PICC LINE SEPARATOR

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system consisting of one or more instruments, which provides a simple method for detaching a connector cap from the connector as this is the juncture utilized to administer fluids into the body via an IV peripherally inserted central catheter, commonly know as a PICC or PIC line. This device enables one to avoid potential breakage of the PICC line connector cap, which can occur utilizing current procedures. The system is put into place whereby the portion of the instrument associated with the fixed end of the PICC line (that which is implanted in the patient) is slid over the PICC line connector and held stationary, while the portion of the accompanying instrument associated with the free end of the PICC line is secured around the connector cap and rotated counterclockwise until the connector cap assembly is loose enough to be separated without further aid.

Claims

1. A system for separating connectors and their caps as utilized in IV peripherally inserted central catheters, commonly known as PICC or PIC lines.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising of one or more custom engineered instruments designed to carefully mate with one or more PICC line needleless connectors, sometimes referred to as a hub, and their caps to provide a consistently applied, appropriate amount of torsional force to separate them for their cleaning and/or replacement.

3. The system of claim 1, further may be utilized such that the connector associated with the fixed end of the PICC line (that which is implanted in the patient) is normally held stationary by the PICC Line Separator, while the connector's cap, associated with the free end of the PICC line is rotated counterclockwise using the PICC Line Separator, until the cap is loosened enough to be separated from connector and wherein, normally the connector remains stationary, with the cap rotating smoothly; a severely stuck connector cap may require that a modest amount of clockwise leverage be provided to the normally stationary fixed-end connector to loosen the cap adequately.

4. The system of claim 1, may be customized, or incorporate variable settings to fit different types/brands and models of PICC line connectors and caps.

5. The system of claim 1, may be manufactured of a plastic composite material that is similar in hardness to the IV line connectors suitable for autoclave sterilization or standard recycling.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. Background

[0004] Intravenous therapy (abbreviated as IV therapy) is a medical technique that delivers a liquid directly into a person's vein, especially when rapid distribution is desired. The intravenous route of administration is commonly used for rehydration solutions or to provide nutrition in those who cannot consume food or water by mouth. It may also be used to administer medications or other medical therapy such as blood products or electrolytes to correct electrolyte imbalances.

[0005] A common type of IV therapy is the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC or PIC line), less commonly called a percutaneous indwelling central catheter, is a form of intravenous access that can be used for a prolonged period of time (e.g., for long chemotherapy regimens, extended antibiotic therapy, or total parenteral nutrition) or for administration of substances that should not be done peripherally (e.g., antihypotensive agents a.k.a. pressors). It is a catheter that enters the body through the skin (percutaneously) at a peripheral site, extends to the superior vena cava (a central venous trunk), and stays in place (dwells within the veins) for days or weeks.

[0006] Generally, PICC lines are considered when a person is expected to need more than two weeks of intravenous therapy. A PICC line can remain inserted for an extended period of time compared to other forms of central IV access, ranging from seven days up to several months as long as the line remains viable. They are utilized in both the hospital and community settings. They are commonly used in people receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN), chemotherapy, or long-term medications such as antibiotics.

[0007] To help prevent infections or the line from becoming clogged, PICC line dressings should be changed and the area and connector should be regularly flushed with normal saline, an“locked” by filling it with Heparin or normal saline when not in use and the cap covering the connector is replaced.

[0008] The PICC Line Separator invented by Atilla Bognar, a concerned father in response to multiple problems experienced by his young daughter during the changing of her PICC line dressing in hospital settings, These resulted in the need for repeated replacement of her PICC line which, as noted by the Mayo Clinic, can increase the risk of damage to your veins. He recounts his daughter's experiences, the problem and his solution: [0009] “My daughter is a 14 yr. old child being treated at a highly regarded Children's hospital in Southern California. She has a ‘PICC’ line in her arm for an intravenous feeding bag that holds a large amount of vitamin infused liquid mixture that is sent directly to a heart vein for 10 hours at night. This method insures nutrients as her body does not break down foods thoroughly, as is the case for many people with IBD, irritable Bowel Syndrome. A weekly dressing change is needed whereupon the PICC line connector's cap gets separated from the connector and gets replaced for cleanliness to ensure that the tube and end connector remain clean flowing. The ‘cap’ gets replaced, the connector remains in place. [0010] I do the dressing changes at home now because the infusion center at the hospital broke her ‘PICC’ connector last year during a dressing change by using two metal clamps (hemostats) to twist the cap off. This was done by the lead CVC (central venus catheter) team nurse. A hairline crack in the connector (which remains in-place) caused blood to feed backwards and spray blood everywhere after arriving home and she woke up in a pool of blood. I rushed back to the Emergency room where I was informed my daughter would have to undergo the surgical replacement of a new PICC line. [0011] A year later a nurse did the same thing, again crushing the plastic connector trying to remove a stuck cap with metal tools. This second time was while she was in the hospital sleeping, and awoke to blood spraying out of her arm, the attending nurse didn't know what to do (I was later told she could have bled out!). Another nurse came over, clamped her line and shut off the pump, and prepared my daughter for the procedure to insert a new PICC line. My daughter now had three scars on her arm, when there should only be one.

