Catheter insertion device

• US 8,333,735 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2012
• Issued: 12/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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, Raines, Kenneth C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US13/451,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20120203181A1
• Time in Patent Office: 243 Days
• Field of Search: 604/164.01, 604/164.08, 604/165.01, 294/28, 295/92
• US Class Current: 604/164.08
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3415 for introducing tubes or catheters, e.g. gastrostomy tubes, drain catheters A61B17/3417 takes precedence; body piercing catheter guide needles A61M25/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/325 Means obstructing the needle passage at distal end of a needle protection sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0097 characterised by the hub connectors A61M39/10
• 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 39/0606 without means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0693 including means for seal penetration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/221 Frangible or pierceable closures within tubing A61M39/14 takes precedence; frangible closures for containers A61J1/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3273 freely sliding on needle shaft without connection to syringe or needle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Embodiments of a catheter insertion device are discussed comprising: an approximately hollow cylindrical catheter sleeve, at whose distal end a catheter is attached; a needle sleeve with a hollow needle, which is attached thereto and which, when ready for use, extends through the catheter sleeve and the catheter, and; a needle protective element that is arranged inside the catheter sleeve while being able to move on the needle. Said needle protective element has an engaging section that engages with an engaging device, which is formed in the vicinity of the needle tip, when the hollow needle is withdrawn from the catheter sleeve. A check valve is placed inside the catheter sleeve between the catheter and the needle protective element. The hollow needle, when ready for use, extends through said check valve, and the check valve automatically closes once the needle is withdrawn.

Claims

1. A catheter insertion device comprising:

a catheter hub comprising an interior cavity, an opening at a proximal end, and a catheter tube attached thereto and extending from a distal end;

a needle having a needle shaft defining a needle axis projecting distally of an end of a needle hub, said needle projecting through the catheter tube and comprising a needle tip;

a valve configured to obstruct fluid flow comprising a wall surface comprising a slit positioned inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub;

said valve remaining inside the interior cavity when the needle is removed from the catheter tube and the catheter hub;

a valve actuating element slidingly disposed in the catheter hub configured to actuate the valve, the valve actuating element comprising a nose section having a tapered end for pushing the valve to open the slit of the valve and at least two plunger elements extending proximally of the nose section and having a gap therebetween to permit fluid flow to flow therethrough;

the two plunger elements configured to transfer a distally directed force to the nose section to push the valve to open the slit;

a needle protective device spaced from the needle tip in a ready position and movable relative to the needle tip to a protective position, at least in part, distally of the needle tip to prevent unintended needle sticks.

2. The catheter insertion device of claim 1, wherein the valve abuts a shoulder in the interior cavity of the catheter hub.

3. The catheter insertion device of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises three slits that converge at a single point.

4. The catheter insertion device of claim 1, wherein the catheter hub is made from two hub housing sections.

5. The catheter insertion device of claim 1, wherein the needle protective element is located between the two plunger elements of the valve actuating element in the ready position.

6. The catheter insertion device of claim 1, wherein the needle protective element comprises a proximal wall and two arms that converge to a single point.

7. The catheter insertion device of claim 1, wherein the valve actuating element further comprises a projection located proximally of the tapered nose section and projects radially outwardly of the nose section and engaging a shoulder of the catheter hub.

8. The catheter insertion device of claim 7, wherein the projection is distal of the two plunger elements.

9. The catheter insertion device of claim 1, wherein the needle protective device comprises an arm that is located, at least in part, in the catheter hub.

10. A catheter insertion device comprising:

a first hub comprising an interior cavity, a perimeter defining an opening at a proximal end, and a catheter tube having a distal end opening extending distally of the first hub;

a needle having a needle shaft defining a needle axis projecting distally of an end of a second hub, said needle projecting through the catheter tube and comprising a needle tip;

a valve configured to obstruct fluid flow comprising a slit positioned inside the interior cavity of the first hub and having a distal surface pushed against a shoulder in the interior cavity;

said valve remaining inside the interior cavity when the needle is removed from the catheter tube and the first hub;

a valve actuating element slidingly disposed in the first hub configured to actuate the valve, the valve actuating element comprising a nose section having a tapered end with an opening configured to push the valve to open the slit and at least two plunger elements extending proximally of the nose section and having a gap therebetween;

wherein the at least two plunger elements with the gap therebetween are disposed distally of the proximal end of the first hub and are slidable distally when a male implement projects into the opening of the first hub to transfer a distally directed force to the nose section to push the valve to open the slit;

a needle protective device positioned proximal of the valve and at least in part around the needle and distal of the proximal end of the second hub in a ready position and configured to prevent unintended needle sticks in a protective position.

