Improved Catheter Hub

Abstract

To provide an improved hub design. 【Solution means】 A catheter hub having one or more wings, with the front and rear portions of the wings rotationally offset in the circumferential direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 369,840, filed July 29, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002]

[0002] An improved hub for use with a catheter or other medical device, the hub having at least one wing located on the hub body and extending between a near end located at a proximal portion and a far end located at a distal portion, the near end being rotationally offset from the far end in a circumferential direction. [Background technology]

[0003] Medical catheters allow physicians to apply a variety of different treatments within a patient's body. Many catheters access remote regions of the body and deliver diagnostic or therapeutic tools and / or agents to those sites. Alternatively, catheters may include a shaft or support for a therapeutic working end (e.g., a balloon, filter retriever, electrode, etc.). Some catheters, including but not limited to catheters for neurovascular use, are intended to be advanced from the aorta (e.g., the femoral artery or radial artery) through tortuous anatomy into the small vessels of the brain. Therefore, catheters must be constructed with different structural characteristics due to the various regions of the anatomy through which they pass. Often, the vascular pathway unwinds in a multi-loop path, making it difficult for catheter designs to meet the requirements dictated by the tortuous anatomy. Thus, recent improvements in catheter design allow for pushing and maneuvering of the catheter as it advances through the body while still providing sufficient flexibility at the distal end to allow the catheter tip to pass through loops and smaller blood vessels. In particular, improvements in catheter tubing structure and technology spur a need for improved catheter hub designs, as improved catheter tubing structure improves the ability of medical caregivers to navigate catheters through tortuous vascular pathways to distal regions of the vasculature.

[0004] 1A illustrates a conventional catheter 2 having a typical structure including tubing 10 extending from a hub 20, which may include a reinforcing member 12 within the wall 14 of the tubing. In further variations, a liner (not shown) may be positioned within the tubing 10, and / or the reinforcing member 12 may be partially or completely embedded within the wall 10 or liner. Typically, the catheter hub 20 includes two protrusions, commonly referred to as wings 22, which allow for manipulation of the catheter 2. The catheter hub 20 may also include a connector 24 at its proximal end.

[0005] FIG. 1B shows a rear view of FIG. 1A along line 1B-1B. As shown, the hub 20 allows fluid communication between a device / substance and the catheter lumen 16. Wings 22 can extend on opposite sides of the hub 20. As noted above, catheters often must be navigated through tortuous structures with decreasing vessel diameters, necessitating torquing of the hub 20 using the wings 22 to rotate the catheter tubing 10 within the vessel. In such cases, when rotating the hub 20 and / or wings 22 of a conventional catheter 2, the healthcare provider is limited to engaging the wings 22 on two sides of the hub. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006]

[0006] Therefore, there remains a need for improved hub designs that provide improved catheter tubing structural designs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007]

[0016] The present disclosure describes an improved hub for use with a medical device. A variation of the improved hub may be used with a catheter including a hub body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and an axis therebetween, tubing extending from the distal end of the distal portion, and at least one wing located on the hub body and extending between a proximal end located on the proximal portion and a distal end located on the distal portion, the proximal end being rotationally offset from the distal end in a circumferential direction. Providing the wing with this configuration provides a device with a natural tendency for the user to rotate the catheter / medical device in the direction of the catheter / device's preferred winding. The preferred winding is inherent in the structure of the tubular device, and therefore providing a wing that corresponds to the direction of rotation of the winding will, in most cases, cause the user to rotate the hub in the preferred direction of the preferred winding.

[0008]

[0017] In a further variation, the present disclosure relates to a hub for use with medical tubing, the hub including: a hub body having a proximal portion and a distal portion with an axis extending therebetween, the hub being configured to be coupled to the medical tubing at the distal portion; and a plurality of wings located on the hub body, including a first wing having a proximal end located at the proximal portion and a distal end located at the distal portion, the proximal end being rotationally offset from the distal end in a circumferential direction along the hub body.

[0009]

[0018] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a hub for use with medical tubing, the hub including: a hub body having a proximal portion and a distal portion with an axis extending therebetween, the hub being configured to be coupled to the medical tubing at the distal portion; and a plurality of wings located on the hub body, the plurality of wings including a first wing having a proximal end located at the proximal portion and a distal end located at the distal portion, the proximal end being rotationally offset from the distal end in a circumferential direction along the hub body.

