CATHETER ASSEMBLY FLUSHING DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS

Abstract

A device to flush a catheter assembly may include a first extension tube and a first connector, which may be coupled to a distal end of the first extension tube. The device may include a second extension tube and a second connector, which may be coupled to a distal end of the second extension tube. The device may include a syringe and an extension, which may be coupled to the syringe. In some embodiments, a first fluid pathway may extend through the first extension tube, and a second fluid pathway may extend through the second extension tube. In some embodiments, a third fluid pathway may extend through the extension. In some embodiments, the third fluid pathway may branch into the first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway.

Claims

1. A device to flush a catheter assembly, the device comprising: a first extension tube, comprising a distal end and a proximal end; a first connector coupled to the distal end of the first extension tube; a second extension tube, comprising a distal end and a proximal end; a second connector coupled to the distal end of the second extension tube; and a syringe in fluid communication with the first extension tube and the second extension tube.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an extension coupled to the syringe; a first fluid pathway extending through the first extension tube; a second fluid pathway extending through the second extension tube; and a third fluid pathway extending through the extension, wherein the third fluid pathway branches into the first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the extension comprises a third extension tube.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein a distal end of the syringe comprises a luer connector, wherein a proximal end of the extension comprises a third connector coupled to the luer connector.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the third extension tube comprises a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the third extension tube is coupled to a third connector.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first extension tube is longer than the second extension tube.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first extension tube is a same length as the second extension tube.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first extension tube is angled with respect to the second extension tube.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein an angle between the first extension tube and the second extension tube is between 0 and 90.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a first needleless connector coupled to the first connector and a second needleless connector coupled to the second connector.

11. A method of flushing a catheter assembly, the method comprising: coupling a device to an adapter of a catheter assembly, wherein the adapter comprises a first port and a second port, wherein the device comprises: a first extension tube, comprising a distal end and a proximal end; a first connector coupled to the distal end of the first extension tube; a second extension tube, comprising a distal end and a proximal end; a second connector coupled to the distal end of the second extension tube; and a syringe in fluid communication with the first extension tube and the second extension tube, wherein the syringe comprises a plunger, wherein coupling the device to the adapter comprises coupling the first extension tube to the first port of the adapter and coupling the second extension tube to the second port of the adapter; and depressing the plunger of the syringe a single time, wherein in response to depressing the plunger the single time, fluid within the syringe flows through the first extension tube, the second extension tube, and the catheter assembly.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the device further comprises: an extension coupled to the syringe; a first fluid pathway extending through the first extension tube; a second fluid pathway extending through the second extension tube; and a third fluid pathway extending through the extension, wherein the third fluid pathway branches into the first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway, wherein in response to depressing the plunger the single time, fluid within the syringe flows in a distal direction from the syringe to third fluid pathway and then to the first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the adapter includes a Y-adapter.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising crossing the first extension tube and the second extension tube prior to depressing the plunger of the syringe.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the extension comprises a third extension tube.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein a distal end of the syringe comprises a luer connector, wherein a proximal end of the extension comprises a third connector, further comprising: filling the syringe with fluid; and coupling the third connector to the luer connector.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the first extension tube is angled with respect to the second extension tube.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein an angle between the first extension tube and the second extension tube is between 0 and 90.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein coupling the first extension tube to the first port of the adapter and coupling the second extension tube to the second port of the adapter comprises coupling the first connector to the first port and coupling the second connector to the second port.

20. The method of claim 11, further coupling a first needleless connector to the first connector and a second needleless connector to the second connector, wherein coupling the first extension tube to the first port of the adapter and coupling the second extension tube to the second port of the adapter comprises coupling the first needleless connector to the first port and coupling the second needleless connector to the second port.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Example embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a prior art catheter system;

[0022] FIG. 2A is an upper perspective view of a device to flush a catheter assembly, according to some embodiments;

[0023] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 2A, illustrating a plunger of the device in a first position, according to some embodiments;

[0024] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the device of the device of FIG. 2A, illustrating the plunger of the device in a second position, according to some embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 3A is an upper perspective view of a catheter system, according to some embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the catheter system, according to some embodiments; and

[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the catheter system, according to some embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1, a prior art catheter system 10 is illustrated. The prior art catheter system 10 includes a Y-adapter 12 in fluid communication with a catheter assembly 14. The catheter assembly 14 includes a catheter 16 that is configured to insert into vasculature of a patient. A first port and/or a second port of the Y-adapter 12 may be coupled to a needleless connector 18, such as, for example, a MaxPlus needleless connector, a MaxZero needleless connector, a BD Q-Syte luer activated split septum, a SmartSite needle-free connector available from Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), or another suitable connector.

[0029] After drawing blood from the patient through the catheter assembly 14, residual blood may collect within one or more of the following: the first port, the second port, a first needleless connector 18a coupled to the first port, and a second needleless connector 18b coupled to the second port. In order to remove the blood from the catheter assembly 14 and clean the catheter assembly 14, the clinician may flush the catheter assembly 14. The prior art catheter system 10 does not facilitate simultaneous flushing of the first port and the second port. In order to flush the catheter assembly 14, the clinician may first couple a syringe 20 to the first port and activate the syringe 20, flushing the first port and/or the first needleless connector 18a. After the first port is flushed, the clinician may transfer the syringe 20 to the second port and activate the syringe 20 or activate another syringe coupled to the second port, flushing the second port and/or the second needleless connector 18b.

[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, a device 22 to flush a catheter assembly, such as, for example, the catheter assembly 14 illustrated in FIG. 1 or the catheter assembly 70 illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, may include a first extension tube 26. In some embodiments, the first extension tube 26 may include a distal end 28 and a proximal end 30. In some embodiments, the device 22 may include a first connector 32, which may be coupled to the distal end 28 of the first extension tube 26. For example, the distal end 28 of the first extension tube 26 may be integrated with the first connector 32 as illustrated in FIGS. 2B-2C. In some embodiments, the first connector 32 and/or the second connector 40 may include a luer connector, such as, for example, a slip or thread male luer connector or a slip or thread female luer connector.

[0031] In some embodiments, the device 22 may include a second extension tube 34, which may include a distal end 36 and a proximal end 38. In some embodiments, the device 22 may include a second connector 40, which may be coupled to the distal end 36 of the second extension tube 34. For example, the distal end 36 of the second extension tube 34 may be integrated with the second connector 40 as illustrated in FIGS. 2B-2C.

[0032] In some embodiments, the device 22 may include a syringe 42, which may be in fluid communication with the first extension tube 26 and the second extension tube 34. In some embodiments, the syringe 42 may include a plunger 44. In some embodiments, a distal end of the syringe 42 may include a luer connector 46, such as, for example, a slip or thread male luer connector or a slip or thread female luer connector. In some embodiments, the syringe 42 may include any suitable syringe.

[0033] In some embodiments, the device may include an extension 48, which may be coupled to the syringe 42. In some embodiments, a first fluid pathway 50 may extend through the first extension tube 26, and a second fluid pathway 52 may extend through the second extension tube 34. In some embodiments, a third fluid pathway 54 may extend through the extension 48. In some embodiments, the third fluid pathway 54 may bifurcate or branch into the first fluid pathway 50 and the second fluid pathway 52. In some embodiments, the extension 48, the first extension tube 26, and the second extension tube 34 may form a Y-shape. In some embodiments, the third fluid pathway 54 may branch into the first fluid pathway 50, the second fluid pathway 52, and one or more other fluid pathways, which may extend through one or more other extension tubes (not illustrated).

[0034] In some embodiments, a proximal end of the extension 48 may include a third connector 56, which may be coupled to the syringe 42, such as the luer connector 46 of the syringe 42. In some embodiments, the third connector 56 may include a luer connector, such as, for example, a slip or thread male luer connector or a slip or thread female luer connector. In some embodiments, the extension 48 may include a third extension tube 58. In some embodiments, a proximal end of the third extension tube 58 may be coupled to the third connector 56, which may be coupled to the luer connector 46 of the syringe 42. In some embodiments, the proximal end of the third extension tube 58 may be integrated with the third connector 56 as illustrated in FIGS. 2B-2C. In some embodiments, the syringe 42 may be removably coupled to the third connector 56, which may allow the syringe 42 to be filled with fluid and then coupled to the third connector 56.

[0035] In some embodiments, a first needleless connector 60 may be coupled to the first connector 32 and/or a second needleless connector 62 may be coupled to the second connector 40. In some embodiments, the extension 48 may include the third extension tube 58 and/or one or more other components. In some embodiments, the one or more other components may include connectors, extension tubes, housings, etc. In some embodiments, the extension 48 may be monolithically formed as a single unit or may multiple components, which may be coupled together. In some embodiments, the extension 48 may include any suitable component or combination of components that includes the third fluid pathway 54 extending there through and is disposed between the syringe 42 and the first extension tube 26 and between the syringe 42 and the second extension tube 34. In some embodiments, the device 22 may not include the extension 48. In some embodiments, the first extension tube 26 and the second extension tube 34 may extend directly from the syringe 20.

[0036] In some embodiments, the first extension tube 26 may be angled with respect to the second extension tube 34. In some embodiments, an angle a between the first extension tube 26 and the second extension tube 34 may be between 0 and 90. In some embodiments, the angle a may be between 30 and 60. In some embodiments, the angle a may be between 15 and 45. In some embodiments, the proximal end 30 of the first extension tube 26 and the proximal end 38 of the second extension tube 34 may be fixed at the angle a. In some embodiments, proximal end 30 of the first extension tube 26 and the proximal end 38 the second extension tube 34 may be parallel and the angle a may be 0. In some embodiments, the angle a between the first extension tube 26 and the second extension tube 34 may be selected based on an angle b (see, for example, FIG. 3A) between a first port and a second port of the adapter 68 and may facilitate approximately equal flushing of the first port and the second port of the adapter 68 and/or the first needleless connector 60 and the second needleless connector 62.

