Systems and methods for providing a flushable catheter assembly
First Claim
1. A system for controlling fluid flow in a closed IV catheter assembly, comprising:
- a luer port having an inner lumen;
a valve for controlling fluid flow through the inner lumen, the valve comprising;
a septum disposed within a portion of the inner lumen;
a septum activator disposed within a portion of the inner lumen adjacent to the septum, wherein a distal end of the septum activator contacts a proximal surface of the septum when the valve is in an unactuated position, and extends through the proximal surface when the valve is in an actuated position, the septum activator further including a sealing portion that extends from an exterior surface of the septum activator and contacts the surface of the inner lumen thereby preventing fluid from flowing into interstitial spaces between the septum and the sealing portion of the septum activator; and
a ventilation channel interposed between the septum and an inner surface of the inner lumen of the luer port, the ventilation channel having a surface area and a perimeter selected to permit passage of at least one of air and blood at a desired rate of flow when the valve is in the unactuated position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flushable catheter assembly having features to enable selective activation of fluid flow through the catheter assembly is disclosed herein. A septum is placed within the catheter adapter of the catheter assembly and includes a pathway that is closed prior to being biased open via a septum activator also positioned within the catheter adapter. A plurality of air vent channels is interposed between the septum and the inner surface of the catheter adapter to permit “flashback” of blood during insertion of the catheter into a patient. The septum activator is advanced through the pathway of the septum as a coupler is attached to a proximal opening of the catheter adapter.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A system for controlling fluid flow in a closed IV catheter assembly, comprising:
-
a luer port having an inner lumen; a valve for controlling fluid flow through the inner lumen, the valve comprising; a septum disposed within a portion of the inner lumen; a septum activator disposed within a portion of the inner lumen adjacent to the septum, wherein a distal end of the septum activator contacts a proximal surface of the septum when the valve is in an unactuated position, and extends through the proximal surface when the valve is in an actuated position, the septum activator further including a sealing portion that extends from an exterior surface of the septum activator and contacts the surface of the inner lumen thereby preventing fluid from flowing into interstitial spaces between the septum and the sealing portion of the septum activator; and a ventilation channel interposed between the septum and an inner surface of the inner lumen of the luer port, the ventilation channel having a surface area and a perimeter selected to permit passage of at least one of air and blood at a desired rate of flow when the valve is in the unactuated position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A closed IV catheter assembly, comprising:
-
a luer port having an inner lumen, the inner lumen having a proximal end, a distal end and a middle portion; a recess forming the middle portion of the inner lumen, the recess being configured to receive a septum, the septum forming a defeatable barrier between the proximal end and the distal end of the inner lumen; a ventilation channel interposed between the septum and an inner surface of the inner lumen of the luer port, the ventilation channel having a surface area and a perimeter selected to permit passage of at least one of air and blood between the proximal end and the distal end of the inner lumen, at a desired rate of flow; a septum activator positioned within the proximal end of the inner lumen, the septum activator having a first end for biasing open a slit of the septum, and a second end having a contact surface, the septum activator further including a sealing portion that extends from an exterior surface of the septum activator and contacts the surface of the inner lumen thereby preventing fluid from flowing into interstitial spaces between the septum and the sealing portion of the septum activator; and an opening forming a proximal end of the luer port, wherein an external device is inserted through the opening to contact the contact surface of the septum activator thereby advancing the first end of the septum activator through the slit of the septum, wherein the ventilation channel permits the passage of at least one of air and blood before the first end of the septum activator is advanced through the slit of the septum. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification