IV catheter with in-line valve and methods related thereto

• US 8,286,657 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2010
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kpr U.S., LLC (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Belley, Richard A., Fiser, Richard, Weilbacher, Eugene E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eisenberg, Rebecca E
• Application Number:
  US12/709,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20100146765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 604/246, 60416701-16704
• US Class Current: 137/15.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/062 used with a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/06 Haemostasis valves, i.e. gaskets sealing around a needle, catheter or the like, closing on removal thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0606 without means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16813 by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0491 Valve or valve element assembling, disassembling, or replacing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Featured is a vascular access device such as an IV catheter device including a housing, a tubular member and a seal member, and a securing mechanism. The housing includes a proximal and distal portion and a chamber that extends between the proximal and distal portions. The tubular member is coupled to the housing distal portion so it is fluidly coupled to the chamber. The seal member is disposed within the chamber and the securing mechanism secures the seal member distal end to the housing proximal portion so the seal member is sealingly and compressibly retained between a chamber proximal end and the securing mechanism. Such a seal member also is constituted so a portion of the seal member moves axially responsive to an axial force applied to the proximal end.

Claims

1. A method for assembling an in-line IV catheter device comprising the steps of:

providing a proximal housing portion defining an internal cavity, the proximal housing portion having a proximal end and a distal end;

providing a distal housing portion defining an internal cavity, the distal housing portion having a proximal end and a distal end;

providing a seal member having a proximal end, a distal end, and including a septum;

positioning the seal member in the internal cavity of the proximal housing portion;

providing a needle having a sharpened distal end and a proximal end;

inserting the proximal end of the needle through the septum of the seal member such that the proximal end of the needle projects from the proximal end of the seal member; and

securing the proximal housing portion to the distal housing portion such that the internal cavities of the proximal and distal housing portions define a chamber.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of positioning the seal member in the internal cavity of the proximal housing portion includes positioning the seal member for movement within the internal cavity therein to selectively establish a flow path about the seal member.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of positioning the seal member in the internal cavity of the proximal housing portion further includes the step of securing the distal end of the seal member to the proximal housing portion such that the seal member is sealingly and compressibly retained against a proximal end of the internal cavity of the proximal housing portion.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of securing the proximal housing portion includes:

positioning a ring member on the proximal housing portion a predetermined distance from a proximal end of the internal cavity of the proximal housing portion; and

compressibly retaining the seal member between the proximal end of the internal cavity of the proximal housing portion and a surface of the ring member.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of positioning a ring member includes positioning the ring member in a groove formed in the proximal housing portion.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of positioning a ring member includes positioning a ring member formed as a raised rib extending at least partially about a circumference of the internal cavity of the proximal housing portion.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a seal member includes providing a seal member wherein the septum defines a re-sealable opening, and the step of inserting the proximal end of the needle through the septum includes inserting the proximal end of the needle through the re-sealable opening.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a seal member includes providing a seal member with an inner cavity and at least one through aperture extending between the inner cavity and an outer surface of the seal member.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of positioning the seal member includes positioning the seal member in the internal cavity of the proximal housing portion such that the at least one through aperture is positioned proximally of the proximal end of the internal cavity of the proximal housing portion such that the inner cavity of the seal member is fluidly coupled to the internal cavity of the distal housing portion after the proximal and distal housing portions are secured to each other.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a distal housing portion includes providing a distal housing portion with one or more radially extending fins positioned to limit axial travel of the seal member when the seal member is exposed to a high pressure fluid flow condition.

11. A method for assembling an in-line IV catheter device comprising the steps of:

providing a housing defining a chamber;

securing a tubular member to the housing such that a lumen extending though the tubular member is in fluid communication with the chamber;

positioning a seal member including a septum within the chamber of the housing such that the seal member is movable between a first position, wherein the seal member sealingly engages a region of the housing, and a second position, wherein the seal member permits fluid flow through the housing;

positioning stop structure within the housing such that the stop structure is spaced apart from the seal member when the seal member is in the first position, and the stop structure is configured, dimensioned, and positioned for engagement with the seal member when the seal member is in the second position to inhibit continued axial movement of the seal member; and

inserting a proximal end of a needle through the septum of the seal member such that the proximal end of the needle projects from a proximal end of the seal member.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of positioning a seal member includes positioning the seal member such that the seal member is movable within the chamber of the housing to selectively establish a flow path through the housing about the seal member.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of positioning a seal member includes positioning the seal member such that the seal member is moved from the first position to the second position upon realization of a predetermined level of pressure within the housing while maintaining fluid flow through the housing.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of positioning stop structure includes positioning stop structure including at least one axially extending fin extending inwardly from an inner surface of the housing.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of positioning stop structure includes positioning stop structure including at least one axially extending fin arranged so as to only contact the seal member during a high pressure fluid flow condition.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of positioning stop structure includes positioning stop structure including at least one axially extending fin extending radially inward into the chamber of the housing.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of positioning stop structure includes positioning stop structure including at least one axially extending fin configured, dimensioned, and positioned to inhibit inversion or folding of the seal member in response to increased pressure within the chamber.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of positioning stop structure includes positioning stop structure including at least one axially extending fin extending inwardly into the chamber of the housing in a non-radial fashion.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of positioning stop structure includes positioning stop structure including a plurality of axially extending fins that are spaced apart to provide an opening extending axially through the chamber of the housing, the opening being configured and dimensioned to receive an introducer needle.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of positioning stop structure includes positioning stop structure distally of the seal member.