adapters as necessary

Abstract

An adapter as necessary can be formed from a housing and an elastomeric member. The elastomeric member forms a septum and a tapered male luer. By being comprised of only two components, the manufacturing process can be simplified. The housing can form a hollow interior having a proximal opening and a distal opening. The septum of the elastomeric member can be positioned at the proximal opening of the hollow interior, and the tapered male luer can extend to the distal opening of the hollow interior.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Intravenous (IV) catheter devices are commonly used for a variety of infusion therapies. For example, IV catheter devices can be used to infuse fluids such as saline solutions, various medications, and total parenteral nutrition into a patient. IV catheter devices can also be used to draw blood from a patient.

[0002] The most common type of intravenous catheter device is the over-the-needle peripheral venous (“IV”) catheter (“PIVC”). As the name suggests, a over-the-needle catheter is mounted on a needle with a sharp distal end. The catheter and needle can be assembled such that the distal end of the needle extends beyond the distal end of the catheter, and the bevel of the needle faces upward away from the patient's skin. The catheter and needle are typically inserted into the patient's vascular system through the skin at a shallow angle.

[0003] IV catheter devices typically provide access ports through which other devices can enter the catheter while it is in the patient's vascular system. These other devices can be used to perform various tasks, such as obtaining blood samples, injecting fluids, performing measurements, monitoring, etc. Such access ports are usually protected using a "pro re nata" adapter, which includes a valve at the access port. The abbreviation "PRN" (from the Latin "pro re nata") generally means "pro re nata" and indicates that the PRN adapter allows clinicians access to the patient's vascular system "when necessary."

[0004] Figure 1 provides an example of a PIVC 100 that can use a PRN adapter. The PIVC 100 includes: a catheter adapter 110 from which a catheter 111 extends; a needle adapter 120 from which a needle 121 extends; and an extension kit 130 having an extension tube 131 extending from the catheter adapter 110 to a Y-adapter 132 having two female Luer locking ports 132a and 132b. A PRN adapter 140 is connected to port 132a, and a vent plug 150 is connected to port 132b. Thus, Figure 1 is intended to illustrate that the PRN adapter is typically used on the port of the Y-adapter or other connector of the extension kit. It is worth noting that the PRN adapter can also be used on ports in other locations on the PIVC or in conjunction with other IV catheter devices.

[0005] Figure 2 provides an example of a common PRN adapter 240. The PRN adapter 240 comprises three separate components: (1) a housing 241; (2) a diaphragm 242; and (3) a shrink diaphragm 243. The housing 241, typically formed of rigid plastic, forms a tapered male Luer connector 241a that inserts into a female Luer port (e.g., port 132a or 132b). The housing 241 will also typically take the form of a male Luer locking sleeve 241b to allow the PRN adapter 240 to be threaded onto a female Luer locking port. The diaphragm 242, typically formed of an elastomeric material such as rubber or silicone, serves as a seal to prevent blood or fluid from escaping through the PRN adapter 240, while also allowing a needle or cannula to be inserted through it to access the PIVC or other IV catheter device to which the PRN adapter 240 can be attached. The diaphragm 242 may be partially inserted into the housing 241. The shrink diaphragm 243 serves to secure the diaphragm 242 to the housing 241. For example, during the manufacturing process of PRN adapter 240, shrink film 243 may be positioned around a portion of housing 241 and a portion of diaphragm 242, and then heated to tighten the shrink film around these portions.

[0006] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to addressing any drawbacks that occur only in environments such as those described above, or to embodiments that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is provided merely to illustrate an example technical field in which some of the implementations described herein may be practiced. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This disclosure generally relates to PRN adapters and IV catheter devices on which PRN adapters can be used. The PRN adapter can be formed from a housing and an elastomeric member. The elastomeric member can form a diaphragm and a tapered male Luer connector. By constituting the PRN adapter with only two components, the manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0008] In some embodiments, the PRN adapter may include a housing and an elastomeric member coupled to the housing. The elastomeric member forms a diaphragm and a tapered male Luer connector. In some embodiments, the housing may form a hollow interior having a proximal opening and a distal opening. In some embodiments, the diaphragm of the elastomeric member may be located at the proximal opening of the hollow interior, and the tapered male Luer connector may extend to the distal opening of the hollow interior. In some embodiments, the housing may include an edge forming the proximal opening. In some embodiments, the diaphragm may form a distally facing lip overlapping the proximal surface of the edge. In some embodiments, the elastomeric member may include a retaining member spaced apart from the diaphragm by a neck. In some embodiments, the proximal surface of the retaining member may abut the distal surface of the edge. In some embodiments, the hollow interior may include threads. In some embodiments, the elastomeric member may form a cavity extending from the diaphragm through the tapered male Luer connector.

