Insertion Assembly for Rapid Insertion Central Venous Catheter

Abstract

A rapid insertion central venous catheter ("RICC") insertion assembly and method are disclosed. For example, the RICC insertion assembly may include a RICC, an introducer needle, an access guidewire, and a coupler assembly coupling the foregoing together. The introducer needle may include a needle hub that covers both the sheath and the needle shaft. The sheath may seal the needle slot except for that below the sheath opening. The distal end of the access guidewire may be disposed within the introducer needle just proximal to the needle tip. The coupler assembly may include a nosepiece and a tailpiece coupled together. The tailpiece may include an extension arm that holds the proximal end of the access guidewire. The access guidewire may form a loop on the access guidewire over which the RICC is disposed, thereby keeping the RICC insertion assembly in a relatively compact configuration.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an insertion assembly for a rapid insertion central venous catheter. [Background technology]

[0002] Central venous catheters ("CVCs") are typically introduced into a patient and advanced through the patient's vascular system via the Seldinger technique. The Seldinger technique utilizes many steps and medical devices (e.g., needles, scalpels, guidewires, introducer sheaths, dilators, CVCs, etc.). Although the Seldinger technique is effective, many steps are time consuming and many medical devices are cumbersome to handle, both of which can lead to trauma to the patient. In addition, due to the large number of medical devices that need to be replaced during the Seldinger technique, there is a relatively high chance of contact contamination. Thus, there is a need to reduce the number of steps and medical devices involved in introducing a catheter, such as a CVC, into a patient and advancing the catheter through the patient's vascular system.

[0003] Disclosed herein is a rapid insertion central venous catheter ("RICC") insertion assembly and method that addresses the foregoing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, is a RICC insertion assembly including a RICC, an introducer needle, an access guidewire, and a coupler assembly coupling the RICC, the introducer needle, and the access guidewire together. The introducer needle includes a needle shaft, a sheath covering the needle shaft, and a needle hub covering a proximal portion of the needle shaft and a proximal portion of the sheath. The needle shaft includes a longitudinal needle slot extending from the proximal portion of the needle shaft through the distal needle tip. The sheath seals the needle slot below the sheath, except for the needle slot below a sheath opening at the proximal portion of the sheath. The access guidewire includes a proximal portion including a proximal end and a distal portion including a distal end. In at least a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly, the distal end of the access guidewire is disposed within the introducer needle just proximal to the needle tip. The coupler assembly includes a nosepiece and a tailpiece coupled to the nosepiece. The tailpiece of the coupler assembly includes an extension arm that holds a proximal end of the access guidewire, the proximal and distal ends of the access guidewire forming a loop on the access guidewire over which the RICC is disposed, at least in a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

[0005] In some embodiments, the nosepiece of the coupler assembly includes a nosepiece housing that defines a valve module section and a lock ring section proximal to the valve module section.

[0006] In some embodiments, the nosepiece of the coupler assembly further includes a valve module disposed within the valve module compartment. The valve module includes an introducer needle passage and an access guidewire passage connected to the introducer needle passage. In at least a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly, a distal portion of the introducer needle and the access guidewire are correspondingly sealed within the introducer needle passage and the access guidewire passage. Sealing the introducer needle and the access guidewire within the valve module allows for leak-free aspiration through the introducer needle.

[0007] In some embodiments, the sheath opening of the sheath opens toward the side of the coupler assembly opposite the side that includes the extension arm, and the access guidewire passage connects to the sheath opening in at least a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly with the introducer needle in the introducer needle passage.

[0008] In some embodiments, the valve module includes an integral blade disposed within the needle slot beneath the distal end of the sheath opening, the blade including a distally facing blade edge configured to decouple the sheath from the needle shaft during withdrawal of the introducer needle from the coupler assembly by the needle hub, and decoupling the sheath from the needle shaft to allow the access guidewire to exit the needle shaft via the needle slot in the needle shaft.

[0009] In some embodiments, the nosepiece of the coupler assembly further includes a locking ring captively but rotatably disposed within the locking ring segment.

[0010] In some embodiments, the tailpiece of the coupler assembly includes an introducer needle cradle extending distally therefrom, the introducer needle cradle configured to receive a needle hub extension tube extending distally from the needle hub in at least a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

[0011] In some embodiments, the walls of the introducer needle cradle approximate a longitudinal cross section of a pipe. Additionally, the needle hub extension tube includes an arcuate extension tube protrusion at a distal portion thereof, the arcuate extension tube protrusion configured to at least partially complement the walls of the introducer needle cradle. The introducer needle cradle wall and the extension tube protrusion together form a two-part shaft, the two-part shaft configured to rotate the locking ring thereon.

[0012] In some embodiments, the tailpiece of the coupler assembly includes a longitudinal tailpiece slot to which the introducer needle cradle opens, the tailpiece slot configured to allow the access guidewire to exit the tailpiece following both withdrawal of the introducer needle from the coupler assembly and separation of the tailpiece from the coupler assembly.

[0013] In some embodiments, the lock ring includes a lock ring protrusion that protrudes toward a centerline of the lock ring and is positioned on the lock ring to create a tortuous guidewire pathway around the lock ring to constrain movement of the access guidewire when the lock ring tab extending away from the centerline of the lock ring is on the side of the tab slot in the nosepiece housing through which the lock ring tab extends.

[0014] In some embodiments, the locking ring protrusion is further disposed on the locking ring to create an open guidewire passage for the access guidewire when the locking ring tab is opposite the tab slot of the nosepiece housing of the coupler assembly.

[0015] In some embodiments, the locking ring includes a locking ring gap on an opposite side of the locking ring from the locking ring protrusion, the locking ring gap configured to allow the access guidewire to exit the locking ring during separation of the nosepiece from the access guidewire.

[0016] In some embodiments, the nosepiece housing of the nosepiece includes a longitudinal nosepiece housing slot on the same side of the coupler assembly as the extension arm of the tailpiece, the nosepiece housing slot configured to allow the access guidewire to exit the nosepiece during separation of the nosepiece from the access guidewire.

[0017] In some embodiments, the needle hub of the introducer needle includes a pair of clip arms extending distally from opposite sides of the needle hub, the clip arms being configured to extend completely over corresponding sides of the tailpiece of the coupler assembly to at least the nosepiece thereof in at least a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

[0018] In some embodiments, the clip arm includes a textured outer clip arm surface and the nosepiece of the coupler assembly includes a textured outer nosepiece surface on a side of the nosepiece corresponding to the clip arm, the outer clip arm surface and the outer nosepiece surface configured to form a pair of textured gripping pads across the nosepiece and needle hub on either side of the RICC insertion assembly.

[0019] In some embodiments, the extension arm terminates in an extension arm connector that is connected to a luer connector of the RICC, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

[0020] In some embodiments, the extension arm connector comprises a male luer connector, the luer connector of the RICC being a female counterpart to the male luer connector of the extension arm connector.

[0021] In some embodiments, the RICC insertion assembly further includes a syringe fluidly coupled to the introducer needle, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

[0022] Also disclosed herein is a method for inserting a RICC into a vascular lumen of a patient. The method includes the steps of obtaining a RICC insertion assembly, establishing a needle path, advancing an access guidewire, withdrawing an introducer needle, separating a tailpiece, and advancing a RICC. The RICC insertion assembly obtaining step includes obtaining a RICC insertion assembly. The RICC insertion assembly includes a RICC coupled together by a coupler assembly, an introducer needle including a sheath covering a needle shaft, and an access guidewire. A proximal end of the access guidewire is held by an extension arm of a tailpiece of the coupler assembly. Additionally, a distal end of the access guidewire is disposed in the introducer needle via a valve module disposed in a nosepiece housing of a nosepiece of the coupler assembly such that the proximal and distal ends of the access guidewire form a loop on the access guidewire. The RICC is disposed on the access guidewire in at least a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly. The needle path establishing step includes establishing a needle path from the area of ​​skin to the vessel lumen with the introducer needle. The access guidewire advancing step includes advancing a distal end of the access guidewire into the vessel lumen from its initial position within the needle shaft just proximal to the needle tip of the needle shaft. The introducer needle withdrawal step includes withdrawing the introducer needle by its needle hub from the coupler assembly, leaving the access guidewire in place within the vessel lumen. The needle shaft includes a longitudinal needle slot, the longitudinal needle slot extending from a proximal portion of the needle shaft through the needle tip, allowing the introducer needle to be withdrawn from the coupler and the access guidewire to exit from the needle shaft. The tailpiece separation step includes separating a tailpiece from a nosepiece of the coupler assembly. The tailpiece includes a longitudinal tailpiece slot that allows the access guidewire to exit from the tailpiece following withdrawal of the introducer needle from the coupler assembly.The RICC advancement step includes advancing a catheter tube of the RICC over the access guidewire to insert the RICC into the blood vessel lumen.

[0023] In some embodiments, the method further includes a step of aspirating blood with a syringe coupled to the needle hub of the introducer needle to ensure that the needle track extends into the vessel lumen before withdrawing the introducer needle from the coupler assembly, and a sheath covers the needle shaft and seals the needle slot below the sheath for aspirating blood with the syringe.

[0024] In some embodiments, withdrawing the introducer needle from the coupler assembly includes simultaneously disengaging the sheath from the needle shaft using an integral blade of a valve module disposed within a valve module compartment defined by a nosepiece housing of the nosepiece. Disengaging the sheath from the needle shaft allows the access guidewire to exit the needle shaft via a needle slot in the needle shaft.

[0025] In some embodiments, the method further includes a step of restraining the access guidewire, which includes restraining the access guidewire from moving within the RICC insertion assembly after advancing the access guidewire into the vessel lumen such that the access guidewire is not withdrawn from the vessel lumen during withdrawal of the introducer needle from the coupler assembly or during separation of the tailpiece from the nosepiece of the coupler assembly. Restraining the access guidewire from moving within the RICC insertion assembly includes rotating a locking ring having a locking ring protrusion that protrudes toward a centerline of the locking ring. Rotating the locking ring in the access guidewire restraining step creates a tortuous guidewire passage around the locking ring protrusion to restrain the access guidewire from moving within the RICC insertion assembly.

[0026] In some embodiments, rotating the lock ring includes pressing a lock ring tab on the lock ring against or against a tab slot in the nosepiece housing through which the lock ring tab extends.

[0027] In some embodiments, rotation of the locking ring occurs on a two-part axis formed between a wall of the introducer needle cradle and an arcuate extension tube protrusion of the needle hub extension tube. The introducer needle cradle extends distally from the tailpiece of the coupler assembly, and the needle hub extension tube extends distally from the needle hub of the introducer needle. Rotation of the locking ring also occurs within a locking ring compartment defined by a nosepiece housing of the nosepiece in which the locking ring is captively disposed.

[0028] In some embodiments, the method further includes an access guidewire releasing step. The access guidewire releasing step includes releasing the access guidewire for movement within the nosepiece after withdrawal of the introducer needle from the coupler assembly and after separation of the tailpiece from the nosepiece of the coupler assembly. Releasing the access guidewire for movement within the nosepiece includes rotating a locking ring opposite to constraining the access guidewire from movement within the RICC insertion assembly. Rotating the locking ring in the access guidewire releasing step creates an open guidewire passage for releasing the access guidewire for movement within the nosepiece.

[0029] In some embodiments, the method further includes a nosepiece separation step, which includes separating the nosepiece from the access guidewire after releasing the access guidewire for movement within the nosepiece. The locking ring includes a locking ring gap on an opposite side of the locking ring from the locking ring protrusion. The locking ring gap allows the access guidewire to exit the locking ring during separation of the nosepiece from the access guidewire.

[0030] In some embodiments, the nosepiece housing of the nosepiece includes a longitudinal nosepiece housing slot on the same side of the coupler assembly as the tailpiece extension arm of the coupler assembly, the nosepiece housing slot allowing the access guidewire to exit the nosepiece during separation of the nosepiece from the access guidewire.

[0031] In some embodiments, the tailpiece becomes a handle for the access guidewire after separating the tailpiece from the nosepiece of the coupler assembly.

[0032] In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of withdrawing the access guidewire, which includes withdrawing the access guidewire from the vessel lumen after inserting the RICC into the vessel lumen. Withdrawing the access guidewire from the vessel lumen also includes separating the RICC from the tailpiece by removing the luer connector of the RICC from the extension arm connector of the extension arm.

[0033] 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 the following description, which describe in more detail certain embodiments of such concepts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a side view of a RICC insertion assembly, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 2] 1 illustrates a side view of an introducer needle assembly including an introducer needle coupled with a coupler assembly, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an introducer needle assembly, according to some embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom view of an introducer needle assembly, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 5] 1 illustrates a side view of the introducer needle assembly with the introducer needle being withdrawn from the coupler assembly, according to some embodiments. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the introducer needle assembly, without the needle shaft or sheath of the introducer needle. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates an exploded view of a coupler assembly having an access guidewire in an open guidewire passage through the coupler assembly, according to some embodiments. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates an exploded view of a coupler assembly having an access guidewire in a tortuous guidewire passage through the coupler assembly, according to some embodiments. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the introducer needle assembly without the nosepiece housing of the nosepiece of the coupler assembly. [Figure 10] 1 shows the proximal end of an introducer needle assembly showing a two-part axial locking ring without the nosepiece housing of the nosepiece, the valve module of the nosepiece, the needle shaft or sheath covering it, and the locking ring protrusions of the locking ring forming a tortuous guidewire passageway, according to some embodiments. [Figure 11] 13 illustrates a locking ring protrusion of a locking ring forming an open guidewire passage, according to some embodiments. [Figure 12] 1 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a nosepiece of a coupler assembly according to some embodiments. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an introducer needle, according to some embodiments. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an introducer needle, according to some embodiments. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 shows a top view of a sheath covering a needle shaft, similar to an introducer needle, according to some embodiments. [Figure 16] 1 illustrates a top view of a sheath according to some embodiments. [Figure 17]FIG. 13 shows a top view of a needle shaft according to some embodiments. [Figure 18] 1 illustrates a RICC of a RICC insertion assembly, according to some embodiments. [Figure 19] 1 shows a detailed view of a distal portion of a catheter tube of a RICC, according to some embodiments. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a distal portion of a catheter tube according to some embodiments. [Figure 21] 13 shows another cross-sectional view of a distal portion of a catheter tube according to some embodiments. [Figure 22] 1 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a distal portion of a catheter tube according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Before disclosing some specific embodiments 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, optionally, combined with or substituted for features of any of several other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0036] With regard to the terms used herein, it should also be understood that these terms are intended to describe certain particular embodiments, and that these terms are not intended to 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 in a group of features or steps, and do not impose sequential or numerical limitations. For example, "first", "second", and "third" features or steps do not necessarily have to appear in that order, and a particular embodiment including such features or steps is not necessarily limited to three features or steps. In addition, any of the aforementioned features or steps may further include one or more features or steps, unless otherwise specified. Labels such as "left", "right", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", etc. are used for convenience and are not intended to imply, for example, any particular fixed position, orientation, or direction. Instead, such labels are used to reflect, for example, relative positions, orientations, or directions. The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0037] With respect to "proximal," a "proximal portion" or "proximal end portion," e.g., of a catheter, includes the portion of the catheter that is intended to be near the clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. Similarly, a "proximal length," e.g., of a catheter, includes the length of the catheter that is intended to be near the clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. A "proximal end," e.g., of a catheter, includes the end of the catheter that is intended to be near the clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. A proximal portion, proximal end portion, or proximal length of a catheter can include the proximal end of the catheter. However, a proximal portion, proximal end portion, or proximal length of a catheter need not include the proximal end of the catheter. That is, unless the context suggests otherwise, a proximal portion, proximal end portion, or proximal length of a catheter is not a terminal portion or terminal length of a catheter.

[0038] With respect to "distal," a "distal portion" or "distal end portion," e.g., of a catheter, includes a portion of a catheter that is intended to be near or within a patient when the catheter is used with a patient. Similarly, a "distal length," e.g., of a catheter, includes a length of a catheter that is intended to be near or within a patient when the catheter is used with a patient. A "distal end," e.g., of a catheter, includes an end of a catheter that is intended to be near or within a patient when the catheter is used with a patient. A distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of a catheter can include the distal end of the catheter. However, a distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of a catheter need not include the distal end of the catheter. That is, unless the context suggests otherwise, a distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of a catheter is not a terminal portion or terminal length of a catheter.

