Rapid insertion central catheter, catheter insertion assembly, and method

Abstract

Rapidly insertable central catheters (RICCs), RICC insertion assemblies and methods are disclosed. For example, the RICC insertion assembly may include a RICC, an introducer, and an access guidewire. The introducer needle may include a needle shaft having a longitudinal gap extending from a proximal portion of the needle shaft through the needle tip. The introducer sheath may include a splittable sheath hub coupled to a splittable sheath body. The introducer sheath may be positioned over the introducer needle with the sheath body sealing the needle shaft so that a vacuum may be drawn through the introducer needle. The access guidewire may extend along the entire primary lumen of the RICC, through a valved splittable port in the sheath hub, along a needle channel in the needle shaft covered by the sheath body, to a location within the introducer proximal to the needle tip.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rapid insertion central catheter, a catheter insertion assembly, and a method. [Background technology]

[0002] Central venous catheters (CVCs) are commonly introduced into a patient and advanced through the patient's vasculature by the Seldinger technique. The Seldinger technique utilizes several steps and medical instruments (e.g., needles, scalpels, guidewires, introducer sheaths, dilators, CVCs, etc.). Although the Seldinger technique is effective, many of the steps are time consuming and handling many medical instruments is inconvenient, both of which can lead to trauma to the patient. In addition, due to the many medical instruments that need to be exchanged during the many steps of the Seldinger technique, the potential for contact contamination is relatively high. Thus, there is a need to reduce the number of steps and medical instruments involved in introducing a catheter, such as a CVC, into a patient and advancing the catheter through its vasculature.

[0003] Disclosed herein are rapidly insertable central catheters (RICCs), RICC insertion assemblies and methods that address the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, is a RICC insertion assembly including a RICC, an introducer, and an access guidewire disposed within both the RICC and the introducer. The introducer includes an introducer needle and a splittable introducer sheath. The introducer needle includes a needle shaft. The needle shaft includes a longitudinal gap extending from a proximal portion of the needle shaft through a needle tip. The introducer sheath includes a splittable sheath body and a splittable sheath hub coupled to a proximal portion of the sheath body. The introducer sheath is positioned over the needle shaft with the sheath body sealing the needle shaft such that a vacuum can be drawn through the introducer needle. The sheath hub includes a splittable port having a valve on a side of the sheath hub. The access guidewire runs along the entire primary lumen of the RICC, through the port valve, along the needle channel of the needle shaft covered by the sheath body, to a position within the introducer proximal to the needle tip.

[0005] In some embodiments, the RICC includes a catheter tube. The catheter tube includes a first section at a distal portion of the catheter tube, a second section at a distal portion of the catheter tube proximal to the first section, and a tapered junction between the first and second sections of the catheter tube. The first section of the catheter tube is formed from a first polymeric material having a first durometer. The second section of the catheter tube is formed from a second polymeric material having a second durometer less than the first durometer. The junction has a length between a length of an exposed portion of the first section of the catheter tube and a length of an exposed portion of the second section of the catheter tube.

[0006] In some embodiments, the catheter tube has sufficient column strength to prevent buckling of the catheter tube when inserted into a needle tract established by percutaneous puncture with an introducer, and the column strength of the catheter tube is also sufficient to prevent buckling of the catheter tube when advanced through a patient's vasculature without pre-dilating the tissue surrounding the needle tract or any of the vessels in the vasculature with a separate dilator.

[0007] In some embodiments, the access guidewire includes a non-coiled portion and a coiled portion. The non-coiled portion of the access guidewire extends through the valve of the port. In some embodiments, the valve includes a tearable or split septum compressed within the port. The access guidewire extends through the septum within the RICC insertion assembly.

[0008] In some embodiments, the septum is positioned over a notch in the needle shaft, the longitudinal gap in the needle shaft extending distally from the notch. In some embodiments, the sheath body is configured to split against the access guidewire when the sheath body is pulled away from the access guidewire after splitting the sheath hub.

[0009] In some embodiments, the sheath hub includes a non-tapered female sheath-hub connector at a proximal portion of the sheath hub. In some embodiments, the needle hub coupled to the proximal portion of the needle shaft includes a non-tapered male needle-hub connector at a distal portion of the needle hub, the male needle-hub connector configured to form a fluid-tight connection with the female sheath-hub connector.

[0010] In some embodiments, the male needle-hub connector includes an O-ring disposed within a circumferential groove around the male needle-hub connector configured to form a fluid-tight connection.

[0011] In some embodiments, the RICC insertion assembly further includes a syringe including a tapered male syringe tip extending from a distal portion of the syringe, the syringe tip configured to be inserted into a tapered female needle-hub connector in a proximal portion of the needle hub.

[0012] Also disclosed herein, in some embodiments, is an introducer for RICC, including an introducer needle and a splittable introducer sheath. The introducer needle includes a needle shaft, a needle hub coupled to a proximal portion of the needle shaft, and a needle tip at a distal portion of the needle shaft. The needle shaft includes a longitudinal gap. The longitudinal gap extends from a proximal portion of the needle shaft distal to the needle hub through the needle tip. The introducer sheath is configured to be positioned over the needle shaft at least in a ready-to-operate state of the introducer. The introducer sheath includes a splittable sheath body and a splittable sheath hub coupled to a proximal portion of the sheath body. The sheath body is configured to seal the needle shaft so that a vacuum can be drawn through the introducer needle at least in a ready-to-operate state of the introducer. The sheath hub includes a splittable port having a valve on a side of the sheath hub.

[0013] In some embodiments, the valve includes a tearable or split septum compressed within the port, the septum configured to allow passage of an access guidewire. In some embodiments, the septum is positioned to cover a notch in the needle shaft, at least in the ready-to-operate state of the introducer, with the longitudinal gap in the needle shaft extending distally from the notch.

[0014] In some embodiments, the sheath hub further includes a pair of tabs extending radially from the sheath hub, the tabs configured to split the sheath hub by pulling the tabs apart.

[0015] In some embodiments, the sheath hub includes a pair of longitudinal hub faults. The hub faults include a primary fault and a secondary fault. The primary fault is along a portion of a primary side of the introducer sheath that includes the port. The secondary fault is along a portion of a secondary side of the introducer sheath opposite the primary side. The sheath hub is configured to fracture along both the primary hub fault and the secondary hub fault and propagate along the sheath body on the primary and secondary sides of the introducer sheath.

[0016] In some embodiments, the sheath hub includes a non-tapered female sheath-hub connector at a proximal portion of the sheath hub. In some embodiments, the needle hub includes a non-tapered male needle-hub connector at a distal portion of the needle hub that is configured to form a fluid-tight connection with the female sheath-hub connector at least in a ready-to-operate state of the introducer.

[0017] In some embodiments, the male needle-hub connector includes an O-ring disposed within a circumferential groove around the male needle-hub connector configured to form a fluid-tight connection.

[0018] In some embodiments, the distal portion of the sheath body includes a taper that reduces from the outer diameter of the majority of the sheath body to the outer diameter of the needle shaft, providing a smooth transition from the needle tip to the sheath body in the ready-to-operate state of the introducer.

[0019] In some embodiments, the taper has a taper angle that is less than either the tip bevel angle of the tip bevel or the primary bevel angle of the primary bevel of the needle tip bevel.

[0020] In some embodiments, the introducer further comprises a syringe including a tapered male syringe tip extending from a distal portion of the syringe, the syringe tip being configured to be inserted into a tapered female needle-hub connector in a proximal portion of the needle hub.