11. The catheter insertion device of claim 10, wherein the valve has a radial outer perimeter abutting the interior cavity of the catheter hub.

12. The catheter insertion device of claim 10, wherein the valve comprises three slits that converge at a single point.

13. The catheter insertion device of claim 10, wherein the catheter hub is made from two hub housing sections.

14. The catheter insertion device of claim 10, wherein the needle protective element is located between the two plunger elements of the valve actuating element in the ready position.

15. The catheter insertion device of claim 10, wherein the valve actuating element further comprises a projection located proximally of the tapered nose section and projects radially outwardly of the nose section and engaging a shoulder of the catheter hub.

16. The catheter insertion device of claim 15, wherein the projection is distal of the two plunger elements.

17. The catheter insertion device of claim 10, wherein the needle protective device comprises an arm that is located, at least in part, in the catheter hub.

18. A catheter insertion device comprising:

a catheter hub comprising an interior cavity comprising a shoulder, an opening at a proximal end, and a catheter tube attached thereto and extending from a distal end;

a needle having a needle shaft defining a needle axis projecting distally of an end of a needle hub, said needle projecting through the catheter tube and comprising a needle tip;

a valve configured to obstruct fluid flow positioned inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub;

said valve remaining inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub when the needle is removed from the catheter tube and the catheter hub;

a valve actuating element slidingly disposed in the catheter hub for actuating the valve, the valve actuating element comprising a nose section having a tapered end configured to open the valve, a projection on the valve actuating element located proximally of the tapered nose section engaging the shoulder of the catheter hub, and a plunger end extending proximally of the nose section having one or more gaps to permit fluid flow to flow therebetween and to transfer a distally directed force to the nose section to open the valve;

a needle protective device positioned, at least in part, around the needle between the valve and the proximal end of the needle hub in a ready position and configured to prevent unintended needle sticks in a protective position.

19. The catheter insertion device of claim 18, wherein the plunger end comprises at least two plunger elements defining the at least one or more gaps.

20. The catheter insertion device of claim 18, wherein the valve comprises three slits that converge at a single point.

21. The catheter insertion device of claim 18, wherein the catheter hub is made from two hub housing sections.

22. The catheter insertion device of claim 18, wherein the needle protective element is located at the plunger end of the valve actuating element in the ready position.

23. The catheter insertion device of claim 18, wherein the needle protective element is spaced from the needle tip in the ready position and movable relative to the needle tip to the protective position, at least in part, distally of the needle tip to prevent unintended needle sticks.

24. The catheter insertion device of claim 18, wherein the projection is distal of the two plunger elements.

25. A catheter insertion device comprising:

a catheter hub comprising an interior cavity comprising a shoulder, an opening at a proximal end, and a catheter tube attached thereto and extending from a distal end;

a needle having a needle shaft defining a needle axis projecting distally of an end of a needle hub, said needle projecting through the catheter tube and comprising a needle tip;

a valve comprising one or more slits configured to obstruct fluid flow positioned inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub;

said valve remaining inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub when the needle is removed from the catheter tube and the catheter hub;

a valve actuating element slidingly disposed in the catheter hub for opening the one or more slits and actuating the valve, the valve actuating element comprising a nose section having a tapered end configured to open the valve and a plunger end extending proximally of the nose section having at least one gap to permit fluid flow to flow thereacross and to transfer a distally directed force to the nose section to open the valve;

a needle protective device positioned, at least in part, around the needle between the valve and the proximal end of the needle hub in a ready position and configured to prevent unintended needle sticks in a protective position.

26. The catheter insertion device of claim 25, further comprising a luer tip positioned inside the opening at the proximal end of the catheter hub after the needle protective device is in the protected position.

27. The catheter insertion device of claim 26, wherein the luer tip abuts the proximal plunger section of the valve actuating element and the at least one gap is located therebetween.

28. The catheter insertion device of claim 25, further comprising a fluid path between a distal most end of the valve actuating element and a proximal most end of the valve actuating element.

29. The catheter insertion device of claim 28, further comprising a second gap at the proximal plunger section.

30. The catheter insertion device of claim 29, further comprising a projection that extends radially outwardly of the valve actuating element for engaging a shoulder in the catheter hub.