CATHETER VENT ASSEMBLY AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Abstract

A catheter system may include a needleless connector, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a valve disposed between the distal end of the needleless connector and the proximal end of the needleless connector. The catheter system may include a vent assembly, which may include a proximal component and a distal component. The proximal component may include a male luer adapter, which may include a male luer. The distal component may include a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the needleless connector, and a proximal end coupled to the male luer adapter. In response to movement of the proximal component from a proximal position to a distal position with respect to the distal component, the male luer of the male luer adapter may open the valve to vent air inside the catheter system.

Claims

1. A catheter system, comprising: a needleless connector, comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a valve disposed between the distal end of the needleless connector and the proximal end of the needleless connector; a vent assembly, comprising: a proximal component, comprising a male luer adapter comprising a male luer; and a distal component, comprising: a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the needleless connector; and a proximal end coupled to the male luer adapter, wherein the proximal component is movable between a proximal position and a distal position with respect to the distal component, wherein in response to movement of the proximal component from the proximal position to the distal position, the male luer of the male luer adapter opens the valve.

2. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the male luer adapter comprises a first set of threads, wherein the distal end of the distal component comprises a second set of threads, wherein the first set of threads is a different direction than the second set of threads.

3. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the first set of threads is left-handed threads, wherein the second set of threads is right-handed threads.

4. The catheter system of claim 3, wherein an outer surface of the distal component comprises a third set of threads, wherein the third set of threads is left-handed.

5. The catheter system of claim 4, wherein an outer surface of the needleless connector comprises a fourth set of threads, wherein the fourth set of threads is right-handed.

6. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the proximal component comprises a first protrusion, wherein an outer surface of the distal component comprises a second protrusion and a third protrusion distal to the second protrusion, wherein in response to movement of the proximal component from the proximal position to the distal position, the first protrusion moves distal to the third protrusion.

7. The catheter system of claim 6, wherein in response to the proximal component being in the distal position, the first protrusion is distal to the second protrusion.

8. The catheter system of claim 7, wherein an outer surface of the distal component further comprises a channel, wherein the second protrusion and the third protrusion are disposed within the channel, wherein in response to movement of the proximal component from the proximal position to the distal position, the first protrusion moves distally within the channel.

9. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the male luer adapter comprises a first set of threads, wherein the distal end of the distal component comprises a second set of threads, wherein the first set of threads is a same direction as the second set of threads.

10. A catheter system, comprising: a needleless connector, comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a valve disposed between the distal end of the needleless connector and the proximal end of the needleless connector; a vent assembly, comprising: a proximal component, comprising a male luer, a proximal protrusion extending from the male luer, and a distal protrusion extending from the male luer; and a distal component, comprising: a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the needleless connector; a proximal end, wherein the male luer extends through the proximal end of the distal component; and an inner surface comprising another protrusion; wherein the proximal component is movable between a proximal position and a distal position with respect to the distal component, wherein in response to movement of the proximal component from the proximal position to the distal position, the proximal protrusion moves distal to the other protrusion.

11. The catheter system of claim 10, wherein in response to the proximal component being in the proximal position, the distal protrusion is distal to the other protrusion and the proximal protrusion is proximal to the other protrusion.

12. The catheter system of claim 10, further comprising a catheter assembly coupled to the distal end of the needleless connector, wherein the catheter assembly comprises: a catheter adapter, comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a side port; an extension tube extending from the side port; an adapter coupled to the extension tube, wherein the distal end of the needleless connector is coupled to the adapter; and a catheter extending from the distal end of the catheter adapter.

13. A method, comprising; activating a vent assembly coupled to a needleless connector, wherein the needleless connector is coupled to a catheter assembly, wherein the needleless connector comprises a distal end, a proximal end, and a valve disposed between the distal end of the needleless connector and the proximal end of the needleless connector, wherein the vent assembly comprises: a proximal component, comprising a male luer adapter comprising a male luer; and a distal component, comprising: a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the needleless connector; and a proximal end coupled to the male luer adapter, wherein the proximal component is movable between a proximal position and a distal position with respect to the distal component, wherein activating the vent assembly comprises moving the proximal component from the proximal position to the distal position, wherein in response to moving the proximal component from the proximal position to the distal position, the male luer of the male luer adapter opens the valve; inserting the catheter assembly into vasculature of a patient and priming the catheter assembly with blood; and flushing the blood back into the vasculature.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the male luer adapter comprises first set of threads, wherein the distal end of the distal component comprises a second set of threads, wherein the first set of threads is a different direction than the second set of threads.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first set of threads is left-handed threads, wherein the second set of threads is right-handed threads.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein an outer surface of the distal component comprises a third set of threads, wherein the third set of threads is left-handed.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein an outer surface of the needleless connector comprises a fourth set of threads, wherein the fourth set of threads is right-handed.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein an inner surface of the proximal component comprises a first protrusion, wherein an outer surface of the distal component comprises a second protrusion and a third protrusion proximal to the second protrusion, wherein in response to movement of the proximal component from the proximal position to the distal position, the first protrusion moves proximal to the third protrusion.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein in response to the proximal component being in the distal position, the first protrusion is proximal to the second protrusion.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the proximal component comprises a proximal protrusion extending from the male luer and a distal protrusion extending from the male luer, wherein an inner surface of the distal component comprises another protrusion, wherein activating the vent assembly coupled to the needleless connector comprises moving the proximal component from a proximal position to a distal position, wherein in response to the moving the proximal component from the proximal position to the distal position, the proximal protrusion moves distal to the other protrusion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Example embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of an example catheter system, according to some embodiments;

[0023] FIG. 2A is an exploded view of an example vent assembly and an example needleless connector, according to some embodiments;

[0024] FIG. 2B is an exploded and cross-sectional view of the vent assembly and the needleless connector of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the vent assembly coupled to the needleless connector of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 3A is an exploded view of another example vent assembly and the needleless connector of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 3B is an exploded and cross-sectional view of the vent assembly of FIG. 3A and the needleless connector of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments;

[0028] FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the vent assembly of FIG. 3A coupled to the needleless connector of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 4A is an exploded view of another example vent assembly and the needleless connector of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments;

[0030] FIG. 4B is an exploded and cross-sectional view of the vent assembly of FIG. 4A and the needleless connector of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments;

[0031] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the vent assembly of FIG. 4A coupled to the needleless connector of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments;

[0032] FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the vent assembly of FIG. 4A, illustrating an example proximal component in a proximal position, according to some embodiments;

[0033] FIG. 4E is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the vent assembly of FIG. 4A, illustrating the proximal component in a distal position, according to some embodiments;

[0034] FIG. 5A is an exploded view of another example vent assembly and the needleless connector of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments;

[0035] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the vent assembly of FIG. 5A coupled to the needleless connector of FIG. 2A, illustrating another example proximal component in the proximal position, according to some embodiments;

[0036] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the vent assembly of FIG. 5A coupled to the needleless connector of FIG. 2A, illustrating the proximal component in the distal position, according to some embodiments;

[0037] FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the vent assembly of FIG. 5B, according to some embodiments;

[0038] FIG. 5E is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the vent assembly of FIG. 5C, according to some embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, a catheter system 10 may include a catheter assembly 12 and a needle assembly 14 coupled to the catheter assembly 12. In some embodiments, the needle assembly 14 may include a needle hub 16 and an introducer needle 18. In some embodiments, a proximal end of the introducer needle 18 may be secured within the needle hub 16.

[0040] In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 12 may include a catheter adapter 20, which may include a distal end 22 and a proximal end 24. In some embodiments, the catheter adapter 20 may include a side port 26 disposed between the distal end 22 of the catheter adapter 20 and the proximal end 24 of the catheter adapter 20. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 12 may include an extension tube 28 extending from the side port 26 and/or integrated within the side port 26. In some embodiments, an adapter 30, such as, for example, a Y-adapter or a T-adapter, may be coupled to the extension tube 28 at a proximal end of the extension tube 28.

[0041] In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 12 may include a catheter 32, which may extend from the distal end 22 of the catheter adapter 20 and may be secured within the catheter adapter 20. In some embodiments, the catheter 32 may include a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC), a midline catheter, or a peripherally-inserted central catheter.

[0042] In some embodiments, the introducer needle 18 may extend through the catheter 32. In some embodiments, in response to the introducer needle 18 and/or the catheter 32 being inserted into vasculature of a patient, the introducer needle 18 may be proximally withdrawn from the catheter 32 and removed from the catheter assembly 12. In some embodiments, the catheter 32 may remain within the vasculature of the patient for blood draw and/or fluid infusion.

[0043] In some embodiments, the catheter system 10 may include one or more needleless connectors 34, which may be coupled to a particular port of the adapter 30. In some embodiments, the needleless connector 34 may include a MAXZERO™ needleless connector available from Becton, Dickinson & Company of Franklin Lakes, N.J., or another suitable needleless connector. In some embodiments, a cap 36 may be coupled to a proximal end of a particular needleless connector 34. In some embodiments, the distal end 38 of the needleless connector 34 may be coupled to the adapter 30.

[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, in some embodiments, the needleless connector 34 may include a distal end 38, a proximal end 40, and a valve 42 disposed between the distal end 38 of the needleless connector 34 and the proximal end 40 of the needleless connector 34. In some embodiments, the distal end 38 of the needleless connector 34 may be coupled to the catheter assembly 12 (see, for example, FIG. 1).

[0045] In some embodiments, the catheter system 10 may include a vent assembly 44, which may include a proximal component 46 and a distal component 48. In some embodiments, the proximal component 46 may include a male luer adapter 50, which may include a male luer 52. In some embodiments, the proximal component 46 may include a vent membrane 54, which may be permeable to air but not liquid. In some embodiments, the vent membrane 54 may be disposed at a proximal end 56 of the proximal component 46. In some embodiments, a fluid pathway may extend through the male luer 52 and may terminate at the vent membrane 54, which may be aligned with the male luer 52.

[0046] In some embodiments, the distal component 48 may include a distal end 58, which may be coupled to the proximal end 40 of the needleless connector 34. In some embodiments, the distal component 48 may include a proximal end 60 coupled to the male luer adapter 50. In some embodiments, in response to movement of the proximal component 46 from a proximal position to a distal position with respect to the distal component 48, the male luer 52 of the male luer adapter 50 may open the valve 42, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2C.

[0047] In some embodiments, the male luer adapter 50 may include a first set of threads 62. In some embodiments, the distal end 58 of the distal component 48 may include a second set of threads 64. In some embodiments, the first set of threads 62 may be disposed in a different direction than the second set of threads 64. For example, the first set of threads 62 may be left-handed threads, and the second set of threads 64 may be right-handed threads. Thus, in response to movement of the proximal component 46 from the proximal position to the distal position by threading the proximal component 46 further onto the distal component 48, a likelihood of the distal component 48 getting stuck to the needleless connector 34 while trying to unthread the vent assembly 44 from the needleless connector 34 may be reduced. Thus, the first set of threads 62 and the second set of threads 64 in different directions may allow easy disengagement of vent assembly 44 from the needleless connector 34.

[0048] In some embodiments, an outer surface of the distal component 48 may include a third set of threads 66. In some embodiments, the third set of threads 66 may be a same direction as the first set of threads 62 such that the proximal component 46 and the distal component 48 may be threaded together. For example, the third set of threads 66 may be left-handed.

[0049] In some embodiments, an outer surface of the needleless connector 34 may include a fourth set of threads 68. In some embodiments, the fourth set of threads 68 may be a same direction as the second set of threads 64 such that the needleless connector 34 and the distal component 48 may be threaded together. For example, the fourth set of threads 68 may be right-handed.

[0050] In some embodiments, a method may include activating the vent assembly 44, which may be coupled to the needleless connector 34. In some embodiments, activating the vent assembly 44 may include moving the proximal component 46 from the proximal position to the distal position, which may open the valve 42. In some embodiments, the valve 42 may include an accordion valve or any other suitable type of valve. In some embodiments, a blunt cannula 69 may extend through the valve 42 and may include one or more flow holes, such that air may be removed through a pathway extending through the needleless connector 34, the distal component 48, and the proximal component 46.

[0051] In some embodiments, the method may include priming the catheter assembly 12 after activating the vent assembly 44, which may remove air from the catheter assembly 12 that may be harmful to a patient. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 12 may be primed with a priming solution such as, for example, saline. In some embodiments, the method may include inserting the catheter assembly 12 into vasculature of the patient after priming the catheter assembly 12.

[0052] In some embodiments, the method may include priming the catheter assembly 12 with blood after activating the vent assembly 44, which may remove air from the catheter assembly 12 that may be harmful to a patient. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 12 may be inserted into the vasculature of the patient and blood may be allowed to fill into the catheter assembly 12 to vent the air through vent assembly 44. In some embodiments, the blood filled in the catheter assembly 12 may be flushed back into the patient's vasculature with a flush solution, for example, saline.

[0053] In these embodiments, the catheter assembly 12 and one or more of the following may be filled with blood during priming of the catheter assembly 12: the extension tube 28 (see FIG. 1), the adapter 30 (see FIG. 1), the needleless connector 34, the distal component 48, and the proximal component 46. In some embodiments, after inserting the catheter assembly 12 into the vasculature and priming with blood the catheter assembly and one or more of the extension tube 28 (see FIG. 1), the adapter 30 (see FIG. 1), the needleless connector 34, the distal component 48, and the proximal component 46, the blood may be flushed back into the vasculature with the flush solution. In some embodiments, a flushing device may be coupled to the proximal component 46 to flush the blood back into the vasculature.

[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3B, in some embodiments, the first set of threads 62 may be disposed in a same direction than the second set of threads 64. In some embodiments, the first of threads 62 and the third set of threads 66 may lock permanently/or with a greater force than an unthreading force between the distal component 48 and the needleless connector 34, when the proximal component 46 is in the distal position. Thus, in response to movement of the proximal component 46 from the distal position (in which the valve 42 may be open) to the proximal position by unthreading the proximal component 46 until the disengagement from needleless connector 34, a likelihood of the distal component 48 getting stuck to the needleless connector 34 while trying to unthread the vent assembly 44 from the needleless connector 34 may be reduced.

[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4E, in some embodiments, an inner surface of the proximal component 46 may include a first protrusion 70. In some embodiments, an outer surface of the distal component 48 may include a second protrusion 72 and a third protrusion 74 distal to the second protrusion 72. In some embodiments, in response to movement of the proximal component 46 from the proximal position to the distal position, the first protrusion 70 may move distal to the third protrusion 74. In some embodiments, in response to the proximal component 46 being in the distal position, the first protrusion 70 may be distal to the second protrusion 72 and between the second protrusion 72 and the third protrusion 74. In some embodiments, the proximal component 46 may snap on the distal component 48 in response to the first protrusion 70 being moved distal to the second protrusion 72.

[0056] In some embodiments, an outer surface of the distal component 48 may include a channel 76. In some embodiments, the second protrusion 72 and the third protrusion 74 may be disposed within the channel 76. In some embodiments, in response to movement of the proximal component from the proximal position to the distal position, the first protrusion 70 may move distally within the channel 76. Thus, in some embodiments, the channel 76 may provide alignment of the proximal component 46 with respect to the distal component 48.

[0057] In some embodiments, one or more of the first protrusion 70, the second protrusion 72, and the third protrusion 74 may be annular. In some embodiments, the proximal component 46 may include at least two of the first protrusions 70. In some embodiments, the distal component 48 may include at least two of the second protrusions 72 and/or at least two of the third protrusions 74. In some embodiments, the distal component 48 may include at least two of the channels 76. In some embodiments, one or more of the following may oppose each other: two of the first protrusions 70, two of the second protrusions 72, two of the third protrusions 74, and two of the channels 76. In some embodiments, the distal component 48 may be monolithically formed as a single unit. In some embodiments, the proximal component 46 may be monolithically formed as a single unit.

[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5E, in some embodiments, the proximal component 46 may include a male luer 78, a proximal protrusion 80 extending from the male luer 78, and a distal protrusion 82 extending from the male luer 78. In some embodiments, the male luer 78 may extend through the proximal end 60 of the distal component 48. In some embodiments, an inner surface of the distal component 48 may include another protrusion 84. In some embodiments, in response to movement of the proximal component from the proximal position to the distal position, the proximal protrusion 80 may move distal to the other protrusion 84. In some embodiments, in response to the proximal component 46 being in the proximal position, the distal protrusion 82 may be distal to the other protrusion 84 and the proximal protrusion 80 may be proximal to the other protrusion 84.

[0059] In some embodiments, one or more of the proximal protrusion 80, the distal protrusion 82, and the other protrusion 84 may be annular. In some embodiments, the proximal component 46 may include at least two of the proximal protrusions 80 and/or at least two of the distal protrusions 82. In some embodiments, the distal component 48 may include at least two of the other protrusions 84. In some embodiments, one or more of the following may oppose each other: two of the proximal protrusions 80, two of the distal protrusions 82, and two of the other protrusions 84.

[0060] In some embodiments, an outer diameter of the proximal component 46 at the distal protrusion 82 and the proximal protrusion 80 may be greater than an inner diameter of the distal component 48 at the other protrusion 84, such that the distal protrusion 82 and the proximal protrusion 80 may be configured to compress slightly to pass the other protrusion 84. In some embodiments, the distal protrusion 82 and the proximal protrusion 80 may be configured to snap past the other protrusion 84 which may increase difficulty of removing the proximal component 46 from the distal component 48 and/or movement of the proximal component 46 from the distal position (in which the valve 42 may be open) to the proximal position. In some embodiments, the proximal protrusion 80 may contact the other protrusion 84 in response to the proximal component 46 being in the distal position.

[0061] In some embodiments, activating a vent assembly, including the distal component 48 and the proximal component 46, coupled to the needleless connector 34, may include moving the proximal component 46 from the proximal position to the distal position. In some embodiments, in response to the moving the proximal component 46 from the proximal position to the distal position, the proximal protrusion may move distal to the other protrusion 84.

[0062] All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.