Intravenous catheter device having a sliding safety mechanism

Abstract

The intravenous catheter device can include a safety mechanism coupled to the catheter adapter and including a slider that slides relative to the barrel. A needle hub is contained within the barrel and can be retracted upon insertion of the catheter into a patient's vascular system. Retraction of the needle hub can be initiated by sliding the slider. When the needle hub is retracted within the barrel, the slider can function to protect the distal tip of the needle.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Intravenous (IV) catheter devices are commonly used for a variety of infusion therapies. For example, a catheter may be used to inject a patient with a fluid such as normal saline solution, a variety of pharmaceuticals, and parenteral nutrients. The catheter may also be used to draw blood from a patient.

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

[0003] IV catheter devices include a safety mechanism for blocking the tip of the needle after the needle is separated from the catheter. In many cases, even with a safety mechanism, the tip of the needle is temporarily exposed when it is withdrawn from the catheter and enters the safety mechanism. This temporary exposure causes blood splashing and increases the safety risk.

[0004] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is provided only to illustrate one exemplary technical area in which some of the implementations described herein may be practiced.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure generally relates to an intravenous catheter device having a safety mechanism. The safety mechanism can be coupled to a catheter adapter and include a slider that slides relative to a barrel. A needle hub can be contained within the barrel and can be housed when the catheter is inserted into a patient's vasculature. Housing of the needle hub can be initiated by sliding the slider. Once the needle hub is housed within the barrel, the slider may function to protect the distal tip of the needle.

[0006] In some embodiments, the intravenous catheter device includes a catheter assembly having a catheter adapter and a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter, a needle assembly having a needle hub and a needle extending distally from the needle hub, the needle assembly extending through the catheter adapter and the catheter, and a safety mechanism having a barrel and a slider that slides within the barrel. The distal end of the slider may be coupled to the proximal end of the catheter adapter such that the catheter assembly slides relative to the barrel with the slider. The needle hub may be contained within the barrel and may be disposed to be proximally housed within the barrel.

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

[0008] In some embodiments, the position of the needle hub relative to the barrel may remain fixed while the slider is initially slid within the barrel. In some embodiments, when the slider slides distally towards the activation point, the needle hub may be proximally housed within the barrel. In some embodiments, the safety mechanism may include a spring that causes the needle hub to be proximally housed within the barrel. In some embodiments, when the slider reaches the activation point, the slider may cause the spring to proximally house the needle hub. In some embodiments, when the needle hub is proximally housed within the barrel, the distal end of the needle may be housed within the slider. In some embodiments, after the slider reaches the activation point, the position of the slider relative to the barrel may be maintained.

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

[0010] In some embodiments, the needle hub may initially be positioned towards the distal end of the barrel. In some embodiments, while the slider slides towards the activation point, the needle hub may be held towards the distal end of the barrel. In some embodiments, when the slider reaches the activation point, the needle hub may be housed within the proximal end of the barrel. In some embodiments, the intravenous catheter device may include a compressed spring when the needle hub is held towards the distal end of the barrel. In response to the slider reaching the activation point, the spring may cause the needle hub to be housed within the proximal end of the barrel.

[0011] In some embodiments, when the needle hub is housed at the proximal end of the barrel, the distal tip of the needle may be included within the slider. In some embodiments, the slider may be held at the triggering point to prevent the distal tip of the needle from extending distally beyond the slider. In some embodiments, the slider may comprise a push tab. In some embodiments, the slider may comprise a distal nose that is inserted into the catheter adapter to couple the slider to the catheter adapter.

[0012] In some embodiments, the intravenous catheter device may comprise a barrel having an interior, a slider included within the interior of the barrel, a catheter adapter having a proximal end coupled to the distal end of the slider, a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter, a needle hub included within the interior of the barrel, and a needle extending distally from the needle hub and through the catheter adapter and the catheter. The proximal end of the slider may initially be disposed toward the proximal end of the barrel, and the needle hub may initially be held toward the distal end of the barrel. When the proximal end of the slider slides to the triggering point of the barrel, the needle hub may be housed at the proximal end of the barrel. The housing of the needle hub may cause the distal tip of the needle to be fixed within the slider.

