Flow control plug fixation

Abstract

To provide a catheter system with a flow control plug.SOLUTION: A catheter system 10 comprises a luer adapter that includes an outer surface having first threads and is coupled with a catheter adapter 28 via an extension tube 16. The catheter system also includes a flow control plug 22 that includes a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen. The proximal end includes a filter element permeable to air and not to blood. The distal end includes a cylinder and a taper-shaped luer tip spaced apart from the cylinder and defines a distal opening. An inner surface of the cylinder includes second threads corresponding to the first threads. The distal end further comprises a stepped surface, where the distal end extends from the proximal end outward to form the stepped surface. The lumen extends between the filter element and the distal opening and is not blocked.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the fixation of a flow control plug.

Background Art

[0002] Infusion therapy is one of the most common medical procedures. Inpatients, home care patients, and other patients receive fluids, medications, and blood products through vascular access devices inserted into the vascular system. Infusion therapy can be used for the treatment of infectious diseases, the provision of anesthesia or analgesia, the provision of nutritional support, the treatment of cancerous growths, the maintenance of blood pressure and heart rhythm, or many other clinically important applications.

[0003] Infusion therapy is facilitated by vascular access devices. Vascular access devices can access a patient's peripheral or central vascular system. Vascular access devices may be indwelling for short (a few days), medium (a few weeks), or long (months to years) periods. Vascular access devices can be used for continuous or intermittent infusion therapy.

[0004] A common vascular access device is a catheter inserted into a patient's vein. The length of the catheter can vary from a few centimeters for peripheral access to several tens of centimeters for central access. The catheter may be inserted percutaneously or surgically implanted under the patient's skin. The catheter can have a single lumen or multiple lumens for injecting multiple fluids simultaneously.

[0005] One example of a catheter system including a catheter is the BD NEXIVA (trademark) closed IV (intravenous) catheter system of Becton, Dickinson and Company. This system includes an over-the-needle, a catheter for peripheral intravascular use, an integrated extension tube, a Y adapter, a slide clamp, a flow control plug, a luer access port, and a passive needle shielding mechanism.

[0006] The design of the BD NEXIVA (trademark) intravenous catheter system can be described as a closed system to protect the clinician or operator from blood exposure during catheter insertion. Since the needle is withdrawn through a septum that seals, blood is contained within the NEXIVA (trademark) device during catheter insertion after the needle is removed and both ports of the Y adapter are closed. The pressure exerted on the needle as it passes through the septum wipes blood off the needle and further reduces potential blood exposure. The clamp on the integral extension tube is provided to eliminate blood exposure when the flow control plug is replaced with another vascular access device such as an infusion set connection or a luer access port.

[0007] The current procedure for initiating the use of a catheter system such as the BD NEXIVA (trademark) closed intravenous catheter system is as follows. The operator of the device inserts the needle into the patient's vasculature and waits for blood backflow to move into the device to confirm that the needle is properly placed within the patient's vasculature. As the blood enters the device, the flow control plug allows air to escape from the device, and the blood moves through and along the catheter of the device. In some cases, after the operator has confirmed proper placement, the operator may close the catheter system with a clamp, stop the progression of blood through the catheter system, remove the flow control plug, replace the flow control plug with another vascular access device such as an infusion set connection or a luer access port, open the clamp on the catheter system, flush the blood from the catheter system into the patient's vasculature, and reclamp the catheter system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present disclosure generally relates to flow control plugs and related instruments, systems, and methods. In some embodiments, the flow control plug can be secured to the luer adapter of a catheter system in a secure manner, which can prevent the flow control plug from accidentally detaching from the luer adapter prior to use. If the flow control plug detaches from the luer adapter during use, the flow control plug can become contaminated and may no longer be usable. In some embodiments, the flow control plug can also be secured to the luer adapter in a liquid-tight manner, which, although important, can prevent fluid leakage from the catheter system. In some embodiments, for example, the flow control plug can include one or more features that facilitate attachment of the flow control plug to the luer adapter during assembly or prior to use, including a grip element and / or a flexible arm. In some embodiments, the flow control plug can include one or more features that reduce the axial force and torque required to make the connection between the flow control plug and the luer adapter.