[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3B, a catheter system 63 is illustrated, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, a distal end of the first needleless connector 60 and a distal end of the second needleless connector 62 may be coupled to a first port 64 and a second port 66, respectively, of an adapter 68 of a catheter assembly 70 of the catheter system 63. In some embodiments, the adapter 68 of the catheter assembly may include a Y-adapter. In some embodiments, the first connector 32 may be directly coupled to the first port 64 and/or the second connector 40 may be directly coupled to the second port 66. In these and other embodiments, the catheter system 63 may not include the first needleless connector 60 and/or the second needleless connector 62.

[0038] In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 70 may include a catheter adapter 72, which may include a distal end 74, a proximal end 76, and a lumen 78 extending through the distal end 74 and the proximal end 76. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 70 may include a catheter 80, which may extend distally from the distal end 74 of the catheter adapter 72 and may be secured within the catheter adapter 72. In some embodiments, the catheter adapter 72 may include a fourth extension tube 82, which may extend from a side port 84 of the catheter adapter 72. In some embodiments, a distal end of the fourth extension tube 82 may be integrated within the side port 84. In some embodiments, a proximal end of the fourth extension tube 82 may be coupled to the adapter 68, which may include at least the first port 64 and the second port 66.

[0039] In some embodiments, flushing the catheter assembly 70 may include coupling the device 22 to the adapter 68 of the catheter assembly 70. In some embodiments, coupling the device 22 to the adapter 68 of the catheter assembly 70 may include coupling the first extension tube 26 to the first port 64 of the adapter 68 and coupling the second extension tube 34 to the second port 66 of the adapter 68. In some embodiments, coupling the device 22 to the adapter 68 of the catheter assembly 70 may include coupling the first connector 32 directly to the first port 64 of the adapter 68 and coupling the second connector 40 directly to the second port 66 of the adapter 68. In some embodiments, coupling the device 22 to the adapter 68 of the catheter assembly 70 may include coupling the first connector 32 directly to the first port 64 of the adapter 68 and coupling the second connector 40 directly to the second port 66 of the adapter 68. In some embodiments, coupling the device 22 to the adapter 68 of the catheter assembly 70 may include coupling the first connector 32 directly to the first needleless connector 60 and coupling the second connector 40 directly to the second needleless connector 62.

[0040] In some embodiments, the second extension tube 34 may be coupled to the second port and/or the second needleless connector 62 when the first extension tube 26 is coupled to the first port 64 such that fluid may simultaneously flow from the first extension tube 26 to the catheter assembly 70 and from the second extension tube 34 to the catheter assembly 70. In some embodiments, the syringe 42 may be filled with fluid. In some embodiments, the plunger 44 of the syringe 42 may be depressed to activate the syringe 42, which may release fluid from the syringe 42.

[0041] In some embodiments, in response to depressing the plunger 44 a single time, fluid within the syringe 42 may flow through one or more of the following: the extension 48, the first extension tube 26, the second extension tube 34, the first connector 32, the second connector 40, the first needleless connector 60, the second needleless connector 62, the first port 64 of the adapter 68, the second port 66 of the adapter 68, and the catheter assembly 70. Thus, in some embodiments, in response to depressing the plunger 44 the single time, fluid within the syringe 42 may flush and clean one or more of the following: the first needleless connector 60, the second needleless connector 62, the first port 64 of the adapter 68, the second port 66 of the adapter 68, and the catheter assembly 70. In some embodiments, the device 22 may facilitate easy, efficient flushing in response to the single depression of the plunger 44. In some embodiments, the device 22 may facilitate flushing of the first port 64 and the second port 66 simultaneously. In some embodiments, the device 22 may facilitate flushing of the first needleless connector 60 and the second needleless connector 62 simultaneously.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first extension tube 26 and the second extension tube 34 may be crossed prior to depressing the syringe 42. In some embodiments, crossing the first extension tube 26 and the second extension tube 34 may facilitate approximately equal flushing of the first port 64 and the second port 66 of the adapter 68. For example, the first port 64 and the second port 66 may be flushed with an approximately equal volume for an equal time in response to depressing the syringe 42 the single time. In some embodiments, the first needleless connector 60 and the second needleless connector 62 may also be flushed with an approximately equal volume for an equal time in response to depressing the syringe 42 the single time.

[0043] In some embodiments, the proximal end 30 of the first extension tube 26 and/or the proximal end 38 of the second extension tube 34 may be fixed within a housing 86. In some embodiments, a distal end of the third extension tube 58 or a distal end of the extension 48 may be removably coupled to the housing 86 via a connector, for example. In some embodiments, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 3B, the third extension tube 58 may be integrated within the housing 86. In some embodiments, a space 88 within the housing 86 may join the third fluid pathway 54 with the first and second fluid pathways 50, 52.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, a length of the first extension tube 26 and/or a length of the second extension tube 34 may facilitate approximately equal flushing of the first port 64 and the second port 66 of the adapter 68. For example, the first extension tube 26 may be longer than the second extension tube 34 or the first extension tube 26 and the second extension tube 34 may be a same length. In some embodiments, the length of the first extension tube 26 with respect to the second extension tube 34 may be selected based on a shape of the adapter 68.

[0045] 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.