Catheters are commonly used for a variety of infusion therapies. For example, catheters may be used for infusing fluids, such as normal saline solution, various medicaments, and total parenteral nutrition, into a patient. Catheters may also be used for withdrawing blood from the patient.
A common type of intravenous (IV) catheter device includes a catheter that is over-the-needle. As its name implies, the catheter that is over-the-needle may be mounted over an introducer needle having a sharp distal tip. The IV catheter device may include a catheter adapter, the catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter, and the introducer needle extending through the catheter. The catheter and the introducer needle may be assembled so that the distal tip of the introducer needle extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter with the bevel of the needle facing up away from skin of the patient. The catheter and introducer needle are generally inserted at a shallow angle through the skin into vasculature of the patient.
In order to verify proper placement of the introducer needle and/or the catheter in the blood vessel, a clinician generally confirms that there is “flashback” of blood in a flashback chamber of the catheter assembly. Once placement of the needle has been confirmed, the clinician may temporarily occlude flow in the vasculature and remove the needle, leaving the catheter in place for future blood withdrawal or fluid infusion.
Infusion and blood withdrawal using the catheter may be difficult for several reasons, particularly when an indwelling time of the catheter increases. A fibrin sheath or thrombus may form on an internal surface of the catheter assembly, an external surface of the catheter assembly, or within the vasculature near the distal tip of the catheter. The fibrin sheath or thrombus may block or narrow a fluid pathway through the catheter, which may impair infusion and/or collection of a high-quality blood sample.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some implementations described herein may be practiced.
The present disclosure relates generally to instrument advancement devices to facilitate advancement and/or retraction of an instrument within a catheter assembly, as well as related systems and methods. According to a first set of embodiments, a method of manufacture may include providing a first catheter assembly. In some embodiments, the first catheter assembly may include a first catheter adapter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end of the first catheter adapter and the proximal end of the first catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the first catheter assembly may include a first catheter extending from the distal end of the first catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the first catheter may include a first length. In some embodiments, the first catheter assembly may include a first indicator marking corresponding to the first length.
In some embodiments, the method of manufacture may include providing a second catheter assembly. In some embodiments, the second catheter assembly may include a second catheter adapter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end of the second catheter adapter and the proximal end of the second catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the second catheter assembly may include a second catheter extending from the distal end of the second catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the second catheter may include a second length. In some embodiments, the second catheter assembly may include a second indicator marking corresponding to the second length.
In some embodiments, the method of manufacture may include providing an instrument advancement device configured to couple to the first catheter assembly and the second catheter assembly. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may be configured to advance an instrument distally into the first catheter assembly and the second catheter assembly. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include a first other indicator marking matching the first indicator marking and a second other indicator marking matching the second indicator marking. In some embodiments, a particular instrument advancement device may include any number of other indicator markings.
In some embodiments, the first catheter assembly may include a first connector coupled to the first catheter adapter. In some embodiments, an outer surface of the first connector may include the first indicator marking. In some embodiments, the second catheter assembly may include a second connector coupled to the second catheter adapter. In some embodiments, an outer surface of the second connector may include the second indicator marking.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include an advancement feature. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the advancement feature with the first other indicator marking, a distal tip of the instrument may be configured to align with a distal tip of the first catheter. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the advancement feature with the second other indicator marking, the distal tip of the instrument may be configured to align with the distal tip of the second catheter.
In some embodiments, the method of manufacture may include providing a third catheter assembly. In some embodiments, the third catheter assembly may include a third catheter adapter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end of the third catheter adapter and the proximal end of the third catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the third catheter assembly may include a third catheter extending from the distal end of the third catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the third catheter may include a third length. In some embodiments, the third catheter assembly may include a third indicator marking corresponding to the third length. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device includes a third other indicator marking matching the third indicator marking. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the advancement feature with the third other indicator marking, the distal tip of the instrument may be configured to align with a distal tip of the third catheter.
In some embodiments, the second other indicator marking and the third other indicator marking may include a same color, and the first other indicator marking may include a different color than the same color. In some embodiments, the first indicator marking may include a same color and/or a same printed length as the first other indicator marking. In some embodiments, the second indicator marking may include a same other color and/or a same other printed length as the second other indicator marking. In some embodiments, the third indicator marking may include a same other color and/or a same other printed length as the third other indicator marking.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include a housing, a tube extending through the housing, a wedge disposed within the housing, and a pair of opposing pinch members configured to pinch the tube. In some embodiments, the pair of opposing pinch members may be disposed within the housing and configured to move along the tube with the housing. In some embodiments, the instrument may be disposed within the tube. In some embodiments, in response to moving the housing distally along the tube, the pair of opposing pinch members may push the wedge distally and the instrument may be configured to advance distally into the first catheter assembly and the second catheter assembly. In some embodiments, the first other indicator marking and the second other indicator marking may be disposed on the tube.