[0009] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and illustrative, and do not limit the claimed invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and means shown in the accompanying drawings. It should also be understood that these embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of the invention, unless so claimed. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be considered limiting. Attached Figure Description

[0010] With the aid of the accompanying drawings, exemplary embodiments will be described and illustrated with additional features and details, wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 shows an example of a common PIVC on which a PRN adapter can be used;

[0012] Figure 2 shows an example of a common PRN adapter;

[0013] Figure 3 Examples of PRN adapters configured according to some embodiments of this disclosure are shown;

[0014] Figure 3A yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the PRN adapter;

[0015] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 The diaphragm component of the PRN adapter; and

[0016] Figure 4A yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the diaphragm component. Detailed Implementation

[0017] In the specification and claims, the term "PRN adapter" should be interpreted as any adapter that may be part of a venous catheter device or that may be used on a venous catheter device to enable another device to access the catheter of the venous catheter device when the catheter is positioned in a vein. Figure 3 Examples of PRN adapter 300 configured according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are provided. Figure 3A A cross-sectional view of the PRN adapter 300 is provided.

[0018] The PRN adapter 300 is formed of two parts: (1) a housing 310; and (2) an elastomeric member 320. The housing 310 extends from a proximal end 310a to a distal end 310b. A hollow interior 312 of the housing 310 forms a proximal opening 312a and a distal opening 312b. An edge 313 (or a region of reduced diameter in the hollow interior 312) forms the proximal opening 312a. The edge 313 forms a proximal surface 313a, an inward surface 313b, and a distal surface 313c. A thread 314 is formed within the hollow interior 312 and extends proximally from the distal opening 312b. Ribs 311 may be formed around the exterior of the housing 310 and may serve to aid in gripping the PRN adapter 300.

[0019] Figure 4 An example of a separate elastomer component 320 is provided. Figure 4A A cross-sectional view of a separate elastomeric member 320 is provided. As shown, the elastomeric member 320 extends from a proximal end 320a to a distal end 320b. A diaphragm 321 is formed at the proximal end 320a, and a tapered male Luer joint 324 is formed at the distal end 320b. A neck 322 extends distally from the diaphragm 321, and a retaining member 323 extends distally from the neck 322. The neck 322 includes an outer diameter region that decreases relative to the outer diameter of the diaphragm 321 and relative to the outer diameter of the retaining member 323. Thus, a neck sidewall 322a is located between a distally facing lip 321a formed on the diaphragm 321 and a proximal surface 323a formed on the retaining member 323.

[0020] The elastomeric member 320 also includes a cavity 325 extending from a proximal end 325a adjacent to the diaphragm 321 through a distal end 320b of the elastomeric member 320. In the depicted embodiment, the proximal end 325a of the cavity 325 is aligned with a lip 321a. However, in other embodiments, the proximal end 325a may be biased relative to the lip 321a, such that the thickness of the diaphragm 321 is greater than or less than the thickness shown in the figure.

[0021] like Figure 3AAs best seen, the elastomeric member 320 is secured to the housing 310 by positioning the edge 313 between the diaphragm 321 and the retaining member 323. In this position, the lip 321a overlaps with the proximal surface 313a of the edge 313, the neck sidewall 322a abuts the inward surface 313b of the edge 313, and the proximal surface 323a of the retaining member 323 abuts the distal surface 313c of the edge 313. Thus, the diaphragm 321 is positioned proximal to the edge 313, and the tapered male Luer connector 324 extends distally beyond the distal opening 312b. However, in other embodiments, the tapered male Luer connector 324 may extend to or shorter than the distal opening 312b. The outer diameter of the tapered male Luer connector 324 is smaller than the diameter of the hollow interior 312, so that when the tapered male Luer connector 324 is inserted into the female Luer locking port, the female Luer locking port can be inserted between the tapered male Luer connector 324 and the housing 310.