[0021] Also disclosed herein, in some embodiments, is a RICC including a catheter tube, a catheter hub, and one or more extension legs. The catheter tube includes a first section at a distal portion of the catheter tube, a second section at a distal portion of the catheter tube proximal to the first section, and a tapered junction between the first and second sections of the catheter tube. The first section of the catheter tube is formed from a first polymeric material having a first durometer. The second section of the catheter tube is formed from a second polymeric material having a second durometer less than the first durometer. The junction has a length between a length of an exposed portion of the first section of the catheter tube and a length of an exposed portion of the second section of the catheter tube. The catheter hub is coupled to a proximal portion of the catheter tube. Each extension leg of the one or more extension legs is coupled to the catheter hub by its distal portion.

[0022] In some embodiments, the proximal portion of the first section of the catheter tubing is disposed within and bonded to the bore of the distal portion of the junction. In some embodiments, the distal end of the second section of the catheter tube is flush with and bonded to the proximal end of the junction.

[0023] In some embodiments, the catheter tube has sufficient column strength to prevent buckling of the catheter tube when inserted into a needle tract established by percutaneous puncture and also sufficient column strength to prevent buckling of the catheter tube when advanced through a patient's vasculature without pre-dilating the tissue surrounding the needle tract or any of the vessels of the vasculature with a separate dilator.

[0024] In some embodiments, the RICC comprises a set of three lumens including a primary lumen, a secondary lumen, and a tertiary lumen, the three lumens being formed from fluidly connected portions of three catheter tube lumens, three catheter hub lumens, and three extension leg lumens.

[0025] In some embodiments, the primary lumen has a primary lumen opening at the distal end of the catheter tube, the secondary lumen has a secondary lumen opening on a side of the distal portion of the catheter tube, and the tertiary lumen has a tertiary lumen opening on a side of the distal portion of the catheter tube proximal to the secondary lumen opening.

[0026] Also disclosed herein is a method for inserting a RICC into a vascular lumen of a patient. The method includes the steps of obtaining an assembly, establishing a needle trajectory, advancing an access guidewire, withdrawing an introducer needle, splitting an introducer sheath, and advancing a RICC. The obtaining an assembly includes obtaining a RICC insertion assembly. The RICC insertion assembly includes a RICC, an introducer, and an access guidewire in a substantially ready-to-operate state of the RICC insertion assembly. The introducer includes an introducer needle disposed within a splittable introducer sheath fluidly connected to a syringe. The establishing a needle trajectory includes establishing a needle trajectory from an area of ​​skin to the vascular lumen with the introducer. The advancing an access guidewire includes advancing a distal end of the access guidewire into the vascular lumen from its initial position within the introducer proximal to a needle tip of the introducer needle. The introducer needle withdrawal step includes withdrawing the introducer needle from the introducer while leaving both the introducer sheath and the access guidewire within the vessel lumen. The introducer needle includes a longitudinal gap extending from a proximal portion of the needle shaft through the needle tip to enable the introducer needle withdrawal step while the access guidewire remains within the vessel lumen. The introducer sheath splitting step includes splitting the introducer sheath away from the access guidewire and removing the split portion of the introducer sheath from the vessel lumen. The RICC advancement step includes inserting the RICC into the vessel lumen by advancing a catheter tube of the RICC over the access guidewire into the vessel lumen.

[0027] In some embodiments, the needle tract establishment step includes verifying that the needle tract extends into the blood vessel lumen by verifying that blood flows back along the longitudinal gap of the introducer needle, into the needle hub of the introducer needle, into the syringe tip, into the barrel of the syringe, or a combination thereof.

[0028] In some embodiments, the needle tract establishment step includes pulling a slight vacuum on the syringe while establishing the needle tract so that blood flows back into the introducer needle when the needle tract is established.

[0029] In some embodiments, the method further comprises an ultrasound confirmation step, the ultrasound confirmation step comprising confirming with ultrasound imaging that the access guidewire is within the vessel lumen.

[0030] In some embodiments, the method further includes a blood aspirating step, which includes aspirating blood with a syringe coupled to the introducer needle to confirm that the needle tract extends into the blood vessel lumen prior to the introducer needle withdrawal step.

[0031] In some embodiments, the sheath body seals the longitudinal gap of the needle shaft for aspirating blood with a syringe. In some embodiments, the access guidewire advancement step secures vascular access for the RICC advancement step.

[0032] In some embodiments, the method further includes an introducer sheath advancing step, which includes advancing an introducer sheath over the introducer needle into the vascular lumen prior to the access guidewire advancing step, which secures vascular access for the RICC advancing step.

[0033] In some embodiments, the introducer sheath splitting step includes splitting a sheath hub including a port in a side of the sheath hub by pulling apart a pair of tabs extending radially from the sheath hub, and propagating one or more tears resulting from splitting the sheath hub along a sheath body of the introducer sheath.

[0034] In some embodiments, propagating the one or more tears includes continuing to pull the tabs apart after fracturing the sheath hub. In some embodiments, propagating the one or more tears includes pulling the sheath body away from the access guidewire such that the sheath body splits against the access guidewire.

[0035] In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of withdrawing the access guidewire, the step of withdrawing the access guidewire comprising withdrawing the access guidewire while leaving the catheter tube within the vessel lumen.

[0036] In some embodiments, the method further includes a steering guidewire advancement step, an additional RICC advancement step, and a steering guidewire withdrawal step. The steering guidewire advancement step includes advancing the steering guidewire into the vessel lumen via the primary lumen of the RICC. The additional RICC advancement step includes further advancing a distal portion of the catheter tube over the steering guidewire into the vessel lumen to the lower third of the superior vena cava (SVC) of the patient's heart. The steering guidewire withdrawal step includes withdrawing the steering guidewire while leaving the catheter tube in the lower third of the SVC.

[0037] These and other features of the concepts provided herein will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the accompanying drawings and following description, which describe in more detail certain embodiments of such concepts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a RICC according to some embodiments. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a distal portion of a catheter tube of a RICC, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a first cross-section of a distal portion of a catheter tube according to some embodiments. [Figure 4] 13 shows a second cross-section of a distal portion of a catheter tube according to some embodiments. [Diagram 5] 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section of a distal portion of a catheter tube according to some embodiments. [Figure 6] 1 shows a first view of an introducer with a syringe for inserting a RICC into a patient, according to some embodiments. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 shows a second view of an introducer with a syringe, according to some embodiments. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 shows a third view of an introducer with a syringe, according to some embodiments. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 shows a first view of an introducer without a syringe, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 shows a second view of an introducer without a syringe, according to some embodiments. [Figure 11] 1 shows a distal portion of an introducer according to some embodiments. [Figure 12] For illustrative purposes only, the introducer is shown without a sheath hub. [Figure 13] 1 illustrates an introducer needle of an introducer, according to some embodiments. [Figure 14] 1 illustrates a splittable introducer sheath of an introducer, according to some embodiments. [Figure 15] 1 illustrates a RICC insertion assembly according to some embodiments. [Figure 16]1 shows a first view of a distal portion of a RICC insertion assembly, according to some embodiments. [Figure 17] 13 shows a second view of a distal portion of the RICC insertion assembly, according to some embodiments. [Figure 18] 13 illustrates a distal portion of another RICC insertion assembly, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Before some specific embodiments are disclosed in more detail, it should be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. It should also be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein may have features that can be easily separated from the specific embodiment and can be combined or substituted in any way with any of the other several embodiments disclosed herein.