[0039] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0040] As discussed above with respect to the Seldinger procedure, many steps are time consuming and many medical devices are cumbersome to handle, both of which can lead to trauma to the patient. In addition, due to the large number of medical devices that need to be exchanged during the Seldinger procedure, the potential for contact contamination is relatively high. Thus, there is a need to reduce the number of steps and medical devices involved in introducing a catheter, such as a CVC, into a patient and advancing the catheter through the patient's vascular system.

[0041] Disclosed herein is an insertion assembly and method for a RICC. For example, the RICC insertion assembly may include a RICC, an introducer needle, an access guidewire, and a coupler assembly coupling the foregoing together. The introducer needle may include a needle hub that covers both the sheath and the needle shaft. The sheath may seal the needle slot except for that below the sheath opening. The distal end of the access guidewire may be disposed within the introducer needle just proximal to the needle tip. The coupler assembly may include a nosepiece and a tailpiece coupled together. The tailpiece may include an extension arm that holds the proximal end of the access guidewire. The access guidewire may form a loop on the access guidewire over which the RICC is disposed, thereby keeping the RICC insertion assembly in a relatively compact configuration.

[0042] The foregoing and other features of the RICC insertion assembly and its subassemblies (e.g., coupler assembly, introducer needle assembly, etc.) will become more apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following description and accompanying drawings, which describe certain embodiments of the RICC insertion assembly. Although the RICC insertion assembly includes a central venous catheter, it should be understood that a variety of catheters can be incorporated into the catheter insertion assemblies, such as the RICC insertion assemblies provided herein. Indeed, peripherally inserted central catheters ("PICC"), dialysis catheters, and the like, can also be incorporated into the catheter insertion assemblies.

[0043] RICC Insertion Assembly FIG. 1 illustrates a RICC insertion assembly 100 according to some embodiments.

[0044] As shown, the RICC insertion assembly 100 includes a RICC 102, an introducer needle 104, an access guidewire 106, and a coupler assembly 108 that couples the RICC 102, the introducer needle 104, and the access guidewire 106 together in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. In particular, a proximal end of the access guidewire 106 is held by an extension arm 214 of a tailpiece 180 of the coupler assembly 108. Additionally, in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100, a distal end of the access guidewire 106 is disposed in the needle lumen 156 of the introducer needle 104 just proximal to the needle tip 148. The proximal and distal ends of the access guidewire 106 thereby form a loop in the access guidewire 106. The RICC 102 is arranged on a loop, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100, to keep the RICC insertion assembly 100 in a relatively compact configuration.

[0045] The RICC insertion assembly 100 may further include a syringe 110 fluidly coupled to the introducer needle 104, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. As described below, the sheath 144 seals the needle slot 150 in the needle shaft 142. In particular, the sheath 144 seals the needle slot 150 outside of the valve module 186. The valve module 186 then seals over a sheath opening 160 in the sheath 144 that opens to the needle slot 150. The valve module 186 also seals around the access guidewire 106. Such a seal allows for leak-free aspiration of blood through the introducer needle 104 using the syringe 110, in accordance with the blood aspiration steps of the method described below.

[0046] Finally, any component of the RICC insertion assembly 100 selected from at least the RICC 102, the introducer needle 104, the access guidewire 106, the coupler assembly 108, and the syringe 110, or any portion of a component selected from the aforementioned components, can include an antimicrobial agent thereon or therein. In one example, the catheter tube 112 of the RICC 102 can include an antimicrobial agent coating on the abluminal surface of the catheter tube 112, the luminal surface of the catheter tube 112, or both. In another example, the pre-extrusion material of the catheter tube 112 can include an antimicrobial agent mixed therein such that the antimicrobial agent is incorporated into the catheter tube 112 upon extrusion, and the antimicrobial agent protects both the abluminal surface of the catheter tube 112 and the luminal surface of the catheter tube 112 from microbial contamination.

[0047] FIG. 18 illustrates a RICC 102 of the RICC insertion assembly 100, according to some embodiments.

[0048] As shown, the RICC 102 includes a catheter tube 112 , a catheter hub 114 , one or more extension legs 116 , and one or more extension leg connectors 118 .

[0049] 19-22 show various views of the catheter tube 112 of the RICC 102, according to some embodiments.

[0050] The catheter tube 112 includes a first section 120 at a distal portion of the catheter tube 112, a second section 122 at a distal portion of the catheter tube 112 proximal to the first section 120, and a tapered junction 124 between the first section 120 and the second section 122 of the catheter tube 112.

[0051] The first section 120 of the catheter tube 112 includes a catheter tip 126 having a relatively short taper from an outer diameter of the distal portion of the first section 120 distal to the junction 124 to an outer diameter of the distal end of the first section 120. The taper of the catheter tip 126 is configured to immediately dilate tissue around the needle path established by the introducer needle 104 to the outer diameter of the distal portion of the first section 120 of the catheter tube 112. As best shown in FIG. 22, the first section 120 of the catheter tube 112 also includes a proximal portion that is disposed within a bore of the distal portion of the junction 124 and is fixedly bonded thereto, such as by solvent bonding, adhesive bonding, or heat welding.

[0052] The second section 122 of the catheter tube 112 includes a constant outer diameter along its length from the distal end of the second section 122 to the proximal end of the second section 122. The constant diameter of the second section 122 of the catheter tube 112 is configured for smooth insertion into the needle tract and target vasculature after any expansion by the first section 120 of the catheter tube 112 and the junction 124. The distal end of the second section 122 of the catheter tube 112 has a flat surface that is flush with and fixedly bonded to the flat surface proximal end of the junction 124, such as by solvent bonding, adhesive bonding, or heat welding.

[0053] The junction 124 includes a taper over its length from the proximal end of the junction 124 to the distal end of the junction 124. The taper of the junction 124 is configured to immediately expand the tissue around the needle track from the outer diameter of the proximal portion of the first section 120 of the catheter tube 112 to the outer diameter of the second section 122 of the catheter tube 112. The abluminal surface of the junction 124 smoothly transitions from the abluminal surface of the first section 120 of the catheter tube 112 to the abluminal surface of the second section 122 of the catheter tube 112 without creating edges that may catch on the skin when the catheter tube 112 is inserted into the needle track. In addition to having minimal or negligible edges, the edges may include solvent interdiffusion polymeric material of the polymeric material forming the catheter tube 112, which provides a smooth transition from the first section 120 of the catheter tube 112 to the junction 124, and from the junction 124 to the second section 122 of the catheter tube 112. In particular, the junction 124 has a length that is approximately equal to the length of the exposed portion of the first section 120 of the catheter tube 112, or a length between the lengths of the exposed portions of the first section 120 and the second section 122 of the catheter tube 112. Thus, the length of the exposed portion of the first section 120 of the catheter tube 112 is less than the length of the junction 124, and at most approximately equal to the length of the junction 124.

[0054] The first section 120 of the catheter tube 112 is formed from a first polymeric material (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, or polyurethane) having a first durometer. The second section 122 of the catheter tube 112 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 120 of the catheter tube 112 can be formed from a first polyurethane having a first durometer, and the second section 122 of the catheter tube 112 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, the same diisocyanates or triisocyanates reacted with the same diols or triols under different conditions or with different additives, etc.) having a second durometer that is less than the first durometer. Indeed, polyurethanes are advantageous for the catheter tube 112 in that they are relatively stiff at room temperature, but can become more flexible in vivo at body temperature, thereby reducing irritation and phlebitis to the vessel wall. Polyurethanes are also advantageous in that they can be less thrombogenic than some other polymers. The joint 124 is formed from a second polymeric material or a 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] With the first section 120 of the catheter tube 112, the second section 122 of the catheter tube 112, and the junction 124 between the first section 120 and the second section 122 of the catheter tube 112 described above, the catheter tube 112 has sufficient column strength to prevent buckling of the catheter tube 112 when inserted into the needle track established by the introducer needle 104. The column strength of the catheter tube 112 is also sufficient to prevent buckling of the catheter tube 112 when advanced through the patient's vasculature without pre-dilating the tissue around the needle track or any of the vessels of the vasculature with a separate dilator.

[0057] The catheter tube 112 includes one or more catheter tube lumens extending therethrough. However, typically in a multi-lumen RICC (e.g., a 2-lumen RICC, a 3-lumen RICC, a 4-lumen RICC, a 5-lumen RICC, a 6-lumen RICC, etc.), there is only one catheter tube lumen extending from the proximal end of the catheter tube 112 to the distal end of the catheter tube 112 (see Figures 19-21). In fact, the first section 120 of the catheter tube 112 typically has one lumen passing therethrough, as shown in Figures 20 and 21.

