PRN Adapter

Abstract

The PRN adapter can be formed from a casing and an elastomeric member. The elastomeric member can form a septum and a male luer taper. Forming the PRN adapter with only two parts can simplify the manufacturing process. The casing can form a hollow interior having a proximal opening and a distal opening. The septum of the elastomeric member can be disposed in the proximal opening of the hollow interior, and the male luer taper can extend to the distal opening of the hollow interior.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a PRN adapter. [Background technology]

[0002] Intravenous (IV) catheter systems are commonly used for a variety of infusion therapies. For example, intravenous catheters may be used to infuse fluids, such as saline, various medications, and total parenteral nutrition, into a patient. Intravenous catheters may also be used to withdraw blood from a patient.

[0003] A common type of intravenous catheter device is the over-needle peripheral intravenous ("IV") catheter ("PIVC"). As the name suggests, an over-needle catheter is a catheter that can be fitted over a needle with a sharpened distal end. The catheter and needle can be assembled such that the distal tip of the needle extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter with the needle bevel pointing away from the patient's skin. The catheter and needle are typically inserted at a shallow angle through the skin into the patient's vascular system.

[0004] IV catheter devices typically provide an access port that allows other devices to gain access to the catheter while the catheter is in place in the patient's vasculature. These other devices may be used to perform a variety of tasks, such as obtaining blood samples, injecting fluids, performing measurements, monitoring, etc. It is common to use a "PRN adapter" to protect such access ports and provide a valve for the access port. The abbreviation "PRN" (from the Latin "pro re nata") generally means "in case of need," and represents that the PRN adapter allows the clinician to access the patient's vasculature "when needed."

[0005] FIG. 1 provides an example of a PIVC 100 in which a PRN adapter may be used. The PIVC 100 includes a catheter adapter 110 from which a catheter 111 extends, a needle adapter 120 from which a needle 121 extends, and an extension set 130 having an extension tube 131 extending from the catheter adapter 110 to a Y adapter 132 having two female luer lock ports 132a and 132b. A PRN adapter 140 is connected to port 132a, and a vent plug 150 is connected to port 132b. Thus, FIG. 1 is intended to represent the PRN adapter being generally used on a port of the Y adapter or other connector of the extension set. Notably, the PRN adapter may also be used on ports in other locations of the PIVC or with other IV catheter devices.

[0006] FIG. 2 provides an example of a common PRN adapter 240. The PRN adapter 240 consists of three separate components: (1) a casing 241, (2) a septum 242, and (3) a shrink film 243. The casing 241, typically formed from a hard plastic, forms a male luer taper 241a that is inserted into a female luer port (e.g., port 132a or 132b). The casing 241 is also usually in the form of a male luer lock sleeve 241b, which allows the PRN adapter 240 to be threaded into the female luer lock port. The septum 242, typically formed from an elastomeric material such as rubber or silicone, serves as a seal to prevent blood or fluids from leaking through the PRN adapter 240 while at the same time allowing a needle or cannula to be inserted therethrough to gain access to a PIVC or other IV catheter device to which the PRN adapter 240 may be connected. The septum 242 may be partially inserted into the casing 241. Shrink film 243 secures septum 242 to casing 241. For example, during manufacture of PRN adapter 240, shrink film 243 may be placed around a portion of casing 241 and a portion of septum 242 and then heated to clamp the shrink film around those portions.

[0007] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any shortcomings or that operate only in such environments. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure generally relates to a PRN adapter and an IV catheter device in which the PRN adapter may be used. The PRN adapter may be formed from a casing and an elastomeric member. The elastomeric member may form a septum and a male luer taper. By forming the PRN adapter from only two parts, the manufacturing process may be simplified.

[0009] In some embodiments, the PRN adapter may include a casing and an elastomeric member coupled to the casing. The elastomeric member forms a septum and a male luer taper. In some embodiments, the casing may form a hollow interior having a proximal opening and a distal opening. In some embodiments, the septum of the elastomeric member may be disposed at a proximal opening of the hollow interior and the male luer taper may extend to a distal opening of the hollow interior. In some embodiments, the casing may include a rim forming the proximal opening. In some embodiments, the septum may form a distally directed lip that overlaps a proximal surface of the rim. In some embodiments, the elastomeric member may include a retaining member spaced from the septum by a neck. In some embodiments, a proximal surface of the retaining member may abut a distal surface of the rim. In some embodiments, the hollow interior may include a thread. In some embodiments, the elastomeric member may form a lumen extending from the septum through the male luer taper.

[0010] It is to be understood that both the general description above and the detailed description that follows are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the claimed invention. It is to be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings. It is also to be understood that the embodiments may be combined or other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention, unless so claimed. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] Example embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows examples of common PIVCs for which the PRN adapter may be used. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a common PRN adapter. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a PRN adapter configured in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] 3A is a cross-sectional view of the PRN adapter of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates a bulkhead member of the PRN adapter of FIG. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the bulkhead member of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] In this specification and claims, the term "PRN adapter" should be construed as any adapter that may be part of or used on an IV catheter device to allow another device to access the catheter of the IV catheter device while the catheter is placed in a vein. Figure 3 provides an example of a PRN adapter 300 configured in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3A provides a cross-sectional view of the PRN adapter 300.