[0009] As used in this disclosure, the term "distal" refers to a part of a venous catheter system or a component thereof that is farther from the user, and the term "proximal" refers to a part of a venous catheter system or a component thereof that is closer to the user. As used in this disclosure, the term "user" can refer to a clinician, physician, nurse, or any other healthcare provider, and can include support staff.

[0010] In some embodiments, the catheter system may include one or more of a catheter adapter, a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter, a needle extending beyond the distal tip of the catheter when the needle is in the inserted position through the catheter, a luer adapter, an extension tube, and a flow control plug. In some embodiments, the catheter adapter may include a side port, which may be coupled to the extension tube. In some embodiments, the catheter adapter may include a septum, which may be disposed within the needle channel through which the needle moves in response to retraction of the needle. In some embodiments, the fluid path of the catheter adapter may include one or more of the lumen of the catheter adapter distal to the septum, the side port, the extension tube, and the luer adapter. In some embodiments, the luer adapter may be connectable to another vascular access device such as a blood sampling and / or infusion means.

[0011] In some embodiments, the catheter system may include an intravenous (IV) catheter system. In some embodiments, the catheter system may include an integrated or closed catheter system such as, for example, the BD NEXIVA™ Closed IV Catheter System, the BD NEXIVA™ DIFFUSICS™ Closed IV Catheter System, the BD SAF-T-INTIMA™ Closed IV Catheter System, or the Becton Dickinson PEGASUSTM Safe Closed IV Catheter System.

[0012] In some embodiments, the luer adapter may include a single port adapter, a dual port adapter, a Y adapter, or another suitable type of luer adapter. In some embodiments, the luer adapter may include an outer surface, which may include a recess. In some embodiments, the luer adapter may be coupled to the catheter adapter via an extension tube. In some embodiments, the catheter system may include a flow control plug, which may include a proximal end and a distal end. In some embodiments, the proximal end of the flow control plug may include a filter element, which may be permeable to air and impermeable to blood. In some embodiments, the distal end of the flow control plug may include a cylinder and a tapered luer tip spaced from the cylinder.

[0013] In some embodiments, the inner surface of the cylinder may include a protrusion that snap-fits with the recess, which may fix the flow control plug to the luer adapter. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the luer adapter may include threads. In some embodiments, the distal end of the flow control plug may include corresponding threads, which may engage with the threads to fix the flow control plug to the luer adapter.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cylinder may include a plurality of slots, which may form a plurality of arms of the cylinder. The arms may be disposed between the slots. In some embodiments, the slots may extend through the cylinder. In some embodiments, one inner surface of the arm may include a protrusion. In some embodiments, the plurality of arms may each include a different protrusion, which may engage in a snap fit with a recess on the outer surface of the luer adapter or another recess. For example, the slots may include a first slot and a second slot, and the arms may include a first arm and a second arm. In some embodiments, the first slot and the second slot may be disposed between the first arm and the second arm. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the first arm may include a protrusion. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the second arm may include a different protrusion. In some embodiments, the other protrusions may be engaged in a snap fit with a recess on the outer surface of the luer adapter or another recess.

[0015] In some embodiments, the distal end may include a stepped surface. In some embodiments, the distal end may extend outwardly from the proximal end to form a stepped surface. In some embodiments, the slot may extend through the stepped surface. In some embodiments, the stepped surface may be annular.

[0016] In some embodiments, the outer surface of the cylinder may include one or more first grip elements. For example, the outer surface of one or more arms may include one or more first grip elements. In some embodiments, the first grip element may include ribs, which may be oriented longitudinally with respect to the flow control plug. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the proximal end may include one or more second grip elements. In some embodiments, the second grip element may include ribs, which may be oriented longitudinally with respect to the flow control plug. In some embodiments, the cylinder may include a first number of first grip elements, and / or the outer surface of the proximal end may include a second number of second grip elements. In some embodiments, the second number may be greater than the first number. In some embodiments, the respective width of each of the first grip elements may be greater than the respective width of each of the second grip elements.

[0017] In some embodiments, a method of securing a flow control plug to a catheter system for transportation may include providing a catheter system and / or coupling the flow control plug to a luer adapter of the catheter system prior to transporting the catheter system to a destination. In some embodiments, coupling the flow control plug to a luer adapter of the catheter system prior to transporting the catheter system to a destination includes snap-fitting a recess onto a protrusion or mating threads to corresponding threads.

[0018] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as are the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] Exemplary embodiments are described and explained in more specific and detail by using the accompanying drawings.

[0020]

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[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The presently preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements. It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description represented in the figures is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but is merely representative of presently preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, for example, a catheter system 10, such as a BD NEXIVA (trademark) closed IV (intravenous) catheter system by Becton, Dickinson and Company, is used to communicate fluid with a patient's vasculature. An example of a catheter system 10 as shown in FIG. 1 includes an introducer needle 12, a polyurethane over-the-needle peripheral intravenous catheter 14, an integral extension tube 16 with a Y adapter 18 and a slide clamp 20, a flow control plug 22, a luer access port 24, a passive needle shielding mechanism 26, and a catheter adapter 28 through which the catheter 14 extends. In some embodiments, any adapter used to connect two or more vascular access devices may be used in place of the Y adapter 18.

[0023] The catheter system 10 is a closed system for protecting the user from blood exposure during the catheter 14 insertion procedure. Since the needle 12 is withdrawn through a septum that seals, after the needle 12 is removed and both ports of the Y adapter 18 are closed, blood is contained within the catheter system 10 during catheter 14 insertion. The pressure exerted on the needle as it passes through the septum wipes blood off the needle 12 and further reduces potential blood exposure. The slide clamp 20 of the integral extension tube 16 is provided to eliminate blood exposure when the flow control plug 22 is exchanged with another vascular access device such as an infusion set connection or another luer access port 24.

[0024] As described above, the current procedure for initiating use of the catheter system 10 is as follows. The user inserts the needle 12 into the patient's vasculature and waits for blood backflow to move into the catheter system 10, after which the user can confirm that the needle 12 is properly positioned within the patient's vasculature. Blood moves along the catheter 14 within the space between the needle 12 and the catheter 14. This is to allow the flow control plug 22 to vent air from the catheter system 10 when blood enters the catheter system 10. After the operator confirms proper placement and after the catheter system 10 is properly vented, the user closes the extension tube 16 with a clamp, stopping the progression of blood through the catheter 14, removes the flow control plug 22, and can exchange the flow control plug 22 with another vascular access device such as an infusion set connection or a luer access port 24 that is similar or identical to the luer access port. Optionally, the user may then open the clamp on the extension tube 16, flush the blood from the catheter 14 into the patient's vasculature, and reclamp the extension tube 16. Alternative flow control plugs, luer adapters, and venting procedures are desirable and will be described with reference to the figures following FIG. 1.

[0025] Next, referring to FIGS. 2A - 2E, an exemplary Y - adapter 30 of the catheter system 10 according to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, any adapter used to connect two or more vascular access devices may be used in place of the Y - adapter 30. As shown in FIGS. 2A - 2E, in some embodiments, the outer surface of the Y - adapter 30 may include one or more threads 32. In some embodiments, the second port of the Y - adapter 30 may include an outer surface having threads 32. Thus, in some embodiments, threads may be cut on both the luer access port 24 and the second port of the Y - adapter.

[0026] Next, referring to FIGS. 3A - 3C, the catheter system 10 may include a flow - control plug 34, which may be configured to couple, for example, to the Y - adapter 30. In some embodiments, the flow - control plug 34 may be removably coupled to the Y - adapter 30. In some embodiments, the flow - control plug 34 may include a proximal end 36 and a distal end 38. In some embodiments, the proximal end 36 of the flow - control plug, which may include a venting or filtering element 40. In some embodiments, the filter element 40 may be gas - permeable. In some embodiments, the filter element 40 may be permeable to air and non - permeable to blood. In some embodiments, the distal end 38 may include a luer - lock portion, which may include a cylinder 42, although in some embodiments, the luer - lock portion may generally be cylindrical. In some embodiments, the distal end 38 may include a cylinder 42 and a tapered luer tip 44 spaced from the cylinder 42.