[0040] With regard to the terms used herein, it should also be understood that the terms are intended to describe certain particular embodiments, and that the terms do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are generally used to distinguish or identify different features or steps within a group of features or steps, and do not provide sequentiality or numerical limitations. For example, the "first," "second," and "third" features or steps need not appear in that order, nor need a particular embodiment that includes such features or steps be limited to those three features or steps. In addition, any of the features or steps described above can further include one or more features or steps, unless otherwise indicated. Designations such as "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," and similar terms are used for convenience and are not intended to imply, for example, a particular fixed position, orientation, direction, etc. Rather, such designations are used to reflect, for example, a relative position, orientation, direction, etc. The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly indicates a singular number.

[0041] For example, reference to the "proximal," "proximal portion," or "proximal end" of a catheter includes the portion of the catheter that is intended to be located near the clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. Similarly, for example, the "proximal length" of a catheter includes the length of the catheter that is intended to be located near the clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. For example, the "proximal end" of a catheter includes the end of the catheter that is intended to be located near the clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. The proximal portion, end, or length of a catheter may include the proximal end of the catheter. However, the proximal portion, end, or length of a catheter need not include the proximal end of the catheter. That is, unless the context suggests otherwise, the proximal portion, end, or length of a catheter is not the terminal portion, or length of the catheter.

[0042] For example, reference to the "distal," "distal portion," or "distal end" of a catheter includes the portion of the catheter that is intended to be located near or within the patient when the catheter is used on a patient. Similarly, for example, the "distal length" of a catheter includes the length of the catheter that is intended to be located near or within the patient when the catheter is used on a patient. For example, the "distal end" of a catheter includes the end of the catheter that is intended to be located near or within the patient when the catheter is used on a patient. The distal portion, end, or length of a catheter may include the distal end of the catheter. However, the distal portion, end, or length of a catheter need not include the distal end of the catheter. That is, unless the context suggests otherwise, the distal portion, end, or length of a catheter is not the terminal portion, or length of the catheter.

[0043] Unless defined otherwise, all technical or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0044] As mentioned above, although the Seldinger technique is effective, many of the steps are time consuming and handling many medical instruments is inconvenient, both of which can lead to trauma to the patient. In addition, due to the many medical instruments that need to be exchanged during the many steps of the Seldinger technique, the potential for contact contamination is relatively high. Thus, there is a need to reduce the number of steps and medical instruments involved in introducing a catheter, such as a CVC, into a patient and advancing the catheter through its vasculature.

[0045] Disclosed herein are RICCs, RICC insertion assemblies and methods that address the above-mentioned problems. RIC Figure 1 shows a RICC 100, according to some embodiments. Figure 2 shows a distal portion of a catheter tube 102 of the RICC 100, according to some embodiments. Figures 3-5 show different cross sections of the distal portion of the catheter tube 102, according to some embodiments.

[0046] As shown, the RICC 100 includes a catheter tube 102, a catheter hub 104, and one or more extension legs 106. The catheter tube 102 includes a first section 108 at a distal portion of the catheter tube 102, a second section 110 at a distal portion of the catheter tube 102 proximal to the first section 108, and a tapered junction 112 between the first section 108 and the second section 110 of the catheter tube 102.

[0047] The first section 108 of the catheter tube 102 includes a distal tip 114 having a relatively short taper from the outer diameter at the distal end of the first section 108 to the outer diameter of the remainder of the first section 108. The taper of the distal tip 114 is configured to immediately dilate tissue around the needle tract established by the introducer 132 or 184 to the outer diameter of the remainder of the first section 108 of the catheter tube 102. As best shown in FIGURE 5, the first section 108 of the catheter tube 102 also includes a proximal portion that is disposed within and fixedly bonded to the bore of the distal portion of the joint 112, such as by solvent bonding, adhesive bonding, or heat welding.

[0048] The second section 110 of the catheter tube 102 includes a constant outer diameter over its length from the distal end of the second section 110 to the proximal end of the second section 110. The constant diameter of the second section 110 of the catheter tube 102 is configured for smooth insertion into the needle tract and target vasculature after any expansion by the first section 108 of the catheter tube 102 and the junction 112. The distal end of the catheter second section 110 has a flat surface that is flush with and fixedly bonded to the flat surface proximal end of the junction 112, such as by solvent bonding, adhesive bonding, or heat welding.

[0049] The junction 112 includes a taper over the length from the distal end of the junction 112 to the proximal end of the junction 112. The taper of the junction 112 is configured to immediately expand the tissue around the needle tract from the outer diameter of the majority of the first section 108 of the catheter tube 102 to the outer diameter of the second section 110 of the catheter tube 102. The abluminal surface of the junction 112 smoothly transitions from the abluminal surface of the first section 108 of the catheter tube 102 to the abluminal surface of the second section 110 of the catheter tube 102 without creating an edge that may catch on the skin as the catheter tube 102 is inserted into the needle tract. In addition to having minimal or negligible edges, the edges may include solvent interdiffusion polymeric material of the polymeric material forming the catheter tube 102, which provides a smooth transition from the first section 108 of the catheter tube 102 to the junction 112 and from the junction 112 to the second section 110 of the catheter tube 102. In particular, the junction 112 has a length that is approximately equal to the length of the exposed portion 116 of the first section 108 of the catheter tube 102, or a length between the lengths of the exposed portions of the first section 108 and the second section 110 of the catheter tube 102. Thus, the length of the exposed portion 116 of the first section 108 of the catheter tube 102 is less than the length of the junction 112 and at most approximately equal to the length of the junction 112.

[0050] The first section 108 of the catheter tube 102 is formed from a first polymeric material (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, or polyurethane) having a first durometer. The second section 110 of the catheter tube 102 is formed from a second polymeric material (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, another polyurethane, or silicone) having a second durometer less than the first durometer. For example, the first section 108 of the catheter tube 102 can be formed from a first polyurethane having a first durometer, and the second section 110 of the catheter tube 102 can be formed from a second, different polyurethane (e.g., the same or different diisocyanates or triisocyanates reacted with different diols or triols, different diisocyanates or triisocyanates reacted with the same or different diols or triols, etc.) having a second durometer less than the first durometer. Indeed, polyurethane is advantageous for the catheter tube 102 in that it is relatively stiff at room temperature but can become more flexible in vivo at body temperature, thereby reducing irritation to the vessel wall and phlebitis. Polyurethane is also advantageous in that it can be less thrombogenic than some other polymers. The joint 112 is formed from a second or third polymeric material (e.g., yet another polyurethane) having a third durometer less than the first durometer and greater than, approximately equal to, or less than the second durometer.

[0051] It should be understood that the first durometer of the first polymeric material, the second durometer of the second polymeric material, and the third durometer of the third polymeric material may be on different scales (e.g., Type A or Type D). With this understanding, the second durometer of the second polymeric material or the third durometer of the third polymeric material may not be numerically smaller than the first durometer of the first polymeric material when the second durometer or the third durometer is smaller than the first durometer. In fact, the hardness of the second polymeric material or the third polymeric material may still be lower than the hardness of the first polymeric material. This is because the different scales, each ranging from 0 to 100, are designed to characterize different materials in a group of materials having similar hardness.