[0013] The PRN adapter 300 is formed from two components: (1) a casing 310, and (2) an elastomeric member 320. The casing 310 extends from a proximal end 310a to a distal end 310b. A hollow interior 312 of the casing 310 forms a proximal opening 312a and a distal opening 312b. A rim 313 (or a reduced diameter region of the hollow interior 312) forms the proximal opening 312a. The rim 313 forms a proximal face 313a, an inwardly facing face 313b, and a distal face 313c. Threads 314 are formed within the hollow interior 312 and extend proximally from the distal opening 312b. Ribs 311 may be formed around the outside of the casing 310 and may function to facilitate gripping the PRN adapter 300.

[0014] FIG. 4 provides an example of elastomeric member 320 in isolation, and FIG. 4A provides an isolated cross-sectional view of elastomeric member 320. As shown, elastomeric member 320 extends from proximal end 320a to distal end 320b. Septum 321 is formed at proximal end 320a, and male luer taper 324 is formed at distal end 320b. Neck 322 extends distally from septum 321, and retaining member 323 extends distally from neck 322. Neck 322 includes a reduced outer diameter region relative to the outer diameter of septum 321 and relative to the outer diameter of retaining member 323. Thus, neck sidewall 322a is disposed between distally facing lip 321a formed on septum 321 and proximal surface 323a formed on retaining member 323.

[0015] Elastomeric member 320 also includes a lumen 325 that extends from a proximal end 325a through a distal end 320b of elastomeric member 320 to an adjacent bulkhead 321. In the illustrated embodiment, proximal end 325a of lumen 325 is aligned with lip 321a. However, in other embodiments, proximal end 325a may be offset relative to lip 321a such that the thickness of bulkhead 321 is greater or less than that shown in the figures.

[0016] As best seen in FIG. 3A, the elastomeric member 320 is secured to the casing 310 by disposing the rim 313 between the septum 321 and the retaining member 323. In this position, the lip 321a overlaps the proximal surface 313a of the rim 313, the neck sidewall 322a is adjacent the inwardly facing surface 313b of the rim 313, and the proximal surface 323a of the retaining member 323 is adjacent the distal surface 313c of the rim 313. Thus, the septum 321 is disposed proximal to the rim 313 and the male luer taper 324 extends distally beyond the distal opening 312b. However, in other embodiments, the male luer taper 324 may extend all the way to the distal opening 312b or may extend short of the distal opening 312b. The outer diameter of male luer taper 324 is less than the diameter of hollow interior 312 to allow the female luer lock port to be inserted between male luer taper 324 and casing 310 when male luer taper 324 is inserted into the female luer lock port.

[0017] The elastomeric properties of the elastomeric member 320 allow the elastomeric member 320 to be inserted into the casing 310 and secured within the casing 310. For example, the elastomeric member 320 can be inserted through the distal opening 312b until the septum 321 passes through the proximal opening 312a. The septum 321 can deform to allow it to pass through the smaller diameter of the proximal opening 312a. The retaining member 323 can then prevent further distal movement of the elastomeric member 320 relative to the casing 310. When the septum 321 is positioned proximally beyond the proximal opening 312a, the lip 321a overlaps the proximal surface 313a, thereby preventing the elastomeric member 320 from moving distally.

[0018] The PRN adapter 300 can be connected to a female luer lock port of an IV catheter device by inserting the male luer taper 324 into the port and turning the PRN adapter 300 to tighten the threads 314 against the corresponding tab(s) of the female luer lock port. When the PRN adapter 300 is tightened onto the port, the male luer taper 324 can form a fluid-tight seal against the female luer lock port. To access the catheter of the IV catheter device, a needle or cannula of a separate device can be inserted through the septum 321 and into the lumen 325. When the needle or cannula is subsequently removed, the elastomeric properties of the septum 321 modify the seal and prevent fluid from leaking from the lumen 325.

[0019] All examples and conditional language described herein are intended for educational purposes to aid in understanding the invention and concepts provided by the inventor to advance the technology, and should be construed as not being limited to the specifically recited examples and conditions. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A casing; an elastomeric member coupled to the casing, the elastomeric member integrally forming a septum and a male luer taper; Including, The septum is pierceable.

2. The PRN adapter of claim 1 , wherein the casing defines a hollow interior having a proximal opening and a distal opening.

3. 3. The PRN adapter of claim 2, wherein the septum of the elastomeric member is disposed at the proximal opening of the hollow interior and the male luer taper extends to the distal opening of the hollow interior.

4. The PRN adapter of claim 3 , wherein the casing includes a rim that defines the proximal opening.

5. The PRN adapter of claim 4 , wherein the septum forms a distally directed lip that overlaps a proximal face of the rim.

6. The PRN adapter of claim 5 , wherein the elastomeric member includes a retaining member spaced from the septum by a neck.

7. The PRN adapter of claim 6 , wherein a proximal surface of the retention member abuts a distal surface of the rim.

8. The PRN adapter of claim 2 , wherein the hollow interior includes threads.

9. The PRN adapter of claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric member defines a lumen extending from the septum through the male luer taper.

10. the casing defines a hollow interior having a proximal opening and a distal opening, the proximal opening being defined by a rim, the hollow interior including threads extending from the distal opening; the elastomeric member includes a retaining member spaced from the septum by a neck, the elastomeric member also defining a lumen extending from the septum through the male luer taper, the septum of the elastomeric member being disposed at the proximal opening of the hollow interior and the male luer taper extending to the distal opening of the hollow interior, the septum forming a distally directed lip that overlaps the proximal surface of the rim when a proximal surface of the retaining member abuts the distal surface of the rim. The PRN adapter of claim 1 .

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