[0013] It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and means shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that embodiments may be combined, or other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of the invention if not otherwise claimed. Accordingly, the following detailed description should not be taken in a limiting sense.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] Through the use of the accompanying drawings, exemplary embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail.

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] An IV catheter device suitable for embodiments of the present disclosure may typically comprise a catheter assembly, a needle assembly, and a safety mechanism that are initially interconnected. After insertion of the catheter into the patient's vasculature, as part of removing the needle assembly from the catheter assembly, the needle assembly of such an IV catheter device is typically retracted into the safety mechanism. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the safety mechanism of such an IV catheter device is arranged to slide, enhancing safety and facilitating the use of the IV catheter device.

[0017] Figures 1-5 show specific examples of the IV catheter device 100 arranged according to several embodiments. Figure 1 shows the IV catheter device 100 in the pre-insertion arrangement. For example, the IV catheter device 100 can be in the pre-arrangement when a physician opens its package and / or when the physician inserts the needle through the patient's skin. The IV catheter device 100 includes a needle assembly 110, a catheter assembly 120, and a safety mechanism 190. The needle assembly 110 includes a needle hub 111 and a needle 112 that extends distally from the needle hub 111 to the distal end 100b of the IV catheter device 100. The catheter assembly 120 includes a catheter adapter 121 and a catheter 122 that extends distally from the catheter adapter 121.

[0018] The safety mechanism 190 includes a slider 130 and a barrel 140 related to the sliding of the slider 130. The proximal end 140a of the barrel 140 is arranged at the proximal end 100a of the IV catheter device 100. In the pre-insertion arrangement, the distal end 140b of the barrel 140 is arranged towards the proximal end 121a of the catheter adapter 121, while the proximal end 130a of the slider 130 is arranged towards the proximal end 140a of the barrel 140. The distal nose 130b of the slider 130 is inserted into the catheter adapter 121 and may form an interference fit to maintain the mutual connection between the safety mechanism 190 and the catheter assembly 120. The slider 130 may include a collar 131 arranged towards the distal nose 130b. The collar 131 may be adjacent to or in contact with the proximal end 121a of the catheter adapter 121 when the distal nose 130b is inserted into the catheter adapter 121. Thus, in the pre-insertion arrangement, the slider 130 may be connected to the catheter adapter 121 and may be fully inserted into the barrel 140.

[0019] In the pre-insertion configuration, the needle hub 111 is disposed within the interior 141 of the barrel 140, although there may be a space distally from the proximal end of the barrel 140. The length of the needle assembly 110 can be arranged such that the distal tip of the needle 112 extends distally beyond the catheter 122. A spring 150 is disposed inside the interior 141 and can be compressed between the needle hub 111 and the distal end 140b of the barrel 140. The interior 141 and the needle hub 111, spring 150 can be arranged to form an interference fit to maintain the needle hub 111 in the shown position even when a proximal force is applied to the needle hub 111. For example, an induction point 143 in the form of a groove or recessed portion in the side wall of the interior 141 can receive a portion (not shown) tilted outward of the needle hub 111 to fix the position of the needle hub 111. Thus, in the pre-insertion configuration, the needle hub 111 has a space, but may be tilted toward the proximal end 140a of the barrel 140. In some embodiments, the interference fit may be formed between the spring 150 and the barrel 140 rather than between the needle hub 111 and the barrel 140. For example, the proximal end of the spring 150 may be connected to the induction point 143 to maintain the compressed state of the spring 150.

[0020] In some embodiments, the barrel 140 may include a vent plug 142 (e.g., at the proximal end 140a) arranged to discharge air from inside the interior 141. Thus, the vent plug 142 can facilitate blood flashback through the needle 112 and perhaps into the interior 141. In some embodiments, a seal (not labeled) may be formed between the slider 130 and an opening in the distal end 140b of the barrel 140 to prevent blood or another fluid from escaping from inside the interior 141.