[0058] A catheter hub 114 is coupled to a proximal portion of the catheter tube 112. The catheter hub 114 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 114 from a proximal end of the catheter hub 114 to a distal end of the catheter hub 114.

[0059] Each of the one or more extension legs 116 is coupled by its distal portion to the catheter hub 114. Each of the one or more extension legs 116 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.

[0060] Each of the one or more extension leg connectors 118 is on a proximal portion of the extension leg of one or more extension legs 116. For example, each of the one or more extension leg connectors 118 can be a luer connector (e.g., a female luer connector) on a proximal portion of the extension leg of one or more extension legs 116. Through such an extension leg connector, the corresponding extension leg and its extension leg lumen can be connected to another medical device and its lumen. However, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100, at least one extension leg connector (e.g., an extension leg connector including a portion of the primary lumen 128 of the RICC 102) is connected to an extension arm connector 220 of the extension arm 214 of the tailpiece 180 to form a loop around the access guidewire 106 and the RICC 102 thereon.

[0061] As shown, the RICC 102 is a three-lumen RICC including a set of three lumens. However, the RICC 102 is not limited to the set of three lumens as described above. The set of three lumens includes a primary lumen 128, a secondary lumen 130, and a tertiary lumen 132 formed from fluidly connected portions of three catheter tube lumens, three catheter hub lumens, and three extension leg lumens. The primary lumen 128 has a primary lumen opening 134 at the distal end of the first section 120 of the catheter tube 112, which corresponds to the distal end of the catheter tube 112 and the distal end of the RICC 102. The secondary lumen 130 has a secondary lumen opening 136 at the side of the distal portion of the catheter tube 112. The tertiary lumen 132 has a tertiary lumen opening 138 at the side of the distal portion of the catheter tube 112 proximal to the secondary lumen opening 136.

[0062] 2-4 show various views of an introducer needle assembly 140 including an introducer needle 104 coupled with a coupler assembly 108, according to some embodiments. FIG 5 shows the introducer needle assembly 140 with the introducer needle 104 retracted, according to some embodiments. Also, for illustrative purposes only, FIG 6 shows an exploded view of the introducer needle assembly 140 without the needle shaft 142 or sheath 144 of the introducer needle 104, and FIG 9 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the introducer needle assembly 140 without the nosepiece housing 184 of the coupler nosepiece 178.

[0063] As shown, the introducer needle assembly 140 is a subassembly of the RICC insertion assembly 100. In fact, the introducer needle assembly 140 includes an introducer needle 104 and a coupler assembly 108 coupled together. The coupler assembly 108 is in turn a subassembly of each of the RICC insertion assembly 100 and the introducer needle assembly 140. As will be explained in more detail below, the coupler assembly 108 includes its nosepiece 178 and tailpiece 180 coupled together.

[0064] 13-17 show various views of the introducer needle 104 or components thereof, according to some embodiments.

[0065] As shown, the introducer needle 104 includes a needle shaft 142, a sheath 144 that covers the needle shaft 142, and a needle hub 146 that covers both a proximal portion of the needle shaft 142 and a proximal portion of the sheath 144. When the RICC insertion assembly 100 is in at least a ready-to-deploy state, the needle shaft 142 and the sheath 144 extend from the needle hub 146, through the valve module 186, and out the distal end of the nosepiece 178 of the coupler assembly 108.

[0066] The needle shaft 142 includes a needle tip 148 at a distal portion of the needle shaft 142 and a longitudinal needle slot 150 (i.e., a missing portion of the wall of the needle shaft 142) that extends from at least a proximal portion of the needle shaft 142 through the needle tip 148.

[0067] The needle tip 148 includes a bevel 152 having a tip bevel and a primary bevel proximal to the tip bevel. Although not shown, the tip bevel angle of the tip bevel is greater than the primary bevel angle of the primary bevel such that the bevel 152 provides a smooth transition across the needle tip 148. Such a needle tip is thus configured to establish a needle pathway from an area of ​​skin into a vascular lumen of a patient in accordance with the needle pathway establishment steps of the method described below.

[0068] The needle slot 150 extends from at least a proximal portion of the needle shaft 142 through the needle tip 148, thereby forming a needle channel 154 along at least a majority of the length of the needle shaft 142. However, the needle slot 150 can extend through both the proximal end of the needle shaft 142 and the needle tip 148, thereby forming a needle channel 154 along the entire length of the needle shaft 142. Because the needle slot 150 is a missing portion of the wall of the needle shaft 142, the needle slot 150 has a predetermined width, which is sized according to the outer diameter of the access guidewire 106. Such a width allows the access guidewire 106 to pass from the proximal portion of the needle shaft 142 through the needle tip 148 when the introducer needle withdrawal step of the method described below is performed.

[0069] It should be appreciated that the needle shaft 142 includes a needle channel 154 through the needle slot 150, while the introducer needle 104 includes a needle lumen 156. The needle lumen 156 results from a combination of the needle shaft 142 and the sheath 144 covering the needle shaft 142. In effect, the sheath 144 covering the needle shaft 142 seals the underlying needle slot 150 and forms the needle lumen 156 of the introducer needle 104 from the needle channel 154 of the needle shaft 142, thereby enabling leak-free aspiration of blood through the introducer needle 104 using the syringe 110, in accordance with the blood aspiration steps of the method described below.

[0070] The sheath 144 includes a sheath tip 158 at a distal portion of the sheath 144 and a sheath opening 160 at a side of a proximal portion of the sheath 144 .

[0071] The sheath tip 158 includes a relatively short taper from the outer diameter of the distal portion of the sheath 144 to the outer diameter of the distal end of the sheath 144, which is equal to the outer diameter of the distal portion of the needle shaft 142. The taper has a taper angle that is less than the primary bevel angle of the primary bevel of the needle tip 148, which is less than the tip bevel angle of the tip bevel of the needle tip 148. Such a taper in the sheath tip 158 is configured to provide a smooth transition from the needle tip 148 to the sheath body for the needle path establishment step of the method described below.

[0072] The sheath opening 160 opens to the needle slot 150 of the needle shaft 142 and allows the access guidewire 106 to pass through the sheath opening 160 and into the needle channel 154 or into the needle lumen 156 formed from the needle channel 154, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. In particular, the sheath opening 160 opens toward the side of the coupler assembly 108 opposite the side including the extension arm 214, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. The sheath opening 160 has a width approximately equal to the width of the needle slot 150, which is sized according to the diameter of the access guidewire 106. The sheath opening 160 also allows the access guidewire 106 to pass through the sheath opening 160 and into the needle slot 150 or into the needle lumen 156 formed from the needle slot 150, while also being of sufficient length to accommodate the blade 204 of the valve module 186 below the distal end of the sheath opening 160. In particular, the sheath 144 covering the needle shaft 142 seals the needle slot 150 below it, except for the needle slot 150 below the sheath opening 160. However, the valve module 186 covers and seals the needle slot 150 exposed by the sheath opening 160 by sealing the proximal portion of the needle shaft 142 and the sheath 144 within the valve module 186, thereby allowing leak-free aspiration of blood through the introducer needle 104 with the syringe 110, in accordance with the blood aspiration steps of the method described below.

[0073] The sheath 144, or sheath body thereof, is formed from a polymeric material configured to facilitate smooth and consistent insertion of the introducer needle 104 from an area of ​​skin into the patient's vascular lumen in accordance with the needle pathway establishment step of the method described below. In addition, the polymeric material has sufficient mechanical properties, particularly at the thickness of the sheath 144, to withstand collapse of the sheath 144 into the needle slot 150 of the needle shaft 142 when the blood aspiration step of the method described below is performed, while also facilitating detachment of the sheath 144 from the needle shaft 142 in accordance with the introducer needle withdrawal step of the method described below. Such polymeric materials may include, but are not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, or polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0074] The needle hub 146 includes a needle hub extension tube 162 extending distally from the needle hub 146, a needle hub clip 164 extending distally over a portion of the needle hub extension tube 162, and a needle hub connector 166 at a proximal portion of the needle hub 146.

