PRN ADAPTER

Abstract

A PRN adapter can be formed of a casing and an elastomeric member. The elastomeric member can form a septum and a male luer taper. By forming the PRN adapter of only two components, the manufacturing process can be simplified. The casing may form a hollow interior having a proximal opening and a distal opening. The septum of the elastomeric member may be positioned at the proximal opening of the hollow interior, and the male luer taper may extend to the distal opening of the hollow interior.

Claims

1. A PRN adapter comprising: a casing; and an elastomeric member coupled to the casing, the elastomeric member forming a septum and a male luer taper.

2. The PRN adapter of claim 1, wherein the casing forms a hollow interior having a proximal opening and a distal opening.

3. The PRN adapter of claim 2, wherein the septum of the elastomeric member is positioned at the proximal opening of the hollow interior and the male luer taper extends to the distal opening of the hollow interior.

4. The PRN adapter of claim 3, wherein the casing includes a rim that forms the proximal opening.

5. The PRN adapter of claim 4, wherein the septum forms a distally facing lip that overlaps a proximal face of the rim.

6. The PRN adapter of claim 5, wherein the elastomeric member includes a retaining member that is spaced from the septum by a neck.

7. The PRN adapter of claim 6, wherein a proximal face of the retaining member abuts a distal face of the rim.

8. The PRN adapter of claim 2, wherein the hollow interior includes threads.

9. The PRN adapter of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric member forms a lumen that extends from the septum through the male luer taper.

10. The PRN adapter of claim 1, wherein the casing forms a hollow interior having a proximal opening and a distal opening, the proximal opening being formed by a rim, the hollow interior including threads that extend from the distal opening; and wherein the elastomeric member includes a retaining member that is spaced from the septum by a neck, the elastomeric member also forming a lumen that extends from the septum through the male luer taper, the septum of the elastomeric member being positioned at the proximal opening of the hollow interior and the male luer taper extending to the distal opening of the hollow interior, the septum forming a distally facing lip that overlaps a proximal face of the rim when a proximal face of the retaining member abuts a distal face of the rim.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Example embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a common PIVC on which a PRN adapter could be used;

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a common PRN adapter;

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a PRN adapter that is configured in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the PRN adapter of FIG. 3;

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a septum member of the PRN adapter of FIG. 3; and

[0016] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the septum member of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0017] In the specification and the claims, the term “PRN adapter” should be construed as any adapter that may be part of or used on an IV catheter device to enable another device to gain access to the catheter of the IV catheter device while the catheter is positioned intravenously. FIG. 3 provides an example of a PRN adapter 300 that is configured in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3A provides a cross-sectional view of PRN adapter 300.

[0018] PRN adapter 300 is formed of two components: (1) a casing 310; and (2) an elastomeric member 320. Casing 310 extends from a proximal end 310a to a distal end 3 10b. A hollow interior 312 of casing 310 forms a proximal opening 312a and a distal opening 312b. A rim 313 (or a reduced diameter region of hollow interior 312) forms proximal opening 312a. Rim 313 forms a proximal face 313a, an inward face 313b and a distal face 313c. Threads 314 are formed within hollow interior 312 and extend from distal opening 312b in a proximal direction. Ribs 311 may be formed around an exterior of casing 310 and may function to facilitate gripping of PRN adapter 300.

[0019] FIG. 4 provides an example of elastomeric member 320 in isolation, and FIG. 4A provides a cross-sectional view of elastomeric member 320 in isolation. As shown, elastomeric member 320 extends from a proximal end 320a to a distal end 320b. A septum 321 is formed at proximal end 320a and a male luer taper 324 is formed at distal end 320b. A neck 322 extends distally from septum 321, and a retaining member 323 extends distally from neck 322. Neck 322 comprises a reduced outer diameter region relative to an outer diameter of septum 321 and relative to an outer diameter of retaining member 323. Accordingly, a neck sidewall 322a is positioned between a distally-facing lip 321a formed on septum 321 and a proximal face 323a formed on retaining member 323.

[0020] Elastomeric member 320 also includes a lumen 325 that extends from a proximal end 325a adjacent septum 321 through distal end 320b of elastomeric member 320. In the depicted embodiment, proximal end 325a of lumen 325 aligns with lip 321a. However, in other embodiments, proximal end 325a may be offset relative to lip 321a such that the thickness of septum 321 is greater or lesser than what is shown in the figures.

[0021] As best seen in FIG. 3A, elastomeric member 320 is secured to casing 310 by positioning rim 313 between septum 321 and retaining member 323. In this position, lip 321a overlaps proximal face 313a of rim 313, neck sidewall 322a abuts inward face 313b of rim 313 and proximal face 323a of retaining member 323 abuts distal face 313c of rim 313. Accordingly, septum 321 is positioned proximal to rim 313 and male luer taper 324 extends distally beyond distal opening 312b. In other embodiments, however, male luer taper 324 may extend up to or short of distal opening 312b. The outer diameter of male luer taper 324 is less than the diameter of hollow interior 312 to enable a female luer lock port to insert between male luer taper 324 and casing 310 when male luer taper 324 is inserted into the female luer lock port.

[0022] The elastomeric property of elastomeric member 320 enables elastomeric member 320 to be inserted into and secured within casing 310. For example, elastomeric member 320 can be inserted through distal opening 312b until septum 321 passes through proximal opening 312a. Septum 321 can deform to enable it to pass through the smaller diameter of proximal opening 312a. Retaining member 323 can then prevent further distal movement of elastomeric member 320 relative to casing 310. With septum 321 positioned proximally beyond proximal opening 312a, lip 321a will overlap proximal face 313a to thereby prevent elastomeric member 320 from moving distally.

[0023] PRN adapter 300 can be connected to a female luer lock port of an IV catheter device by inserting male luer taper 324 into the port and turning PRN adapter 300 to tighten threads 314 against the corresponding tab(s) of the female luer lock port. As PRN adapter 300 is tightened onto the port, male luer taper 324 can form a fluid tight seal against the female luer lock port. To gain access to the catheter of the IV catheter device, a needle or cannula of a separate device can be inserted through septum 321 and into lumen 325. When the needle or cannula is subsequently removed, the elastomeric property of septum 321 will reform a seal and prevent any fluid from escaping lumen 325.

[0024] 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.