In some embodiments, the first other indicator marking may include a first line having a proximal end and a distal end. In some embodiments, the second other indicator marking may include a second line having a proximal end and a distal end. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the housing with the proximal end of the first line, a distal tip of the instrument may be configured to align with a distal tip of the first catheter. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the housing with the proximal end of the second line, the distal tip of the instrument may be configured to align with the distal tip of the second catheter. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the housing with the distal end of the first line, the distal tip of the instrument may be configured to extend distal to the distal tip of the first catheter. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the housing with the distal end of the second line, the distal tip of the instrument may be configured to extend beyond the distal tip of the second catheter.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include a housing, which may include a proximal end, a distal end, and a slot. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include an advancement feature extending through the slot and configured to move linearly along the slot between a retracted position and an advanced position. In some embodiments, the instrument may include a first end and a second end, which may include the distal tip. In some embodiments, in response to movement of the advancement feature from the retracted position to the advanced position, the second end of the instrument may be advanced beyond the distal end of the housing. In some embodiments, the first other indicator marking and the second other indicator marking may be disposed on the housing.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include a housing, which may include a distal end and a proximal end. In some embodiments, the distal end of the housing may be configured to couple to an intravenous catheter device. In some embodiments, the instrument may be disposed within the housing. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include an advancement wheel. In some embodiments, the advancement wheel may extend out from the housing. In some embodiments, in response to the advancement wheel being rotated, the instrument may be advanced through the distal end of the housing. In some embodiments, the first indicator marking, and the second indicator marking may be disposed on the housing.
According to a second set of embodiments, in some embodiments, an instrument advancement device may include the instrument, which may include an indicator marking. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include a window. In some embodiments, in response to movement of the indicator marking to a position within the window, a distal tip of the instrument may be advanced distally a distance. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include another window aligned with and distal to the window. In some embodiments, in response to the indicator marking being within the window, the distal tip of the instrument may be advanced distally another distance. In some embodiments, the other distance may be greater than the distance.
According to a third set of embodiments, an instrument advancement device may include a housing, a tube extending through the housing, a wedge disposed within the housing, and a pair of opposing pinch members configured to pinch the tube. In some embodiments, the pair of opposing pinch members may be disposed within the housing and configured to move along the tube with the housing. In some embodiments, the window may be disposed within the tube. In some embodiments, the instrument may be disposed within the tube. In some embodiments, in response to moving the housing distally along the tube, the pair of opposing pinch members may push the wedge distally, the indicator marking may be disposed within the window, and the distal tip of the instrument is advanced distally a distance beyond the tube. In some embodiments, in response to moving the housing distally further along the tube the pair of opposing pinch members may push the wedge distally, the indicator marking may be disposed within the other window, and the distal tip of the instrument may be advanced distally another distance beyond the tube. In some embodiments, the other distance may be greater than the distance.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include a housing, which may include a distal end and a proximal end. In some embodiments, the distal end of the housing may be configured to couple to an intravenous catheter device. In some embodiments, the window may be disposed within the housing. In some embodiments, the instrument may be disposed within the housing. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include an advancement wheel. In some embodiments, the advancement wheel may extend out from the housing. In some embodiments, in response to the advancement wheel being rotated, the indicator marking may be disposed within the window, and the distal tip of the instrument may be advanced distally through the distal end of the housing a distance.
According to a fourth set of embodiments, an instrument advancement device may include the instrument and the advancement feature configured to advance the instrument distally through the catheter assembly. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include a first indicator marking, a second indicator marking, and a third indicator marking. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the advancement feature with the first indicator marking, a distal tip of the instrument may be configured to align with a distal tip of a catheter assembly. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the advancement feature with the second indicator marking, the distal tip of the instrument may be advanced a distance distal to the distal tip of the catheter assembly. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the advancement feature with the third indicator marking, the distal tip of the instrument may be advanced another distance distal to the distal tip of the catheter assembly.
In some embodiments, the first indicator marking may include a printed T or a printed word “Tip”. In some embodiments, the term “printed” may refer to an alphabetical descriptor or a numeric descriptor. In some embodiments, the second indicator may include a printed number corresponding to the distance. In some embodiments, the third indicator may include a printed number corresponding to the other distance.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include a housing, which may include a proximal end, a distal end, and a slot. In some embodiments, the instrument may be disposed within the housing. In some embodiments, the advancement feature may extend through the slot and may be configured to move linearly along the slot between a retracted position and an advanced position. In some embodiments, in response to movement of the advancement feature from the retracted position to the advanced position, the second end of the instrument may be advanced beyond the distal end of the housing. In some embodiments, the first other indicator marking, the second other indicator marking, and the third other indicator marking may be disposed on the housing.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include a housing, which may include a distal end and a proximal end. In some embodiments, the distal end of the housing may be configured to couple to an intravenous catheter device. In some embodiments, the instrument may be disposed within the housing. In some embodiments, the advancement feature may include an advancement wheel. In some embodiments, the advancement wheel may extend out from the housing. In some embodiments, in response to the advancement wheel being rotated, the instrument may be advanced through the distal end of the housing. In some embodiments, the first other indicator marking, the second other indicator marking, and the third other indicator marking may be disposed on the housing.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include a housing, a tube extending through the housing, a wedge disposed within the housing, and a pair of opposing pinch members configured to pinch the tube. In some embodiments, the pair of opposing pinch members are disposed within the housing and configured to move along the tube with the housing, wherein the instrument is disposed within the tube, wherein in response to moving the housing distally along the tube, the pair of opposing pinch members push the wedge distally and the instrument configured to advanced distally into the first catheter assembly and the second catheter assembly, wherein the first other indicator marking, the second other indicator marking, and the third other indicator marking may be disposed on the tube.
According to a fifth set of embodiments, an instrument advancement device may include a housing, which may include a distal end and a proximal end. In some embodiments, the distal end of the housing may be configured to couple to an intravenous catheter device. In some embodiments, an inner surface of the housing may include a housing stop member and an indicator marking. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include a first wheel and/or an inner surface of the first wheel may include a first wheel stop. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include a second wheel and/or the second wheel may include a tab. In some embodiments, in response to the instrument advancement device being disposed in a first configuration, the first wheel and the second wheel may be prevented from rotating in a first direction but are configured to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. In some embodiments, the first wheel may be configured to rotate more than one full turn in the second direction.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device may include a cover coupled to the second wheel and configured to rotate with the second wheel. In some embodiments, the cover may include a window. In some embodiments, when the instrument advancement device is in the first configuration, the cover may hide the indicator marking. In some embodiments, in response to rotation of the second wheel in the second direction from the first configuration, the indicator marking may be disposed in the window.
According to a sixth set of embodiments, a method of manufacture may include providing a first catheter assembly. In some embodiments, the first catheter assembly may include a first catheter adapter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, a side port disposed between the distal end of the first catheter adapter and a proximal end of the first catheter adapter, and a lumen extending through the distal end of the first catheter adapter and the proximal end of the first catheter adapter.
In some embodiments, the first catheter assembly may include a first catheter extending from the distal end of the first catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the first catheter may include a first catheter length. In some embodiments, the first catheter assembly may include a first extension tube extending from the side port of the first catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the first extension tube may include a first extension tube length. In some embodiments, a first connector may be coupled to a proximal end of the first extension tube.
In some embodiments, the method of manufacture may include providing a second catheter assembly. In some embodiments, the second catheter assembly may include a second catheter adapter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, a side port disposed between the distal end of the second catheter adapter and a proximal end of the second catheter adapter, and a lumen extending through the distal end of the second catheter adapter and the proximal end of the second catheter adapter.
In some embodiments, the second catheter assembly may include a second catheter extending from the distal end of the second catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the second catheter may include a second catheter length. In some embodiments, the second catheter assembly may include a second extension tube extending from the side port of the second catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the second extension tube may include a second extension tube length. In some embodiments, a second connector may be coupled to a proximal end of the second extension tube.
In some embodiments, the first catheter length may be less than the second catheter length. In some embodiments, the first extension tube may be longer than the second extension tube. In some embodiments, an entire length of the first catheter assembly from a distal tip of the first catheter to a proximal end of the first connector may be equal to an entire length of the second catheter assembly from a distal tip of the second catheter to a proximal end of the second connector. In some embodiments, the first connector may include a first connector length, and the second connector may include a second connector length. In some embodiments, the first connector length may be equal to the second connector length.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality illustrated in the drawings. It should also be understood that the embodiments may be combined, or that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes, unless so claimed, may be made without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Example embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the first catheter assembly 10 may include a first catheter 22 extending from the distal end 14. In some embodiments, the first catheter 22 may include a peripheral intravenous catheter, a midline catheter, or a peripherally-inserted central catheter. In some embodiments, the first catheter 22 may include a first catheter length. In some embodiments, the first catheter assembly 10 may include a first extension tube 24 extending from the side port
In some embodiments, the first extension tube 24 may include a first extension tube length. In some embodiments, a first connector 26 may be coupled to a proximal end of the first extension tube 24.
