MEDICAL DEVICE WITH ANTI-ROTATION PUSH TAB.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MX · MX
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BECTON DICKINSON & CO
- Filing Date
- 2018-10-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
Intravenous catheters and introducer needle assemblies often experience instability and rotational movement during insertion, leading to discomfort for the patient and difficulty in advancing the catheter hub, which can result in uncontrolled twisting and improper placement.
The implementation of a push tab with radial extensions or ribs on the catheter connector that act as anti-rotation features, providing stability and guiding the catheter back to a neutral position, preventing rotational movement during insertion.
Enhances catheter stability and ease of insertion by resisting rotational movement, ensuring proper placement and reducing patient discomfort.
Smart Images
Figure MX435198B0
Abstract
Description
MEDICAL DEVICE WITH ANTI-ROTATION PUSH TAB CROSS REFERENCE WITH RELATED APPLICATION Pursuant to 35 USC § 119(e), this application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 323,525, filed on April 15, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates, in general, to a push-in anti-rotation tab for a medical device. More specifically, the push-in anti-rotation tab is specially adapted for use with intravenous catheters, as well as with catheter introducers and guidewire introducers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Typically, an intravenous (IV) catheter is mounted on an introducer needle with a sharp distal tip for proper insertion into a patient. To facilitate catheter insertion into the blood vessel, at least the distal portion of the catheter engages firmly with the outer surface of the needle. The distal tip of the needle preferably extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter. Although standard IV catheter and introducer needle assemblies generally perform their functions satisfactorily, they do have some drawbacks. Some IV connectors have issues with catheter stability during advancement and are prone to rotating freely on the insertion needle during the insertion process. Often, the catheter connector includes a pusher tab to assist in advancing it. As the catheter connector is advanced, it sometimes flips over as it rotates along the axis of the insertion needle. This can be problematic when the pusher tab rotates beyond the reach of the finger used to advance the catheter connector. In some cases, a lip is provided over the catheter connector so that the user can advance it regardless of its angle. However, this lip can become quite uncomfortable for a patient when the catheter connector is taped to the insertion site, forcing the lip against the patient's soft tissue. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide features that oppose the rotational movement of a medical device relative to the user's finger. In the case of an IV catheter, this can improve catheter stability during insertion, capping, and threading. Embodiments of the present invention provide a platform that pushes the user's finger when the catheter begins to rotate, allowing the user's finger to resist the rotation and guide the catheter back to its neutral starting position. Uncontrolled rotation of the catheter connector can be prevented without further compromising the design or increasing its cost. The foregoing and / or other aspects of the present invention are achieved by means of a medical device comprising a connector or housing having a push tab, including a main portion extending radially from a top surface of the connector or housing, and at least one anti-rotation feature to resist rotation of the connector or housing. A cannula is connected directly or indirectly to the connector or housing. The medical device may be a catheter, the cannula may be a catheter tube, and the connector or housing may be a catheter connector or an introducer needle tip protector for the catheter. The foregoing aspects of the present invention, and / or others, are also achieved by means of a medical device comprising a housing having a push tab, including a main portion extending radially from an upper surface of the housing, and at least one anti-rotation feature to resist rotation of the housing, and a cannula connected to the housing. Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention, and / or others, will be set forth in the following description, or will be evident from the description, or can be learned by putting the invention into practice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the invention, and / or others, will be more easily appreciated from the following detailed description, together with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a catheter connector incorporating a push-in anti-rotation tab; Figure 2 illustrates a catheter connector incorporating a sculpted, push-in anti-rotation tab; Figure 3 illustrates a catheter connector incorporating a sculpted, push-in, anti-rotation tab that includes ribs; nfrbfrnn / eznz / e / Yi Figure 4 illustrates a catheter connector incorporating an extended push-in anti-rotation tab; Figure 5 illustrates a catheter connector incorporating a deep-carved, push-in anti-rotation tab; Figure 6 illustrates a catheter connector incorporating a push-in anti-rotation tab, according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 illustrates a catheter connector incorporating a push-in anti-rotation tab, according to yet another embodiment of the invention; and Figures 8A and 8B illustrate a catheter connector incorporating a push-in anti-rotation tab, according to yet another embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION nbbbnn / eznz / B / Yi Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where similar reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout. The embodiments described herein exemplify the present invention, but do not limit it, with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that this disclosure is not limited in its application to the construction details and component arrangement set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments described herein are capable of other embodiments and may be implemented or carried out in various ways. Furthermore, it should be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting. The use herein of the expressions “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and variations thereof, is intended to encompass the items listed below and their equivalents, as well as additional items.Unless otherwise specified, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted” and their variations are used broadly throughout this document and