[0052] With the first section 108 of the catheter tube 102, the second section 110 of the catheter tube 102, and the junction 112 between the first section 108 and the second section 110 of the catheter tube 102 described above, the catheter tube 102 has sufficient column strength to prevent buckling of the catheter tube 102 when inserted into a needle tract established by percutaneous puncture with an introducer 132 or 184, which will be described below. The column strength of the catheter tube 102 is also sufficient to prevent buckling of the catheter tube 102 when advanced through a patient's vasculature without pre-dilating the tissue surrounding the needle tract or any of the vessels of the vasculature with a separate dilator.

[0053] The catheter tube 102 includes one or more catheter tube lumens extending therethrough. However, typically in a multi-lumen RICC (e.g., a two-lumen RICC, a three-lumen RICC, a four-lumen RICC, a five-lumen RICC, a six-lumen RICC, etc.), there is only one catheter tube lumen extending from the proximal end of the catheter tube 102 to the distal end of the catheter tube 102. (See FIGS. 3-5.) Indeed, the first section 108 of the catheter tube 102 typically has a single lumen therethrough, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0054] A catheter hub 104 is coupled to a proximal portion of the catheter tube 102. The catheter hub 104 includes one or more catheter hub lumens that correspond in number to the one or more catheter tube lumens. The one or more catheter hub lumens extend entirely through the catheter hub 104 from a proximal end of the catheter hub 104 to a distal end of the catheter hub 104.

[0055] Each of the one or more extension legs 106 is coupled by its distal portion to the catheter hub 104. Each of the one or more extension legs 106 includes one or more extension leg lumens, the number of which corresponds to the number of the one or more catheter hub lumens. Each of the one or more extension leg lumens extends entirely through the extension leg from a proximal end of the extension leg to a distal end of the extension leg.

[0056] Each extension leg of the one or more extension legs 106 includes a luer connector 118 coupled thereto through which the extension leg and its extension leg lumen can be connected to another medical device and its lumen.

[0057] As shown, the RICC 100 is a three-lumen RICC including three sets of lumens. However, the RICC 100 is not limited to the three sets of lumens as described above. The three sets of lumens include a primary lumen 120, a secondary lumen 122, and a tertiary lumen 124 formed from fluidly connected portions of three catheter tube lumens, three catheter hub lumens, and three extension leg lumens. The primary lumen 120 has a primary lumen opening 126 at the distal end of the first section 108 of the catheter tube 102, which corresponds to the distal end of the catheter tube 102 and the distal end of the RICC 100. The secondary lumen 122 has a secondary lumen opening 128 at the side of the distal portion of the catheter tube 102. The tertiary lumen 124 has a tertiary lumen opening 130 at the side of the distal portion of the catheter tube 102 proximal to the secondary lumen opening 128.

[0058] Introducer 6-10 show different views of an introducer 132 including an introducer needle 134 and a splittable introducer sheath 136, with and without a syringe 138, according to some embodiments. Figure 11 shows a distal portion of the introducer 132, according to some embodiments.

[0059] As shown, the introducer 132 includes an introducer needle 134 and an introducer sheath 136. In at least a ready-to-operate state of the introducer 132 configured to insert the RICC 100 into a patient, the introducer needle 134 is disposed within the introducer sheath 136. In other words, the introducer sheath 136 is disposed to cover the introducer needle 134, at least in the ready-to-operate state of the introducer 132 shown in Figures 6-10 and 15-17.

[0060] FIG. 13 shows an introducer needle 134 of an introducer 132, according to some embodiments. The introducer needle 134 includes a needle shaft 140 and a needle hub 142 coupled to a proximal portion of the needle shaft 140 .

[0061] The needle shaft 140 includes a needle tip 144 at a distal portion of the needle shaft 140 , a longitudinal gap 146 , and a notch 148 at a proximal portion of the needle shaft 140 distal to the needle hub 142 .

[0062] The needle tip 144 includes a bevel 150 having a tip bevel 152 and a primary bevel 154 proximal to the tip bevel 152. The tip bevel angle of the tip bevel 152 (see ∠A in FIG. 11 ) is greater than the primary bevel angle of the primary bevel 154 (see ∠B in FIG. 11 ) such that the bevel 150 provides a smooth transition across the needle tip 144. Such a needle tip is thus configured to establish a needle tract from an area of ​​skin into a patient's vascular lumen in accordance with the needle tract establishment steps of the method described below.

[0063] The longitudinal gap 146 extends distally from a notch 148 in the needle shaft 140 through the needle tip 144, thereby forming a needle channel along most of the length of the introducer needle 134, as opposed to a needle lumen through the introducer needle 134. (Notably, the introducer needle 134 includes a needle lumen, but the needle lumen extends proximally from the notch 148 in the needle shaft 140 through the proximal end of the needle hub 142.) The longitudinal gap 146 has a width dimensioned according to an outer diameter of an access guidewire 208, described below, which allows the access guidewire 208 to pass from the wider notch 148 in the needle shaft 140 through the needle tip 144 when an introducer needle withdrawal step of the method, described below, is performed.

[0064] The needle hub 142 may include a tapered or non-tapered male needle-hub connector 156 at a distal portion of the needle hub 142 and a tapered female needle-hub connector 158 at a proximal portion of the needle hub 142. The male needle-hub connector 156 is configured to form a fluid-tight connection with a female sheath-hub connector 182, described below, at least in the ready-to-operate state of the introducer 132. If the male needle-hub connector 156 is not tapered, the male needle-hub connector 156 includes an O-ring 160 disposed within a circumferential groove around the male needle-hub connector 156 configured to form a fluid-tight connection. Such an O-ring is not required if the male needle-hub connector 156 is not tapered. The female needle-hub connector 158 is configured to form a fluid-tight connection with a syringe tip 204 of the syringe 138, described below.

[0065] FIG. 14 shows an introducer sheath 136 of the introducer 132, according to some embodiments. The introducer sheath 136 includes a splittable sheath body 162 and a splittable sheath hub 164 coupled to a proximal portion of the sheath body 162. The introducer sheath 136 is configured such that the entire introducer sheath 136 is positioned over the needle shaft 140 and needle hub 142 of the introducer needle 134, at least in the ready-to-operate state of the introducer 132.

[0066] The sheath body 162 includes an opening 166 at a proximal portion of the sheath body 162 and a sheath tip 168 at a distal portion of the sheath body 162. (See FIG. 12 for opening 166.) Despite the opening 166 being covered by a sheath hub 164 coupled to the proximal portion of the sheath body 162, the sheath body 162 is configured to seal off the needle shaft 140 such that a vacuum can be drawn through the introducer needle 134, at least in the ready-to-operate state of the introducer 132 shown in FIGS. 6-10 and 15-17.

[0067] The opening 166 has a width that corresponds approximately to the width of the notch 148 in the needle shaft 140, which is wider than the width of the longitudinal gap 146 in the needle shaft 140 sized according to the diameter of the access guidewire 208. The opening 166 is thus configured to allow the access guidewire 208 to pass through the opening 166 and into the notch 148 in the needle shaft 140, at least in the ready-to-operate state of the introducer 132.

[0068] The sheath tip 168 includes a taper 170 that expands from the outer diameter of the needle shaft 140 to the outer diameter of the majority of the sheath body 162. In other words, the taper 170 reduces from the outer diameter of the majority of the sheath body 162 to the outer diameter of the needle shaft 140. The taper 170 has a taper angle (see ∠C in FIG. 11 ) that is less than the primary bevel angle (see ∠B in FIG. 11 ) of the primary bevel 154 of the needle tip 144, which in turn is less than the tip bevel angle (see ∠A in FIG. 11 ) of the tip bevel 152 of the needle tip 144. The sheath tip 168, including such a taper, is configured to provide a smooth transition from the needle tip 144 to the sheath body 162 when the introducer 132 is in a ready-to-operate state.