In some embodiments, a second catheter assembly 28 may include a second catheter adapter 30, which may include a distal end 32 and a proximal end 34. In some embodiments, the second catheter assembly 28 may be similar or identical to the first catheter assembly 10 in terms of one or more features and/or operation. In some embodiments, a side port 36 may be disposed between the distal end 32 and the proximal end 34. In some embodiments, a lumen 37 may extend through the distal end 32 and the proximal end 34.
In some embodiments, the second catheter assembly 28 may include a second catheter 38 extending from the distal end 32. In some embodiments, the second catheter 38 may include a peripheral intravenous catheter, a midline catheter, or a peripherally-inserted central catheter. In some embodiments, the second catheter 38 may include a second catheter length. In some embodiments, the second catheter assembly 28 may include a second extension tube 40 extending from the side port 36. In some embodiments, the second extension tube 40 may include a second extension tube length. In some embodiments, a second connector 42 may be coupled to a proximal end of the second extension tube 40.
In some embodiments, the first catheter length may be less than the second catheter length. In some embodiments, the first extension tube 24 may be longer than the second extension tube 40. In some embodiments, an entire length L1 of the first catheter assembly 10 from a distal tip 44 of the first catheter 22 to a proximal end 46 of the first connector 26 may be equal to an entire length L2 of the second catheter assembly 28 from a distal tip 48 of the second catheter 38 to a proximal end 50 of the second connector 42. In some embodiments, the first connector 26 may include a first connector length, and the second connector 42 may include a second connector length. In some embodiments, the first connector length may be equal to the second connector length.
In some embodiments, a clinician may desire to know when an instrument enters a vein or advances beyond a particular distal tip of a particular catheter assembly. In some embodiments, this is accomplished through manufacturing a set of catheter assemblies that have a same length from the distal tip of the catheter to the proximal end of the connector. For example, because the entire length L1 of the first catheter assembly 10 is equal to the entire length L2 of the second catheter assembly 28, advancement of the instrument within the first catheter assembly 10 and the second catheter assembly 28 may be predictable. In some embodiments, a method of manufacture may include providing the first catheter assembly 10 and the second catheter assembly 28, which may be part of a set or a kit.
In some embodiments, the proximal end 46 of the first connector 26 may be configured to couple to an instrument advancement device that includes the instrument. In some embodiments, the entire length L1 of the first catheter assembly 10 may include a path through which the instrument extends within the first catheter assembly 10. In some embodiments, the proximal end 50 of the second connector 42 may be configured to couple to the instrument advancement device. In some embodiments, the entire length L2 of the second catheter assembly 28 may include a path through which the instrument extends within the second catheter assembly 28.
In some embodiments, a configuration of the first catheter assembly 10 and/or the second catheter assembly 28 may vary. In some embodiments, the first catheter assembly 10 may include an integrated catheter assembly having the first extension tube 24 integrated with the side port 18. In other embodiments, the first catheter assembly 10 may include a straight catheter assembly or another suitable configuration. Similarly, in some embodiments, the second catheter assembly 28 may include an integrated catheter assembly having the second extension tube 40 integrated with the side port 18. In other embodiments, the second catheter assembly 28 may include a straight catheter assembly or another suitable configuration.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, a second catheter assembly 66 may include a second catheter adapter 68, which may include a distal end 70, a proximal end 72, and a lumen 74 extending through the distal end 70 and the proximal end 72. In some embodiments, the second catheter assembly 66 may include a second catheter 76 extending from the distal end 70. In some embodiments, the second catheter 76 may include a second length. In some embodiments, the second catheter assembly 66 may include a second indicator marking 78 corresponding to the second length. As shown in the illustrated, non-limiting embodiments of
In some embodiments, a third catheter assembly 80 may include a third catheter adapter 82, which may include a distal end 84, a proximal end 86, and a lumen 88 extending through the distal end 84 and the proximal end 86. In some embodiments, the third catheter assembly 80 may include a third catheter 90 extending from the distal end 84. In some embodiments, the third catheter 90 may include a third length. In some embodiments, the third catheter assembly 80 may include a third indicator marking 92 corresponding to the third length. In some embodiments, the first indicator marking 64, the second indicator marking 78, and/or the third indicator marking 92 may include different indicia and/or different colors, as demonstrated by the shapes and different shading in
In some embodiments, a method may include providing one or more of the first catheter assembly 52, the second catheter assembly 66, and the third catheter assembly 80. In some embodiments, the method may include a method of manufacture. In some embodiments, the method may include providing an instrument advancement device 94 configured to couple to one or more of the following: the first catheter assembly 52, the second catheter assembly 66, and the third catheter assembly 80. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 94 may be configured to advance an instrument of the instrument advancement device 94 distally into one or more of the first catheter assembly 52, the second catheter assembly 66, and the third catheter assembly 80.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 94 may include a first other indicator marking 96 matching the first indicator marking 64, 64a, and/or 64b and/or a second other indicator marking 98 marking matching the second indicator marking 78, 78a, 78b, and/or 78c. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 94 may include a third other indicator marking 100 matching the third indicator marking 92, 92a, and/or 92b.