[0027] In some embodiments, the cylinder 42 and the luer tip 44 can be sized and configured to connect to a female luer fitting. In some embodiments, the luer tip 44 can extend distally to the distal end of the cylinder 42. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the cylinder 42 can include one or more corresponding threads 46, which can engage the threads 32 to secure the flow control plug 34 to the Y adapter 30. In some embodiments, the distal end 38 can include a stepped surface 48. In some embodiments, the distal end 38 can extend outwardly from the proximal end 36 to form the stepped surface 48. In some embodiments, the stepped surface 48 can be annular.

[0028] In some embodiments, the outer surface of the cylinder 42 can include one or more first grip elements 50. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3A - 3B, the first grip element 50 can include ribs, which can be oriented longitudinally with respect to the flow control plug. In some embodiments, the first grip element 50 can extend from the stepped surface 48. In some embodiments, the first grip element 50 can extend along the entire length of the cylinder 42, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3A - 3B, which can facilitate gripping of the distal end 38 by the user. In some embodiments, the first grip element 50 can extend along a portion of the length of the cylinder 42.

[0029] In some embodiments, the outer surface of the proximal end 36 may include one or more second grip elements 52. In some embodiments, the second grip element 52 may include ribs, which may be oriented longitudinally with respect to the flow control plug 34. In some embodiments, the cylinder 42 may include a first number of the first grip elements 50, and / or the outer surface of the proximal end 36 may include a second number of the second grip elements 52. In some embodiments, the second number may be greater than the first number. Having a greater number of the second grip elements 52 than the first grip elements 50 may facilitate the placement of the palm of the hand while the thumb of the hand is placed on the proximal end 36 during the coupling and / or separation of the Y adapter 30 and the flow control plug 34. In some embodiments, the proximal end 36 may include from six to eight second grip elements 52, which may be spaced around the circumference of the proximal end 36. In some embodiments, the respective width of each of the first grip elements 50 may be greater than the respective width of each of the second grip elements 52, which may facilitate gripping by the thumb. In some embodiments, the first grip elements 50 may face each other, for example, as shown in FIG. 3C, which may facilitate gripping of the distal end 38 by the user's thumb.

[0030] In some embodiments, the filter element 40 may include filter paper. In some embodiments, the filter element 40 may include an acrylic copolymer membrane coated on a non-woven nylon support. In these and other embodiments, the filter element 40 may include a VERSAPOR™ 800R membrane or another suitable membrane. In some embodiments, the filter element 40 may be an oleophobic and / or hydrophobic material. In some embodiments, the filter element may not leak water when exposed to a minimum water pressure of 5 psi for 10 seconds. In some embodiments, the velocity of the air flow passing through the filter element 40 may be between 5 cc / min and 50 cc / min when exposed to an air pressure of 0.1 psi or 1.0 psi. In some embodiments, the filter element 40 may be attached to the proximal end of the flow control plug 34.

[0031] In some embodiments, the flow control plug 34 can be sterilized and coupled to the Y adapter 30. The catheter system 10 including the flow control plug 34 coupled to the Y adapter 30 can be packaged and transported to a destination such as, for example, a hospital, a clinic, or other facility. Securing the flow control plug 34 to the Y adapter 30 can prevent the flow control plug 34 from loosening and / or falling off the Y adapter 30 during transportation, which could otherwise occur due to aging or an insecure attachment of the flow control plug 34 to the Y adapter 30. In some embodiments, securing the flow control plug 34 to the Y adapter 30 as outlined in the present disclosure can prevent the flow control plug 34 from being prematurely detached from the Y adapter 30, and then contamination of the flow control plug occurring such that the flow control plug becomes unusable.

[0032] In some embodiments, the flow control plug 34 can be composed of one or more plastic materials such as, for example, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or other moldable plastic materials used in medical devices. In some embodiments, the flow control plug 34 can have a melting temperature of 130°C. In some embodiments, the flow control plug 34 can comply with ISO 594-1.