[0021] Returning to FIG. 2, an IV catheter device 100 is shown after slider 130 has been slid distally relative to barrel 140. Since slider 130 is connected to catheter adapter 121, sliding of slider 130 relative to barrel 140 causes catheter 122 to move relative to needle 112. For example, after a physician inserts the distal tip of the needle into a patient's vasculature, he or she may hold the position of barrel 140 (or pull barrel 140 back slightly), and thereby apply a distal force to push tab 132 on collar 131 while advancing catheter 122 beyond the tip of needle 112 and further into the patient's vasculature. The relative position of needle hub 111 within barrel 140 remains fixed in this regard. Thus, movement of slider 130 causes the proximal end 130a of slider 130 to approach needle hub 111.

[0022] Returning to FIG. 3, an IV catheter device 100 is shown after slider 130 has been slid distally relative to barrel 140 to the point where the proximal end 130a of slider 130 has reached triggering point 143. At this point, catheter 122 will substantially advance beyond the distal tip of needle 112, and the physician may pull back barrel 140 to sufficiently remove the tip of the needle from the patient's vasculature. For example, in some embodiments, the IV catheter device 100 may be designed such that when the proximal end 130a of slider 130 reaches triggering point 143, the distal tip of needle 112 is at least partially disposed within catheter adapter 121 (i.e., outside the vasculature). For illustrative purposes, FIG. 3 still shows needle hub 111 being held in position. However, in some embodiments, needle hub 111 may be released from its interference fit at triggering point 143 substantially simultaneously with the arrival of proximal end 130a.

[0023] Returning to FIG. 4, the needle assembly 110 when fully retracted into the barrel 140 is shown. In particular, when the interference fit between the needle hub 111 (or spring 150) and the barrel 140 is released in response to the sliding of the slider 130, the spring 150 urges the needle hub 111 towards the proximal end 140a of the barrel 140, thereby returning the distal tip of the needle 112 into the slider 130. For example, in FIG. 4, when the slider 130 is removed from the catheter adapter 121, the needle hub 111 is positioned at the proximal end 140a such that the distal tip of the needle 112 will be exposed, and the distal tip of the needle 112 is contained within the distal nose 130b of the slider 130. In some embodiments, the proximal end 130a of the slider 130 may be arranged to release the interference fit between the needle hub 111 and the barrel 140. For example, if the interference fit is formed by inserting a portion of the needle hub 111 into the triggering point 143, a distal movement of the proximal end 130a of the slider 130 may remove a portion of the needle hub 111 from the triggering point 143.

[0024] As described above, in some embodiments, the slider 130 may be coupled to the catheter adapter 121 by only the frictional force between the distal nose 130b and the inner wall of the catheter adapter 121. In such a case, the slider 130 can be removed from the catheter adapter 121 by pulling (and perhaps twisting) the slider 130 relative to the catheter adapter 121. In contrast, in some embodiments, the collar 131 and / or the distal nose 130b may be coupled to the proximal end 21a of the catheter adapter 121 in such a way as to prevent the slider 130 from separating from the catheter adapter 121 until after the tip of the needle 112 has been retracted into the slider 130. For example, the catheter adapter 121 may be arranged to be screwed onto the slider 130. In such a case, the structures of the catheter adapter 121 and the slider 130 may be arranged to prevent rotation of the slider 130 relative to the catheter adapter 121 until after the distal tip of the needle 112 has passed through the slider 130. For example, the needle 112 may comprise a feature that allows such relative rotation only when the feature is disposed within the distal nose 130b and / or the collar 131. In some embodiments, this feature may be in the form of a recess in the needle 112 that slides an annular component (not shown) that otherwise blocks relative rotation inwardly into the recess, which, in turn, allows the slider 130 to rotate the catheter adapter 121 off. In some embodiments, this feature may be in the form of a protrusion on the needle 112 that slides an annular component (not shown) that otherwise blocks relative rotation outwardly, which, in turn, allows the slider 130 to rotate the catheter adapter 121 off.