In some embodiments, one or more of the first indicator marking 64, 64a, and/or 64b, the second indicator marking 78, 78a, 78b, and/or 78c, and the third indicator marking 92, 92a, and/or 92b may include one or more of the following: a color, a color change, a pattern, a symbol, a picture, an icon, an alphanumeric descriptor, an alphabetical descriptor, a numeric descriptor, a line, and another suitable indicator marking. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more of the first other indicator marking 96, the second other indicator marking 98, and the third other indicator marking 100 may include one or more of the following: a color, a color change, a pattern, a symbol, a picture, an icon, an alphanumeric descriptor, an alphabetical descriptor, a numeric descriptor, a line, and another suitable indicator marking. In some embodiments, the first other indicator marking 96, the second other indicator marking 98, and/or the third other indicator marking 100 may include different colors, as demonstrated by different shading in
In some embodiments, the first indicator marking 64, 64a, and/or 64b that matches the first other indicator marking 96 may include one or more of the following in common with the first other indicator marking 96: a color, a color change, a pattern, a symbol, a picture, an icon, an alphanumeric descriptor, an alphabetical descriptor, a numeric descriptor, a line, and another suitable indicator marking. Similarly, in some embodiments, the second indicator marking 78, 78a, 78b, and/or 78c that matches the second other indicator marking 98 may include one or more of the following in common with the second other indicator marking 98: a color, a color change, a pattern, a symbol, a picture, an icon, an alphanumeric descriptor, an alphabetical descriptor, a numeric descriptor, a line, and another suitable indicator marking. Similarly, in some embodiments, the third indicator marking 92, 92a, and/or 92b that matches the third other indicator marking 100 may include one or more of the following in common with the third other indicator marking 100: a color, a color change, a pattern, a symbol, a picture, an icon, an alphanumeric descriptor, an alphabetical descriptor, a numeric descriptor, a line, and another suitable indicator marking. In some embodiments, the alphabetical descriptor may include a word or one or more letters. In some embodiments, a numeric descriptor may include one or more numbers.
In some embodiments, one or more of the first indicator marking 64, 64a, and/or 64b, the second indicator marking 78, 78a, 78b, and/or 78c, the third indicator marking 92, 92a, and/or 98b, the first other indicator marking 96, the second other indicator marking 98, and the third other indicator marking 100 may be stamped, embossed, laser-drilled, two-shot molded, marked, scribed, or created in another suitable manner.
As illustrated in the non-limiting embodiments of
In some embodiments, the first catheter assembly 52 may include a first connector 102 coupled to the first catheter adapter 54. In some embodiments, an outer surface of the first connector 102 may include the first indicator marking 64. In some embodiments, the first indicator marking 64 may be disposed on another outer surface of the first catheter assembly 52 that is visible to the clinician. In some embodiments, the second catheter assembly 66 may include a second connector 104 coupled to the second catheter adapter 68. In some embodiments, an outer surface of the second connector 104 may include the second indicator marking 78. In some embodiments, the second indicator marking 78 may be disposed on another outer surface of the second catheter assembly 66 that is visible to the clinician. In some embodiments, the third catheter assembly 80 may include a third connector 106 coupled to the third catheter adapter 82. In some embodiments, an outer surface of the third connector 106 may include the third indicatormarking. In some embodiments, the third indicator marking 92 may be disposed on another outer surface of the third catheter assembly 80 that is visible to the clinician.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 94 may include an advancement feature. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the advancement feature with the first other indicator marking 96, a distal tip of the instrument may be configured to align with the distal tip 44 of the first catheter 62. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the advancement feature with the second other indicator marking 98, the distal tip of the instrument may be configured to align with the distal tip of the second catheter 76. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the advancement feature with the third other indicator marking 100, the distal tip of the instrument may be configured to align with the distal tip of the third catheter 90.