[0069] The sheath body 162 may also include one or more longitudinal body faults 172 (e.g., grooves, lines of weakened material, etc.), such as a pair of body faults 172 extending along opposing sides of the sheath body 162, if the sheath body 162 is not formed from a material configured to split or propagate one or more tears. For example, the sheath body 162 may be formed from a polymeric material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, to facilitate smooth and consistent splitting of the sheath body 162 without body faults 172 along the sides of the sheath body 162. Indeed, such a sheath body may be configured to split against the access guidewire 208, as described below, upon pulling the sheath body 162 away from the access guidewire 208 after splitting the sheath hub 164. The one or more body faults 172, if present, include at least a primary body fault extending along at least a portion of the primary side of the introducer sheath 136, including the port 174. In fact, the primary body section may extend along the entirety of the sheath body 162, as shown in Figure 12. When a pair of body sections 172 is present, the secondary body section extends along at least a portion of the secondary side of the introducer sheath 136 opposite the primary side. Although not shown, the secondary body section may extend along the entirety of the sheath body 162.

[0070] The sheath hub 164 includes a valved, splittable port 174 on the primary side of the introducer sheath 136 and a pair of tabs 176 extending from the sheath hub 164 proximal to the port 174 .

[0071] The port 174 is positioned to overlie the opening 166 in the proximal portion of the sheath body 162. The port 174 has a length approximately corresponding to the length of the opening 166, but a width of the port 174 that is greater than the width of the opening 166 and accommodates a valve 178, such as a tearable septum, a partially split septum, or a fully split septum compressed within the port 174, overlying the opening 166 in the sheath body 162. As best shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 , the valve 178 is configured to allow the access guidewire 208 to pass through the valve 178, through the port 174, and into the opening 166 in the sheath body 162, and in particular to enable the blood aspiration step of the method described below by maintaining fluid-tight access to the patient's vascular lumen with the introducer 132. Such a valve is also configured to split along with the remainder of the sheath hub 164 in order to split the introducer sheath 136 away from the access guidewire 208 in accordance with the introducer sheath splitting step of the method described below.

[0072] The tabs 176 extend radially from opposite sides of the sheath hub 164 perpendicular to the primary and secondary sides of the introducer sheath 136, and if present on the primary side of the introducer sheath 136, the tabs 176 would be positioned perpendicular to at least the primary plane. Such tabs are configured to split the sheath hub 164 when the tabs 176 are pulled away from each other in accordance with the introducer sheath splitting step of the method described below. Notwithstanding the above, the tabs 176 need not be 180° apart as illustrated. In fact, the tabs 176 may extend radially from sides of the sheath hub 164 that are less than 180° apart (including less than 135° apart, such as less than 90° apart, e.g., about 67.5° apart), with the ports 174 facing the apex of the included angle formed between the tabs 176. Such tabs are configured to split the sheath hub 164 when the tabs 176 are pressed towards each other, such as by pinching the tabs 176 together in one hand.

[0073] The sheath hub 164 may also include a pair of longitudinal hub faults 180 (e.g., grooves, lines of weakened material, etc.) that extend along opposing sides of the sheath hub 164. The hub faults 180, when present, include a primary hub fault and a secondary hub fault. The primary hub fault extends along at least a portion of the primary side of the introducer sheath 136 (i.e., the side of the introducer sheath 136 that includes the port 174). In fact, the primary hub fault may extend along the entirety of the sheath hub 164, as shown in FIG. 9. Similarly, the secondary hub fault extends along at least a portion of the secondary side of the introducer sheath 136 opposite the primary side. The secondary hub fault may extend along the entirety of the sheath hub 164, as shown in FIG. 10. The sheath hub 164 is configured to split along both the primary and secondary hub fractures 180 when the tabs 176 are pulled apart (or pinched together) to propagate one or more tears resulting from splitting the sheath hub 164 along the sheath body 162 on the primary and secondary sides of the introducer sheath 136.

[0074] The sheath hub 164 may also include a tapered or non-tapered female sheath-hub connector 182 at a proximal portion of the sheath hub 164. The female sheath-hub connector 182 is configured to form a fluid-tight connection with the male needle-hub connector 156 described above, at least in the ready-to-operate state of the introducer 132. In particular, non-tapered connectors are less likely to stick than tapered connectors (e.g., luer tapered connectors), which is advantageous for the introducer needle withdrawal step of the methods described below, since this step involves withdrawing the introducer needle 134 from the introducer 132, leaving the introducer sheath 136 within the patient's vascular lumen.

[0075] FIG. 18 shows a distal portion of another introducer 184, according to some embodiments. Similar to introducer 132 , introducer 184 includes an introducer needle 186 and a splittable introducer sheath 188 .

[0076] The introducer needle 186 of the introducer 184 is similar to the introducer needle 134 of the introducer 132 described above, except for one main difference: 1) the needle shaft 190 of the introducer needle 186 is typically of a larger gauge (e.g., 18 gauge) than the needle shaft 140 of the introducer needle 134 to accommodate the catheter tube 102 (e.g., 16 gauge) of the RICC 100 as it is inserted. Thus, the description of the introducer needle 134 of the introducer 132 described above generally applies to the introducer needle 186 of the introducer 184, except for the main difference discussed above.

[0077] The introducer sheath 188 of the introducer 184 is similar to the introducer sheath 136 of the introducer 132 described above, with two main differences: 1) the sheath body 192 of the introducer sheath 188 is typically larger gauge than the sheath body 162 of the introducer sheath 136 to accommodate the needle shaft 190 of the introducer needle 186 as it is inserted, and 2) the sheath hub 194 of the introducer sheath 188 includes a side arm 196 and a valved splittable port 198 in the side arm 196 of the sheath hub 194. Like the sheath body 192, the port 198 of the sheath hub 194 is typically larger than the port 174 of the sheath hub 164 to accommodate the catheter tube 102 of the RICC 100 as it is inserted. In particular, the primary and secondary hub faults, if present, extend along at least a portion of the primary and secondary sides, respectively, of the introducer sheath 188, the primary side of the introducer sheath 188 including the port 198. Thus, the description of the introducer sheath 136 of the introducer 132 above generally applies to the introducer sheath 188 of the introducer 184, except for two major differences noted above.

[0078] Regardless of whether introducer 132 or 184 is used, introducer 132 or 184 may further include a syringe 138. Syringe 138 includes a barrel 200, a plunger 202 disposed within barrel 200, and a tapered male syringe tip 204 extending from a distal portion of syringe 138. Syringe tip 204 is configured to be inserted into female needle-hub connector 158 described above, at least in the ready-to-operate state of introducer 132. Similarly, syringe tip 204 is configured to be inserted into the female needle-hub connector of introducer 184 shown in FIG. 18. Indeed, such a syringe is useful for at least aspirating blood in accordance with the blood aspirating step of the method described below.

[0079] RICC Insertion Assembly 15-17 show different views of the RICC insertion assembly 206, according to some embodiments.

[0080] As shown, the RICC insertion assembly 206 includes the RICC 100, the introducer 132, and an access guidewire 208 disposed within both the RICC 100 and the introducer 132 at least in the ready-to-operate state of the RICC insertion assembly 206.

[0081] The RICC 100 and the introducer 132 have been described above. In particular, at least in the ready-to-operate state of the RICC insertion assembly 206, the introducer 132 is also in its ready-to-operate state, and has also been described above.

