Intravenous catheter device with a sliding safety mechanism

Abstract

An intravenous catheter device may include a safety mechanism having a slider that is coupled to a catheter adapter and slides relative to a barrel. A needle hub may be contained within the barrel and may be retracted once the catheter has been inserted into a patient's vasculature. Retraction of the needle hub may be triggered by sliding of the slider. Once the needle hub has been retracted into the barrel, the slider may also serve to protect the distal tip of the needle.

Description

Background Art

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

[0002] A common type of intravenous catheter is an over-the-needle peripheral intravenous (IV) catheter ("PIVC"). As the name implies, an over-the-needle catheter can be placed over a needle having a sharp distal tip. The catheter and the needle can be assembled such that the distal tip of the needle extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter, with the bevel of the needle facing upward away from the patient's skin. The catheter and the needle are typically inserted into the patient's vascular system through the skin at a shallow angle.

[0003] Intravenous catheter devices typically include a safety mechanism for shielding the tip of the needle after the needle is separated from the catheter. Often, even with a safety mechanism, the needle tip is temporarily exposed when withdrawn from the catheter and into the safety mechanism. This temporary exposure can cause blood splashing, thereby increasing the safety risk.

[0004] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve all disadvantages or operate only in environments such as the above-described environment. Rather, this background is provided only to illustrate an example technical field in which some of the embodiments described herein may be practiced. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure generally relates to an intravenous catheter device having a safety mechanism. The safety mechanism can include a slider that is coupled to a catheter adapter and slides relative to a barrel. A needle hub can be contained within the barrel and can retract proximally once the catheter has been inserted into the patient's vasculature. Retraction of the needle hub can be triggered by sliding of the slider. Once the needle hub has retracted into the barrel, the slider can also serve to protect the distal tip of the needle.

[0006] In some embodiments, an intravenous catheter device can include: a catheter assembly having a catheter adapter and a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter; a needle assembly having a needle hub and a needle extending distally from the needle hub, the needle extending through the catheter adapter and the catheter; and a safety mechanism having a barrel and a slider that slides within the barrel. The distal end of the slider can be coupled to the proximal end of the catheter adapter such that the catheter assembly slides relative to the barrel together with the slider. The needle hub can be contained within the barrel and can be configured to retract proximally within the barrel.

[0007] In some embodiments, the slider may include a distal nose inserted into the catheter adapter to interconnect the safety mechanism and the catheter assembly. In some embodiments, the slider may include a collar positioned adjacent the distal nose. In some embodiments, the collar may form a push tab.

[0008] In some embodiments, when the slider initially slides within the barrel, the position of the needle hub relative to the barrel may remain fixed. In some embodiments, when the slider slides distally to a trigger point, the needle hub may retract proximally within the barrel. In some embodiments, the safety mechanism may include a spring that causes the needle hub to retract proximally within the barrel. In some embodiments, when the slider reaches the trigger point, the slider may cause the spring to retract the needle hub proximally. In some embodiments, when the needle hub retracts proximally within the barrel, the distal tip of the needle may retract into the slider. In some embodiments, after the slider reaches the trigger point, the position of the slider relative to the barrel may be maintained.

[0009] In some embodiments, an intravenous catheter device may include a barrel, a slider coupled to and slidable within the barrel, a catheter adapter having a proximal end (the distal end of the slider being coupled to the proximal end), a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter, a needle hub contained within the barrel, and a needle extending distally from the needle hub. The needle extends through the catheter adapter and the catheter.

[0010] In some embodiments, the needle hub may initially be positioned near the distal end of the barrel. In some embodiments, when the slider slides toward the trigger point, the needle hub may remain near the distal end of the barrel. In some embodiments, when the slider reaches the trigger point, the needle hub may retract to the proximal end of the barrel. In some embodiments, the intravenous catheter device may include a spring that is compressed when the needle hub remains near the distal end of the barrel. The spring may force the needle hub to retract to the proximal end of the barrel in response to the slider reaching the trigger point.

[0011] In some embodiments, when the needle hub retracts to the proximal end of the barrel, the distal tip of the needle may be contained within the slider. In some embodiments, the slider may be maintained at the trigger point to prevent the distal tip of the needle from extending distally beyond the slider. In some embodiments, the slider may include a push tab. In some embodiments, the slider may include a distal nose inserted into the catheter adapter to couple the slider to the catheter adapter.

[0012] In some embodiments, an intravenous catheter device can include a barrel having an interior, a slider contained within the interior of the barrel, a catheter adapter having a proximal end (the distal end of the slider being coupled to the proximal end), a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter, a needle hub contained within the interior of the barrel, and a needle extending distally from the needle hub, wherein the needle extends through the catheter adapter and the catheter. The proximal end of the slider can initially be positioned near the proximal end of the barrel, and the needle hub can initially be held near the distal end of the barrel. When the proximal end of the slider slides to a trigger point of the barrel, the needle hub can retract into the proximal end of the barrel. The retraction of the needle hub can cause the distal tip of the needle to be secured within the slider.