[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 4A through 4D, in some embodiments, the threads 32 of the Y adapter 30 can mate with corresponding threads 46 of the flow control plug 34 to secure the flow control plug 34 to the Y adapter 30. In some embodiments, the maximum outer diameter of the distal end 38 or the cylinder 42 can be greater than the maximum diameter of the proximal end 36 (which can include a second grip element 52 protruding from the surface of the proximal end), which can facilitate gripping of the flow control plug 34 by the user. In some embodiments, the proximal end 36 can generally be cylindrical. In some embodiments, the proximal end 36 can be tapered, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4C.

[0034] Next, referring to FIGS. 5A through 5C, in some embodiments, the cylinder 42 of another flow control plug 54 can include an inner surface having one or more protrusions 56, which can engage in a snap fit with another Y adapter, such as the Y adapter 58 shown in FIGS. 6A through 6C. The protrusions 56 can include various shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the cylinder 42 can include one or more annular protrusions 56. In some embodiments, the protrusions 56 can include ribs or flanges. In some embodiments, the flow control plug 54 can include or correspond to the flow control plug 34 of FIGS. 3 and 4. More particularly, in some embodiments, the flow control plug 54 can include one or more features of the flow control plug 34. For example, the flow control plug 54 can include the first grip element 50 and / or the second grip element 52. As another example, the proximal end 36 of the flow control plug 54 can include the filter element 40.

[0035] Next, referring to FIGS. 6A through 6D, in some embodiments, the protrusions 56 can engage in a snap fit with one or more recesses 60 of the Y adapter 58 to secure the flow control plug 54 to the Y adapter 58. In some embodiments, the recesses 60 can include various shapes and sizes configured to receive the protrusions 56 in a snap fit. In some embodiments, the recesses 60 can each include a groove. In some embodiments, a particular recess 60 can be formed by a ridge or flange and can receive one or more particular protrusions 56 in a snap fit. In some embodiments, the ridge can be annular. In some embodiments, the flow control plug 34 can be removably coupled to the Y adapter 58 such that the snap fit can be released.

[0036] Next, referring to FIGS. 7A through 7D, in some embodiments, the cylinder 42 of another flow control plug 62 may include one or more slots 64, which may form a plurality of arms 66 of the cylinder 42. The arms 66 may be disposed between the slots 64. In some embodiments, the slots 64 may extend at least partially through the cylinder 42. In some embodiments, the slots 64 may generally be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the flow control plug 62. In some embodiments, each of the arms 66 may form a curved portion of the wall of the cylinder 42. In some embodiments, the stepped surface 48 may be divided into a plurality of sections by the slots 64.

[0037] In some embodiments, when the flow control plug moves toward the Y adapter, the slots 64 and the arms 66 bias the arms 66 outwardly, facilitating the snap - fit engagement of the protrusions 56 and the recesses 60 and providing easier access to the protrusions 56 by the recesses 60. In some embodiments, the slots 64 may not extend through the stepped surface 48. In some embodiments, the slots 64 extend through the stepped surface 48 and may be close to the proximal end 36, which may enable the arms 66 to be biased outwardly more easily when the flow control plug 62 is coupled to the Y adapter 58. In some embodiments, the slots 64 may reduce the force required for the snap - fit engagement of the protrusions 56 and the recesses 60. In some embodiments, the ends of the protrusions 56 are spaced from the edges of the particular arm 66 in which the protrusions 56 are disposed, giving the protrusions 56 a length that may reduce the force required to remove the flow control plug 54 from the Y adapter 58 and / or to couple the flow control plug 54 to the Y adapter 58.

[0038] In some embodiments, the flow control plug 62 may include or correspond to the flow control plug 34 from FIGS. 3 to 4 and / or the flow control plug 54 from FIGS. 5 to 6. More specifically, in some embodiments, the flow control plug 62 may include one or more features of the flow control plug 54 and / or the flow control plug 34. For example, the flow control plug 62 may include the first grip element 50 and / or the second grip element 52. As another example, the proximal end portion 36 of the flow control plug 62 may include the filter element 40. Also, the flow control plug 34 and / or the flow control plug 54 may include one or more features of the flow control plug 62.