[0082] The access guidewire 208 extends along the entire primary lumen 120 of the RICC 100, through a valve 178 (e.g., a septum) of the port 174 of the sheath hub 164 of the introducer sheath 136, along a needle channel covered by the sheath body of the needle shaft 140 of the introducer needle 134, to a location within the introducer 132 proximal to the needle tip 144. In particular, the access guidewire 208 includes a plain or unwound portion as well as a wound portion less than about 7 cm, where the wound portion of the access guidewire 208 is in a distal portion of the access guidewire 208 including the distal end of the access guidewire 208. The plain or unwound portion of the access guidewire 208 proximal to the wound portion extends through the valve 178 because the wound portion of the access guidewire 208 would cause leakage at the valve 178 if it extended through the valve 178. The location of the access guidewire 208 proximal to the needle tip 144 is convenient for immediate advancement of the distal end of the access guidewire 208 through the remainder of the introducer 132 and into the vascular lumen following establishment of a needle tract into the vascular lumen, in accordance with the access guidewire advancement step of the method described below. Notably, the access guidewire 208 also includes a stop 210 (e.g., a guidewire hub) about the proximal end of the access guidewire 208 that is configured to prevent over-advancement of the access guidewire 208 during the access guidewire advancement step, thereby preventing loss of the access guidewire 208 within the RICC insertion assembly 206 or the patient, which could result in guidewire embolism.

[0083] As described above for the introducer 132, the RICC insertion assembly 206 may further include a syringe 138 as shown. Again, such a syringe is useful for at least aspirating blood in accordance with the blood aspirating steps of the method described below.

[0084] FIG. 18 shows a distal portion of another RICC insertion assembly 212, according to some embodiments. Similar to the RICC insertion assembly 206, the RICC insertion assembly 212 includes, at least in the ready-to-operate state of the RICC insertion assembly 212, a RICC 100, an introducer 184, and an access guidewire 208. However, unlike the RICC insertion assembly 206, the catheter tube 102 of the RICC 100 is disposed within the introducer 184, at least in the ready-to-operate state of the RICC insertion assembly 212. In fact, the catheter tube 102 extends through a port 198 in the sheath hub 194 of the introducer sheath 188, along a side arm 196 of the sheath hub 194, along a needle channel covered by the sheath body of the needle shaft 190 of the introducer needle 186, to a position within the introducer 184 proximal to the needle tip 214 of the needle shaft 190. Additionally, the RICC insertion assembly 212, at least in the ready-to-operate state of the RICC insertion assembly 212, can include a hollow stylet 216 disposed within the primary lumen 120 of the RICC 100, with a distal end of the stylet 216 extending to the same location as the distal end of the catheter tube 102 within the introducer 184 or to another location more proximal to the distal end of the catheter tube 102. In particular, the stylet 216 can be disposed within a Tuohy-Borst luer connector (not shown) configured to couple to an extension leg, including an extension leg lumen portion, of the primary lumen 120 of the RICC 100 to fluid-tightly seal the primary lumen 120 with the stylet 216 therein. A Tuohy-Borst luer connector for sealing the stylet 216 within the primary lumen 120 of the RICC 100, and sealing means for sealing the access guidewire 208 within the stylet lumen of the stylet 216 described below, combined with a port 198 in the sheath hub 194 for sealing the catheter tube 102 of the RICC 100 within the introducer sheath 188, provide fluid-tight access to the patient's vascular lumen using the introducer 184, thereby enabling the blood aspiration step of the method described below.

[0085] The RICC 100, the introducer 184, and the access guidewire 208 have been described above. In particular, at least in the ready-to-operate state of the RICC insertion assembly 212, the introducer 184 is also in its ready-to-operate state, and has also been described above.

[0086] The stylet 216 includes a tubular stylet body 218 having a stylet lumen and sealing means for sealing the stylet 216 selected from a sealable stylet hub (not shown) around a proximal portion of the stylet body 218 and one or more internal O-rings.

[0087] The stylet body 218 is configured to occupy extra luminal space between the access guidewire 208 disposed within the stylet 216 and the luminal wall of the primary lumen 120 of the RICC 100, at least in the ready-to-operate state of the RICC insertion assembly 212. The stylet 216 is also configured to provide structural support for advancing the access guidewire 208 within the RICC insertion assembly 212 in accordance with the access guidewire advancement step of the method described below. In effect, the stylet 216 reduces non-luminal movement (i.e., movement not along or coincident with the lumen) of the access guidewire 208 during the access guidewire advancement step that, in the absence of the stylet 216, could damage the primary lumen 120 of the RICC 100. Thus, the distal end of the access guidewire 208, at least in the ready-to-operate state of the RICC insertion assembly 212, should extend to the same location as the distal end of the stylet 216 or to another location more proximal to prevent unintended non-luminal migration. Again, the location of the access guidewire 208 proximal to the needle tip 214 is advantageous for immediate advancement of the distal end of the access guidewire 208 through the remainder of the introducer 184 and into the vessel lumen, following the access guidewire advancement step that follows establishment of a needle tract into the vessel lumen.

[0088] If the sealing means for sealing the stylet 216 is a stylet hub, the stylet hub can include a luer connector configured to mate with a Tuohy-Borst connector, or another Tuohy-Borst luer connector (i.e., another Tuohy-Borst luer connector in addition to the Tuohy-Borst connector described above for coupling to the extension leg of the RICC 100). The access guidewire 208 can be disposed in either the Tuohy-Borst connector or the other Tuohy-Borst luer connector to fluid-tightly seal the stylet lumen with the access guidewire 208 therein. (If the sealing means for sealing the stylet 216 is one or more internal O-rings, the stylet 216 can optionally include a stylet hub configured as a luer connector, since the stylet hub is also configured to prevent any over-advancement of the stylet 216.) When the sealing means for sealing the stylet 216 is one or more internal O-rings, the one or more internal O-rings can be disposed within the stylet lumen at a proximal portion of the stylet 216, a distal portion of the stylet 216, or for any two or more internal O-rings, distributed between the proximal and distal portions of the stylet 216. The one or more internal O-rings are configured to form a seal around the access guidewire 208 when the access guidewire 208 is disposed within the stylet 216. The Tuohy-Borst luer connector for sealing the stylet 216 within the primary lumen 120 of the RICC 100 and sealing means for sealing the access guidewire 208 within the stylet lumen of the stylet 216, combined with the port 198 in the sheath hub 194 for sealing the catheter tube 102 of the RICC 100 within the introducer sheath 188, provide fluid-tight access to the patient's vascular lumen using the introducer 184, thereby enabling the blood aspiration step of the method described below.

[0089] As described above for the introducer 132, the RICC insertion assembly 212 may further include a syringe 138 as shown. Again, such a syringe is useful for at least aspirating blood in accordance with the blood aspirating steps of the method described below.

[0090] RICC Insertion Kit Although not shown, the RICC insertion kit includes the RICC 100, the introducer 132 or 184, the access guidewire 208, instructions for use of the RICC insertion kit, and packaging. If the RICC insertion kit includes the introducer 184, the RICC insertion kit further includes a stylet 216. The aforementioned components of the RICC insertion assembly 206 or 212 are optionally assembled within the RICC insertion kit such that the RICC insertion assembly 206 or 212 is substantially ready for operation and placed within the packaging. Instructions for use of the RICC insertion kit are placed within or printed on the packaging.