[0075] The needle hub extension tube 162 extends distally from the needle hub 146 over a proximal portion of the needle shaft 142 and a proximal portion of the sheath 144. In particular, the needle hub extension tube 162 includes an arcuate extension tube protrusion 168 at its distal portion that is configured to at least partially complement a wall of the introducer needle cradle 216 of the tailpiece 180. Indeed, the needle hub extension tube 162 extends into a locking ring section 192 of the nosepiece housing 184 of the nosepiece 178. In the locking ring section 192, the extension tube protrusion 168 forms a two-part axis with the wall of the introducer needle cradle 216 and is configured to rotate the locking ring 190 on the two-part axis.

[0076] The needle hub clip 164 includes a pair of clip arms 170 that extend distally over the needle hub extension tube 162 from opposite sides of the needle hub 146. The clip arms 170 are configured to extend completely over corresponding sides of the tailpiece 180 of the coupler assembly 108 to at least the nosepiece 178 of the coupler assembly 108 in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. Advantageously, the clip arms 170 may include a textured outer clip arm surface 172 having ridges, bumps, or conversely indentations, thereby facilitating secure retention of the needle hub 146 even in environments where leaking fluids may make retention of the needle hub 146 difficult. The textured outer clip arm surface 172, together with the textured outer nosepiece surface 198 on the side of the clip arm 170 and corresponding nosepiece 178, are configured to form a pair of textured gripping pads 182 across the needle hub 146 and nosepiece 178 on either side of the bullet-shaped body of the introducer needle assembly 140 for holding the RICC insertion assembly 100.

[0077] The needle hub connector 166 includes a needle hub bore 174 and an optional needle hub flange 176 about the needle hub bore 174 .

[0078] The needle hub bore 174 of the needle hub connector 166 is configured to receive therein a syringe tip (not shown) of the syringe 110 to fluidly connect the introducer needle 104 to the syringe 110 (see FIG. 1 for a fluidly connected introducer needle 104 and syringe 110). Indeed, the needle hub bore 174 may have a luer taper (e.g., a 6% taper) configured to receive therein the syringe 110 tip, which may be complementarily configured with a luer taper.

[0079] If present, needle hub flange 176 about needle hub bore 174 is configured to threadably mate with the female threads of a threaded collar about the syringe tip of syringe 110. The threaded collar of syringe 110 is also optional, but if both are present, needle hub flange 176 advantageously provides a so-called luer lock type connection with the female threads of the threaded collar, which provides more security against inadvertent separation of introducer needle 104 and syringe 110 than is provided by a luer slip type connection.

[0080] Figures 6-8 show various views of the coupler assembly 108, according to some embodiments. While Figure 9 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the introducer needle assembly 140 without the nosepiece housing 184 of the nosepiece 178 of the coupler assembly 108, Figure 9 shows another view of at least a portion of the coupler assembly 108. Similarly, Figures 10 and 11 show additional views of the coupler assembly 108 with the introducer needle assembly 140 without the nosepiece housing 184 of the nosepiece 178, this additional view being from the proximal end of the introducer assembly.

[0081] As shown, the coupler assembly 108 includes a nosepiece 178 and a tailpiece 180 coupled to the nosepiece 178. Together, the nosepiece 178 and tailpiece 180 of the coupler assembly 108 form a bullet-shaped body configured to be comfortably held in a palm-down position in the left hand for left-handed venipuncture or in the right hand for right-handed venipuncture with the RICC insertion assembly 100. In particular, the bullet-shaped body extends with the needle hub 146 of the introducer needle 104 in the introducer needle assembly 140. Advantageously, the bullet-shaped body of the introducer needle assembly 140 may include a pair of textured grip pads 182, which facilitate secure retention of the introducer needle assembly 140 even in environments where leaked fluids may make it difficult to retain the introducer needle assembly 140. A pair of textured grip pads 182 are formed between the textured outer clip arm surface 172 of the clip arm 170 described above and the textured outer nosepiece surface 198 of the nosepiece 178 described below, and extend across the needle hub 146 and nosepiece 178 on either side of the bullet-shaped body of the introducer needle assembly 140 for holding the RICC insertion assembly 100 during venipuncture, e.g., in either the left or right hand.

[0082] FIG. 12 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the nosepiece 178 of the coupler assembly 108, according to some embodiments.

[0083] Nosepiece 178 of coupler assembly 108 includes a nosepiece housing 184, a valve module 186 disposed within a valve module compartment 188 defined by nosepiece housing 184, and a lock ring 190 captured but rotatably disposed within a lock ring compartment 192 defined by nosepiece housing 184.

[0084] Nosepiece housing 184 includes two molded parts that are joined together (e.g., snapped together or fastened or screwed together with screws or bolts) to form at least a distal or tip portion of the aforementioned bullet-shaped body of coupler assembly 108 or introducer needle assembly 140. When the two molded parts are joined together as shown in FIG. 12 , the inside of each part of the two molded parts includes a recess that defines a valve module section 188 and a lock ring section 192 proximal to valve module section 188. Nosepiece housing 184 of nosepiece 178 also includes circumferential tab slots 194 and longitudinal nosepiece housing slots 196 that are defined between the two molded parts of nosepiece housing 184 when the two molded parts are joined together. In the introducer needle assembly 140, the nosepiece housing slot 196 is on the same side as the extension arm 214 of the tailpiece 180, and therefore opens in the opposite direction to the needle slot 150 of the needle shaft 142. Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that the nosepiece housing slot 196 may alternatively be located in a different position than that shown. In any event, the nosepiece housing slot 196 is configured to allow the access guidewire 106 to exit the nosepiece 178 during separation of the nosepiece 178 from the access guidewire 106 during the nosepiece separation step of the method described below. Advantageously, the exterior of each of the two molded parts may include a textured exterior nosepiece surface 198 having ridges, bumps, or indentations that facilitate secure retention of the nosepiece 178 or coupler assembly 108 in environments where leaking fluids may make retention of the nosepiece 178 or coupler assembly 108 difficult.The textured outer clip arm surface 172 together with the textured outer nosepiece surface 198 are configured to form a pair of textured gripping pads 182 across the nosepiece 178 and needle hub 146 on either side of the bullet-shaped body of the introducer needle assembly 140 for holding the RICC insertion assembly 100.

[0085] The valve module 186 includes an introducer needle passageway 200, an access guidewire passageway 202 connected to the introducer needle passageway 200, and an integral blade 204 that extends to the introducer needle passageway 200. Notably, the valve module 186 is separable, and the valve module section 188 is further configured with sufficient space to allow the valve module 186 to separate to allow the access guidewire 106 to exit the valve module 186 when the introducer needle 104 is withdrawn from the RICC insertion assembly 100 or its introducer needle assembly 140 in accordance with the introducer needle withdrawal step of the method described below.

[0086] The introducer needle passage 200 is configured to allow the introducer needle 104, specifically the elongated portion of the introducer needle 104 including the sheath 144 covering the needle shaft 142, to pass through the introducer needle passage 200. In addition, the introducer needle passage 200 is configured to seal around the introducer needle 104, specifically the proximal portion of the elongated portion of the introducer needle 104, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. In fact, the valve module 186 is configured to cover and seal the sheath opening 160 of the sheath 144, which opens to the needle slot 150, as described above. As further described above, the sheath 144 seals the needle slot 150 outside the valve module 186. Together with the access guidewire 106 sealed within the access guidewire passage 202, a leak-free aspiration through the introducer needle 104 is possible during the blood aspiration step of the method described below.

[0087] The access guidewire passage 202 is configured to allow the access guidewire 106 to pass through the access guidewire passage 202 and enter both the sheath opening 160 of the sheath 144 and the needle channel 154 of the needle shaft 142. In other words, the access guidewire passage 202 is configured to allow the access guidewire 106 to pass through the access guidewire passage 202 and enter the needle lumen 156 of the introducer needle 104 via the sheath opening 160 of the sheath 144. In fact, the access guidewire passage 202 connects to the sheath opening 160 of the sheath 144 at least in a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100 where the introducer needle 104 is within the introducer needle passage 200. In addition, the access guidewire passage 202 is configured to seal around the access guidewire 106, specifically the distal portion of the access guidewire 106, at least in a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. With the introducer needle 104 sealed within the introducer needle passage 200, leak-free aspiration through the introducer needle 104 is possible during the blood aspiration steps of the method described below.

[0088] The blade 204 extends from an attachment point in the valve module 186 into the needle slot 150 of the needle shaft 142 such that the blade 204 is disposed in the needle slot 150 below the distal end of the sheath opening 160 of the sheath 144. The blade 204 includes a distally facing blade edge 206 configured to decouple the sheath 144 from the needle shaft 142 as the introducer needle 104 is withdrawn proximally from the coupler assembly 108 during an introducer needle withdrawal step of the method described below. Decoupling the sheath 144 from the needle shaft 142 allows the access guidewire 106 to exit the coupler assembly 108 from the needle shaft 142 through its needle slot 150 and through the nosepiece housing slot 196 of the nosepiece housing 184.

[0089] 10 and 11 show views from the proximal end of introducer needle assembly 140 with locking rings 190 on different sides of nosepiece housing 184, according to some embodiments. Notably, nosepiece housing 184 and valve module 186 of nosepiece 178 have been removed for ease of illustration.

[0090] The locking ring 190 includes a locking ring tab 208 that projects away from the centerline of the locking ring 190, a locking ring protrusion 210 that projects toward the centerline of the locking ring 190, and a locking ring gap 212 on the opposite side of the locking ring 190 from the locking ring protrusion 210, but not necessarily exactly opposite the locking ring protrusion 210. Again, the locking ring 190 is captured but rotatably disposed within a locking ring compartment 192 defined by the nosepiece housing 184. In particular, the walls of the introducer needle cradle 216 of the tailpiece 180 and the extension tube protrusion 168 of the needle hub extension tube 162 extend into the locking ring compartment 192 of the nosepiece 178, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100, thereby providing a two-part axis of the walls of the introducer needle cradle 216 and the extension tube protrusion 168 that is configured to rotate the locking ring 190 thereon.

[0091] The locking ring tabs 208 extend from the locking ring 190 through tab slots 194 in the nosepiece housing 184 in which the locking ring 190 is complimentarily disposed. The locking ring 190 is thus configured to toggle between the side of the tab slots 194 and the opposite side of the tab slots 194 to respectively restrain the access guidewire 106 from moving within the nosepiece 178 and release the access guidewire 106 to move within the nosepiece 178. As will be explained below, the locking ring protrusions 210 create a tortuous guidewire pathway that restrains the access guidewire 106 from moving within the nosepiece 178 when the locking ring tabs 208 are on the side of the tab slots 194 in the nosepiece housing 184. In addition, the locking ring protrusions 210 create an open guidewire pathway that allows the access guidewire 106 to move within the nosepiece 178 when the locking ring tabs 208 are on the opposite side of the tab slots 194 in the nosepiece housing 184.

[0092] The locking ring protrusion 210 is disposed on the locking ring 190 to create a tortuous guidewire passage around the locking ring 190 to restrain the access guidewire 106 from moving within the nosepiece 178 when the locking ring tab 208 is on the side of the tab slot 194 of the nosepiece housing 184. In the introducer needle assembly 140, the tortuous guidewire passage extends from the access guidewire passage 202 in the valve module 186, around the locking ring protrusion 210, over the needle hub extension tube 162, through the remainder of the nosepiece 178 and the tailpiece 180, and out a guidewire through hole 226 formed between the tailpiece 180 and the needle hub 146 of the introducer needle 104. The locking ring protrusions 210 are further disposed on the locking ring 190 to create an open guidewire passageway to allow the access guidewire 106 to travel within the nosepiece 178 when the locking ring tabs 208 are opposite the tab slots 194 of the nosepiece housing 184. In particular, the length of the locking ring protrusions 210 is less than the overall width of the locking ring 190 such that the locking ring protrusions 210 can be proximal or distal to the extension tube protrusions 168 of the needle hub extension tube 162, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100 (see FIG. 9 , where the locking ring protrusions 210 are disposed on the locking ring 190 such that they are proximal to the extension tube protrusions 168). The locking ring protrusion 210 being proximal or distal to the extension tube protrusion 168 prevents any interference of the extension tube protrusion 168 with the locking ring protrusion 210 when the locking ring 190 rotates within the locking ring compartment 192 on a two-part axis formed by the wall of the introducer needle cradle 216 of the tailpiece 180 and the extension tube protrusion 168 of the needle hub extension tube 162.

[0093] The lock ring gap 212 is on the side of the lock ring 190 opposite the lock ring protrusion 210 to allow the access guidewire 106 to exit the lock ring 190 when the nosepiece 178 is separated from the access guidewire 106 in accordance with a nosepiece separation step of the method described below. Advantageously, the lock ring 190 can be configured such that when the lock ring tabs 208 are opposite the tab slots 194, the lock ring gap 212 aligns with the nosepiece housing slots 196 in the nosepiece housing 184 to form an open guidewire passageway, thereby releasing the access guidewire 106 to travel within the nosepiece 178 through both the lock ring gap 212 and the nosepiece housing slots 196 and exit the nosepiece 178 in a nosepiece separation step of the method described below.

[0094] The tailpiece 180 includes an extension arm 214 , an introducer needle cradle 216 , and a longitudinal tailpiece slot 218 .

[0095] The extension arm 214 includes an extension arm connector 220 and a guidewire retention point 222 that retains the proximal end of the access guidewire 106 during at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. The extension arm 214 terminates in the extension arm connector 220, which includes a male luer connector configured to connect with its female counterpart, such as the luer connector of the RICC 102. Indeed, as shown in FIG. 1, the extension arm connector 220 connects with the luer connector of the RICC 102. The guidewire retention point 222 may be on the opposite side of the extension arm connector 220, such as distal to the extension arm connector 220, as shown in FIG. 9, with an access guidewire passageway 224 therebetween that passes through the center of the extension arm connector 220 and the guidewire retention point 222, respectively. A proximal portion of the access guidewire 106 is threaded through the access guidewire passage 224 such that, in at least a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100, the access guidewire 106 passes from the extension arm connector 220 into a luer connector of the RICC 102, e.g., along the primary lumen 128 of the RICC 102. The proximal end of the access guidewire 106 may be attached to a guidewire retention point 222 to prevent the proximal end of the access guidewire 106 from passing through the access guidewire passage 224, thereby preventing the access guidewire 106 from inadvertently advancing too far in the distal direction. That said, the proximal end of the access guidewire 106 may alternatively or additionally include a stop (e.g., a hub, ball, stopper knot, etc.) that is configured to prevent the proximal end of the access guidewire 106 from passing through the access guidewire passage 224, thereby also preventing the access guidewire 106 from inadvertently advancing too far in the distal direction.

[0096] The extension arm 214 may be molded with the remainder of the tailpiece 180 such that the extension arm 214 is integral with the tailpiece 180. Alternatively, the extension arm 214 is molded separately and connected to the tailpiece 180. In either case, the extension arm 214 is fixedly and immovably connected to the same side of the coupler assembly 108 or introducer needle assembly 140 that contains the nosepiece housing slot 196. Given that the extension arm 214 is connected to the same side of the coupler assembly 108 or introducer needle assembly 140 that contains the nosepiece housing slot 196, the RICC insertion assembly 100 and each of the aforementioned subassemblies have an immediately recognizable orientation.

[0097] The introducer needle cradle 216 is configured to receive the needle hub extension tube 162 extending distally from the needle hub 146 and form a two-part axis with the needle hub extension tube 162, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. In effect, the introducer needle cradle 216 or its walls approximate a longitudinal cross section of a tube or pipe extending distally from the tailpiece 180 to receive the needle hub extension tube 162. The walls of the introducer needle cradle 216 are at least partially complemented by the extension tube protrusion 168 at the distal portion of the needle hub extension tube 162, forming a two-part axis within the locking ring section 192 for rotating the locking ring 190 thereon.

[0098] The tailpiece slot 218 is configured to allow the access guidewire 106 to pass through the tailpiece slot 218 and exit the tailpiece 180 following both withdrawal of the introducer needle 104 from the coupler assembly 108 and separation of the tailpiece 180 from the coupler assembly 108. Accordingly, the width of the tailpiece slot 218 is sized according to the diameter of the access guidewire 106. In particular, the introducer needle cradle 216 opens into the tailpiece slot 218, thereby facilitating exit of the guidewire from the tailpiece 180 following withdrawal of the introducer needle 104 from the coupler assembly 108 and separation of the tailpiece 180 from the coupler assembly 108.

[0099] The tailpiece 180 may also include a full or partial guidewire through-hole 226 between the tailpiece 180 and the needle hub 146, such as that shown in FIG. 9. Such a guidewire through-hole, sized according to the diameter of the access guidewire 106, is configured to allow the access guidewire 106 to pass into the coupler assembly 108 or introducer needle assembly 140.

[0100] FIG. 1 shows an access guidewire 106 as part of a RICC insertion assembly 100, according to some embodiments.

[0101] The access guidewire 106 includes a proximal portion including a proximal end and a distal portion including a distal end. In at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100, the proximal end of the access guidewire 106 is held by a guidewire holding point 222 of the extension arm 214. The proximal portion of the access guidewire 106 extends from the guidewire holding point 222 of the extension arm 214 through an access guidewire passageway 224, through the extension arm connector 220, into the luer connector of the RICC 102, and along the primary lumen 128 of the RICC 102. The distal portion of the access guidewire 106 also extends along the primary lumen 128 of the RICC 102, but when the RICC insertion assembly 100 is in a ready-to-deploy state, the distal portion of the access guidewire 106 exits the distal end of the RICC 102, passes through a guidewire through hole 226 through the tailpiece 180, over the needle hub extension tube 162, through the remainder of the tailpiece 180 and the nosepiece 178, through the lock ring 190 in the lock ring section 192, into the valve module 186 via the access guidewire passage 202, through the sheath opening 160 of the sheath 144 and the needle slot 150 of the needle shaft 142, into the needle lumen 156 of the introducer needle 104, and further extends along the needle lumen 156 of the introducer needle 104. 1, with the RICC insertion assembly 100 in at least a ready-to-deploy state, the distal end of the access guidewire 106 is disposed in the needle lumen 156 of the introducer needle 104 just proximal to the needle tip 148. Again, with the RICC insertion assembly 100 in at least a ready-to-deploy state, the proximal and distal ends of the access guidewire 106 form a loop in the access guidewire 106 over which the RICC 102 is disposed, thereby maintaining the RICC insertion assembly 100 in a relatively compact configuration.

[0102] The access guidewire 106 can include a guidewire tip 228 at a distal portion of the access guidewire 106, which can have a "J" shape configured to prevent puncturing the posterior wall of a blood vessel. Such a guidewire tip is straight in at least a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100 and curved when the guidewire tip 228 is advanced beyond the needle tip 148 (e.g., advanced into a blood vessel lumen) in a deployed state of the RICC insertion assembly 100.

[0103] The access guidewire 106 may further include a bare wire portion and a wound wire portion proximal to the bare wire portion. Although not shown, the bare wire portion, if present, extends distally through the access guidewire passageway 202 of the valve module 186 such that, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100, the valve module 186 forms a fluid-tight seal around the bare wire portion of the access guidewire 106. Notably, the aforementioned bare wire portion may instead be a flatwound or groundwound portion of the access guidewire 106, where a flatwound portion includes turns of tape instead of round wire and a groundwound portion includes turns of round wire that have been ground to flatten the turns.

[0104] method The method includes a method for inserting a RICC 102 into a vascular lumen of a patient, the method including one or more steps selected from obtaining a RICC insertion assembly, establishing a needle path, aspirating blood, advancing an access guidewire, restraining an access guidewire, withdrawing an introducer needle, separating a tailpiece, releasing an access guidewire, separating a nosepiece, advancing a RICC, withdrawing an access guidewire, advancing a steering guidewire, advancing another RICC, and withdrawing a steering guidewire.

[0105] The RICC insertion assembly obtaining step includes obtaining a RICC insertion assembly 100. As described above, the RICC insertion assembly 100 includes a RICC 102, an introducer needle 104 including a sheath 144 covering a needle shaft 142, and an access guidewire 106, which are coupled together by a coupler assembly 108. A proximal end of the access guidewire 106 is held by an extension arm 214 of a tailpiece 180 of the coupler assembly 108. In addition, a distal end of the access guidewire 106 is disposed in the introducer needle 104 via a valve module 186 disposed in a nosepiece housing 184 of a nosepiece 178 of the coupler assembly 108 such that the proximal and distal ends of the access guidewire 106 form a loop on the access guidewire 106. The RICC 102 is disposed on the access guidewire 106 at least in a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100, to keep the RICC insertion assembly 100 in a relatively compact configuration.

[0106] The needle path establishment step includes establishing a needle path from the area of ​​skin to the lumen of the blood vessel with the introducer needle 104. The needle path establishment step can also include ensuring blood flow back while establishing the needle path. Ensuring blood flow back while establishing the needle path includes ensuring blood flow back into the needle hub 146 of the introducer needle 104, the syringe tip of the syringe 110 fluidly connected to the introducer needle 104, the barrel of the syringe 110, or a combination thereof, particularly if the needle hub 146 is colorless and transparent. A slight vacuum can be drawn on the syringe 110 while establishing the needle path so that blood flows back into at least the needle hub 146 of the introducer needle 104 when the needle path is established. Ensuring blood flow back as described above confirms that the needle path extends into the lumen of the blood vessel.

[0107] The blood drawing step includes drawing blood with a syringe 110 coupled to the needle hub 146 of the introducer needle 104 to ensure that the needle track extends into the blood vessel lumen, particularly before withdrawing the introducer needle 104 from the RICC insertion assembly 100 or its introducer needle assembly 140. Again, the sheath 144 covering the needle shaft 142 seals the needle slot 150 of the needle shaft 142 below it. In particular, the sheath 144 seals the needle slot 150 outside the valve module 186. The valve module 186 in turn seals over the sheath opening 160 of the sheath 144, which allows the access guidewire 106 to pass through and enter the needle lumen 156 of the introducer needle 104 in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. The valve module 186 also seals around the distal portion of the access guidewire 106. Such a seal allows the syringe 110 to aspirate blood during the blood aspirating step.

[0108] The access guidewire advancement step involves advancing the distal end of the access guidewire 106 from its initial position within the elongated portion of the introducer needle 104 or its needle shaft 142 just proximal to the needle tip 148 into the vascular lumen, thereby securing vascular access for advancing the catheter tube 112 of the RICC 102 into the vascular lumen.

[0109] The access guidewire restraining step includes restraining the access guidewire 106 from moving within the nosepiece 178 of the coupler assembly 108 so that the access guidewire 106 is not withdrawn from the vessel lumen during withdrawal of the introducer needle 104 from the RICC insertion assembly 100 or its introducer needle assembly 140 or during separation of the tailpiece 180 from the nosepiece 178 of the coupler assembly 108 after the access guidewire 106 has been advanced into the vessel lumen. Restraining the access guidewire 106 from moving within the nosepiece 178 includes rotating the locking ring 190, which has a locking ring protrusion 210 that protrudes toward the centerline of the locking ring 190 as described above. Rotating the locking ring 190 includes pushing the locking ring tabs 208 of the locking ring 190 to the side or opposite the tab slots 194 of the nosepiece housing 184 through which the locking ring tabs 208 extend. In particular, rotation of the locking ring 190 occurs on a two-part axis formed between the wall of the introducer needle cradle 216 and the extension tube protrusion 168 of the needle hub extension tube 162, which extends into the locking ring section 192 that contains the locking ring 190. Rotation of the locking ring 190 in the access guidewire restraining step creates a tortuous guidewire pathway about the locking ring protrusion 210 to restrain the access guidewire 106 from moving within the nosepiece 178 of the coupler assembly 108.

[0110] The introducer needle withdrawal step includes withdrawing the introducer needle 104 from the RICC insertion assembly 100 or its introducer needle assembly 140 by the needle hub 146 while leaving the access guidewire 106 in place within the vessel lumen. The introducer needle withdrawal step includes simultaneously decoupling the sheath 144 from the needle shaft 142 using a blade 204 of a valve module 186 disposed within a valve module section 188 defined by a nosepiece housing 184 of the nosepiece 178 as the introducer needle 104 is withdrawn from the RICC insertion assembly 100 or its introducer needle assembly 140. Decoupling the sheath 144 from the needle shaft 142 allows the access guidewire 106 to exit the needle shaft 142 via the needle slot 150. Again, the needle shaft 142 includes a needle slot 150 extending from a proximal portion of the needle shaft 142 through the needle tip 148, which allows the access guidewire 106 to exit the needle shaft 142 upon withdrawal of the introducer needle 104 from the RICC insertion assembly 100 or its introducer needle assembly 140. In particular, the valve module 186 about the elongated portion of the introducer needle 104 separates to allow the access guidewire 106 to further exit the valve module 186 when the introducer needle 104 is withdrawn from the RICC insertion assembly 100 or its introducer needle assembly 140.

[0111] The tailpiece separation step involves separating the tailpiece 180 from the nosepiece 178 of the coupler assembly 108. Again, the tailpiece 180 includes a longitudinal tailpiece slot 218 that allows the access guidewire 106 to exit the tailpiece 180 following withdrawal of the introducer needle 104 from the RICC insertion assembly 100 or its introducer needle assembly 140. The tailpiece 180 becomes a handle for the access guidewire 106 after separating the tailpiece 180 from the nosepiece 178 of the coupler assembly 108.

[0112] The access guidewire releasing step includes releasing the access guidewire 106 for movement within the nosepiece 178 of the coupler assembly 108 after withdrawing the introducer needle 104 from the RICC insertion assembly 100 or its introducer needle assembly 140 and after separating the tailpiece 180 from the nosepiece 178 of the coupler assembly 108. Releasing the access guidewire 106 for movement within the nosepiece 178 includes rotating the locking ring 190 opposite to constraining the access guidewire 106 from movement within the nosepiece 178 of the coupler assembly 108. Rotating the locking ring 190 in the access guidewire releasing step creates an open guidewire passage for releasing the access guidewire 106 for movement within the nosepiece 178.

[0113] The nosepiece separation step includes separating the nosepiece 178 from the access guidewire 106 after releasing the access guidewire 106 for movement within the nosepiece 178. The locking ring 190 includes a locking ring gap 212 on an opposite side of the locking ring 190 from the locking ring protrusion 210. The locking ring gap 212 allows the access guidewire 106 to exit the locking ring 190 during separation of the nosepiece 178 from the access guidewire 106. In addition, the nosepiece housing 184 of the nosepiece 178 includes a nosepiece housing slot 196 on the same side of the coupler assembly 108 as the extension arm 214 of the tailpiece 180 of the coupler assembly 108. The nosepiece housing slot 196 also allows the access guidewire 106 to exit the nosepiece 178 during separation of the nosepiece 178 from the access guidewire 106.

[0114] The RICC advancement step involves inserting the RICC 102 into the vessel lumen by advancing the catheter tube 112 of the RICC 102 over the access guidewire 106 into the vessel lumen.

[0115] The access guidewire withdrawal step includes withdrawing the access guidewire 106 from the vessel lumen after inserting the RICC 102 into the vessel lumen. Withdrawing the access guidewire 106 from the vessel lumen also includes separating the RICC 102 from the tailpiece 180 by removing the luer connector of the RICC 102 from the extension arm connector 220 of the extension arm 214.

[0116] The steering guidewire advancement step involves advancing a steering guidewire through the primary lumen 128 of the RICC 102, into the vessel lumen, and into the lower third of the superior vena cava ("SVC") of the patient's heart.

[0117] Another RICC advancement step involves advancing the distal portion of the catheter tube 112 further into the vessel lumen over the steering guidewire to the lower third of the superior vena cava of the patient's heart.

[0118] The steering guidewire withdrawal step involves withdrawing the steering guidewire, leaving the catheter tube 112 in place in the lower third of the superior vena cava.

[0119] 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. Further adaptations or modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art, and the broader aspects of the invention encompass these adaptations or modifications as well. Thus, departures from the specific embodiments disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the concepts provided herein.

Claims

1. 1. A rapid insertion central venous catheter ("RICC") insertion assembly comprising: RICC and an introducer needle, a needle shaft including a longitudinal needle slot extending from a proximal portion of the needle shaft through a distal needle tip; a sheath covering the needle shaft and sealing the needle slot below the sheath except for below a sheath opening in a proximal portion of the sheath; a needle hub covering the proximal portion of the needle shaft and the proximal portion of the sheath; an introducer needle including:

1. An access guidewire, a proximal portion including a proximal end; a distal portion including a distal end disposed within the introducer needle just proximal to the needle tip in at least a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly; an access guidewire, a coupler assembly that couples together the RICC, the introducer needle, and the access guidewire, the coupler assembly comprising: Nosepiece and a tailpiece coupled to the nosepiece, the tailpiece of the coupler assembly including an extension arm that holds the proximal end of the access guidewire; and a coupler assembly including: Equipped with the proximal and distal ends of the access guidewire form a loop on the access guidewire over which the RICC is positioned, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly. RICC Insertion Assembly.

2. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the nosepiece of the coupler assembly includes a nosepiece housing defining a valve module compartment and a lock ring compartment proximal to the valve module compartment.

3. 3. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 2, wherein the nosepiece of the coupler assembly further includes a valve module disposed within the valve module compartment, the valve module including an introducer needle passageway and an access guidewire passageway connected to the introducer needle passageway, and wherein the introducer needle and the distal portion of the access guidewire are correspondingly sealed within the passageway to enable leak-free aspiration through the introducer needle in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

4. 4. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 3, wherein the sheath opening of the sheath opens toward the side of the coupler assembly opposite the side including the extension arm, and the access guidewire passage is connected to the sheath opening at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly with the introducer needle in the introducer needle passage.

5. 4. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 3, wherein the valve module includes an integral blade positioned within the needle slot below the distal end of the sheath opening, the blade including a distally facing blade edge configured to decouple the sheath from the needle shaft during withdrawal of the introducer needle from the coupler assembly by the needle hub, thereby allowing the access guidewire to exit the needle shaft via the needle slot in the needle shaft.

6. 3. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 2, wherein the nosepiece of the coupler assembly further includes a locking ring captively but rotatably disposed within the locking ring compartment.

7. 7. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 6, wherein the tailpiece of the coupler assembly includes an introducer needle cradle extending distally therefrom, the introducer needle cradle configured to receive a needle hub extension tube extending distally from the needle hub in at least a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

8. 8. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 7, wherein a wall of the introducer needle cradle approximates a longitudinal cross section of a pipe, and the needle hub extension tube includes an arcuate extension tube protrusion at a distal portion thereof, the arcuate extension tube protrusion configured to at least partially complement the wall of the introducer needle cradle, thereby forming a two-part axis on which the locking ring is configured to rotate.

9. 8. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 7, wherein the tailpiece of the coupler assembly includes a longitudinal tailpiece slot into which the introducer needle cradle opens, the tailpiece slot configured to allow the access guidewire to exit the tailpiece after withdrawal of the introducer needle from the coupler assembly and separation of the tailpiece from the coupler assembly.

10. 8. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 7, wherein the locking ring includes a locking ring protrusion that protrudes toward a centerline of the locking ring, the locking ring protrusion being positioned on the locking ring to create a tortuous guidewire path around the locking ring for restraining movement of the access guidewire when a locking ring tab extending away from the centerline of the locking ring is on a side of a tab slot in the nosepiece housing through which the locking ring tab extends.

11. 11. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 10, wherein the locking ring protrusion is further disposed on the locking ring to create an open guidewire passage for the access guidewire when the locking ring tab is opposite the tab slot of the nosepiece housing of the coupler assembly.

12. 11. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 10, wherein the locking ring includes a locking ring gap on an opposite side of the locking ring from the locking ring protrusion, the locking ring gap configured to allow the access guidewire to exit the locking ring during separation of the nosepiece from the access guidewire.

13. 3. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 2, wherein the nosepiece housing of the nosepiece includes a longitudinal nosepiece housing slot on the same side of the coupler assembly as the extension arm of the tailpiece, the nosepiece housing slot configured to allow the access guidewire to exit the nosepiece during separation of the nosepiece from the access guidewire.

14. 2. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 1, wherein the needle hub of the introducer needle includes a pair of clip arms extending distally from opposite sides of the needle hub, the clip arms configured to completely cover corresponding sides of the tailpiece of the coupler assembly and extend to at least the nosepiece of the coupler assembly when the RICC insertion assembly is in at least a ready-to-deploy state.

15. 15. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 14, wherein the clip arm includes a textured outer clip arm surface, and the nosepiece of the coupler assembly includes a textured outer nosepiece surface on a side of the nosepiece corresponding to the clip arm, the outer clip arm surface and the outer nosepiece surface configured to form a pair of textured gripping pads across the nosepiece and needle hub on either side of the RICC insertion assembly.

16. 10. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 1, wherein the extension arm terminates in an extension arm connector that is connected to a luer connector of the RICC in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

17. 17. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 16, wherein the extension arm connector includes a male luer connector, and the luer connector of the RICC is a female counterpart to the male luer connector of the extension arm connector.

18. The RICC insertion assembly of any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising a syringe fluidly coupled to the introducer needle at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

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