[0025] In any case, when the distal tip of the needle 112 is fixed within the slider 130, the physician may remove the slider 130 from the catheter adapter 121, as shown in FIG. 5. The proximal end 130a of the slider 130 and the triggering point 143 may be arranged to form an interference fit that prevents the slider 130 from sliding proximally relative to the barrel 140. This interference fit ensures that when the slider 130 is removed from the catheter adapter 121, the distal tip of the needle 112 remains fixed within the slider 130.

[0026] FIG. 6 provides an isolated view of the slider 130 when it may be arranged in some embodiments. As shown, the slider 130 may include side walls 133 and one or more openings 134 extending between the proximal end 130a and the distal nose 130b. The use of the openings 134 can reduce the amount of material required to form the slider 130. Tabs 133a may be formed on one or more of the side walls 133 facing the direction of the proximal end 130a. In some embodiments, the tabs 133a can form an interference fit with the triggering point 143 to prevent the slider 130 from sliding proximally within the barrel 140 after the distal tip of the needle 112 has been retracted into the distal nose 130b. A needle channel 135 is formed through the distal nose 130b. In some embodiments, the needle channel 135 may have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the needle 112 such that it serves as a support to prevent excessive vibration of the needle 112 when it is retracted into the barrel 140 and the slider 130.

[0027] All of the examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to assist the reader in understanding the concepts contributed by the inventors to the present invention and the advancement of the art, and are to be construed as not limiting to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that various modifications, substitutions, and alternatives can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention without departing therefrom.

Claims

1. An intravenous catheter device, comprising a catheter adapter and a catheter assembly having a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter, a needle hub and a needle assembly having a needle extending distally from the needle hub, the needle extending through the catheter adapter and the catheter, the needle assembly, and a safety mechanism having a barrel and a slider disposed within the barrel, a distal end of the slider being connected to a proximal end of the catheter adapter such that the catheter assembly is slidable relative to the barrel by the slider, the needle hub being contained within the barrel and disposed to be proximally received within the barrel, the safety mechanism, wherein when the slider slides distally to an activation point, the needle hub is proximally received within the barrel, and a proximal end of the slider is configured to form an interference fit to prevent the slider from sliding proximally relative to the barrel, an intravenous catheter device.

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

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

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

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

6. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 5, wherein the safety mechanism comprises a spring configured to proximally receive the needle hub within the barrel.

7. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 6, wherein when the slider reaches the activation point, the slider causes the spring to proximally receive the needle hub.

8. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 7, wherein when the needle hub is proximally received within the barrel, a distal end of the needle is received within the slider.

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

10. a barrel, a slider connected to the barrel and slidable within the barrel, A catheter adapter having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the slider, A catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter, A needle hub contained within the barrel, and A needle extending distally from the needle hub, the catheter adapter and the needle extending through the catheter, When the slider slides distally to the triggering point, the needle hub is proximally housed within the barrel, and the proximal end of the slider is configured to form an interference fit that prevents the slider from sliding proximally relative to the barrel, An intravenous catheter device.

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

12. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 11, wherein the needle hub is held toward the distal end of the barrel while the slider slides to the triggering point.

13. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 12, wherein when the slider reaches the triggering point, the needle hub is housed in the proximal end of the barrel.

14. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 13, further comprising a spring that is compressed when the needle hub is held toward the distal end of the barrel and that houses the needle hub in the proximal end of the barrel in response to the slider reaching the triggering point.

15. The intravenous catheter device according to claim 13, wherein when the needle hub is housed in the proximal end of the barrel, the distal tip of the needle is contained within the slider.

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

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

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

19. A barrel having an interior, A slider contained within the interior of the barrel, A catheter adapter having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the slider, A catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter, A needle hub contained within the interior of the barrel, and a needle extending distally from the needle hub, the needle extending through the catheter adapter and a catheter, the proximal end of the slider is initially disposed toward the proximal end of the barrel, and the needle hub is initially held toward the distal end of the barrel, when the slider slides distally to the triggering point of the barrel, the needle hub is housed proximally within the barrel, the housing of the needle hub fixes the distal tip of the needle within the slider, and the proximal end of the slider is configured to form an interference fit that prevents the slider from sliding proximally relative to the barrel. An intravenous catheter device.

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