[0010]

[0019] A variation of the devices described herein relates to a catheter in which at least one wing includes a plurality of wings each evenly spaced around the circumference of the hub body.

[0011]

[0020] In a further variation, the plurality of wings includes at least a first wing and an adjacent wing, and a proximal end of the first wing and a distal end of the adjacent wing are both rotationally offset from the distal end of the first wing by a first angular distance.

[0012]

[0021] In some variations of the hub configuration, the height of at least one wing is greatest near the proximal end.

[0013]

[0022] A variation of the hub also includes a mid-section between the proximal and distal ends, where the height of the at least one wing in the mid-section is less than the height of the proximal end and less than the height of the distal end. The mid-section may be straight or curved between the ends.

[0014]

[0023] In a further variation, the height of the proximal end is equal to the height of the distal end.A hub according to the present design may include an airfoil top surface having a concave contour in the mid-section.

[0015]

[0024] In some embodiments, the hub may be used with a catheter having tubing, the tubing including a structural component extending helically along the tubing and having a winding direction, and at least one wing including a winding orientation from the proximal end to the distal end. In some embodiments, the winding direction and orientation include a right-hand winding. Alternatively, the winding direction and orientation may include a left-hand winding.

[0016]

[0025] It is noted that the various design features of the hubs and wings described herein can include combinations of features in one or more hubs. For example, a single hub can include any number of unique wing designs. Alternatively, all of the wings on a hub can have the same design. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1A]

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a conventional catheter and hub structure. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a rear view of the catheter of FIG. 1A. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 shows an example of a catheter having an improved hub 100. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the hub of FIG. 2 illustrating the rotationally offset wings. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a front view of the hub of FIG. 3A. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3B is a side view of the hub of FIG. 3A. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 shows another variation of a hub having wings 122 whose proximal and distal ends are rotationally offset in the circumferential direction. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 shows another variation of a hub having wings 122 whose proximal and distal ends are rotationally offset in the circumferential direction. [Figure 4C] FIG. 10 shows another variation of a hub having wings 122 whose proximal and distal ends are rotationally offset in the circumferential direction. [Figure 5A]

[0013] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a hub including wings having a left-handed winding direction, with the wings being rotationally offset leftward from the proximal end to the distal end. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a front view of a hub including wings having a left-handed winding direction, with the wings rotationally offset leftward from the proximal end to the distal end. [Figure 5C]FIG. 10 is a side view of a hub including wings having a left-handed winding direction, where the wings are rotationally offset leftward from the proximal end to the distal end. [Figure 6A]

[0014] FIG. 10 is a side view of a further hub having at least one wing with rotationally offset wings. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is a side view of a further hub having at least one wing with rotationally offset wings. [Figure 6C] FIG. 10 is a side view of a further hub having at least one wing with rotationally offset wings. [Figure 6D] FIG. 10 is a side view of a further hub having at least one wing with rotationally offset wings. [Figure 7A]

[0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a hub including a straight flange. [Figure 7B] FIG. 1 is a front view of a hub including a straight flange. [Figure 7C] FIG. 1 is a side view of a hub including a straight flange. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018]

[0026] The improved hub configurations discussed herein can be used in a variety of devices. For illustrative purposes, one variation of the improved hub is used in a distal access catheter that requires torquing of the hub to guide the catheter tube to a desired location. Furthermore, in a further variation, the structural features of the present disclosure are not limited to indwelling medical devices, but can be used for any device requiring tubing.

[0019]

[0027] FIG. 2 shows an example of a catheter 102 having an improved hub 100. As shown, the catheter 102 includes tubing 110 extending from the hub 100, which may optionally include a reinforcing member 112 embedded within or in a wall 114 of the tubing 110. The illustrated catheter 102 may also include an optional strain relief 118 adjacent the hub 118. The catheter 102 may also include an optional "wound" region 120. In some catheters, the structure of the catheter 102 may result in a preferred torque direction, which may result from the direction of the winding of the reinforcing member 112 (e.g., coiled) and / or the winding of the structure of the wall 114. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the winding direction of the reinforcing member 112 and "wound region" 120 is depicted by direction 126.

[0020]

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an improved hub 100 having several wings 122 positioned around the circumference of the hub body, each wing 122 having a twisted configuration in which one end 123 of the wing 122 is rotationally offset circumferentially from the opposite end 125 of the wing 122. As discussed in more detail below, variations on the device can align the direction of twist with a preferred direction for catheter torquing, which may be set by the catheter's construction. Thus, the twist of the wings 122 can function as a tactile indicator to indicate a preferred direction for catheter torquing. While the illustrated example shows three wings 122, any number of wings is within the scope of the present disclosure, including a single wing rotationally offset 360 degrees of the hub body. While not illustrated, the hub 120 allows for fluid communication between a device / substance and the catheter lumen 116 extending within the tubing. Additionally, the rotationally offset wings 122 provide a surface across substantially the entire catheter hub 120, as opposed to only the opposing sides of a conventional hub. This configuration assists the caregiver when using the wings 122 to torque the hub 120 to rotate and guide the catheter tubing 10 within the vessel.

[0021]

[0029] FIG. 3A shows an isometric view of the hub 100 of FIG. 2 to better illustrate the rotationally offset wings 122. The wings 122 can include any flanges, protrusions, or raised surfaces that allow for manipulation of the hub, as described above. As shown, the hub 100 includes a proximal portion 134 adjacent the connector 124 and a distal portion 136 that couples to a catheter or other tubing (not shown). An axis 138 extends between the proximal and distal portions 134, 136 of the hub. The wings 122 project from the hub 100 and include a proximal end 130 located at or near the proximal portion 134 of the hub 100 and a distal end 132 located at or near the distal portion 136 of the hub.

[0022]

[0030] Figure 3B provides a front view of the hub 100 of Figure 3A to illustrate the rotational offset of the wings 122. Angle 140 illustrates the angular offset in the circumferential direction between the proximal and distal ends 130, 132 of the wings at the peaks of the proximal and distal ends 130, 132. Angle 142 measures the angular offset (again in the circumferential direction) between a position where the proximal end 130 begins to protrude from the surface of the hub 100 and a second position where the distal end 132 begins to protrude from the surface of the hub 100. Obviously, the degree of rotational offset can vary depending on the hub design as well as the location where the offset is measured.

[0023]

[0031] 3C illustrates another design feature of a hub 100 according to the present disclosure. As shown, wings 122 can include a proximal end 130 separated from a distal end 132 by an intermediate portion 131 that extends in a straight line between the ends, with the proximal end 130 and the distal end 132 each having a height greater than the height of the intermediate portion 131. By providing the intermediate portion 131 with a height less than the proximal end 130 and / or the distal end 132, a concave structural feature is created that allows a caregiver's finger or thumb to rest while manipulating the hub 100. While all of the wings 122 on the hub 100 are shown to have the same design / contour, further variations do not require all wings on the hub to have the same design / contour. In certain variations, one wing can have a unique contour to provide orientation information about the catheter.

[0024]

[0032] 4A-4C show another variation of the hub 100 having wings 122 whose proximal and distal ends 130, 132 are rotationally offset in the circumferential direction. In this variation, the height of the proximal and distal ends 130, 132 is less than the height of the wing intermediate portion 131. Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 4C, the intermediate portion 131 follows a curved profile between the proximal and distal ends 130, 132.

[0025]

[0033] The variations of hub 100 shown in Figures 2, 3A-3C, and 4A-4C show a hub with a right-handed rotational offset, i.e., the wings twist to the right when the hub is viewed from the proximal end. In contrast, Figures 5A-5C show isometric, front, and side views, respectively, of hub 100 including wings 122 with a left-handed winding direction, in which wings 122 are rotationally offset leftward from proximal end 130 to distal end 132.

[0026]

[0034] As noted above, any number of wings 122 are within the scope of the present disclosure. In some variations, the wings 122 are evenly spaced around the periphery of the hub body. However, alternative variations may include rotationally offset hubs that are unevenly spaced around the periphery of the hub.

[0027]

[0035] 6A-6D show side views of a further hub 100 having at least one wing having ends 130 and 132 that are rotationally offset circumferentially about the hub 100. FIG. 6A illustrates a wing 122 configured to decrease in height from the proximal end 130 to the distal end 132. FIGS. 6B and 6C illustrate a concave intermediate portion 131 of the wing between the ends 130 and 132, whereas FIG. 6C illustrates the end portions 130, 132 having the same height. FIG. 6D illustrates a hub 100 including a wing 1222 having an intermediate portion that extends in a linear profile between the rotationally offset ends 130, 132. As for other details of the invention, materials and manufacturing techniques may be used within the level of those skilled in the art. The same may be true for method-based embodiments of the invention in view of additional acts typically or necessarily employed. Additionally, while the present invention has been described with reference to several examples that optionally incorporate various features, the present invention is not limited to what has been described or indicated as being contemplated with respect to each variation of the invention.

[0028]

[0036] 7A shows an isometric view of another variation of hub 200 including three wings 222, which are aligned with axis 238 of hub 200. It is contemplated that the hub may include axially offset wings along with one or more axially aligned wings. Again, wings 222 may include any flanges, protrusions, or raised surfaces that allow for manipulation of hub 200, as described above. Hub 200 includes a proximal portion 234 adjacent connector 224 and a distal portion 236 that couples to a catheter or other tubing (not shown). An axis 238 extends between proximal portion 234 and distal portion 236 of hub 200. Wings 222 project from hub 200 and include a proximal end 230 located at or near proximal portion 234 of hub 200 and a distal end 232 located at or near distal portion 236 of hub 200.

[0029]

[0037] FIG. 7B provides a front view of the hub 200 of FIG. 7A to illustrate the wings 222 axially aligned along the hub 200. FIG. 7C shows a side view of the hub 200. While not illustrated, the height of each of the proximal and distal ends of the wings 222 is different from the height of the midsection. By providing the midsection with a reduced height relative to the proximal and / or distal ends, a concave structural feature is created that allows a caregiver's finger or thumb to rest while manipulating the hub 200. While all of the wings 222 on the hub 200 are shown to have the same design / contour, further variations do not require all wings on the hub to have the same design / contour. In certain variations, one wing can have a unique contour to provide orientation information for the catheter.

[0030]

[0038] Various modifications may be made to the invention as described, and equivalents (whether described herein or not included for a degree of brevity) may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Also, any optional features of the inventive variations may be set forth and claimed independently or in combination with any one or more of the features described herein. Thus, the invention contemplates combinations of various aspects of the embodiments, or combinations of the embodiments themselves, where possible. Reference to a singular item includes the possibility that there are plural of the same items. More specifically, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "and," "said," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0031]

[0039] It is important to note that, where possible, aspects of the various described embodiments or embodiments themselves may be combined, and such combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. a hub body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and an axis therebetween; tubing extending from a distal end of the distal portion; at least one wing located on the hub body and extending between a proximal end located at the proximal portion and a distal end located at the distal portion, the proximal end being rotationally offset from the distal end in a circumferential direction, and the curvature or height of the at least one wing varying along a length of the at least one wing; A catheter comprising:

2. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the at least one wing comprises a plurality of wings each evenly spaced about a circumference of the hub body.

3. 3. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the plurality of wings includes at least a first wing and an adjacent wing, and the proximal end of the first wing and the distal end of the adjacent wing are both rotationally offset from the distal end of the first wing by a first angular distance.

4. The catheter of claim 1 , further comprising a threaded portion located at a proximal end of the proximal portion.

5. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the height of the at least one wing is greatest near the proximal end.

6. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the at least one wing includes a midsection between the proximal end and the distal end.

7. The catheter of claim 6 , wherein the height of the at least one wing in the intermediate section is less than the height of the proximal end and less than the height of the distal end.

8. The catheter of claim 7 , wherein the height of the proximal end is equal to the height of the distal end.

9. The catheter of claim 6 , wherein the top surface of the at least one wing is concave in the mid-section.

10. The catheter of claim 6 , wherein the at least one wing is curved between the proximal end and the distal end.

11. The catheter of claim 6 , wherein the at least one wing is curved from the proximal end to the distal end.

12. The catheter of claim 6 , wherein the at least one wing is straight from the proximal end to the distal end.

13. 10. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the tubing comprises a structural component that extends helically along the tubing and has a winding direction, and the at least one wing comprises a winding orientation from the proximal end to the distal end.

14. The catheter of claim 13 , wherein the winding direction and the winding orientation comprise a right-hand winding.

15. The catheter of claim 13 , wherein the winding direction and the winding orientation comprise a left-hand winding.

16. 1. A hub for use with medical tubing, comprising: a hub body having a proximal portion and a distal portion with an axis extending therebetween, the hub body being configured to be coupled to the medical tubing at the distal portion; a plurality of wings located on the hub body, the plurality of wings including a first wing having a proximal end located at the proximal portion and a distal end located at the distal portion, and an intermediate section located between the proximal end and the distal end, the proximal end being rotationally offset from the distal end in a circumferential direction along the hub body, and at least one wing including an intermediate section having a contour that differs from a contour of the proximal end or the distal end; A hub.

17. The hub of claim 16 , wherein the wings are evenly spaced about the periphery of the hub body.

18. 18. The hub of claim 17, wherein the plurality of wings includes at least a first wing and an adjacent wing, and wherein the proximal end of the first wing and the distal end of the adjacent wing are both rotationally offset from the distal end of the first wing by a first angular distance.

19. The hub of claim 16, further comprising a threaded portion located at a proximal end of the proximal portion.

20. The hub of claim 16 , wherein the height of each of said plurality of wings is greatest near said proximal end.

21. The hub of claim 16 , wherein at least one wing includes a mid-section between the proximal end and the distal end.

22. 22. The hub of claim 21, wherein the height of the wings at the mid-section is less than the height of the proximal end and less than the height of the distal end.

23. 23. The hub of claim 22, wherein the height of the proximal end is equal to the height of the distal end.

24. 22. The hub of claim 21, wherein the top surfaces of said plurality of wings are concave in said mid-section.

25. 22. The hub of claim 21, wherein the plurality of wings are curved between the proximal end and the distal end.

26. 22. The hub of claim 21, wherein each wing of said plurality of wings is curved from said proximal end to said distal end.

27. 22. The hub of claim 21, wherein each of said plurality of wings comprises a linear profile from said proximal end to said distal end.

28. 17. The hub of claim 16, wherein the medical tubing comprises a structural component that extends helically along the medical tubing and has a winding direction, and the plurality of wings comprise a winding orientation from the proximal end to the distal end.

29. 30. The hub of claim 28, wherein the winding direction and the winding orientation comprise a right-hand winding.

30. 30. The hub of claim 28, wherein the winding direction and the winding orientation comprise a left-hand winding.

31. 1. A hub for use with medical tubing, comprising: a hub body having a proximal portion and a distal portion with an axis extending therebetween, the hub body being configured to be coupled to the medical tubing at the distal portion; a plurality of wings on the hub body, the wings extending in a spiral profile around the hub body between the proximal and distal portions such that for each wing of the plurality of wings, a proximal end is circumferentially offset from a distal end; A hub.

32. 32. The hub of claim 31, wherein the plurality of wings are evenly spaced around the circumference of the hub body.

33. 33. The hub of claim 32, wherein the plurality of wings includes at least a first wing and an adjacent wing, the proximal end of the first wing and the distal end of the adjacent wing both being rotationally offset from the distal end of the first wing by a first angular distance.

34. 32. The hub of claim 31, further comprising a threaded portion located at a proximal end of the proximal portion.

35. 32. The hub of claim 31, wherein the height of each of said plurality of wings is greatest near said proximal end.

36. 32. The hub of claim 31, wherein each of said plurality of wings includes a mid-section between said proximal end and said distal end.

37. 37. The hub of claim 36, wherein a height of at least one of said wings at said mid-section is less than a height of said proximal end and less than a height of said distal end.

38. 38. The hub of claim 37, wherein the height of the proximal end is equal to the height of the distal end.

39. 37. The hub of claim 36, wherein a top surface of each of said plurality of wings is concave in said mid-section.

40. 37. The hub of claim 36, wherein at least one wing of said plurality of wings is curved between said proximal end and said distal end.

41. 37. The hub of claim 36, wherein at least one wing of said plurality of wings is curved from said proximal end to said distal end.

42. 37. The hub of claim 36, wherein at least one of said plurality of wings comprises a linear profile from said proximal end to said distal end.

43. 32. The hub of claim 31 , wherein the medical tubing comprises a structural component that extends helically along the medical tubing and has a winding direction, and at least one wing of the plurality of wings has a winding orientation from the proximal end to the distal end in the same direction as the winding direction.

44. 44. The hub of claim 43, wherein said winding direction and said winding orientation comprise a right-hand winding.

45. 44. The hub of claim 43, wherein said winding direction and said winding orientation comprise a left-hand winding.

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