encompass both direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mounts. Furthermore, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and their variations are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. Additionally, the terms “above,” “below,” “lower,” and “top” are relative and are used for illustrative purposes only, but are not exhaustive. With more detailed reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, a medical device such as a safety IV catheter assembly 100 is illustrated, incorporating a catheter connector (connector) 102 and a flexible tube or cannula 103. The catheter connector 102 is detachably attached to a needle-tip protector 118 (housing). The catheter tube 103 is connected directly or indirectly to the connector 102 or the housing 118. The material of the catheter tube 103 may consist, for example, of polyurethane (PU), FEP, or PTFE (Teflon®). For the sake of illustration, the catheter connector 102 is shown attached to an introducer needle connector 120 prior to insertion. The catheter connector 102 includes a push tab 112 and anti-rotation features in the form of extension members 114 and 116. A user can engage push tab 112 to advance catheter connector 102 forward, thereby advancing the catheter.As illustrated in Figure 1, the push tab 112 extends radially from a top surface of the catheter connector 102. The first extension 114 extends from a first side of the push tab 112, around one side of the top surface of the catheter connector 102, and the second extension 116 extends from a second side of the push tab 112, around the other side of the top surface of the catheter connector 102. The first extension 114 and the second extension 116 act as anti-rotation members, counteracting rotation of the catheter connector 102. The push tab and the first and second extensions are shaped and configured to cradle a user's finger as the push tab 112 is advanced forward. The first extension 114 and the second extension 116 resist angular rotation of the catheter connector 102 relative to the user's finger and improve stability during insertion. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the push tab 112 and extension members 114, 116 are similarly arranged on a distal surface of the needle-tip protector 118, instead of on the catheter connector 102. The introducer needle connector 120 includes an opening on an upper distal surface to allow the push tab 112 and extension members 114, 116 of the needle-tip protector 118 to extend upward and be accessible to the user. The catheter tubing 103 connects directly or indirectly to the connector 102 or the housing 118. Consequently, the user can engage the push tab 112 in the needle-tip protector 118 to advance the catheter connector 102 and the catheter forward.Once the catheter is inserted, the introducer needle connector 120 is used to withdraw the introducer needle from the catheter assembly 100 using the catheter tube 103 and the catheter connector 102. Subsequently, a distal end of the introducer needle is retracted and enclosed in the needle tip protector 118. The push tab 112 and extension members 114, 116 of the protector... The 118 needle tip also helps the user remove the introducer needle from the 100 catheter assembly. For this and other embodiments subsequently described, all reference characters designating corresponding parts of the embodiments will be the same as in the embodiment of Figure 1, except that they will be in a different series, for example in the 200 series or the 300 series. The differences of the second and third embodiments with respect to the first embodiment will now be described. Figure 2 depicts a push tab 212 formed on a top surface of a catheter connector 202 for a catheter 200. As illustrated in Figure 2, the push tab 212 is a wall-type formation extending radially from a top surface of the catheter connector 202. The push tab 212 includes a raised, sculpted configuration, where a distal side of the main wall-type portion 212 is concave to fit the curvature of the user's finger and allow them to control rotation. A first extension 214 extends from a first side of the main wall-type portion 212 around an outer surface of the catheter connector 202, and a second extension 216 extends from a second side of the main portion 212 around the outer surface of the catheter connector 202.The first extension 214 and the second extension 216 act as anti-rotation members that counteract the rotation of the catheter connector 202. The sculpted configuration of the push tab 212 provides the user with tactile feedback regarding finger placement. Figure 3 shows a push tab 312 sculpted onto the top surface of a catheter connector 302. The push tab 312 includes ribs 318 arranged on a main wall-type portion of the tab 312. The ribs 318 enhance tactile feedback with respect to the user's finger placement and help the user maintain their finger on the tab 310. A push tab 412 is formed on a top surface of the catheter connector 402 illustrated in Figure 4, for use with a catheter. The push tab 412 includes a main wall-type portion, extending radially from a top surface of the catheter connector 402. The push tab 412 also includes a first extension 414 and a second extension 416. The first extension 414 and the second extension 416 extend radially from the side surfaces of the catheter connector. Together with the main portion 412, they provide a larger circumference for the finger contact surface, compared to the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3. At least one rib 418 is formed on the push tab 412 to facilitate engagement with a user's finger and prevent rotation.The first and second extensions 414 and 416 limit the rotation of the catheter connector 402, so that, as the catheter rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the first extension 414 or the second extension 416 will make contact with the patient's skin and prevent further rotation, while the push tab 412 is in contact with the clinician's finger, allowing advancement. Figure 5 illustrates a 502 catheter connector with a deeply sculpted push tab 512 formed on a top surface of the 502 catheter connector. The deeply sculpted push tab 512 includes a main wall-type portion extending radially from a top surface of the 502 catheter connector. A first extension 514 and a second extension 516 extend from the main wall-type portion of the push tab 512. Both the first extension 514 and the second extension 516 extend proximally onto the 502 catheter connector and curve toward the main portion of the push tab 512 to cradle a user's finger by engaging with the sides of the clinician's fingers and allowing the user to control lateral movement and rotation.The first extension 514 and the second extension 516 act as anti-rotation members that counteract the rotation of the catheter connector 502. With reference to Figure 6, a catheter connector 602 incorporating a catheter 620 is illustrated. A push tab 612 is formed on a top surface of the catheter connector 602. As illustrated in Figure 6, the push tab 612 is configured as a main wall-type portion extending radially from a top surface of the catheter connector 602. A first wedge tab 614 extends from a first side of the push tab 612, perpendicular to a plane of the push tab 612. A second wedge tab 616 extends from a second side of the main portion 612, perpendicular to the plane of the push tab 612.The push tab 612, the first extension 614, and the second extension 616 thus form a cradle shape to resist rotation of the catheter connector, where the first extension 214 and the second extension 216 act as anti-rotation members that counteract rotation of the catheter connector 202. Figure 7 illustrates a winged catheter connector 702 incorporating a flexible IV catheter 720 and wings 730. A push tab 712 is formed on a top surface of the catheter connector 702. As illustrated in Figure 7, the push tab 712 includes a tall, wall-type main portion extending radially from a top surface of the catheter connector 702. The anti-rotation push tab 712 provides a wedging effect for the user's finger to improve insertion stability. A first rib 714, parallel to the plane of the push tab 712 but shorter in height, extends from a top surface of the catheter connector 702 and is separated proximally from the push tab 712. A second rib 716 and a third rib 718, also shorter in height than the first rib 714, may also extend from a top surface of the catheter connector 702, parallel to the plane of the push tab 712. Ribs 714, 716, and 718 create a cradle shape to resist rotation of the catheter connector. Ribs 714, 716, and 718 also strengthen the catheter connector to prevent shrinkage, which could cause leakage in any of the internal components of the catheter connector that require a longitudinal seal. Figure 7 illustrates three ribs 714, 716, and 718; however, a single rib 814 may be used to provide the necessary anti-rotation effect, as illustrated in Figures 8A and 8B. The one or more ribs 714, 716, 718, and 814 must be positioned at a distance from the push tab 712 / 812 such that the rib is far enough from the push tab 712 / 812 to make contact with the advancing user's fingertip to provide stability, but not so close that the fingertip does not touch the rib. The catheter connector 802 may be manufactured with or without wings 830, as shown in Figures 8B and 8A, respectively. The preceding detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments has been provided for the purpose of explaining the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention in light of various embodiments and modifications, as appropriate for the particular use contemplated. This description is not necessarily intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed. Any of the embodiments and / or elements disclosed herein may be combined to form various additional embodiments, not specifically disclosed, provided they do not contradict each other. Accordingly, further embodiments are possible and are intended to be covered within the scope of this specification and the invention.The memory describes specific examples to achieve a more general goal than could be achieved in any other way. As used herein, the terms “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “upward,” “downward,” and other orientation descriptors are intended to facilitate the description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the structure of such embodiments to any particular position or orientation. Those skilled in the art will understand that the five terms of degree, such as “substantially” or “approximately,” refer to reasonable intervals outside the given value, for example, the general tolerances associated with the manufacture, assembly, and use of the described embodiments.
Claims
1. A medical device, comprising: a connector or housing, having: a push tab disposed on an upper surface of the connector or housing; and a rib disposed on an upper surface of the connector or housing, the rib having an upper surface and being proximal to the push tab; and a cannula connected directly or indirectly to the connector or housing, wherein the upper surface of the rib has a cradle shape to resist rotation of the connector or housing when it comes into contact with a user's finger.
2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the push tab extends radially from an upper surface of the connector or housing in a lower portion of the push tab, to an upper portion of the push tab.
3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the rib extends radially from the upper surface of the connector or housing in a lower portion of the rib, to the upper surface of the rib.
4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the push tab, rib, and connector or housing are integrally formed as a unitary structure.
5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the cradle shape includes a concave surface.
6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the push tab and the rib are parallel to each other.
7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein a push tab height is greater than a rib height.
8. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the push tab and rib are separated to provide stability to a user's finger.
9. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the cannula comprises a catheter tube of a catheter; and the connector or housing comprises a catheter connector of the catheter.
10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the cannula comprises a catheter tube of a safety catheter; and the connector or housing comprises a tip protector for an introducer needle of the safety catheter.
11. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the connector or housing includes two wings.
12. A medical device, comprising: 5 a connector or housing, having: a push tab disposed on a top surface of the connector or housing; and a plurality of ribs disposed on a top surface of the connector or housing, each of the plurality of ribs having a top surface and 10 being proximal to the push tab; and a cannula connected directly or indirectly to the connector or housing, wherein the top surface of one of the plurality of ribs is cradled to resist rotation of the connector or housing when it comes into contact with a user's finger. 15 13. The medical device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of ribs are all of the same height.
14. The medical device of claim 12, wherein all of the plurality or ribs are cradle-shaped.