[0091] method The method of the RICC insertion assembly 206 or its components includes a method for inserting the RICC 100 into a vascular lumen of a patient, the method including one or more steps selected from the steps of: obtaining the assembly, establishing a needle tract, advancing an introducer sheath, advancing an access guidewire, ultrasound confirmation, aspirating blood, withdrawing the introducer needle, splitting the introducer sheath, advancing the RICC, withdrawing the access guidewire, advancing a steering guidewire, advancing an additional RICC, and withdrawing the steering guidewire.

[0092] The assembly obtaining step includes obtaining a RICC insertion assembly 206. Optionally, the RICC 100, the introducer 132, and the access guidewire 208 are obtained directly in the substantially ready-to-operate state of the RICC insertion assembly 206. If the RICC 100, the introducer 132, and the access guidewire 208 are not obtained directly in the substantially ready-to-operate state of the RICC insertion assembly 206, the assembly obtaining step can include assembling the aforementioned components to obtain the RICC insertion assembly 206 in at least the substantially ready-to-operate state of the RICC insertion assembly 206.

[0093] The needle tract establishment step includes establishing a needle tract from the area of ​​skin to the lumen of the blood vessel with the introducer 132. The needle tract establishment step may include drawing a slight vacuum on the syringe 138 while establishing the needle tract so that blood flows back into at least the introducer needle 134 when the needle tract is established. By drawing such a vacuum, the needle tract establishment step may verify that the needle tract extends into the lumen of the blood vessel by verifying that blood flows back along the longitudinal gap 146 of the introducer needle 134 if the sheath body 162 is formed of a transparent polymeric material, into the needle hub 142 of the introducer needle 134 if the needle hub 142 is formed of a transparent polymeric material, into the syringe tip 204, into the barrel 200 of the syringe 138, or a combination thereof.

[0094] The introducer sheath advancement step includes advancing the introducer sheath 136 over the introducer needle 134 into the blood vessel lumen to secure vascular access for the RICC advancement step. If the introducer sheath advancement step is performed to secure vascular access for the RICC advancement step, the introducer sheath advancement step is performed before the access guidewire advancement step. However, alternatively, the access guidewire advancement step can be performed to secure vascular access for the RICC advancement step. If the access guidewire advancement step is performed to secure vascular access for the RICC advancement step, it is not necessary to perform the introducer sheath advancement step.

[0095] The access guidewire advancement step includes advancing a distal end of the access guidewire 208 from its initial position within the introducer 132 proximal to the needle tip 144 of the introducer needle 134 into the vascular lumen to secure or maintain vascular access for the RICC advancement step. The remainder of the access guidewire 208 extends proximally along a sheath body covered needle channel of the needle shaft 140 of the introducer needle 134, through a valve 178 in a side port 174 in the sheath hub 164 of the introducer sheath 136, along the entirety of the primary lumen 120 of the RICC 100 and out the proximal end of the RICC 100. Again, the access guidewire 208 includes a stop 210 (e.g., a guidewire hub) around the proximal end of the access guidewire 208 configured to prevent over-advancement of the access guidewire 208 during the access guidewire advancement step.

[0096] The ultrasound confirmation step involves confirming with ultrasound imaging that the access guidewire 208 is within the vessel lumen after the access guidewire advancement step. The blood aspiration step includes aspirating blood with a syringe 138 coupled to the introducer needle 134 to ensure that the needle tract extends into the vascular lumen prior to performing the introducer needle withdrawal step. As discussed above, the width of the longitudinal gap 146 in the needle shaft 140 of the introducer needle 134 is sized according to the outer diameter of the access guidewire 208. The needle shaft 140 has an inner diameter sized according to the width of the longitudinal gap 146 in the needle shaft 140 such that the inner diameter of the needle shaft 140 is greater than the outer diameter of the access guidewire 208. This advantageously allows the blood aspiration step to be performed after the access guidewire advancement step while the access guidewire 208 secures or maintains vascular access for the RICC advancement step.

[0097] The introducer needle withdrawal step involves withdrawing the introducer needle 134 from the introducer 132, while leaving both the introducer sheath 136 and the access guidewire 208 within the vessel lumen. Again, the introducer needle 134 includes a longitudinal gap 146 extending from a proximal portion of the needle shaft 140 through the needle tip 144, thereby enabling the introducer needle withdrawal step while the access guidewire 208 remains within the vessel lumen.

[0098] The introducer sheath splitting step includes splitting the sheath hub 164, including the ports 174 on the sides of the sheath hub 164, by pulling apart the tabs 176 extending from the sheath hub 164. The introducer sheath splitting step also includes propagating one or more tears resulting from splitting the sheath hub 164 along the sheath body 162 of the introducer sheath 136. The propagating one or more tears may include continuing to pull the tabs 176 apart after splitting the sheath hub 164, or pulling the sheath body 162 away from the access guidewire 208 such that the sheath body 162 splits against the access guidewire 208. In this manner, the introducer sheath 136 is split off the access guidewire 208 and the split portion of the introducer sheath 136 is removed from the vascular lumen. To maintain vascular access using the access guidewire 208 for the RICC advancement step, it is advantageous to hold the access guidewire 208 in the hand or press it against the patient while the introducer sheath splitting step is performed.

[0099] The RICC advancement step involves inserting the RICC 100 into the vessel lumen by advancing a distal portion of the catheter tube 102 of the RICC 100 over the access guidewire 208 into the vessel lumen.

[0100] The access guidewire withdrawal step involves withdrawing the access guidewire 208 while leaving the catheter tube 102 within the vessel lumen. The access guidewire withdrawal step also involves removing the access guidewire 208 from the primary lumen 120 of the RICC 100 so that a steering guidewire advancement step can be performed.

[0101] The steering guidewire advancement step includes advancing a steering guidewire into the vessel lumen via the primary lumen 120 of the RICC 100. According to the steering guidewire advancement step, a distal portion of the steering guidewire may be advanced to the lower third of the SVC of the patient's heart.

[0102] An additional RICC advancement step involves further advancing the distal portion of the catheter tube 102 within the vessel lumen over the steering guidewire until it reaches the lower third of the patient's SVC.

[0103] The steering guidewire withdrawal step involves withdrawing the steering guidewire, leaving the catheter tube 102 in the lower third of the SVC. Also included in the method of the RICC insertion assembly 212 or its components is a method for inserting the RICC 100 into the vascular lumen of a patient. Similarly, the method includes one or more steps selected from the steps of assembly acquisition, needle tract establishment, introducer sheath advancement, access guidewire advancement, ultrasound confirmation, blood aspiration, introducer needle withdrawal, introducer sheath splitting, RICC advancement, access guidewire withdrawal, steering guidewire advancement, additional RICC advancement, and steering guidewire withdrawal. However, the method or the above steps thereof may be modified as needed according to the characteristics of the RICC insertion assembly 212. For example, the RICC advancement step may be performed before the introducer sheath splitting step, because the catheter tube 102 of the RICC 100 is positioned within the introducer sheath 188 throughout the method until the introducer sheath splitting step is performed. Additionally, additional steps in the method to the above steps may be performed as needed according to the characteristics of the RICC insertion assembly 212. For example, the method may include a stylet withdrawal step, although the access guidewire removal step may be modified to include withdrawing the stylet 216 along with the access guidewire 208 during the access guidewire removal step.

[0104] Although some specific embodiments are disclosed herein, and the specific embodiments are disclosed in some detail, the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Additional improvements or modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the broader aspects of the present invention encompass these improvements or modifications as well. Thus, one may depart from the specific embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the concepts provided herein.

