in the biological site; wherein the blunt cannula protects the movable element from possible damage by the sharp needle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for providing access to a biological site through placement of a catheter in the site, the method comprising:
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moving a blunt cannula into a first port of a connector into contact with a movable element of the connector to move the movable element from a first location to a second location in a housing of the connector where the second location is a larger inner diameter section of the housing. where the movable element opens to permit flow of fluid through the connector, the blunt cannula also moving into the opening of the movable element to provide protection to the movable element; sliding a needle having a sharp tip through the blunt cannula after the blunt cannula has moved into the opening of the moveable element and through a catheter connected to the connector so that the sharp tip of the needle extends beyond the catheter a sufficient length that enables an operator to access a biological site with the sharp needle and catheter; retracting the sharp needle from the catheter and the blunt cannula; removing the blunt cannula from the connector; moving the movable element of the connector to a closed position at which the movable element prevents flow of fluid through the catheter; and protecting the sharp tip of the needle with a physical barrier whereby the possibilities of a operator being punctured with the sharp tip are reduced. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification