Coupler and assembly for rapid insertion central venous catheter - Patents.com

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a coupler and assembly thereof for a rapid insertion central venous catheter (RICC). For example, the coupler assembly can include an introducer needle and a coupler coupled together. The introducer needle can include a needle hub that covers both the needle shaft and a sheath that covers the needle shaft. The needle shaft can include a needle slot that extends longitudinally to a distal needle tip. The sheath can seal the needle slot except for the needle slot below a sheath opening at a proximal portion of the sheath. The needle hub can include a needle hub clip. The coupler can include a coupler housing and an extender arm connected to the coupler housing. The needle hub clip can be clipped onto the coupler housing at least in a ready-to-deploy state of the coupler assembly. The extender arm can be configured to attach a proximal end of an access guidewire thereto.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Central venous catheters (CVCs) are typically introduced into a patient's body and advanced through the patient's vasculature by the Seldinger technique. The Seldinger technique involves many steps and medical devices (e.g., needles, scalpels, guidewires, introducer sheaths, dilators, CVCs, etc.). Although the Seldinger technique is effective, many of the steps are time consuming and the handling of numerous medical devices is cumbersome, all of which may cause trauma to the patient. In addition, the number of medical devices that need to be replaced during the Seldinger technique makes contamination by contact relatively high. Therefore, 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's body and advancing the catheter through its vasculature.

[0002] Disclosed herein is a coupler and assembly for a rapidly insertable central catheter (RICC) that addresses the above. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, is a RICC insertion assembly including a RICC, an introducer needle, an access guidewire, and a coupler that couples the RICC and the introducer needle and the access guidewire together. The introducer needle includes a needle shaft, a sheath that covers the needle shaft, and a needle hub that covers both the needle shaft and the sheath. The needle shaft includes a needle slot that extends longitudinally from a proximal portion of the needle shaft to a distal needle tip. The sheath covers the needle shaft sealing the needle slot except for the needle slot below a sheath opening at a proximal portion of the sheath. The needle hub covers the proximal portion of the needle shaft and 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. The distal end of the access guidewire is disposed within the introducer needle immediately proximal to the needle tip in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly. The coupler includes a coupler housing and an extension arm connected to the coupler housing. A fastening means for fastening the needle hub to the coupler housing fastens the needle hub to the coupler housing in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly. Additionally, the proximal end of the access guidewire is attached to the extension arm in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly. The proximal and distal ends of the access guidewire form a loop on the access guidewire, and the RICC is disposed over the loop in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

[0004] In some embodiments, the fastening means for fastening the needle hub to the coupler housing is a needle hub clip, which is clipped onto the coupler housing in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

[0005] In some embodiments, the needle hub clip is integral with the needle hub. In some embodiments, the needle hub clip includes a single levered clip arm that extends distally beyond the needle hub from a fulcrum that connects the clip arm to the remainder of the needle hub, the clip arm includes a protrusion extending from a distal portion of the clip arm configured to engage a recess in a corresponding face of the coupler housing when the clip arm is clipped onto the coupler housing, and the protrusion is configured to disengage from the recess in the corresponding face of the coupler housing when a proximal portion of the clip arm is forced toward the centerline of the needle hub.

[0006] In some embodiments, the needle hub clip includes a pair of levered clip arms that extend distally beyond opposite sides of the needle hub from a corresponding pair of fulcrums that connect the clip arms to the remainder of the needle hub, each of the pair of clip arms includes a protrusion extending from a distal portion of the clip arm configured to engage a recess in a corresponding face of the coupler housing to clip the needle hub onto the coupler housing, and the protrusion is configured to disengage from the recess in the corresponding face of the coupler housing when a proximal portion of the clip arm is forced toward the centerline of the needle hub.

[0007] In some embodiments, the coupler housing includes a coupler housing slot extending longitudinally on a side of the coupler housing opposite the extension arm, the coupler housing slot opening in the same direction as the needle slot of the needle shaft, the coupler housing slot configured to allow the access guidewire to exit the coupler housing while the introducer needle is being withdrawn from the coupler by the needle hub.

[0008] In some embodiments, the coupler housing includes a thumb recess on the face of the coupler housing that includes the coupler housing slot, the thumb recess configured for pushing the access guidewire in with a thumb to hold the access guidewire in place at least during percutaneous puncture by the introducer needle or during withdrawal of the introducer needle from the coupler by the needle hub.

[0009] In some embodiments, the coupler housing slot extends partially into the thumb recess such that the distal portion of the access guidewire extends into the thumb recess in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

[0010] In some embodiments, the surface of the thumb well is textured. In some embodiments, the coupler housing includes a finger recess on a side of the coupler housing opposite the thumb recess configured to support the RICC insertion assembly with a finger while pushing the access guidewire into the thumb recess with a thumb during at least percutaneous puncture with the introducer needle or withdrawal of the introducer needle from the coupler with the needle hub.

[0011] In some embodiments, the extension arm is integral with the coupler housing. In some embodiments, the extension arm terminates in an extension arm clip that clips onto a luer connector of the RICC in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly, and the proximal portion of the access guidewire extends from the luer connector, through a center of the extension arm clip, to a guidewire attachment point on the extension arm where the proximal end of the access guidewire is attached.

[0012] In some embodiments, the extension arm clip includes a socket into which a proximal end of the luer connector is inserted when the extension arm clip is clipped onto the luer connector of the RICC.

[0013] In some embodiments, the extension arm includes an extension arm opening through both sides of the extension arm between the extension arm clip and a connection portion of the extension arm that connects the extension arm to the remainder of the coupler housing, the extension arm opening configured to provide a window for visualizing the access guidewire to confirm that the access guidewire is attached to the guidewire attachment point of the extension arm.

[0014] In some embodiments, the coupler housing includes a needle hub receptacle at a proximal portion thereof, and a distal portion of the needle hub is inserted into the needle hub receptacle in at least a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

[0015] In some embodiments, the coupler further includes a valve module disposed within a valve module chamber of the coupler housing that seals around the proximal portion of the sheath and the distal portion of the access guidewire that extends through the sheath opening in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly, thereby enabling leak-free aspiration through the introducer needle.

[0016] In some embodiments, the valve module includes an integral blade disposed in a needle slot beneath a 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 by the needle hub, allowing the access guidewire to exit the needle shaft by the needle slot.

[0017] In some embodiments, the RICC insertion assembly further comprises a syringe fluidly connected to the introducer needle in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

[0018] Also disclosed herein is a coupler assembly for a RICC insertion assembly, including an introducer needle and a coupler that in some embodiments are connected together. The introducer needle includes a needle shaft, a sheath covering the needle shaft, and a needle hub covering both the needle shaft and the sheath. The needle shaft includes a needle slot extending longitudinally from a proximal portion of the needle shaft to a distal needle tip. The sheath covers the needle shaft sealing the needle slot except for the needle slot below a sheath opening at a proximal portion of the sheath. The needle hub covers a proximal portion of the needle shaft and a proximal portion of the sheath. The needle hub includes a needle hub clip. The coupler includes a coupler housing and an extender arm connected to the coupler housing. The needle hub clip is clipped onto the coupler housing in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the coupler assembly. The extender arm is configured to attach a proximal end of the access guidewire to the extender arm.

[0019] In some embodiments, the needle hub clip includes a pair of levered clip arms that extend distally beyond opposite sides of the needle hub from a corresponding pair of fulcrums that connect the clip arms to the remainder of the needle hub, each of the pair of clip arms includes a protrusion extending from a distal portion of the clip arm configured to engage a recess in a corresponding face of the coupler housing to clip the needle hub onto the coupler housing, and the protrusion is configured to disengage from the recess in the corresponding face of the coupler housing when a proximal portion of the clip arm is forced toward the centerline of the needle hub.

[0020] In some embodiments, the coupler housing includes a coupler housing slot extending longitudinally on a face of the coupler housing opposite the extension arm, the coupler housing slot opening in the same direction as the needle slot of the needle shaft, the coupler housing slot configured to allow the access guidewire to exit the coupler housing when the access guidewire is disposed in the coupler housing slot.

[0021] In some embodiments, the coupler housing includes a thumb recess on the face of the coupler housing that includes the coupler housing slot, the coupler housing slot extending partially into the thumb recess, the thumb recess configured to push in the access guidewire with a thumb to hold the access guidewire in place when the access guidewire is positioned within the coupler housing.

[0022] In some embodiments, the coupler housing includes a finger recess on a face of the coupler housing opposite the thumb recess configured to support the coupler assembly with a finger while pushing the access guidewire into the thumb recess with a thumb when the access guidewire is disposed within the coupler housing.

[0023] In some embodiments, the extension arm terminates in an extension arm clip configured as a socket into which the proximal end of a luer connector of the RICC is inserted to clip the extension arm clip onto the luer connector.

[0024] In some embodiments, the extension arm includes an extension arm opening through both sides of the extension arm between the extension arm clip and a connecting portion of the extension arm that connects the extension arm to the remainder of the coupler housing, the extension arm opening configured to provide a window through which the access guidewire can be visualized to confirm that the access guidewire is attached to the guidewire attachment point of the extension arm when the access guidewire is to be attached to the guidewire attachment point of the extension arm.

[0025] In some embodiments, the coupler housing includes a needle hub receptacle at a proximal portion thereof, and a distal portion of the needle hub is inserted into the needle hub receptacle in at least a ready-to-deploy state of the coupler.

[0026] In some embodiments, the coupler further includes a valve module disposed within a valve module chamber of the coupler housing that seals around a proximal portion of the sheath and the access guidewire as the access guidewire extends through a sheath opening to allow leak-free aspiration through the introducer needle.

[0027] In some embodiments, the valve module includes an integral blade disposed in a needle slot beneath a distal end of the sheath opening, the blade including a distally facing blade edge configured to decouple the sheath from the needle shaft as the introducer needle is withdrawn from the coupler by the needle hub.

[0028] Also disclosed herein is a method for inserting a RICC into a vascular lumen of a patient. The method, in some embodiments, includes the steps of obtaining a RICC insertion assembly, establishing a puncture path, advancing an access guidewire, opening a clip, withdrawing an introducer needle, and advancing a RICC. The obtaining the RICC insertion assembly includes obtaining a RICC insertion assembly. The RICC insertion assembly includes the RICC, an introducer needle including a sheath covering a needle shaft, and an access guidewire, which are coupled together by a coupler. A proximal end of the access guidewire is coupled to an extension arm of the coupler. A distal end of the access guidewire is disposed within the introducer needle via a valve module of the coupler. The proximal and distal ends of the access guidewire form a loop on the access guidewire, and the RICC is disposed over the loop at least in a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly. The establishing step includes establishing a puncture path from an area of ​​skin to a vessel lumen with the introducer needle. The advancing step includes advancing the distal end of the access guidewire within the needle shaft from its initial position just proximal to the needle tip of the needle shaft into the vessel lumen. The opening step includes depressing a pair of levered clip arms toward a centerline of a needle hub of the introducer needle. Depressing the pair of clip arms toward the needle hub disengages each clip arm of the pair of clip arms from a coupler housing of the coupler from which the clip arm extends distally. The withdrawing step includes withdrawing the introducer needle from the coupler while leaving the access guidewire in place within the vessel lumen. The introducer needle includes a needle slot extending longitudinally from a proximal portion of the needle shaft to the needle tip.The needle slot allows the access guidewire to exit therefrom upon withdrawal of the introducer needle from the coupler, and the RICC advancement step includes advancing a catheter tube of the RICC over the access guidewire to insert the RICC into a blood vessel lumen.

[0029] In some embodiments, the method further includes a step of aspirating blood using a syringe connected to the needle hub to confirm that the puncture path extends into the blood vessel lumen. The sheath covers the needle shaft and seals a needle slot for aspirating blood with the syringe. The blood aspirating step is performed before the introducer needle withdrawal step.

[0030] In some embodiments, withdrawing the introducer needle includes simultaneously disengaging the sheath from the needle shaft with an integral blade of a valve module disposed within a valve module chamber of the coupler housing, disengaging the sheath from the needle shaft to allow the access guidewire to exit the needle shaft via the needle slot of the needle shaft.

[0031] In some embodiments, the coupler housing includes a longitudinally extending coupler housing slot on a side of the coupler housing opposite the extension arm, the coupler housing slot opening in the same direction as the needle slot in the needle shaft, the coupler housing slot allowing the access guidewire to exit the coupler housing during the introducer needle withdrawal step.

[0032] In some embodiments, the method further includes an access guidewire securing step, the step of securing the access guidewire including pushing the access guidewire with a thumb into a thumb recess in the face of the coupler housing that includes the coupler housing slot, whereby the access guidewire is held in place during the establishing puncture path step or the introducer needle withdrawal step.

[0033] In some embodiments, the method further includes an access guidewire visualization step, the access guidewire visualization step including visualizing the access guidewire in the extension arm opening that passes through both sides of the extension arm between the proximal end of the extension arm and a connection portion of the extension arm that connects the extension arm to the remainder of the coupler housing, and the access guidewire visualization is to verify that the access guidewire is attached to the guidewire attachment point of the extension arm.

[0034] In some embodiments, the method further includes a RICC separation step, which includes separating the RICC from the coupler for the remainder of the RICC advancement step by removing a luer connector of the RICC from an extension arm clip of the extension arm during the RICC advancement step, wherein the coupler or the extension arm of the coupler provides a handle for the access guidewire.

[0035] 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]

[0036] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a RICC insertion assembly according to some embodiments. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a coupler assembly according to some embodiments. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a RICC insertion assembly, according to some embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 illustrates a bottom view of a coupler assembly according to some embodiments. [Diagram 5] 13 is a side view illustrating the coupler assembly with the introducer needle being withdrawn from the coupler, according to some embodiments. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a coupler assembly according to some embodiments. [Figure 7] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a coupler of a coupler assembly according to some embodiments. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are longitudinal cross-sectional views illustrating an introducer needle of a coupler assembly according to some embodiments. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are side views of an introducer needle according to some embodiments. [Figure 10] 1 is a top view of an introducer needle according to some embodiments. [Figure 11] 13A-13C are plan views illustrating a sheath covering a needle shaft, such as in an introducer needle, according to some embodiments. [Figure 12] 1 is a top view of a sheath according to some embodiments. [Figure 13] 13A-13C are top views of a needle shaft according to some embodiments. [Figure 14] 1 illustrates a RICC of a RICC insertion assembly, according to some embodiments. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a detailed view of a distal portion of a catheter tube of a RICC, according to some embodiments. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a distal portion of a catheter tube, according to some embodiments. [Figure 17]FIG. 13 is another cross-sectional view showing a distal portion of a catheter tube, according to some embodiments. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a distal portion of a catheter tube, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Before some specific embodiments are disclosed in more detail, it should be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. It should also be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein can have features that can be easily separated from the specific embodiment and, optionally, combined with or substituted for features of any of the other numerous embodiments disclosed herein.

[0038] With regard to the terms used herein, it should also be understood that the terms are intended to describe certain embodiments, and that the terms do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are generally used to distinguish or identify different features or steps within a group of features or steps, and do not provide sequential or numerical limitations. For example, the "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 do not imply a particular fixed position, orientation, or direction, for example. Instead, such designations are used to reflect a relative position, orientation, or direction, for example. The singular forms "one", "one", and "said" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0039] With respect to "proximal," for example, a "proximal portion" or "proximal end portion" of a catheter includes the portion of the catheter intended to be near the clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. Similarly, for example, a "proximal length" of a catheter includes the length of the catheter intended to be near the clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. For example, the "proximal end" of a needle includes the end of the catheter intended to be near the clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. Although a proximal portion, proximal end portion, or proximal length of a catheter can include the proximal end of the catheter, a proximal portion, proximal end portion, or distal length of a catheter need not include the distal end of the catheter. That is, unless otherwise indicated by context, a proximal portion, proximal end portion, or proximal length of a catheter is not a terminal portion or terminal length of a catheter.

[0040] With respect to "distal," for example, a "distal portion" or "distal end portion" of a catheter includes a portion of the catheter that is intended to be near or within a patient when the catheter is used with a patient. Similarly, for example, a "distal length" of a catheter includes a length of the catheter that is intended to be near or within a patient when the catheter is used with a patient. For example, the "distal end" of a needle includes the end of the catheter that is intended to be near or within a patient when the catheter is used with a patient. Although a distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of a catheter can include the distal end of the catheter, a distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of a catheter need not include the distal end of the catheter. That is, unless otherwise suggested by context, a distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of a catheter is not a terminal portion or terminal length of a catheter.

[0041] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As discussed above with respect to the Seldinger technique, the many steps are time consuming and the handling of numerous medical devices is cumbersome, all of which can be traumatic for the patient. In addition, the large number of medical devices that need to be replaced during the Seldinger technique increases the likelihood of contamination through contact. There is therefore a need to reduce the number of steps and medical devices involved in introducing a catheter, such as a CVC, into a patient's body and advancing the catheter through its vasculature.

[0042] Disclosed herein is a coupler and assembly thereof for a rapidly insertable central catheter (RICC). For example, the coupler assembly can include an introducer needle and a coupler coupled together. The introducer needle can include a needle hub that covers both the needle shaft and a sheath that covers the needle shaft. The needle shaft can include a needle slot that extends longitudinally to the distal needle tip. The sheath can seal the needle slot except for the needle slot below a sheath opening at a proximal portion of the sheath. The needle hub can include a needle hub clip. The coupler can include a coupler housing and an extender arm connected to the coupler housing. The needle hub clip can be clipped onto the coupler housing in at least a ready-to-deploy state of the coupler assembly. The extender arm can be configured to attach a proximal end of an access guidewire thereto.

[0043] The foregoing features, as well as other features of couplers for RICCs and their assemblies, will become more apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the accompanying drawings and the following description, which describe in more detail certain embodiments described above in the context of a RICC insertion assembly. Notably, the RICC of the RICC insertion assembly is only one type of catheter that may be incorporated into a catheter insertion assembly such as the RICC insertion assembly provided herein. Indeed, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), dialysis catheters, and the like, may also be incorporated into a catheter insertion assembly.

[0044] RICC Insertion Assembly FIG. 1 illustrates a RICC insertion assembly 100 according to some embodiments. As shown, the RICC insertion assembly 100 includes a RICC 102, an introducer needle 104, an access guidewire 106, and a coupler 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 attached to an extension arm 178 of the coupler 108, and a distal end of the access guidewire 106 is disposed within a needle lumen 156 of the introducer needle 104, as described below. This forms a loop in the access guidewire 106. The RICC 102 is disposed over the loop in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100, keeping the RICC insertion assembly 100 in a relatively compact configuration.

[0045] The RICC insertion assembly 100 may further include a syringe 110 that is fluidly connected 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 of the needle shaft 142. In particular, the sheath 144 seals the needle slot 150 outside of the valve module 176. The valve module 176 then seals over a sheath opening 160 of the sheath 144 that opens to the needle slot 150. The valve module 176 also seals around the access guidewire 106. Such a seal allows the syringe 110 to aspirate blood in accordance with the blood aspirating 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 108, and the syringe 110, or any portion of a component selected from the above, can include an antimicrobial agent thereon or therein. In one example, the catheter tube 112 of the RICC 102 can include an antimicrobial coating on the abluminal surface of the catheter tube 112, the luminal surface of the catheter tube 112, or both surfaces. In another example, the pre-extrusion material of the catheter tube 112 can include an antimicrobial agent mixed into the material such that the antimicrobial agent is incorporated into the catheter tube 112 when extruded, 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. 14 illustrates a RICC 102 of the RICC insertion assembly 100, according to some embodiments. 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 .

[0048] 15-18 show various views of the catheter tube 1112 of the RICC 102, according to some embodiments. 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.

[0049] 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 surrounding the puncture 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. 18, the first section 120 of the catheter tube 112 also includes a proximal portion that is disposed within a lumen of the distal portion of the junction 124 and fixedly coupled thereto, such as by solvent bonding, adhesive bonding, or heat welding.

[0050] The second section 122 of the catheter tube 112 includes a constant outer diameter over 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 puncture 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 the flat surface proximal end of the junction 124 and is fixedly coupled thereto, such as by solvent bonding, adhesive bonding, or heat welding.

[0051] 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 surrounding the puncture path from the outer diameter at 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 an edge that may catch on the skin as the catheter tube 112 is inserted into the puncture path. 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.

[0052] 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 hardness. 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 hardness less than the first durometer hardness. For example, the first section 120 of the catheter tube 112 can be formed from a first polyurethane having a first durometer hardness, 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, different diisocyanates or triisocyanates reacted with the same diols or triols under different conditions or with different additives, etc.) having a second durometer hardness less than the first durometer hardness. Indeed, polyurethanes are advantageous for the catheter tube 112 in that they can be relatively stiff at room temperature, but can become more flexible in vivo at body temperature, thereby reducing irritation to the vessel wall as well as phlebitis. 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 hardness less than the first durometer hardness and greater than, approximately equal to, or less than the second durometer hardness.

[0053] It should be understood that the first durometer hardness of the first polymeric material, the second durometer hardness of the second polymeric material, and the third durometer hardness of the third polymeric material may be of different scales (e.g., Type A or Type D). With this understanding, the second durometer hardness of the second polymeric material or the third durometer hardness of the third polymeric material may not be less than the first durometer of the first polymeric material in absolute terms when the second durometer hardness or the third durometer hardness is less than the first durometer. In fact, the hardness of the second polymeric material or the third polymeric material may still be less than the hardness of the first polymeric material, because the different scales, each ranging from 0 to 100, are designed to characterize different materials in a group of materials having similar hardness.

[0054] 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 puncture path 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 surrounding the puncture path or any blood vessels of the vasculature with a separate dilator.

[0055] The catheter tube 112 includes one or more catheter tube lumens extending therethrough. However, typically in a multi-lumen RICC (e.g., a two-lumen RICC, a three-lumen RICC, a four-lumen RICC, a five-lumen RICC, a six-lumen RICC, etc.), there is only one catheter tube lumen extending from the proximal end of the catheter tube 112 to the distal end of the catheter tube 112. (See FIGS. 13-16.) In fact, the first section 120 of the catheter tube 112 typically includes a single lumen therethrough, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 18.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] Each of the one or more extension leg connectors 118 is on a proximal portion of one of the one or more extension legs 116. For example, each of the one or more extension leg connectors 118 can be a luer connector on a proximal portion of one of the one or more extension legs 116. Through such an extension leg connector, a 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 clip 194 of an extension arm 178 of the coupler 108 to form a loop around the access guidewire 106 and the RICC 102 thereon.

[0059] As shown, the RICC 102 is a tri-lumen RICC including a set of three lumens. However, the RICC 102 is not limited to the set of three lumens 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 on one side of the distal portion of the catheter tube 112. The tertiary lumen 132 has a tertiary lumen opening 138 on one side of the distal portion of the catheter tube 112 proximal to the secondary lumen opening 136.

[0060] 2-6 show various views of a coupler assembly 140, according to some embodiments. As shown, the coupler assembly 140 is a subassembly of the RICC insertion assembly 100. In effect, the coupler assembly 140 includes the introducer needle 104 and the coupler 108 coupled together.

[0061] Figures 8-13 show various views of the introducer needle 104 or parts thereof, according to some embodiments. Figures 2-6 show the introducer needle 104 as part of a coupler assembly 140, according to some embodiments.

[0062] 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 a valve module 176, and out a distal end of a coupler housing 174.

[0063] The needle shaft 142 includes a needle tip 148 at a distal portion of the needle shaft 142 and a needle slot 150 extending longitudinally from a proximal portion of the needle shaft 142 to the needle tip 148 .

[0064] 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 puncture pathway from an area of ​​skin into a vascular lumen of a patient in accordance with the puncture pathway establishment steps of the method described below.

[0065] The needle slot 150 extends from the proximal portion of the needle shaft 142 to the needle tip 148, thereby forming a needle channel 154 along most of the length of the needle shaft 142, as opposed to a needle lumen through the needle shaft 142. The needle slot 150 has a width dimensioned according to the outer diameter of the access guidewire 106, which allows the access guidewire 106 to pass from the proximal portion of the needle shaft 142 to the needle tip 148 when the introducer needle withdrawal step of the method described below is performed.

[0066] It should be appreciated that the needle shaft 142 includes a needle slot 150, while the introducer needle 104 includes a needle lumen 156. However, the needle lumen 156 is provided by 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 needle slot 150 to form the needle lumen 156 of the introducer needle 104 and enable the syringe 110 to aspirate blood in accordance with the blood aspirating steps of the method described below.

[0067] The sheath 144 includes a sheath tip 158 at a distal portion of the sheath 144 and a sheath opening 160 on a face of the proximal portion of the sheath 144 . 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, the latter of which corresponds 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 in turn is less than the tip bevel angle of the tip bevel of the needle tip 148. Such a taper of the sheath tip 158 is configured to provide a smooth transition from the needle tip 148 to the body of the sheath 144 for the puncture path establishment step of the method described below.

[0068] The sheath opening 160 is open 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 the needle lumen 156 formed therein, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. Thus, the sheath opening 160 has a width approximately corresponding to the width of the needle slot 150, which in turn is sized according to the diameter of the access guidewire 106. Also, the sheath opening 160 has a length sufficient to allow the access guidewire 106 to pass through the sheath opening 160 and into the needle slot 150 or the needle lumen 156 formed therein, and to accommodate the blade 192 of the valve module 176 below the distal end of the sheath opening 160. In particular, the sheath 144 covering the needle shaft 142 seals the needle slot 150, except below the sheath opening 160. However, the valve module 176 covers and seals the needle slot 150 exposed by the sheath opening 160 by sealing the needle shaft 142 and the proximal portion of the sheath 144 therein, thereby enabling the syringe 110 to aspirate blood in accordance with the blood aspirating steps of the method described below.

[0069] 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 ​​the patient's skin into the vascular lumen in accordance with the puncture path establishment step of the method described below. In addition, the polymeric material has sufficient mechanical properties at the thickness of the sheath 144 to resist 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, and also facilitates 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.

[0070] The needle hub 146 includes a needle hub clip 162 and a needle hub connector 164 at a proximal portion of the needle hub 146. However, it should be understood that other fastening means for securing the needle hub 146 to the coupler housing 174 are possible. For example, one or more removable pins through the needle hub 146 and coupler housing 174, one or more removable bands around the needle hub 146 and coupler housing 174, one or more buttons, one or more lever arms, a locking thread, a spin collar, or a needle housing clip that engages the needle hub 146 can be used as a fastening means for securing the needle hub 146 to the coupler housing 174.

[0071] The needle hub clip 162 includes at least a single levered clip arm 166 that extends distally beyond the needle hub 146. For example, the needle hub clip 162 may include a pair of such clip arms 166 that extend distally across both sides of the needle hub 146, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 10. When the needle hub clip 162 is integral with the needle hub 146, such as when it is molded with the needle hub 146, the single clip arm 166 extends distally beyond the needle hub 146 from a fulcrum 168 that connects the clip arm 166 to the remainder of the needle hub 146. Similarly, when the pair of clip arms 166 are molded with the needle hub 146, the pair of clip arms 166 extend distally across both sides of the needle hub 146 from a corresponding pair of fulcrums 168 that connect the clip arm 166 to the remainder of the needle hub 146. It should be appreciated that, alternatively, each clip arm 166 of the clip arms 166 described above may be molded separately from the remainder of the needle hub 146 and attached to a shaft or the like with a spring tensioned between the clip arm 166 and the needle hub 146. Each clip arm 166 of the clip arms 166 described above includes a protrusion 170 extending from a distal portion of the clip arm 166 configured to engage a recess 169 in a corresponding surface of the coupler housing 174 to clip the needle hub 146 onto the coupler housing 174, such as in a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. (The needle hub clip 162 is clipped onto the coupler housing 174 in a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100 or its coupler assembly 140, see FIG. 1.) The protrusion 170 is also configured to disengage from the recess 169 in the corresponding surface of the coupler housing 174 when a proximal portion of the clip arm 166 is pushed toward the centerline of the needle hub 146.

[0072] The needle hub connector 164 includes a needle hub bore 171 and an optional needle hub flange 172 around the needle hub bore 171 . The needle hub bore 171 of the needle hub connector 164 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 171 can have a luer taper (e.g., a 6% taper) configured to receive the syringe tip therein, and the syringe tip can be complementarily configured with the luer taper.

[0073] If present, needle hub flange 172 around needle hub bore 171 is configured to threadably mate with the female threads of a threaded collar around the syringe tip of syringe 110. While the threaded collar of syringe 110 is optional, needle hub flange 172 advantageously provides a so-called luer lock type connection with the female threads of the threaded collar, if both are present, which provides greater security against inadvertent separation of introducer needle 104 and syringe 110 than would be provided by an otherwise luer slip type connection.

[0074] Figure 6 illustrates a longitudinal cross section of coupler 108 according to some embodiments. Figures 2-6 illustrate coupler 108 as part of a coupler assembly 140 according to some embodiments.

[0075] As shown, the coupler 108 includes a coupler housing 174 , a valve module 176 disposed within the coupler housing 174 , and a pivot arm 178 connected to the coupler housing 174 .

[0076] Coupler housing 174 includes two molded pieces that are coupled together (e.g., coupled together with compression or heated pins, secured or fastened with screws or bolts, or welded together with ultrasonic or hot plate welding) to form a bullet-shaped body configured to be comfortably held underhand (e.g., cradle-like) in the left hand for left-handed venipuncture or in the right hand for right-handed venipuncture with the RICC insertion assembly 100. The inside of each piece of the two molded pieces includes recesses that form a valve module compartment 180 and a needle hub receptacle 182 when the two molded pieces are coupled together as shown. (See FIGS. 6 and 7, which include a valve module 176 disposed in a valve module chamber 180 in the distal portion of the coupler housing 174. FIG. 6 also includes a distal portion of the needle hub 146 of the introducer needle 104 inserted or disposed in a needle hub receptacle 182 in the proximal portion of the coupler housing 174, such that the RICC insertion assembly 100 is in at least a ready-to-deploy state.) The exterior of each of the two molded pieces may also include recesses, such as a thumb recess 184 and a finger recess 186, configured to at least support the RICC insertion assembly 100 or its coupler assembly 140. The coupler housing 174 may also include a coupler housing slot 188 that extends partially into the thumb recess 184.

[0077] Starting with the coupler housing slot 188, the coupler housing slot 188 is formed in one of the two mold pieces that does not include the extension arm 178 connected to the coupler housing slot 188. Thus, the coupler housing slot 188 is in the face of the coupler housing 174 that does not include the extension arm 178, such as the face of the coupler housing 174 opposite the extension arm 178. Because the coupler housing slot 188 opens in the same direction as the needle slot 150 in the needle shaft 142, the coupler housing slot 188 is configured to allow the access guidewire 106 to exit the coupler housing 174 when the introducer needle 104 is withdrawn from the coupler 108 during an introducer needle withdrawal step of the method described below.

[0078] Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that coupler housing slots 188 may be located at other locations than those shown, for example, in Figure 3 described above. For example, coupler housing slots 188 may alternatively be located opposite or orthogonal to those shown in Figure 3 and described above.

[0079] Turning to the thumb recess 184, the thumb recess 184 is in a face of the coupler housing 174 that includes a coupler housing slot 188. In fact, the coupler housing slot 188 extends partially into the thumb recess 184 such that a distal portion of the access guidewire 106 extends into the thumb recess 184 in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. The thumb recess 184 is configured for pushing the access guidewire 106 into the thumb recess 184 with the thumb to hold the access guidewire 106 in place at least during percutaneous puncture by the introducer needle 104 or during withdrawal of the introducer needle 104 from the coupler 108 by the needle hub 146. Advantageously, the surface of the thumb recess 184 can be textured, for example with ridges, bumps, or conversely, dimples as shown in FIG. 3, the textured surface helping to hold the access guidewire 106 in place even in environments where stray fluids may make it difficult to hold the access guidewire 106 in place.

[0080] With regard to the finger recess 186, the finger recess 186 is on a face of the coupler housing 174 opposite the thumb recess 184. The finger recess 186 is configured to allow a finger to place the RICC insertion assembly 100 or coupler assembly 140 while placing the thumb in the thumb recess 184 or while pushing the access guidewire 106 into the thumb recess 184, at least during percutaneous puncture with the introducer needle 104 or withdrawal of the introducer needle 104 from the coupler 108 with the needle hub 146. Although not shown, the surface of the finger recess 186 can be textured, for example, with ridges, bumps, or dimples, and the textured surface can facilitate placing the RICC insertion assembly 100 or its coupler assembly 140 even in environments where suspended fluids may make such placement difficult.

[0081] Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that the thumb recess 184 and the coupler housing slot 186 may alternatively be positioned at other locations, such as those shown in FIG. 2 above. For example, the thumb recess 184 and the finger recess 186 may alternatively be positioned orthogonally to those shown in FIG. 2 and described above, thereby providing handedness to the RICC insertion assembly 100 or its coupler assembly 140 depending on how the thumb recess 184 and the finger recess 186 are positioned between the sides of the coupler housing 174. In particular, the handedness of the RICC insertion assembly 100 or its coupler assembly 140 may further depend on how the clinician chooses to hold such RICC insertion assembly or coupler assembly. In one example, a left-handed clinician may find a RICC insertion assembly 100 suitable for left-handed venipuncture with the thumb recess 184 on the left side of the coupler housing 174 and the finger recess 186 on the right side of the coupler housing 174 while holding the RICC insertion assembly 100 under his hand. However, a right-handed clinician may realize that the aforementioned RICC insertion assembly 100 is suitable for right-handed venipuncture while holding the RICC insertion assembly 100 in one hand. In another example, a right-handed clinician may realize that the RICC insertion assembly 100 is suitable for right-handed venipuncture while holding the RICC insertion assembly 100 under his hand, with the thumb recess 184 on the right side of the coupler housing 174 and the finger recess 186 on the left side of the coupler housing 174. However, a left-handed clinician may realize that the aforementioned RICC insertion assembly 100 is suitable for left-handed venipuncture while holding the RICC insertion assembly 100 in one hand.

[0082] Turning to the needle hub receptacle 182, the needle hub receptacle 182 is configured to hold the needle hub 146 of the introducer needle 104 therein. In fact, the needle hub receptacle 182 includes the needle hub 146 inserted therein, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100 or the coupler assembly 140. In particular, the needle hub clip 162 is configured to lock the needle hub 146 within the needle hub receptacle 182. The needle hub 162 is also configured to unlock the needle hub 146 when, for example, the pair of clip arms 166 are pressed toward the needle hub 146 to withdraw the introducer needle 104 from the coupler 108 during an introducer needle withdrawal step of the method described below.

[0083] Finally, valve module compartment 180 is configured to hold valve module 176 therein. (Again, see FIGS. 6 and 7, which include valve module 176 disposed within valve module chamber 180 in the distal portion of coupler housing 174.) Notably, valve module compartment 180 is further configured with sufficient space to allow valve module 176 to separate to allow access guidewire 106 to escape when introducer needle 104 is withdrawn from coupler 108 during an introducer needle withdrawal step of the method described below.

[0084] The valve module 176 includes an access guidewire conduit 190 and an integrated braid 192 . The access guidewire conduit 190 is configured to guide the access guidewire 106 from the coupler housing slot 188 of the coupler housing 174 to both the sheath opening 160 of the sheath 144 and the needle channel 154 of the needle shaft 142 or the needle lumen 156 of the introducer needle 104. In fact, the access guidewire conduit 190 includes the access guidewire 106 disposed therein, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. In particular, the valve module 176 seals around a proximal portion of the sheath 144 and a distal portion of the access guidewire 106 that extends through the sheath opening 160, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100, thereby enabling leak-free aspiration through the introducer needle 104 in accordance with a blood aspiration step of the method described below.

[0085] The blade 192 extends from an attachment point in the valve module 176 into the needle slot 150 of the needle shaft 142 such that the blade 192 is disposed in the needle slot 150 beneath the distal end of the sheath opening 160 of the sheath 144. The blade 192 includes a distally facing blade edge configured to decouple the sheath 144 from the needle shaft 142 when the introducer needle 104 is withdrawn proximally from the coupler 108 by the needle hub 146 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 both the needle shaft 142 via the needle slot 150 and the coupler 108 via the coupler housing slot 188 of the coupler housing 174.

[0086] The extension arm 178 includes an extension arm clip 194, an extension arm opening 196 (also known as an extension arm window), and a guidewire attachment point 198. The extension arm 178 terminates in the extension arm clip 194 configured to clip onto the luer connector of the RICC 102. Indeed, as shown in FIG. 1, the extension arm clip 194 clips onto the luer connector of the RICC 102 at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. In particular, the extension arm clip 194 includes a socket formed by two or more clip arms of the extension arm clip 194 into which a proximal end of the luer connector of the RICC 102 is inserted when the extension arm clip 194 is clipped onto the luer connector. The extension arm opening 196 passes through both sides of the extension arm 178 between the extension arm clip 194 and a connecting portion of the extension arm 178 that connects the extension arm 178 to the remainder of the coupler housing 174. The extension arm opening 196 is configured to provide a window for visualizing the access guidewire 106, for example, to ensure that the access guidewire 106 is attached to the guidewire attachment point 198 of the extension arm 178 when the RICC insertion assembly 100 is to be in at least a ready-to-deploy state. The guidewire attachment point 198 may be a juncture between a thru-hole distal to the extension arm opening 196 and the extension arm opening 196, to which the access guidewire 106 may be bonded or glued. Alternatively, the guidewire attachment point 198 may be a thru-hole as previously described. In such an embodiment, the access guidewire 106 may include a stop (e.g., a hub, ball, knot, etc.) at its proximal end configured to prevent the access guidewire 106 from passing through the thru-hole in a distal direction. Still alternatively, the proximal end of the access guidewire 106 may be overmolded into the extension arm 178 distal to the extension arm opening 196, for example, up to the guidewire attachment point 198.

[0087] The extension arm 178 may be molded integrally into one of the two molded pieces of the coupler housing 174 that does not include the coupler housing slot 188. Alternatively, the extension arm 178 is molded separately and connected to the molded piece of the coupler housing 174 that does not include the coupler housing slot 188. In either case, the extension arm 178 is fixedly and preferably immovably connected to a face of the coupler housing 174 that does not include the coupler housing slot 188, such as the face of the coupler housing 174 opposite the coupler housing slot 188. Considering that the extension arm 178 is part of the side of the coupler housing 174 opposite the coupler housing slot 188, the RICC insert assembly 100 or its coupler assembly 140 advantageously has a readily recognizable orientation.

[0088] FIG. 1 illustrates an access guidewire 106 as part of a RICC insertion assembly 100, according to some embodiments. The access guidewire 106 includes a proximal portion including a proximal end and a distal portion including a distal end. With the RICC insertion assembly 100 in at least a ready-to-deploy state, the proximal end of the access guidewire 106 is attached to the extension arm 178, and in particular to a guidewire attachment point 198 of the extension arm 178. In effect, the proximal portion of the access guidewire 106 extends from the guidewire attachment point 198 of the extension arm 178, through the center of the extension arm clip 194, and into the luer connector along the primary lumen 128 of the RICC 102. A distal portion of the access guidewire 106 also extends along the primary lumen 128 of the RICC 102, but the distal portion of the access guidewire 106 further exits the distal end of the RICC 102, passes through the access guidewire channel 188 into the valve module 176, passes through both the sheath opening 160 of the sheath 144 and the needle slot 150 of the needle shaft 142 into the needle shaft 142, and extends along the needle channel 154 of the needle shaft 142 or the needle lumen 156 of the introducer needle 104, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. As suggested in FIG. 1, the distal end of the access guidewire 106 is disposed within the needle lumen 156 of the introducer needle 104 just proximal to the needle tip 148, at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. Additionally, the proximal and distal ends of the access guidewire 106 form a loop on the access guidewire 106, at least when the RICC insertion assembly 100 is in a ready-to-deploy state, over which the RICC 102 is positioned, thereby keeping the RICC insertion assembly 100 in a relatively compact configuration.

[0089] The access guidewire 106 can include a guidewire tip 200 at a distal portion of the access guidewire 106 that adopts a "J" shape configured to prevent puncturing the posterior wall of a blood vessel. Such a guidewire tip assumes a straight state in at least a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100 and assumes a curved state when the guidewire tip 200 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.

[0090] The access guidewire 106 may further include a bare wire portion and a wound portion proximal to the bare wire portion. Although not shown, the bare wire portion, if present, extends distally through the access guidewire conduit 190 of the valve module 176 in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100 such that the valve module 176 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 flat-wrapped or ground-wrapped portion of the access guidewire 106, where the flat-wrapped portion includes windings of tape instead of round wire and the ground-wrapped portion includes windings of round wire that are grounded to make the windings flat.

[0091] method The method includes a method for inserting a RICC 102 into a blood vessel lumen of a patient, the method including one or more steps selected from obtaining an insertion assembly, establishing a puncture path, aspirating blood, advancing an access guidewire, opening a clip, securing an access guidewire, visualizing an access guidewire, withdrawing an introducer needle, advancing a RICC, separating a RICC, withdrawing an access guidewire, advancing a steering guidewire, advancing another RICC, and withdrawing a steering guidewire.

[0092] The 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 108. A proximal end of the access guidewire 106 is coupled to an extension arm 178 of the coupler 108. A distal end of the access guidewire 106 is disposed in the introducer needle 104 via a valve module 176 of the coupler 108. The proximal and distal ends of the access guidewire 106 form a loop on the access guidewire 106, and the RICC 102 is disposed above the loop at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. The RICC 102 disposed above the loop in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100 keeps the RICC insertion assembly 100 in a relatively compact configuration.

[0093] The puncture path establishment step includes establishing a puncture path from the area of ​​skin to the blood vessel lumen using the introducer 104. The puncture path establishment step can also include ensuring blood backflow while establishing the puncture path. Ensuring blood backflow while establishing the puncture path includes ensuring blood backflow 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 clear and colorless. Once the puncture path is established, a slight vacuum can be drawn using the syringe 110 while establishing the puncture path such that blood backflows into at least the needle hub 146 of the introducer needle 104. Ensuring blood backflow as described above confirms that the puncture path extends into the blood vessel lumen.

[0094] The blood drawing step includes drawing blood using a syringe 110 coupled to the needle hub 146 to ensure that the puncture path extends into the vessel lumen, particularly before withdrawing the introducer needle 104 from the coupler 108 in the introducer needle withdrawal step. The sheath 144 also covers the needle shaft 142 and seals the needle slot 150 of the needle shaft 142. In particular, the sheath 144 seals the needle slot 150 outside the valve module 176. The valve module 176 then covers and seals the sheath opening 160 of the sheath 144, which allows the access guidewire 106 to pass through the needle slot 150 into the needle shaft 142 in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly 100. The valve module 176 also seals around the access guidewire 106. Such a seal allows the syringe 110 to draw blood during the blood drawing step.

[0095] The access guidewire advancement step includes advancing the distal end of the access guidewire 106 within the needle shaft 142 from its initial position just proximal to the needle tip 148 of the needle shaft 142 into the blood vessel lumen, thereby securing blood vessel lumen access for the RICC 102 in the RICC advancement step.

[0096] The clip opening step may include, for example, pushing the pair of clip arms 166 toward the centerline of the needle hub 146 of the introducer needle 104. By pushing the pair of clip arms 166 toward the needle hub 146, each clip arm 166 of the pair of clip arms 166 disengages from the coupler housing 174 of the coupler 108 and then extends above the coupler to perform the introducer needle withdrawal step.

[0097] The access guidewire securing step involves pushing the access guidewire 106 with a thumb into a thumb recess 184 in the face of the coupler housing 174 that contains the coupler housing slot 188. By pushing the access guidewire 106 into the thumb recess 184, the access guidewire 106 is held in place during the puncture path establishment step or the introducer needle withdrawal step.

[0098] The access guidewire visualization step involves visualizing the access guidewire 106 within the extension arm opening 196. As described above, the extension arm opening 196 passes through both sides of the extension arm 178 between the proximal end of the extension arm 178 and the connection portion of the extension arm 178 that connects the extension arm 178 to the remainder of the coupler housing 174. Visualization of the access guidewire 106 is to ensure that the access guidewire 106 is attached to the guidewire attachment point 198 of the extension arm 178.

[0099] The introducer needle withdrawal step involves withdrawing the introducer needle 104 from the coupler 108 by the needle hub 146 while leaving the access guidewire 106 in place within the vascular lumen. The introducer needle withdrawal step involves simultaneously decoupling the sheath 144 from the needle shaft 142 using a blade 192 of a valve module 176 disposed within a valve module chamber 180 of the coupler housing 174 as the introducer needle 104 is withdrawn from the coupler 108. 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. The introducer needle 104 also includes a needle slot 150 that extends from a proximal portion of the needle shaft 142 to the needle tip 148, thereby allowing the access guidewire 106 to exit the introducer needle 104 by decoupling the sheath 144 from the needle shaft 142. In particular, the valve module 176 around the needle shaft 142 and sheath 144 separates to allow the access guidewire 106 to further exit the valve module 176 when the introducer needle 104 is withdrawn from the coupler 108 in an introducer needle withdrawal step. In addition, the coupler housing 174 includes a coupler housing slot 188 on a face of the coupler housing 174 opposite the extension arm 178, the coupler housing slot 188 opening in the same direction as the needle slot 150 in the needle shaft 142. The coupler housing slot 188 is configured to allow the access guidewire 106 to further exit the coupler housing 174 when the introducer needle 104 is withdrawn from the coupler 108 during the introducer needle withdrawal step.

[0100] 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.

[0101] The RICC separation step involves separating the RICC 102 from the coupler 108 for the remainder of the RICC advancement step by removing the luer connector of the RICC 102 from the extension arm clip 194 of the extension arm 178 during the RICC advancement step. In particular, the coupler 108 or the extension arm 178 of the coupler 108 provides a handle for the access guidewire 106.

[0102] The access guidewire withdrawal step involves withdrawing the access guidewire 106 while leaving the catheter tube 112 within the vessel lumen. 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 patient's heart in the SVC.

[0103] 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 SVC of the patient's heart. The steering guidewire withdrawal step involves withdrawing the steering guidewire, leaving the catheter tube 112 in the lower third of the SVC.

[0104] Although some specific embodiments are disclosed herein and the specific embodiments are disclosed in some detail, the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. 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 catheter (RICC) insertion assembly comprising: RICC and An introducer needle, a needle shaft including a needle slot extending longitudinally from a proximal portion of the needle shaft to a distal needle tip; a sheath covering the needle shaft and sealing the needle slot except below a sheath opening in a proximal portion of the sheath; a needle hub covering a proximal portion of the needle shaft and a proximal portion of the sheath; an introducer needle comprising:

1. An access guidewire, comprising: 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 comprising: a coupler for coupling together the RICC, the introducer needle and the access guidewire, a coupler housing, the coupler housing having a fastening means for fastening the needle hub to the coupler housing, the fastening means fastening the needle hub to the coupler housing at least in the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly; an extension arm connected to the coupler housing, the proximal end of the access guidewire attached to the extension arm, the proximal and distal ends of the access guidewire forming a loop on the access guidewire, and the RICC being positioned over the loop in at least a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly; A coupler including RICC insertion assembly comprising:

2. 2. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastening means for fastening the needle hub to the coupler housing is a needle hub clip, the needle hub clip being clipped onto the coupler housing in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

3. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 2 , wherein the needle hub clip is integral with the needle hub.

4. 4. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 2, wherein the needle hub clip includes a single levered clip arm extending distally on the needle hub from a fulcrum connecting the clip arm to the remainder of the needle hub, the clip arm including a protrusion extending from a distal portion of the clip arm configured to engage a recess in a corresponding face of the coupler housing when the clip arm is clipped onto the coupler housing and to disengage from the recess when a proximal portion of the clip arm is pressed toward a centerline of the needle hub.

