Optimizing fluid pathways in catheter insertion systems

Abstract

An elongated blood flush flow path can be an impediment to the operation of a catheter placement system by slowing indication times, reducing the effectiveness of the vacuum, or increasing the likelihood of clotting. Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a catheter placement system with a shortened blood flush fluid path, including a blood flush indicator having a proximally slidable syringe barrel and a plunger fixedly attached to the housing of the system. By reversing the action of the syringe of the blood flush indicator, the physician shortens the blood flow path between the needle tip and the syringe barrel while maintaining the benefits of visual and tactile feedback. Also disclosed is a needle interface structure configured to further shorten the blood flush fluid path.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to optimizing fluid paths in catheter insertion systems. Summary of the Invention

[0002] Briefly summarized, embodiments disclosed herein relate to fluid path optimization in catheter insertion systems and related methods. Advanced insertion systems are desirable when placing elongated catheters, such as CVCs (central venous catheters) and RICCs (rapid insertion central venous catheters). These insertion systems may include housings, needles, guidewires, dilators, or blood flush indicators configured to access the vasculature, confirm proper vascular access, dilate the insertion site, and place the catheter. Advantageously, the insertion system may have the above structures within a closed environment to reduce repeated insertion and removal of multiple devices and mitigate the introduction of pathogens.

[0003] The sequential nature of the tools within these insertion systems can result in a long and complex path for blood flow to reach the blood flush indicator. For example, for a needle positioned within the lumen of a catheter, blood must flow to at least the proximal end of the catheter before exiting and being observed. Additionally, the blood flush indicator may be positioned toward the distal end of the insertion device, near the insertion site, for ease of observation. Thus, blood flow must travel a distance of twice the length of the catheter before being observed.

[0004] Such elongated flow paths can cause various problems. For example, as the flow path becomes longer, an increased volume of blood must flow through the system before reaching and being observed at the blood flush indicator. Such elongated flow paths can obscure the difference between arterial and venous flow by obscuring the pulsatile nature of the flow. The delay caused by increased transit time can lead to a user continuing insertion despite accessing the vasculature, potentially "backwalling" the vessel, i.e., inserting the needle through the far wall of the vessel. If the blood flush system has a vacuum to draw blood flow, the complex flow path can reduce or impair the vacuum's force. Furthermore, elongated blood flow paths can increase the risk of blood clotting before reaching the blood flush indicator. The embodiments disclosed herein aim to solve the aforementioned problems.

[0005] The catheter insertion system disclosed herein includes a catheter defining a catheter lumen and extending along a longitudinal axis, a needle defining a needle lumen and disposed within a portion of the catheter lumen, a housing supporting one of the catheter or the needle, and a blood flush indicator in fluid communication with the needle lumen, the blood flush indicator including a plunger fixedly attached to the housing and a syringe barrel slidingly engaged with the plunger along the longitudinal axis.

[0006] In some embodiments, the syringe barrel is configured to slide proximally relative to one of the plunger or the housing to generate a vacuum and draw blood flow through the needle lumen into the syringe barrel. The syringe barrel is formed of a transparent material to allow observation of the color or pulsatile flow of blood. The syringe barrel is supported by a cradle that includes a gripping mechanism and is configured to facilitate sliding of the syringe barrel along the longitudinal axis. The housing includes a needle interface that defines a needle channel and a blood flush channel, the needle channel configured to receive a portion of a needle extending therethrough, and the blood flush channel provides fluid communication between the needle channel and the syringe barrel.

[0007] In some embodiments, the needle includes a notch extending through the needle wall to provide fluid communication between the needle lumen and the needle channel. The needle channel includes a first O-ring annularly disposed around the needle and distal to the needle notch, and a second O-ring annularly disposed around the needle and proximal to the needle notch, each extending between an outer surface of the needle and an inner surface of the needle channel to provide a fluid-tight seal between the outer surface and the inner surface. The needle is slidably engaged with the needle channel. In some embodiments, a portion of the blood flush channel is formed of flexible tubing. The catheter is a central venous catheter or a rapid insertion central venous catheter.

[0008] Additionally, a method of placing a catheter disclosed herein includes the steps of accessing the vasculature with a needle defining a needle lumen and supported by a housing, sliding a syringe barrel proximally relative to the housing along a longitudinal axis, creating a vacuum within the syringe barrel, and drawing blood flow through the needle lumen and into the syringe barrel.

[0009] In some embodiments, the method further includes a plunger slidingly engaged with the syringe barrel. The plunger is fixedly attached to the housing to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the plunger and the housing. In some embodiments, the method further includes a cradle coupled to the syringe barrel and including a gripping mechanism. In some embodiments, the method further includes observing the color or pulsatile flow of blood within the syringe barrel. The syringe barrel is formed of a transparent material. In some embodiments, the housing includes a needle interface defining a needle channel and a blood flush channel, the needle channel configured to receive a portion of the needle extending through the needle channel, and the blood flush channel providing fluid communication between the needle channel and the syringe barrel. The needle includes a notch extending through a wall of the needle to provide fluid communication between the needle lumen and the needle channel.

[0010] In some embodiments, the needle channel includes a first O-ring annularly disposed around the needle and distal to the needle notch, and a second O-ring annularly disposed around the needle and proximal to the needle notch, the first O-ring and the second O-ring each extending between an outer surface of the needle and an inner surface of the needle channel to provide a fluid-tight seal between the outer surface and the inner surface. The needle is slidably engaged with the needle channel. In some embodiments, a portion of the blood flush channel is formed of a flexible tube. The catheter is a central venous catheter or a rapid insertion central venous catheter.

[0011] Further, the catheter placement system disclosed herein includes a catheter defining a catheter lumen and extending along a longitudinal axis; a needle defining a needle lumen and extending through a portion of the catheter lumen; a housing supporting one or both of the catheter and the needle, the housing including a needle interface portion for providing fluid communication between the needle lumen and the blood flush channel; and a blood flush indicator in fluid communication with the blood flush channel at a point distal to the proximal end of the needle, the blood flush indicator including a syringe barrel fixedly attached to the housing and a plunger slidably engaged with the syringe barrel between proximal and distal positions.

[0012] In some embodiments, the plunger is configured to create a vacuum within the syringe barrel by sliding from a proximal position to a distal position. The needle interface portion defines a needle channel in communication with the blood flush channel, the needle channel configured to receive a portion of the needle extending through the needle channel. The needle includes a notch extending through the needle wall to provide fluid communication between the needle lumen and the needle channel. The needle channel includes a first O-ring annularly disposed around the needle and distally disposed from the needle notch, and a second O-ring annularly disposed around the needle and proximally disposed from the needle notch, the first O-ring and the second O-ring each extending between an outer surface of the needle and an inner surface of the needle channel to provide a fluid-tight seal between the outer surface and the inner surface. The needle is slidingly engaged with the needle channel. In some embodiments, a portion of the blood flush channel is formed from a flexible tube. The catheter is a central venous catheter or a rapid insertion central venous catheter.

[0013] The present disclosure will be described in more detail by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered limiting of its scope. Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1A] 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary catheter insertion system according to an embodiment disclosed herein; [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary catheter insertion system according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 1C] 1 is a plan view of an exemplary catheter insertion system according to an embodiment disclosed herein; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary catheter insertion system according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 3A] FIG. 1 is a cutaway side view of an exemplary catheter insertion system according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a needle interface of the catheter insertion system of FIG. 3A according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 4A] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary blood flush system for a catheter insertion system, according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 4B] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary blood flush system for a catheter insertion system, according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 4C] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary blood flush system for a catheter insertion system, according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary catheter insertion system according to an embodiment disclosed herein; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Before disclosing some specific embodiments in more detail, it should be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein do not limit the scope of the concepts presented herein. It should also be understood that a specific embodiment disclosed herein may have features that can be readily separated from the specific embodiment and optionally combined with or substituted for features of any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0016] With regard to the terms used herein, it should also be understood that each term is intended to describe certain specific embodiments and does not limit the scope of the concepts presented herein. Ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are generally used to distinguish or identify different features or steps among a group of features or steps, and do not impose any order or numerical limitations. For example, "first," "second," and "third" features or steps do not necessarily have to appear in that order, and a particular embodiment including such features or steps need not necessarily be limited to three features or steps. Designations such as "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "front," and "back" are used for convenience and do not, for example, imply any particular fixed position, orientation, or direction. Rather, such designations are used to indicate, for example, relative position, orientation, or direction. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural.

[0017] With respect to "proximal," for example, the "proximal portion" or "proximal end portion" of a catheter disclosed herein includes the portion of the catheter that is closest to the physician when the catheter is used on a patient. Similarly, for example, the "proximal length" of a catheter includes the length of the catheter that is closest to the physician when the catheter is used on a patient. For example, the "proximal end" of a catheter includes the end of the catheter that is closest to the physician when the catheter is used on a patient. The proximal portion, proximal end portion, or proximal length of a catheter may include the proximal end of the catheter, but the proximal portion, proximal end portion, or proximal length of a catheter need not include the proximal end of the catheter. That is, unless the context suggests otherwise, the proximal portion, proximal end portion, or proximal length of a catheter is not the terminal portion or terminal length of the catheter.

[0018] With respect to "distal," for example, the "distal portion" or "distal end portion" of a catheter disclosed herein includes the portion of the catheter that is near or within a patient when the catheter is in use with the patient. Similarly, for example, the "distal length" of a catheter includes the length of the catheter that is near or within a patient when the catheter is in use with the patient. For example, the "distal end" of a catheter includes the end of the catheter that is near or within a patient when the catheter is in use with the patient. Although the distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of a catheter may include the distal end of the catheter, the distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of a catheter need not include the distal end of the catheter. That is, unless the context suggests otherwise, the distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of a catheter is not the terminal portion or terminal length of the catheter.

[0019] To aid in explaining the embodiments described herein, as shown in Figure 1A, the longitudinal axis extends substantially parallel to the axial length of the catheter. The horizontal axis extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the transverse axis extends perpendicular to both the longitudinal and horizontal axes. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0020] 1A-2 illustrate an exemplary catheter insertion system (“system”) 100, which generally includes a needle 110, a catheter 120, a housing 130, and a blood flush indicator 150. Optionally, the insertion system 100 may include one or more guidewires (not shown). The needle 110 may define a needle lumen 114 and may be supported by a needle hub 112 disposed at its proximal end. The needle 110 may be configured to extend through at least a portion of the lumen of the catheter 120. A distal tip 116 of the needle 110 may extend distally from the distal tip of the catheter 120 and may define a sharpened tip configured for skin puncture and vascular access.

[0021] The catheter 120 may be a CVC (central venous catheter), a RICC (rapid insertion central venous catheter), or a similar elongated catheter configured to provide access to a patient's vasculature. As shown in Figure 2, the catheter 120 may be a RICC catheter 120 that includes an access portion 162 defining a first diameter, an expansion portion 164, and a catheter body portion 166 defining a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter.

[0022] The access site 162 may define a single lumen and may be formed of a material having a harder durometer than the catheter body site 166. The catheter body site 166 may define one or more lumens and may be formed of a material that is softer or more flexible than the access site 162. The expansion site 164 may be formed of the same material as either the access site 162 or a third material. The third material may have a harder durometer than the material of the catheter body site 166. The expansion site 164 may provide a tapered transition between the first diameter of the access site 162 and the second diameter of the catheter body site 166. The access site 162 and the expansion site 164 may have relatively stiffer mechanical properties than the catheter body site 166 and may have a relatively higher resistance to kinking or collapse when an axial force is applied. The catheter body site 166 may be relatively flexible to facilitate navigation through tortuous vascular pathways. In one embodiment, the catheter 120 may further include one or more extension legs 172 that each communicate with the hub 168, the bifurcation 170, and / or the lumen of the catheter 120. In one embodiment, the needle 110 may extend distally from the distal tip of the catheter 120 through the extension legs 172, through the lumen of the catheter body section 166, and further through the lumen of the access site 162.

[0023] In use, a physician can use the RICC catheter 120 to access the vasculature by inserting the needle tip 116 and the distal portion of the access site 162 into the vasculature. Blood may flow proximally through the needle lumen 114 to the blood flush indicator 150. Color and pulsatile flow may be observed to confirm correct vascular access. In the event of incorrect vascular access, the access site 162 may be retracted and pressure applied to close the insertion site, since the diameter of the access site 162 is relatively small. If correct vascular access is confirmed, the catheter 120 may be selectively advanced over the guidewire until the expansion site 164 enters the insertion site and expands it to the second diameter of the catheter body site 166. The catheter body site 166 may then be advanced until the distal portion of the catheter 120 is at the target location within the vasculature. Further details of RICC catheters, associated insertion systems, and related methods can be found in U.S. Patent No. 10,376,675, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2019 / 0255294, 2021 / 0069471, 2021 / 0085927, 2021 / 0113809, 2021 / 0113810, 2021 / 0121661, 2021 / 0121667, 2021 / 0228843, 2021 / 0322729, 2021 / 0330941, 2021 / 0330942, and 2021 / 0361915, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.

[0024] As will be appreciated, depending on the configuration of the catheter insertion system, blood flow must travel from the needle tip 116, through the needle lumen 114, substantially to the proximal end of the catheter 120 before exiting the catheter 120 and flowing distally to the blood flush indicator. Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to reducing the travel distance between the needle tip 116 and the blood flush indicator 150.

[0025] In embodiments in which the blood flush indicator is located toward the distal end of the device, the fluid path may be shortened by placing blood flush indicator 150 proximally. More specifically, placing blood flush indicator 150 proximally from the center of mass of catheter 120 may reduce the length of the blood flush fluid path by 20% to 30%.

[0026] 3A-3B, the catheter insertion system 100 may include a needle interface 140 configured to provide fluid communication between the needle lumen 114 and the blood flush indicator 150 by way of a notch 118 disposed in the wall of the needle 110. The needle notch 118 may be located a distance (x) distal to the proximal end of the needle hub 112. Thus, the fluid path distance between the needle tip 116 and the blood flush indicator 150 may be further reduced by a distance (2x).

[0027] The needle interface 140 may define a needle channel 142. The needle channel 142 extends along the longitudinal axis and is configured to receive a portion of the needle 110 therethrough. The needle 110 may be slidingly engaged with the needle channel 142. The needle interface 140 may further include one or more O-rings 144 extending annularly around the needle 110 and disposed between an outer surface of the needle 110 and an inner surface of the channel 142 to provide a fluid-tight seal between the outer surface and the inner surface.

[0028] The needle interface 140 may further include a blood flush channel 152 communicating between the needle channel 142 and the blood flush indicator 150. The blood flush channel 152 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the needle channel 142 until it extends toward the blood flush indicator 150. Prior to use, the needle notch 118 may be positioned within the needle channel 142 between the first O-ring 144A and the second O-ring 144B and aligned with the blood flush channel 152. As the needle tip 116 advances into the vasculature, blood may flow proximally through the needle lumen 114 and the notch 118, through the blood flush channel 152, and to the blood flush indicator 150. The first O-ring 144A and the second O-ring 144B may prevent fluid leakage between the outer surface of the needle 110 and the inner surface of the needle channel 142. The color or pulsatile flow of the blood may be observed to confirm proper vascular access. Needle 110 may then be retracted proximally and selectively released through needle channel 142. In one embodiment, a portion of needle 110 distal to needle notch 118 may occlude the opening of blood flush channel 152 with needle channel 142, sealing off fluid therein.

[0029] In one embodiment, blood flush indicator 150 may include a container configured to receive blood flow therein. The container may be formed of a transparent material to allow a user to observe the color and pulsatile flow disposed therein. In one embodiment, blood flush indicator 150 may include a vacutainer configured to maintain a vacuum therein to facilitate drawing blood flow proximally into the vacutainer through needle lumen 114 and needle notch 118. In one embodiment, a portion of needle 110 may occlude blood flush channel 152 to maintain the vacuum within the vacutainer. When a user is ready to check vascular access, needle 110 may be advanced relative to housing 130 until needle hub 112 abuts housing 130 and aligns needle notch 118 with blood flush channel 152. Thus, the vacutainer vacuum may then be placed in fluid communication with needle lumen 114 and facilitate drawing blood flow proximally through needle lumen 114.

[0030] In one embodiment, blood flush indicator 150 may include a syringe barrel 154 and a plunger 156 slidingly engaged with syringe barrel 154 and configured to create a vacuum to draw blood proximally into syringe barrel 154 through needle lumen 114. In one embodiment, the operation of syringe barrel 154 and plunger 156 may be reversed. For example, plunger 156 may be fixedly engaged with housing 130 to prevent longitudinal movement relative to housing 130. Plunger 156 may be engaged with housing 130 via an interference fit, snap fit, press fit, adhesive, welding, bonding, etc. Syringe barrel 154 may be supported by a barrel cradle 158. The barrel 154 and barrel cradle 158 assembly may be slidable relative to the plunger 156 and housing 130 assembly and may be configured to create a vacuum within the barrel 154 when the barrel 154 and cradle 158 assembly is slid proximally. In one embodiment, the barrel cradle 158 may be formed of a transparent material to facilitate observation of blood flow in the barrel cradle 158.

[0031] Advantageously, the fluid path between the needle tip and blood flush indicator 150 may be further shortened by reversing the movement of syringe barrel 154 and plunger 156 of the blood flush indicator. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, from the starting position shown in FIG. 4A, the blood flush fluid path may define a first distance (d1) extending from needle tip 116 to syringe barrel 154. As shown in FIG. 4B, if blood flush indicator 150 includes syringe barrel 154 and plunger 156 configured in a conventional manner, plunger 156 is pulled distally from syringe barrel 154 to create a vacuum. However, in doing so, the fluid path extends from the first distance (d1) to a second distance (d2) that is greater than the first distance (d1).

[0032] 4C , embodiments disclosed herein fix the plunger 156 to prevent movement along the longitudinal axis, while the syringe barrel 154 slides proximally to create a vacuum. Thus, the length of the fluid path is reduced from a first distance (d1) to a third distance (d3) that is less than the first distance (d1). The operation of the syringe blood flush indicator 150 may be reversed to reduce the length of the fluid path between the blood flush indicator 150 and the needle tip 116 by sliding the syringe barrel 154 proximally toward the needle notch 118 to create a vacuum.

[0033] Advantageously, operation of the syringe barrel 154 and plunger 156 still allows the physician to take advantage of the tactile and visual feedback provided via the syringe-based blood flashback system. Advantageously, moving the syringe barrel 154 proximally moves the barrel 154 away from the distal end of the insertion device 100 to provide a clearer line of sight at the insertion site and allow additional operations to be performed, such as manipulation of the guidewire advancement assembly, catheter advancement assembly, hinge housing portion, etc.

[0034] In one embodiment, the barrel cradle 158 may include one or more gripping mechanisms to facilitate gripping the syringe barrel 154 and biasing the barrel 154 proximally. The gripping mechanisms may include one or more abutments, finger loops, finger pads, ridges, ribs, or may include a material with a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber or silicone. In one embodiment, the portion of the blood flush channel 152 that provides fluid communication between the needle notch 118 and the syringe barrel 154 may include flexible tubing or the like. Advantageously, the flexible tubing may allow the syringe barrel 154 to slide proximally relative to the needle interface 140.

[0035] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , an insertion system 200 may include a blood flush indicator system 250 that includes a syringe used in a conventional manner. The insertion system 200 may generally include a housing 230, a catheter 220 (e.g., a CVC catheter or a RICC catheter), and a needle 210. Optionally, the insertion system 200 may include one or more guidewires (not shown). The blood flush indicator system 250 may include a syringe barrel 254 coupled with the housing 230 to prevent relative longitudinal movement therebetween. A plunger 256 may be slidingly engaged with the syringe barrel 254 and may advance distally to create a vacuum within the syringe barrel 254. As shown, the plunger 256 may include a finger pad to facilitate gripping the plunger. The proximal end of the syringe barrel may be adjacently aligned with a needle notch (not shown) and a needle interface 240, as described herein.

[0036] In use, the insertion system 200 may be advanced until the needle tip 216 enters the patient's vasculature. The plunger 256 may extend distally to allow a user to manipulate the plunger 256 while grasping the distal portion of the housing 230. Distal advancement of the plunger 256 may create a vacuum within the syringe barrel 254 and draw blood flow through the needle lumen, into the needle notch, through the needle interface 240, through the blood flush channel, and into the syringe barrel 254. As shown, the syringe barrel 254 may be formed of a transparent material to facilitate observation of the color and pulsatile flow of the blood. Advantageously, the proximal end of the syringe barrel 254 may be longitudinally aligned adjacent to the needle interface 240 to shorten the length of the blood flush channel, thereby further shortening the overall length of the blood flush fluid path.