Claims

1. 1. A rapidly insertable central catheter (RICC) insertion assembly, comprising: RICC and An introducer, An introducer needle, an introducer needle including a needle shaft including a longitudinal gap extending from a proximal portion thereof through a needle tip; a splittable introducer sheath disposed over the needle shaft, a splittable sheath body that seals the needle shaft so that a vacuum can be drawn through the introducer needle; a splittable sheath hub coupled to a proximal portion of the sheath body; an introducer including a splittable introducer sheath including a splittable port having a valve located on a side of the sheath hub; an access guidewire disposed in both the RICC and the introducer, the access guidewire extending along the entire primary lumen of the RICC, through a valve in the port, along a needle channel of the needle shaft covered by a sheath body, to a position within the introducer proximal to the needle tip.

2. The RICC is a catheter tube, a first section formed from a first polymeric material having a first durometer, the first section being at a distal portion of the catheter tube; a second section formed from a second polymeric material having a second durometer less than the first durometer, the second section being at the distal portion of the catheter tube proximal to the first section of the catheter tube; 2. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 1, comprising a catheter tube including a tapered junction between the first and second sections of the catheter tube, the tapered junction having a length between a length of an exposed portion of the first and second sections of the catheter tube.

3. 3. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 2, wherein the catheter tube has sufficient column strength to prevent buckling of the catheter tube when inserted into a needle tract established by percutaneous puncture with the introducer and advanced through a patient's vasculature without predilating tissue surrounding the needle tract or any vessels of the vasculature with a separate dilator.

4. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the access guidewire includes an uncoiled portion and a coiled portion, the uncoiled portion of the access guidewire extending through the valve of the port.

5. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the valve includes a tearable or split septum compressed within the port, the access guidewire extending through the septum.

6. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 5 , wherein the septum is positioned over a notch in the needle shaft, and the longitudinal gap in the needle shaft extends distally from the notch.

7. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sheath body is configured to split against the access guidewire when the sheath body is pulled away from the access guidewire after splitting the sheath hub.

8. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sheath hub includes a non-tapered female sheath-hub connector at a proximal portion of the sheath hub.

9. 9. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 8, wherein a needle hub coupled to a proximal portion of the needle shaft includes a non-tapered male needle-hub connector at a distal portion of the needle hub configured to form a fluid-tight connection with the female sheath-hub connector.

10. 10. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 9, wherein the male needle-hub connector includes an O-ring disposed within a circumferential groove around the male needle-hub connector configured to form the fluid-tight connection.

11. 11. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 9 or 10, further comprising a syringe including a tapered male syringe tip extending from a distal portion of the syringe, the syringe tip configured to be inserted into a tapered female needle-hub connector in a proximal portion of the needle hub.

12. 1. An introducer for a rapidly insertable central catheter (RICC), comprising: An introducer needle, a needle shaft including a longitudinal gap; a needle hub coupled to a proximal portion of the needle shaft; an introducer needle including a needle tip at a distal portion of the needle shaft, the longitudinal gap extending from a proximal portion of the needle shaft distal to the needle hub through the needle tip; a splittable introducer sheath configured to be positioned over the needle shaft at least in a ready-to-operate state of the introducer, a splittable sheath body configured to seal the needle shaft at least in the ready-to-operate state of the introducer such that a vacuum can be drawn through the introducer needle; a splittable sheath hub coupled to a proximal portion of the sheath body; an introducer sheath including a valved, splittable port located on a side of the sheath hub.

13. The introducer of claim 12 , wherein the valve includes a tearable or split septum compressed within the port, the septum configured to pass an access guidewire therethrough.

14. The introducer of claim 13 , wherein the septum is positioned over a notch in the needle shaft at least in the ready-to-operate state of the introducer, and the longitudinal gap in the needle shaft extends distally from the notch.

15. 13. The introducer of claim 12, wherein the sheath hub further comprises a pair of tabs extending radially from the sheath hub and configured to split the sheath hub by pulling the tabs apart.

16. 13. The introducer of claim 12, wherein the sheath hub includes a pair of longitudinal hub faults, the hub faults including a primary fault along a portion of a primary side of the introducer sheath including the port and a secondary fault along a portion of a secondary side of the introducer sheath opposite the primary side, the sheath hub configured to fracture along both the primary hub fault and the secondary hub fault and propagate along the sheath body on the primary and secondary sides of the introducer sheath.

17. The introducer of claim 12 , wherein the sheath hub includes a non-tapered female sheath-hub connector at a proximal portion of the sheath hub.

18. The introducer of claim 17, wherein the needle hub includes a non-tapered male needle-hub connector at a distal portion of the needle hub configured to form a fluid-tight connection with the female sheath-hub connector at least in the ready-to-operate state of the introducer.

19. The introducer of claim 18, wherein the male needle-hub connector includes an O-ring disposed within a circumferential groove around the male needle-hub connector configured to form the fluid-tight connection.

20. 13. The introducer of claim 12, wherein a distal portion of the sheath body includes a taper that reduces from an outer diameter at a majority of the sheath body to an outer diameter of the needle shaft, the taper providing a smooth transition from the needle tip to the sheath body in the ready-to-operate state of the introducer.

21. 21. The introducer of claim 20, wherein the taper has a taper angle that is less than either a tip bevel angle of a tip bevel or a primary bevel angle of a primary bevel of the needle tip bevel.

22. 22. The introducer of any one of claims 12 to 21, further comprising a syringe including a tapered male syringe tip extending from a distal portion of the syringe, the syringe tip configured to be inserted into a tapered female needle-hub connector in a proximal portion of the needle hub.

23. A rapidly insertable central catheter (RICC), comprising: A catheter tube comprising: a first section formed from a first polymeric material having a first durometer, the first section being at a distal portion of the catheter tube; a second section formed from a second polymeric material having a second durometer less than the first durometer, the second section being at the distal portion of the catheter tube proximal to the first section of the catheter tube; a catheter tube including a tapered junction between the first and second sections of the catheter tube, the tapered junction having a length between a length of an exposed portion of the first and second sections of the catheter tube; a catheter hub coupled to a proximal portion of the catheter tube; one or more extension legs, each extension leg of the one or more extension legs being coupled by a distal portion thereof to the catheter hub.

24. 24. The RICC of claim 23, wherein a proximal portion of the first section of the catheter tube is disposed within and glued to a bore of a distal portion of the junction.

25. 24. The RICC of claim 23, wherein a distal end of the second section of the catheter tube is flush with and bonded to a proximal end of the junction.

26. 24. The RICC of claim 23, wherein the catheter tube has sufficient column strength to prevent buckling of the catheter tube when inserted into a needle tract established by percutaneous puncture and advanced through a patient's vasculature without predilating tissue surrounding the needle tract or any vessels of the vasculature with a separate dilator.

27. 27. The RICC of any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein the RICC comprises a set of three lumens, including a primary lumen, a secondary lumen, and a tertiary lumen, formed from fluidly connected portions of three catheter tube lumens, three catheter hub lumens, and three extension leg lumens.

28. 28. The RICC of claim 27, wherein the primary lumen has a primary lumen opening at a distal end of the catheter tube, the secondary lumen has a secondary lumen opening on a side of the distal portion of the catheter tube, and the tertiary lumen has a tertiary lumen opening on the side of the distal portion of the catheter tube proximal to the secondary lumen opening.

Images