[0013] It should be understood that the foregoing summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention, and not restrictive. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and means shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that combinations of the embodiments can be made or other embodiments can be utilized and structural changes can be made (unless such a requirement exists) without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the following detailed description should not be considered restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Example embodiments will be described and illustrated with additional specificity and detail by using the drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 An example of an intravenous catheter device with a safety mechanism including a slider is shown, according to some embodiments;

[0016] Figure 2 An intravenous catheter device is shown when the slider has been partially withdrawn from the barrel of the safety mechanism, according to some embodiments Figure 1 ;

[0017] Figure 3 An intravenous catheter device is shown when the slider has been slid to the trigger point, according to some embodiments Figure 1 ;

[0018] Figure 4 An intravenous catheter device is shown after the needle has been retracted into the slider, according to some embodiments Figure 1 ;

[0019] Figure 5 An intravenous catheter device is shown after the safety mechanism has been removed from the catheter assembly, according to some embodiments Figure 1 ; and

[0020] Figure 6 An isolated view of an example slider constructed according to some embodiments is provided. Detailed implementation manners

[0021] An intravenous catheter device applicable to the implementation manners of the present disclosure can generally include a catheter assembly, a needle assembly, and a safety mechanism that are initially interconnected. After the catheter is inserted into the patient's vasculature, the needle assembly of such an intravenous catheter device is generally withdrawn into the safety mechanism that serves as a component for separating the needle assembly from the catheter assembly. In the implementation manners of the present disclosure, the safety mechanism of such an intravenous catheter device can be configured to slide to enhance safety and simplify the use of the intravenous catheter device.

[0022] Figures 1-5 An example of an intravenous catheter device 100 constructed according to some implementation manners is shown. Figure 1 The intravenous catheter device 100 in a pre-insertion configuration is shown. For example, when a clinician unpacks the intravenous catheter device 100 and / or before the clinician inserts the needle through the patient's skin, the intravenous catheter device 100 can be in this pre-insertion configuration. The intravenous catheter device 100 includes a needle assembly 110, a catheter assembly 120, and a safety mechanism 190. The needle assembly 110 includes a needle hub 111 and a needle 112 that extends distally from the needle hub 111 to the distal end 100b of the intravenous catheter device 100. The catheter assembly 120 includes a catheter adapter 121 and a catheter 122 that extends distally from the catheter adapter 121.

[0023] The safety mechanism 190 includes a slider 130 and a barrel 140, and the slider 130 slides relative to the barrel 140. The proximal end 140a of the barrel 140 is positioned at the proximal end 100a of the intravenous catheter device 100. In the pre-insertion configuration, the distal end 140b of the barrel 140 is positioned close to the proximal end 121a of the catheter adapter 121, while the proximal end 130a of the slider 130 is positioned close to the proximal end 140a of the barrel 140. The distal nose 130b of the slider 130 is inserted into the catheter adapter 121 and can form a friction fit to maintain the interconnection between the safety mechanism 190 and the catheter assembly 120. The slider 130 further includes a collar 131 positioned close to the distal nose 130b. When the distal nose 103b is inserted into the catheter adapter 121, the collar 131 can be adjacent to or abuts against the proximal end 121a of the catheter adapter 121. Thus, in the pre-insertion configuration, the slider 130 is coupled to the catheter adapter 121 and can be fully inserted into the barrel 140.

[0024] In a pre-insertion configuration, the needle hub portion 111 can also be positioned within the interior 141 of the barrel 140, but is spaced distally from the proximal end 140a of the barrel 140. The length of the needle assembly 110 can be configured such that the distal tip of the needle 112 extends distally beyond the catheter 122. The spring 150 can be positioned within the interior 141 and can be compressed between the needle hub portion 111 and the distal end 140b of the barrel 140. The interior 141 and the needle hub portion 111 can be configured to form an interference fit that holds the needle hub portion 111 in the illustrated position, even when the spring 150 exerts a proximally directed force against the needle hub portion 111. For example, a trigger point 143 in the form of a groove or other recessed portion in the sidewall of the interior 141 can receive an outwardly biased portion (not shown) of the needle hub portion 111 to lock the position of the needle hub portion 111. Thus, in the pre-insertion configuration, the needle hub portion 111 is spaced from the proximal end 140a of the barrel 140 but can be biased toward the proximal end 140b of the barrel 140. In some embodiments, an interference fit can be formed between the spring 150 and the barrel 140 rather than between the needle hub portion 111 and the barrel 140. For example, the proximal end of the spring 150 can engage the trigger point 143 to maintain the compressed state of the spring 150.