In some embodiments, the advancement feature may include a housing 108. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 94 may include the housing 108, a tube 110 extending through the housing 108, a wedge disposed within the housing 108, and a pair of opposing pinch members configured to pinch the tube 110, as described in further detail with respect to
Referring now to
In some embodiments, in response to aligning the housing 108 (such as a distal end of the housing 108, a line or marking on the housing 108, or another portion of the housing 108) with the proximal end 112 of the first line, the distal tip of the instrument may be configured to align with the distal tip of the first catheter 62. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the housing 108 (such as a distal end of the housing 108, a line or marking on the housing 108, or another portion of the housing 108) with the proximal end 116 of the second line, the distal tip of the instrument may be configured to align with the distal tip of the second catheter 76. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the housing 108 (such as a distal end of the housing 108, a line or marking on the housing 108, or another portion of the housing 108) with the proximal end 120 of the third line, the distal tip of the instrument may be configured to align with the distal tip of the third catheter 90.
In some embodiments, in response to aligning the housing 108 (such as a distal end of the housing 108, a line or marking on the housing 108, or another portion of the housing 108) with the distal end 114 of the first line, the distal tip of the instrument may be configured to extend distal to the distal tip of the first catheter 62. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the housing 108 (such as a distal end of the housing 108, a line or marking on the housing 108, or another portion of the housing 108) with the distal end 118 of the second line, the distal tip of the instrument may be configured to extend beyond the distal tip of the second catheter 76. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the housing 108 (such as a distal end of the housing 108, a line or marking on the housing 108, or another portion of the housing 108) with the distal end 122 of the third line, the distal tip of the instrument may be configured to extend beyond the distal tip of the third catheter 90. Thus, advancement of the instrument may be predictable to the clinician.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, in response to moving the housing 108 distally along the tube 110, the instrument 128 may be advanced distally within the second lumen 126. In some embodiments, in response to moving the housing 108 proximally along the tube 110, the instrument 128 may be retracted proximally within the second lumen 126.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 94 may include a septum 130 disposed within a distal connector 132 and configured to seal the second lumen 126 or prevent blood flow into the second lumen 126. In these and other embodiments, the septum 130 may not seal the first lumen 124 such that blood may flow proximally along a fluid pathway 136 from the distal connector 132 through the first lumen 124 for blood collection. In some embodiments, the septum 130 may be elastomeric. In some embodiments, a fluid pathway for blood collection may be disposed outside of the tube 110. For example, it may extend from the distal connector 132 in an extension tube.
In some embodiments, a distal end of the instrument 128 may be disposed proximal to a distal end of the distal connector 132 when the housing 108 is fully retracted in a proximal direction. In some embodiments, the distal end of the instrument 128 may be disposed proximal to the septum 130 when the housing 108 is fully retracted in the proximal direction and/or the instrument 128 may be sealed within the tube 110.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 94 may include a cannula 134, which may connect a distal end of the first lumen 124 and the distal connector 132. In some embodiments, the cannula 134 may be blunt. In some embodiments, the fluid pathway 136 may extend through the cannula 134, which may prevent blood leakage. In some embodiments, the cannula 134 may be constructed of steel, plastic, metal, or another suitable material. In some embodiments, the cannula 134 may be coupled to the distal connector 132 or monolithically formed with the distal connector 132 as a single unit. In some embodiments, the septum 130 may be concentric with the second lumen 126 or offset slightly to obtain adequate wall thicknesses.
In some embodiments, the distal connector 132 may include a shaft 138 and two lever arms 140. In some embodiments, the two lever arms 140 may facilitate coupling to a needleless access connector 142 (see, for example,
Referring now to
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the instrument 128 may be disposed within the second lumen 126. In some embodiments, in response to moving the housing 108 distally along the tube 110, the pair of opposing pinch members 146a,b may push the wedge 144 distally, and the instrument 128 may be advanced distally.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 94 may include anotherpair of opposing pinch members 146c,d configured to pinch the tube 110. In some embodiments, the other pair of opposing pinch members 146c,d may be disposed within the housing distal to the wedge 144 and configured to move along the tube 110 with the housing 108. In some embodiments, in response to moving the housing 108 proximally along the tube 110, the pair of opposing pinch members 146c,d may push the wedge 144 proximally and the instrument 128 may be retracted proximally.