[0022] The elastic properties of the elastomer member 320 allow it to be inserted into and secured within the housing 310. For example, the elastomer member 320 can be inserted through the distal opening 312b until the diaphragm 321 passes through the proximal opening 312a. The diaphragm 321 is deformable to allow it to pass through the smaller diameter of the proximal opening 312a. The retaining member 323 then prevents the elastomer member 320 from moving further distally relative to the housing 310. When the diaphragm 321 is positioned beyond the proximal opening 312a in the proximal direction, the lip 321a will overlap with the proximal surface 313a, thereby preventing the elastomer member 320 from moving distally.

[0023] The PRN adapter 300 can be connected to the female Luer locking port of the IV catheter device by inserting the tapered male Luer connector 324 into the port and rotating the PRN adapter 300 to tighten the thread 314 relative to the corresponding tab of the female Luer locking port. When the PRN adapter 300 is tightened onto the port, the tapered male Luer connector 324 forms a fluid seal relative to the female Luer locking port. For access to the catheter of the IV catheter device, a needle or cannula of the individual device can be inserted through the diaphragm 321 and into the lumen 325. When the needle or cannula is subsequently removed, the resilient properties of the diaphragm 321 will reform a seal and prevent any fluid from escaping from the lumen 325.

[0024] All examples and conditional language described herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the invention and the inventors' concepts for further development in the field, and should be interpreted as not being limited to such specific examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An adapter, the adapter comprising: The housing (310) forms a hollow interior (312) having a proximal opening (312a) and a distal opening (312b). and An elastomer member (320) forming a diaphragm (321) and a tapered male Luer connector (324) is inserted into and secured within the housing (310) by inserting the elastomer member through the distal opening until the diaphragm passes through the proximal opening. The distal opening of the housing (310) includes an edge forming a proximal surface (313a), an inner surface (313b), and a distal surface (313c), the edge being configured to engage a retaining member (323) extending distally from the neck (322) of the elastomeric member, such that the neck sidewall (322a) of the elastomeric member is located between a distally facing lip (321a) formed on the diaphragm and a proximal surface (323a) formed on the retaining member (323).

2. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein, The diameter of the proximal opening (312a) is smaller than the diameter of the diaphragm (321), such that the diaphragm must deform to pass through the proximal opening.

3. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein, When the elastomeric member (320) is secured within the housing (310), the diaphragm (321) of the elastomeric member is positioned at the proximal opening (312a) of the hollow interior (312), and the tapered male Luer connector (324) extends to the distal opening (312b) of the hollow interior.

4. The adapter according to claim 3, wherein, The edge (313) forms the proximal opening (312a).

5. The adapter according to claim 4, wherein, When the elastomeric member (320) is secured within the housing (310), the distal lip (321a) overlaps with the proximal surface (313a) of the edge (313).

6. The adapter according to claim 5, wherein, The retaining member (323) is spaced apart from the diaphragm (321) by the neck (322).

7. The adapter according to claim 6, wherein, When the elastomeric member (320) is secured within the housing (310), the proximal surface (323a) of the retaining member (323) abuts the distal surface (313c) of the edge, thereby preventing the elastomeric member from moving further proximally relative to the housing.

8. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein, The hollow interior (312) includes threads (314).

9. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein, The elastomeric member (320) forms an inner cavity (325) extending from the diaphragm (321) through the tapered male Luer joint (324).

10. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein, The proximal opening (312a) is formed by the edge (313), and the hollow interior includes a thread (314) extending from the distal opening (312b); and The retaining member (323) is spaced apart from the diaphragm (321) by the neck (322), and the elastomeric member also forms an inner cavity (325) extending from the diaphragm through the tapered male Luer connector (324). The diaphragm of the elastomeric member is located at the proximal opening of the hollow interior, and the tapered male Luer connector extends to the distal opening of the hollow interior. When the proximal surface (323a) of the retaining member is adjacent to the distal surface (313c) of the edge, the distally facing lip (321a) overlaps with the proximal surface (313a) of the edge.

11. The adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The diaphragm (321) is perforated.

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