5. 4. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 2 or 3, wherein the needle hub clip includes a pair of levered clip arms that extend distally beyond opposite sides of the needle hub from a corresponding pair of fulcrums that connect the clip arms to the remainder of the needle hub, and each clip arm of the pair of clip arms includes a protrusion extending from a distal portion of the clip arm that is configured to engage a recess in a corresponding face of the coupler housing to clip the needle hub onto the coupler housing and that is configured to disengage from the recess in the corresponding side of the coupler housing when a proximal portion of the clip arm is pressed toward a centerline of the needle hub.

6. 6. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 2, wherein the coupler housing includes a coupler housing slot extending longitudinally on a side of the coupler housing opposite the extension arm, the coupler housing slot opening in the same direction as the needle slot of the needle shaft, and the coupler housing slot configured to allow the access guidewire to exit the coupler housing while the introducer needle is being withdrawn from the coupler by the needle hub.

7. 7. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 6, wherein the coupler housing includes a thumb recess on the face of the coupler housing that includes the coupler housing slot, the thumb recess configured for pushing the access guidewire in with a thumb to hold the access guidewire in place at least during percutaneous puncture by the introducer needle or during withdrawal of the introducer needle from the coupler by the needle hub.

8. 8. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 7, wherein the coupler housing slot extends partially into the thumb recess such that the distal portion of the access guidewire extends into the thumb recess in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

9. 9. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 7 or 8, wherein the surface of the thumb recess is textured.

10. 10. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 7, wherein the coupler housing includes a finger recess on a face of the coupler housing opposite the thumb recess, the finger recess configured to support the RICC insertion assembly with a finger while pushing the access guidewire into the thumb recess with a thumb during at least percutaneous puncture with the introducer needle or withdrawal of the introducer needle from the coupler by the needle hub.

11. 11. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 2, wherein the extension arm is integral with the coupler housing.

12. 12. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 2, wherein the extension arm terminates in an extension arm clip that is clipped onto a luer connector of the RICC in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly, and the proximal portion of the access guidewire extends from the luer connector, through a center of the extension arm clip, to a guidewire attachment point on the extension arm where the proximal end of the access guidewire is attached.

13. 13. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 12, wherein the extension arm clip includes a socket into which a proximal end of the luer connector is inserted when the extension arm clip is clipped onto the luer connector of the RICC.

14. 14. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 12 or 13, wherein the extension arm includes an extension arm opening through both sides of the extension arm between the extension arm clip and a connection portion of the extension arm that connects the extension arm to the remainder of the coupler housing, the extension arm opening configured to provide a window for visualizing the access guidewire to confirm that the access guidewire is attached to the guidewire attachment point of the extension arm.

15. 15. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 2, wherein the coupler housing includes a needle hub receptacle at a proximal portion thereof, and a distal portion of the needle hub is inserted into the needle hub receptacle at least in a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

16. 16. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 2, further comprising a valve module disposed within a valve module chamber of the coupler housing, the valve module sealing around the proximal portion of the sheath and the distal portion of the access guidewire extending through the sheath opening in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly, thereby enabling leak-free aspiration through the introducer needle.

17. 17. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 16, wherein the valve module includes an integral blade disposed within the needle slot beneath a 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 by the needle hub, whereby decoupling allows the access guidewire to exit the needle shaft by the needle slot.

18. 18. The RICC insertion assembly of claim 2, further comprising a syringe fluidly connected to the introducer needle in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

19. 1. A coupler assembly for a rapid insertion central catheter (RICC) insertion assembly, comprising: An introducer needle, a needle shaft including a needle slot extending longitudinally from a proximal portion of the needle shaft to a distal needle tip; a sheath covering the needle shaft and sealing the needle slot except below a sheath opening in a proximal portion of the sheath; a needle hub covering a proximal portion of the needle shaft and a proximal portion of the sheath and including a needle hub clip; an introducer needle comprising: a coupler interconnected to the introducer needle, a coupler housing to which the needle hub clip is clipped in at least the ready-to-deploy state of the coupler assembly; an extension arm connected to the coupler housing, the extension arm being configured to attach a proximal end of an access guidewire to the coupler housing; A coupler including A coupler assembly comprising:

20. 20. The coupler assembly of claim 19, wherein the needle hub clip includes a pair of levered clip arms that extend distally beyond opposite sides of the needle hub from a corresponding pair of fulcrums that connect the clip arms to the remainder of the needle hub, each of the pair of clip arms including a protrusion extending from a distal portion of the clip arm that is configured to engage a recess in a corresponding face of the coupler housing to clip the needle hub onto the coupler housing and to disengage from the recess when a proximal portion of the clip arm is pressed toward a centerline of the needle hub.

21. 21. The coupler assembly of claim 19 or 20, wherein the coupler housing includes a coupler housing slot that opens in the same direction as the needle slot of the needle shaft and extends longitudinally on a face of the coupler assembly opposite the extension arm, the coupler housing slot configured to allow the access guidewire to exit the coupler housing when the access guidewire is positioned in the coupler housing slot.

22. 22. The coupler assembly of claim 21, wherein the coupler housing includes a thumb recess on the face of the coupler housing that includes the coupler housing slot, the coupler housing slot extending partially into the thumb recess, and the thumb recess configured to push in the access guidewire with a thumb to hold the access guidewire in place when the access guidewire is positioned within the coupler housing.

23. 23. The coupler assembly of claim 22, wherein the coupler housing includes a finger recess on a face of the coupler housing opposite the thumb recess, the finger recess configured to support the coupler assembly with a finger while pushing the access guidewire into the thumb recess with a thumb when the access guidewire is positioned within the coupler housing.

24. 24. The coupler assembly of any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the extension arm terminates in an extension arm clip configured as a socket into which a proximal end of a luer connector of a RICC is inserted to clip the extension arm clip onto the luer connector.

25. 25. The coupler assembly of claim 24, wherein the extension arm includes an extension arm opening through both sides of the extension arm between the extension arm clip and a connection portion of the extension arm that connects the extension arm to the remainder of the coupler housing, the extension arm opening being configured to provide a window through which the access guidewire can be visualized to confirm that the access guidewire is attached to the guidewire attachment point of the extension arm when the access guidewire is to be attached to the guidewire attachment point of the extension arm.

26. 26. The coupler assembly of claim 19, wherein the coupler housing includes a needle hub receptacle at a proximal portion thereof, and a distal portion of the needle hub is inserted into the needle hub receptacle in at least a ready-to-deploy state of the coupler assembly.

27. 27. The coupler assembly of any one of claims 19 to 26, wherein the coupler further includes a valve module disposed within a valve module chamber of the coupler housing, the valve module sealing around a proximal portion of the sheath and the access guidewire when the access guidewire extends through a sheath opening, thereby enabling leak-free aspiration through the introducer needle.

28. 28. The coupler assembly of claim 27, wherein the valve module includes an integral blade disposed within the needle slot beneath a 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 by the needle hub.

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