The pair of opposing pinch members 146a,b and the other pair of opposing pinch members 146c,d may be referred to collectively in the present disclosure as “opposing pinch members 146.” In some embodiments, in response to movement of the housing 108 along the tube 110, the opposing pinch members 146 may rotate with respect to the housing 108 and the tube 110. In some embodiments, in response to movement of the housing 108 along the tube 110, the opposing pinch members 146 may rotate with respect to the housing 108 and the tube 110, which may rotate the instrument 128. In some embodiments, an inner surface of the housing 108 may include one or more bumps 148 in contact with the opposing pinch members 146, which may reduce friction as the opposing pinch members 146 rotate. In some embodiments, the wedge 144 and/or the opposing pinch members 146 may be lubricated with a lubricant, which may reduce friction.
In some embodiments, the opposing pinch members 146 may be constructed of plastic, metal, or another suitable material. In some embodiments, the opposing pinch members 146 may include spherical balls, ball bearings, wheels, or cylinders, which may be configured to rotate with respect to the housing 108. In some embodiments, the opposing pinch members 146 may include the wheels, which may be smooth or include feet along their edges. In these embodiments, lubricant may be applied to axels of the wheels to reduce friction. In some embodiments, the opposing pinch members 146 may be fixed with respect to the housing 108. For example, the opposing pinch members 146 may be molded into the housing 108.
In some embodiments, a number of the opposing pinch members 146 may vary based on a shape of the wedge 144. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 94 may include the pair of opposing pinch members 146a,b and the other pair of opposing pinch members 146c,d in response to the shape of the wedge 144 being cylindrical, for example. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 94 may include a single pair of the opposing pinch members 146, such as the pair of the opposing pinch members 146a,b, in response to the wedge 144 including a dog bone shape, and the single pair may be disposed in a middle or depression of the dog bone shape.
In some embodiments, in response to moving the housing 108 distally along the tube 110, the pair of opposing pinch members 146a,b may push the wedge 144 distally and the instrument 128 may be configured to advanced distally into the first catheter assembly 52, the second catheter assembly 66, and/or the third catheter assembly 80 (see
In some embodiments, a particular catheter assembly on which the first indicator marking 64, the second indicator marking 78, and/or the third indicator marking 92 are disposed may vary. Also, a particular instrument advancement device on which the first other indicator marking 96, the second other indicator marking 98, and/or the third other indicator marking 100 are disposed may vary.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 150 may be similar or identical to the instrument advancement device 94 of
In some embodiments, the instrument 128 may be disposed within a housing 152, which may be configured to protect the instrument 128 from damage and/or contamination from a surrounding external environment. In some embodiments, the housing 152 may be rigid or semi-rigid. In some embodiments, the housing 152 may be made of one or more of stainless steel, aluminum, polycarbonate, metal, ceramic, plastic, and another suitable material. In some embodiments, the housing 152 may include a proximal end 154, a distal end 156, and a slot 158. In some embodiments, the slot 158 may extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing 152.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 150 may include an advancement feature 160, which may extend through the slot 158 and may be configured to move linearly along the slot 158 between a retracted position illustrated, for example, in
In some embodiments, the distal end 156 of the housing 152 may include a distal connector 162, which may be similar or identical to the distal connector 132 of
In some embodiments, the instrument 128 may include a first end 164 and a second end 166, which may include a distal tip. In some embodiments, movement of the advancement feature 160 from the retracted position to the advanced position may cause the second end 166 of the instrument 128 to be advanced beyond the distal end 156 of the housing 152. In some embodiments, moving the advancement feature 160 to the advanced position may introduce the instrument 128 into the IV catheter device.
In some embodiments, an extension tube 168 may be coupled to the instrument advancement device 150, and the extension tube 168 may be used for blood collection and/or fluid infusion. In some embodiments, the extension tube 168 may extend from a port 170 of the housing 152. In some embodiments, a septum 172 may be within the housing 152 to enable the instrument 128 to advance and/or retract while maintaining a closed fluid path. In some embodiments, the instrument 128 may be configured to extend through the septum 172. In some embodiments, the septum 172 may be disposed proximal to the port 170 and distal to the advancement feature 160 in the advanced position. In some embodiments, the septum 172 may include silicone, rubber, an elastomer, or another suitable material. In some embodiments, the septum 172 may include an aperture, slit, or the like to accommodate the instrument 128 therethrough.
