Catheter assembly and components thereof

• US 8,308,691 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2006
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B Braun Melsungen AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: B Braun Melsungen AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Woehr, Kevin, Zerbes, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEDWAY, SCOTT J
• Application Number:
  US11/592,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20080108944A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,202 Days
• Field of Search: 604/164.08, 604/167.01, 604/167.02, 604/167.03, 604/167.04, 604/508, 604/264, 604/272
• US Class Current: 604/167.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1411 by percutaneous method, e.g. by lancet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15003 for venous or arterial blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150213 Venting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150221 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150389 Hollow piercing elements, e.g. canulas, needles, for piercing the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150511 Details of construction of shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150648 fully automatically triggered, i.e. the triggering of the protective sleeve does not require a deliberate action by the user such as terminating the contact with the patient's skin
• 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: A61B 5/153 Devices specially adapted for taking samples of venous or arterial blood, e.g. with syringes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3247 Means to impede repositioning of protection sleeve from needle covering to needle uncovering position
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0202 for taking samples
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0205 for injecting media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/062 used with a catheter
• 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 2039/064 Slit-valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0686 comprising more than one seal
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/10 Equipment for cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0606 "Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0618 having means for protecting only the distal tip of the needle, e.g. a needle guard
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0625 with a permanent connection to the needle hub, e.g. a guiding rail, a locking mechanism or a guard advancement mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0631 : having means for fully covering the needle after its withdrawal, e.g. needle being withdrawn inside the handle or a cover being advanced over the needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/045 : pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument
• 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 39/0693 : including means for seal penetration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/12 : for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment
• 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 5/158 : Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3273 : freely sliding on needle shaft without connection to syringe or needle

Abstract

Catheter assemblies are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to catheter assemblies having a tip protector, a valve, a valve opener, and optionally a needle wiper. The valve opener is disposed inside a catheter hub and is configured to be pushed by an IV set luer connector to open a valve following successful catheterization to pass fluids or other solutions through the catheter. A tip protector is incorporated to block the needle tip and prevent the same from accidental needle stick. A wiper is optionally included to wipe blood deposits on the needle when the same is retracted from the catheter.

Claims

1. A catheter assembly comprising:

a first hub comprising a housing comprising an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior cavity;

a tube attached to the first hub and extending distally of the first hub;

a second hub comprising a housing comprising an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior cavity;

a needle having a needle tip attached to the second hub and projecting distally of the second hub and into the tube;

a valve comprising a top surface, a skirt depending therefrom, and an opening on the top surface having the needle projecting therethrough;

a valve opener comprising an actuating end, at least one leg extending proximally therefrom, and

a wiper, which is spaced apart from a nose section of the valve opener, comprising a perimeter defining an opening and the needle in contact with the perimeter for wiping the needle as the needle is retracted away from the tube.

2. The catheter assembly of claim 1, further comprising a tip protector positioned in the interior cavity of the first hub.

3. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the wiper is attached to the valve opener.

4. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the wiper is attached directly or indirectly to the first huh.

5. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the wiper is liquid impermeable.

6. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the needle comprises a clip engagement section.

7. The catheter assembly of claim 2, wherein the tip protector comprises two arms that intersect.

8. The catheter assembly of claim 2, wherein the tip protector protector comprises a first protector body surrounded by a second protector body.

9. The catheter assembly of claim 2, wherein tip protector comprises two arms that extend, at least in part, to one side of the needle.

10. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first hub is a catheter hub and comprises an internal bump.

11. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the second hub is a needle hub.

12. The catheter assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one channel formed on the interior surface of the first hub.

13. The catheter assembly of claim 1 herein the at least one leg is positioned within the at least one channel.

14. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the wiper is an O-ring.

15. A catheter assembly comprising:

a) a catheter hub comprising a housing comprising an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior cavity;

b) a catheter tube attached to the catheter hub and extending, distally of the catheter hub;

c) a needle hub comprising a housing;

d) a needle having a needle tip attached to the needle huh and projecting distally of the needle hub and into the catheter tube;

e) a valve for limiting blood backflow positioned in the interior cavity of the catheter hub;

f) a valve opener for opening the valve positioned proximally of the valve; and

g) a tip protector positioned adjacent the valve opener for blocking the needle tip, wherein the tip protector comprises;

(1) a tip protector housing having an interior surface;

(2) a first arm extending from a distal wall of the tip protector housing biased towards the interior surface of the catheter hub;

(3) a second arm extending from a proximal wall of the tip protector housing biased towards the interior surface of the catheter hub; and

(4) a third arm extending from the proximal wall of the tip protector housing biased against a side of the needle.

16. The catheter assembly of claim 15, further comprising a wiper for wiping the needle as the needle is retracted away from the catheter tube.

17. The catheter assembly of claim 16, wherein the wiper is attached to the valve opener.

18. The catheter assembly of claim 16, wherein the wiper is attached either directly or indirectly to the catheter hub.

19. The catheter assembly of claim 15, further comprising a crimp on the needle.

20. The catheter assembly of claim 15, wherein the valve opener comprises an actuating end for opening the valve.

21. The catheter assembly of claim 20, wherein the valve opener comprises at least one leg extending proximally of the actuating end.

22. The catheter assembly of claim 21, wherein the catheter hub comprises at least one channel and wherein the at least one leg is positioned within the at least one channel.

23. A catheter assembly comprising:

a catheter hub comprising a housing defining an interior cavity and having a catheter tube extending distally thereof;

a needle hub comprising a housing defining an interior cavity and having a needle having a needle tip extending distally thereof;

the needle projecting into the catheter tube;

a hemostatic valve positioned within the interior cavity of the catheter hub having an opening;

a valve opener positioned adjacent the hemostatic valve and comprising an actuating end comprising a cone section and a pair of legs defining a gap extending proximally thereof;

a wiper having the needle passing therethrough for wiping the needle as the needle is retracted from the catheter tube; and

wherein a tip protector comprising an arm and a wall comprising an opening and is positioned in the gap defined by the two legs.

24. The catheter assembly of claim 23, wherein the wiper is attached to the valve opener.

25. The catheter assembly of claim 23, wherein the wiper is at ached directly or indirectly to the catheter hub.

26. The catheter assembly of claim 23, wherein the wall is configured to cant from a first generally upright position to a slanted position so that the opening grips the needle.

27. The catheter assembly of claim 23, wherein the needle comprises a crimp.

28. The catheter assembly of claim 23, wherein the wiper is an O-ring.

29. The catheter assembly of claim 23, wherein the tip protector comprises a first protector body surrounded by a second protector body.

30. The catheter assembly of claim 23, wherein the valve opener is in engaging contact with the hemostatic valve in a ready to use position.