[0025] In some embodiments, the barrel 140 can include a vent plug 142 (e.g., at the proximal end 140a), which is configured to vent air from the interior 141. Thus, the vent plug 142 can facilitate blood to flash back through the needle 112 and potentially enter the interior 141. In some embodiments, a seal (not labeled) can be formed between the slider 130 and an opening in the distal end 140b of the barrel 140 to prevent blood or other fluid from escaping from the interior 141.

[0026] Turning to Figure 2 , the intravenous catheter device 100 is now depicted after the slider 130 has been slid distally relative to the barrel 140. Since the slider 130 is coupled to the catheter adapter 121, the sliding of the slider 130 relative to the barrel 140 causes the catheter 122 to slide relative to the needle 112. For example, after a clinician inserts the distal tip of the needle into a patient's vasculature, he or she can apply a distal force to push the tab 132 on the collar 131 while holding the position of the barrel 140 (or slightly retracting the barrel 140) to thereby advance the catheter 122 over the needle 112 and further into the patient's vasculature. The relative position of the needle hub portion 111 within the barrel 140 remains fixed at this point. Thus, the movement of the slider 130 causes the proximal end 130a of the slider 130 to approach the needle hub portion 111.

[0027] Turning to Figure 3, the intravenous catheter device 100 is now depicted after the slider 130 has slid distally relative to the barrel 140 to a point where the proximal end 130a of the slider 130 has reached the trigger point 143. At this point, the catheter 122 will have been sufficiently advanced beyond the distal tip of the needle 112, and the clinician may have sufficiently withdrawn the barrel 140 to remove the distal tip of the needle 112 from the patient's vasculature. For example, in some embodiments, the intravenous catheter device 100 may be designed such that when the proximal end 130a of the slider 130 reaches the trigger point 143, the distal tip of the needle 112 is at least partially positioned within the catheter adapter 121 (i.e., outside the vasculature). For illustrative purposes, Figure 3 the needle hub 111 is shown to remain in place. However, in some embodiments, the needle hub 111 may be released from its interference fit substantially simultaneously with the proximal end 130a of the slider 130 reaching the trigger point 143.

[0028] Turning to Figure 4 , the needle assembly 110 is depicted as having been fully withdrawn into the barrel 140. In particular, when the interference fit between the needle hub 111 (or spring 150) and the barrel 140 is released in response to the sliding of the slider 130, the spring 150 forces the needle hub 111 to the proximal end 140a of the barrel 140, thereby withdrawing the distal tip of the needle 112 into the slider 130. For example, in Figure 4 , once the needle hub 111 is positioned at the proximal end 140a, the distal tip of the needle 112 is contained within the distal nose 130b of the slider 130 such that the distal tip of the needle 112 will not be exposed once the slider 130 is separated from the catheter adapter 121. In some embodiments, the proximal end 130a of the slider 130 may be configured to release the interference fit between the needle hub 111 and the barrel 140. For example, if the interference fit is formed by inserting a portion of the needle hub 111 into the trigger point 143, the distal movement of the proximal end 130b of the slider 130 may cause that portion of the needle hub 111 to be removed from the trigger point 143.

[0029] As described above, in some embodiments, the slider 130 can be coupled to the catheter adapter 121 only by the frictional force between the distal nose 130b and the inner wall of the catheter adapter 121. In this case, the slider 130 can be separated from the catheter adapter 121 by pulling (and possibly twisting) the slider 130 relative to the catheter adapter 121. In contrast, in some embodiments, the collar 131 and / or the distal nose 130b can be coupled to the proximal end 121a of the catheter adapter 121 in a manner that prevents the slider 130 from separating from the catheter adapter 121 until the distal tip of the needle 112 has been withdrawn into the slider 130. For example, the catheter adapter 121 can be configured to threadedly engage the slider 130. In such a case, the structures of the catheter adapter 121 and the slider 130 can be configured to prevent the slider 130 from rotating relative to the catheter adapter 121 until the distal tip of the needle 112 has entered the slider 130. For example, the needle 112 can include a feature that allows relative rotation only when the feature is positioned within the distal nose 130b and / or the collar 131. In some embodiments, the feature can be in the form of a notch in the needle 112 that allows a component (not shown) that would otherwise prevent relative rotation to slide circumferentially inward into the notch, which in turn would allow the slider 130 to rotate away from the catheter adapter 121. In some embodiments, the feature can be in the form of a protrusion in the needle 112 that forces a component (not shown) that would otherwise prevent relative rotation to slide circumferentially outward, which in turn would allow the slider 130 to rotate away from the catheter adapter 121.

[0030] In any case, once the distal tip of the needle 112 is secured within the slider 130, the clinician can remove the slider 130 from the catheter adapter 121, as Figure 5 shown. The proximal end 130a of the slider 130 and the trigger point 143 can be configured to form an interference fit that prevents the slider 130 from sliding proximally relative to the barrel 140. This interference fit can ensure that once the slider 130 has been separated from the catheter adapter 121, the distal tip of the needle 112 remains secured within the slider 130.