[0039] In some embodiments, the inner surface of one or more arms 66 may include specific protrusions 56, which may engage in a snap fit with specific recesses 60. In some embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the distal end portion 38 may include a first slot 64a and a second slot 64b (collectively referred to herein as "slot 64"), and the arm 66 may include a first arm 66a and a second arm 66b (collectively referred to herein as "arm 66"). In some embodiments, the first slot 64a and the second slot 64b may be disposed between the first arm 66a and the second arm 66b. In some embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 7D, the stepped surface 66a may be close to the first arm 48a and / or the stepped surface 48b may be close to the second arm 66b.

[0040] In some embodiments, the inner surface of the first arm 66a may include the first protrusion 56. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the second arm 66b may include the second protrusion 56. In some embodiments, the first protrusion 56 may face the second protrusion 56. In some embodiments, the first and second protrusions 56 may be engaged in a snap fit with a single recess 60 or a plurality of recesses 60 disposed on the outer surface of the Y adapter 58.

[0041] Next, referring to FIGS. 8A through 8D, in some embodiments, the protrusion 56 may engage with one or more recesses 60 of the Y adapter 58 in a snap fit to secure the flow control plug 54 to the Y adapter 58. In some embodiments, any adapter that can be used to connect two or more vascular access devices may be used in place of the Y adapter 30. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the cylinder 42 or the inner surface of the arm 66 may include one or more recesses 60, while the outer surface of the Y adapter 58 may include one or more protrusions 56.

[0042] In some embodiments, the flow control plug 54 and / or the flow control plug 62 may be sterilized and coupled to the Y adapter 58. Thereafter, the catheter system 10 including the flow control plug 54 or the flow control plug 62 coupled to the Y adapter 58 may be packaged and transported to a destination such as, for example, a hospital, a clinic, or other facility. In some embodiments, securing the flow control plug 54 and / or the flow control plug 62 to the Y adapter 58 as outlined in the present disclosure may prevent the flow control plug 54 and / or the flow control plug 62 from loosening and / or falling from the Y adapter 58 during transportation, which may otherwise occur due to aging or an insecure attachment of the flow control plug 54 and / or the flow control plug 62 to the Y adapter 58.

[0043] In some embodiments, a method of securing a flow control plug to a catheter system for transportation may include providing the catheter system. In some embodiments, the method may include sterilizing the flow control plug and / or coupling the flow control plug to a luer adapter of the catheter system before transporting the catheter system to a destination. In some embodiments, coupling the flow control plug to a luer adapter of the catheter system before transporting the catheter system to a destination includes engaging a recess with a protrusion in a snap fit or mating threads to corresponding threads.

[0044] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its structural, methodological, or other essential features as broadly described herein and claimed below. The described embodiments and examples are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not as restrictive. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within the scope of the present invention.

[0045] All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for the educational purpose of helping the reader understand the invention and the concepts provided by the inventor to promote the art, and are to be construed as not being limited to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although the implementation of the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alternatives can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A catheter system, comprising: a luer adapter having an outer surface with a thread, the luer adapter being coupled to a catheter adapter via an extension tube; a flow control plug having at least a partially common flow path with the luer adapter; a proximal end having a filter element that is permeable to air and non-permeable to blood; a distal end having a cylinder and a tapered luer tip spaced from the cylinder, an inner surface of the cylinder including threads corresponding to the threads of the outer surface of the luer adapter, an outer surface of the distal end including a plurality of first ribs, an outer surface of the proximal end including a plurality of second ribs, the plurality of first ribs and the plurality of second ribs being oriented longitudinally with respect to the flow control plug, the outer surface of the proximal end having more second ribs than the outer surface of the distal end having first ribs, the distal end further comprising a stepped surface, the distal end extending outwardly from the proximal end to form the stepped surface; a flow control plug; a catheter system.

2. The catheter system according to claim 1, wherein a width of each of the plurality of first ribs is greater than a width of each of the plurality of second ribs.

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