[0012] This 3rd surgical procedure caused considerable, and unnecessary, suffering for my daughter. She became terrified that it would happen again and I felt I had to do something. I convinced the hospital to train and certify me to replace the dressings at home where I initiated a procedure to immobilize the connector allowing the connector cap to be removed without the risk of crushing the connector, and from this concept I developed a tool to both eliminate the problem of crushed connectors and create a simple standard procedure for the connector cap decoupling process. Having your child ‘put under’ for a one time PICC line insertion procedure is stressful enough, it shouldn't happen repeatedly because of a poor excuse such as ‘the line just broke’.”

2. How it is Used

[0013] The system is put into place during the PICC line dressing's clean and change procedure which may typically occur weekly, whereby the instrument portion associated with the fixed end of the PICC line (that which is implanted in the patient) is slid over the PICC line and onto the connector and held stationary, while the portion of the instrument associated with the free end of the PICC line, is secured around the connector cap and rotated counterclockwise until the connector cap assembly is loose enough to be separated without further aid of a tool.

3. How it Differs from the Current Method

[0014] The current method of separating PICC line interfaces is to twist the cap off by hand, however problems may occur when the cap becomes firmly stuck to the connector. The current solution requires improvisation by using a metal hemostat plier and tourniquet strap. The tourniquet strap is used in an attempt to cushion the soft plastic PICC line components from the hard metal surfaces and crushing forces of the hemostat plier. This method is highly variable and dependent on the user regulating the force applied. It has often resulted in the connector being broken with no other option than an expensive and uncomfortable surgical procedure to replace it. The new method uses an instrument, which may be made of plastic material of a similar hardness as the PIC connector and cap with a safety benefit of a superior composite strength, thereby reducing fully the unsafe practice of using a metal tool on a plastic part. It should also be noted that the crushing force of the current improvised method actually makes separation more difficult as the outer shell is squeezed against the inner mating part of cap/connector assembly. Additionally, since the instrument(s) in the PICC Line Separator has no moving parts it cannot crush the delicate components. In fact, as the working faces of the instrument(s) are custom designed to mate perfectly with and use the strongest areas of the PICC line connector and cap, unlike only torsional forces are applied and the risk of catastrophic damage is minimized while separation of stuck interfaces is greatly aided. Use of the PICC Line Separator results in an extremely repeatable and consistent process that is much less dependent upon user input and susceptible to such variations.

4. How It's Made

[0015] The PICC line Separator may be manufactured utilizing CNC milling of acetal homopolymer (Delrin®) sheets of appropriate thickness. This method may be satisfactory for small batch production runs. For higher volume manufacturing, injection molding may be the most practical. Finally, any manufacturing technique capable of holding the required tolerance of +/−0.002″ in acetal homopolymer may be acceptable.

[0016] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

REFERENCES CITED

[0017] Intravenous Therapy

[0018] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intravenous_therapyPeripherally inserted central catheter

[0019] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripherally_inserted_central_catheter#:˜:text=A%20peripherally%20inserted%20central%20catheter%20%28PICC%20or%20PIC,be%20done%20peripherally%20%28e.g.%2C%20antihypotensive%20agents%20a.k.a.%20pressors%29

[0020] https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/picc-line/about/pac-20468748

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a cross section of an example PICC Line Separator part, comprising of two pieces, this one for holding the PICC line connector in place. Internal dimensions may be customized and/or scaled, or have a variable design, to securely hold various brands/models of PICC line connectors.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a cross section of an example PICC Line Separator part, comprising of two pieces, this one for holding the disposable PICC connector cap, and enabling the operator to apply the proper torque to loosen the cap from the connector, without crushing it. Internal dimensions may be customized and/or scaled, or have a variable design to securely hold various brands/models of connector caps.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a photo showing how a 2-piece example PICC Line Separator may be utilized on the PICC line connector and connector cap. The FIG. 1 component has been slipped over the picc line to hold its connector steady, subsequently the FIG. 2 component has been slipped around the connector cap and is rotated counter-clockwise to loosen it.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a photo of the components which may comprise a 2-piece PICC Line Separator and a US quarter, providing a visual reference of size.