[0031] Figure 6Provides an isolated view of slider 130 as it may be configured in some embodiments. As shown, slider 130 may include sidewalls 133 and one or more openings 134 that extend between proximal end 130a and distal nose 130b. The use of openings 134 may reduce the amount of material required to form slider 130. Tabs 133a may be formed on one or more of the sidewalls 133 toward proximal end 130a. In some embodiments, tabs 133a may form an interference fit with trigger point 143 to prevent slider 130 from sliding proximally within barrel 140 after the distal tip of needle 112 has been withdrawn into distal nose 130b. A needle channel 135 is formed through distal nose 130b. In some embodiments, needle channel 135 may have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of needle 112, thereby serving as a support to prevent needle 112 from vibrating excessively as it is withdrawn into barrel 140 and slider 130.

[0032] All of the examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and are to be construed as not being limited to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although the embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An intravenous catheter device, comprising: a catheter assembly having a catheter adapter and a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter; a needle assembly having a needle hub and a needle extending distally from the needle hub, the needle extending through the catheter adapter and the catheter; and a safety mechanism having a barrel and a slider slidable within the barrel, a distal end of the slider being coupled to a proximal end of the catheter adapter such that the catheter assembly slides relative to the barrel together with the slider, the needle hub being contained within the barrel and configured to retract proximally within the barrel, wherein when the slider slides distally to a trigger point, the needle hub retracts proximally within the barrel, wherein a proximal end of the slider is configured to form an interference fit with the trigger point to prevent the slider from sliding proximally relative to the barrel.

2. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 1, wherein, The slider includes a distal nose inserted into the catheter adapter to interconnect the safety mechanism with the catheter assembly.

3. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 2, wherein, The slider includes a collar positioned adjacent to the distal nose.

4. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 3, wherein, The collar forms a push tab.

5. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 1, wherein, When the slider initially slides within the barrel, a position of the needle hub relative to the barrel remains fixed.

6. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 5, wherein, The safety mechanism includes a spring that causes the needle hub to retract proximally within the barrel.

7. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 6, wherein, When the slider reaches the trigger point, the slider causes the spring to retract the needle hub proximally.

8. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 7, wherein, When the needle hub retracts proximally within the barrel, a distal tip of the needle retracts into the slider.

9. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 8, wherein, After the slider reaches the trigger point, a position of the slider relative to the barrel is maintained.

10. An intravenous catheter device, comprising: a barrel; a slider coupled to the barrel and slidable within the barrel; a catheter adapter having a proximal end, a distal end of the slider being coupled to the proximal end; a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter; a needle hub contained within the barrel; and a needle extending distally from the needle hub, the needle extending through the catheter adapter and the catheter, wherein when the slider slides distally to a trigger point, the needle hub retracts proximally within the barrel, wherein a proximal end of the slider is configured to form an interference fit with the trigger point to prevent the slider from sliding proximally relative to the barrel.

11. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 10, wherein, The needle hub is initially positioned near a distal end of the barrel.

12. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 11, wherein, When the slider slides toward the trigger point, the needle hub remains near the distal end of the barrel.

13. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 12, wherein, When the slider reaches the trigger point, the needle hub retracts to a proximal end of the barrel.

14. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 13, further comprising: a spring compressed when the needle hub remains near the distal end of the barrel, the spring forcing the needle hub to retract to the proximal end of the barrel in response to the slider reaching the trigger point.

15. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 13, wherein, When the needle hub portion is retracted into the proximal end of the barrel, the distal tip of the needle is contained within the slider.

16. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 15, wherein, The slider is held at the trigger point to prevent the distal tip of the needle from extending distally beyond the slider.

17. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 10, wherein, The slider includes a push tab.

18. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 10, wherein, The slider includes a distal nose portion that is inserted into the catheter adapter to couple the slider to the catheter adapter.

19. An intravenous catheter device, comprising: a barrel having an interior; a slider contained within the interior of the barrel; a catheter adapter having a proximal end, the distal end of the slider being coupled to the proximal end; a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter; a needle hub portion contained within the interior of the barrel; and a needle extending distally from the needle hub portion, the needle extending through the catheter adapter and the catheter; wherein the proximal end of the slider is initially positioned adjacent the proximal end of the barrel and the needle hub portion is initially held adjacent the distal end of the barrel; and wherein when the slider slides distally to a trigger point of the barrel, the needle hub portion retracts proximally into the barrel, the retraction of the needle hub portion causing the distal tip of the needle to be secured within the slider, wherein the proximal end of the slider is configured to form an interference fit with the trigger point to prevent the slider from sliding proximally relative to the barrel.

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