[0037] Although some specific embodiments are disclosed herein, and the specific embodiments are disclosed in some detail, the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Additional adaptations and / or modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art. In broader aspects, these adaptations and / or modifications are also encompassed. Thus, departures may be made from the specific embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the concepts provided herein. The technical ideas included in the present disclosure are described below. (Appendix 1) A catheter placement system, a catheter defining a catheter lumen and extending along a longitudinal axis; a needle defining a needle lumen and extending through a portion of the catheter lumen; a housing supporting one or both of the catheter and the needle, the housing including a needle interface portion for providing fluid communication between the needle lumen and a blood flush channel at a point distal to the proximal end of the needle; a blood flush indicator in fluid communication with the blood flush channel, the blood flush indicator including a syringe barrel fixedly attached to the housing and a plunger slidably engaged with the syringe barrel between a proximal position and a distal position. (Appendix 2) The catheter placement system described in Appendix 1, wherein the plunger is configured to create a vacuum within the syringe barrel by sliding from the proximal position to the distal position. (Appendix 3) A catheter placement system as described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the needle interface portion defines a needle channel communicating with the blood flush channel, the needle channel configured to receive a portion of the needle extending through the needle channel. (Appendix 4) A catheter placement system described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the needle includes a notch extending through the needle wall to provide fluid communication between the needle lumen and the needle channel. (Appendix 5) A catheter placement system described in any one of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein the needle channel includes a first O-ring arranged annularly around the needle and positioned distally of the needle notch, and a second O-ring arranged annularly around the needle and positioned proximally of the needle notch, and the first O-ring and the second O-ring each extend between an outer surface of the needle and an inner surface of the needle channel, thereby providing a fluid-tight seal between the outer surface and the inner surface. (Appendix 6) A catheter placement system described in any one of Appendices 1 to 5, wherein the needle is slidably engaged with the needle channel. (Appendix 7) A catheter placement system described in any one of Appendices 1 to 6, wherein a portion of the blood flush channel is formed from a flexible tube. (Appendix 8) A catheter placement system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7, wherein the catheter is a central venous catheter or a rapid insertion central venous catheter.

Claims

1. 1. A catheter insertion system comprising: a catheter defining a catheter lumen and extending along a longitudinal axis; a needle defining a needle lumen and disposed within a portion of the catheter lumen; a housing supporting one of the catheter or the needle; a blood flush indicator in fluid communication with the needle lumen, the blood flush indicator including a plunger fixedly attached to the housing and a syringe barrel slidingly engaged with the plunger along the longitudinal axis.

2. 2. The catheter insertion system of claim 1, wherein the syringe barrel is configured to slide proximally relative to one of the plunger or the housing to create a vacuum and draw blood flow through the needle lumen and into the syringe barrel.

3. 3. The catheter insertion system according to claim 1, wherein the syringe barrel is made of a transparent material so that the color or pulsatile flow of blood can be observed.

4. 4. The catheter insertion system of claim 1, wherein the syringe barrel is supported by a cradle that includes a gripping mechanism and is configured to facilitate sliding of the syringe barrel along the longitudinal axis.

5. 5. The catheter insertion system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a needle interface defining a needle channel and a blood flush channel, the needle channel configured to receive a portion of the needle extending therethrough, and the blood flush channel providing fluid communication between the needle channel and the syringe barrel.

6. The catheter insertion system of claim 5 , wherein the needle includes a needle notch extending through a wall of the needle to provide fluid communication between the needle lumen and the needle channel.

7. 7. The catheter insertion system of claim 6, wherein the needle channel includes a first O-ring annularly disposed around the needle and distal to the needle notch and a second O-ring annularly disposed around the needle and proximal to the needle notch, the first O-ring and the second O-ring each extending between an outer surface of the needle and an inner surface of the needle channel to provide a fluid-tight seal between the outer surface and the inner surface.

8. The catheter insertion system of claim 5 , wherein the needle is slidably engaged with the needle channel.

9. 9. The catheter insertion system of claim 5, wherein a portion of the blood flush channel is formed from a flexible tube.

10. The catheter insertion system according to claim 1 , wherein the catheter is a central venous catheter or a rapid insertion central venous catheter.

Images