In some embodiments, a proximal end of the extension tube 168 may be coupled to a blood collection device 174. For example, the proximal end of the extension tube 168 may be integrated with a connector 176, which may be coupled to the blood collection device 174. In some embodiments, a needleless connector may be disposed between the connector 176 and the blood collection device 174. In some embodiments, the connector 176 and/or the port 170 may be coupled to an IV line or another fluidic connection.
In some embodiments, an inner surface 178 of the housing 152 may include one or more grooves. For example, the inner surface 178 may include a first groove 180 and/or a second groove 182. In some embodiments, the first groove 180 and/or the second groove 182 may be disposed within the housing 152 between the proximal end 154 and the distal end 156. In some embodiments, the instrument 128 may be disposed within the first groove 180 and/or the second groove 182. In some embodiments, the first groove 180 and/or the second groove 182 may include a support wall 184, another support wall 186 opposite the support wall 184, and a bottom 188 extending between the support wall 184 and the other support wall 186. In some embodiments, the first groove 180 and/or the second groove 182 may be open opposite the bottom 188. In some embodiments, the first groove 180 and/or the second groove 182 may be linear and/or configured to guide the instrument 128 as the instrument 128 is advanced distally and/or retracted proximally.
In some embodiments, the instrument 128 may be linear within the housing 152 and the first end 164 of the instrument 128 may be coupled to the advancement feature 160. In other embodiments, the advancement feature 160 may include an arc-shaped channel 190, which may be U-shaped. In some embodiments, the instrument 128 may extend and move through the arc-shaped channel 190. In some embodiments, the first end 164 of the instrument 128 may be fixed. In some embodiments, the first end 164 of the instrument may be fixed within the housing 152. In some embodiments, in response to movement of the advancement feature 160 a first distance, the second end of the instrument 128 may be configured to advance distally a second distance. In some embodiments, the second distance may be twice the first distance. In some embodiments, the second distance may be more than twice the first distance. In these and other embodiments, the instrument 128 may extend through multiple U-shapes or other arc-shapes. In some embodiments, because the first groove 180 and/or the second groove 182 are open opposite the bottom 188, the instrument 128 may tend to buckle in response to the advancement feature 160 being advanced distally, as illustrated, for example, in
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 192 may be similar or identical to the instrument advancement device 150 of
Referring now to
In some embodiments, a fluid pathway 206 may extend within the instrument advancement device 192 from the cannula 202 to the distal end 195. Accordingly, when a vacuum tube is inserted into the vacuum tube receiver 200, a blood sample can be collected through the fluid pathway 206. In some embodiments, the proximal end 196 may include a Luer connector or any other type of connector that is coupled to the fluid pathway 206.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 192 may include an instrument delivery mechanism 208 that enables an instrument 128 to be advanced in a distal direction through an IV catheter and subsequently withdrawn in a proximal direction. In some embodiments, the instrument 128 may include a wire constructed of nickel titanium or another suitable material. In some embodiments, a compartment 210 may be formed within the instrument advancement device 192 and may house the instrument delivery mechanism 208. In some embodiments, a dividing wall 212 may create an instrument channel 214 that extends distally from the compartment 210 and joins the fluid pathway 206 at a distal portion 206a of the fluid pathway 206.
In some embodiments, to isolate the compartment 210 from the fluid pathway 206, a seal 216 (e.g., an elastomeric septum) may be positioned within and span the instrument channel 214. In some embodiments, the instrument 128 may extend through a slit or other opening formed within seal 216. In some embodiments, the seal 216 may provide support to instrument 128 to prevent it from buckling as it is advanced. Although the instrument channel 214 is illustrated as being substantially wider than instrument 128, in some embodiments, dimensions of at least a portion of the instrument channel 214 may be only slightly greater than the instrument 128 so that instrument channel 214 may provide support to prevent buckling of the instrument 128.
In some embodiments, the instrument delivery mechanism 208 may include a spool 218 and the advancement wheel 198, both of which may be configured to rotate within the compartment 210. In some embodiments, the spool 218 may be positioned adjacent to the advancement wheel 198 (i.e., towards the instrument channel 214 relative to the advancement wheel 198). In some embodiments, the advancement wheel 198 may be positioned to extend partially out from the compartment 210 to thereby enable a clinician to use his or her thumb or finger to rotate the advancement wheel 198. In some embodiments, the spool 218 may include a gear 220 having teeth 220a. Likewise, in some embodiments, the advancement wheel 198 may include teeth 222a and may therefore function as a gear. In some embodiments, the teeth 222a may interface with the teeth 220a so that the spool 218 is rotated when the advancement wheel 198 is rotated. In some embodiments, the teeth 222a are formed along the outermost edge of the advancement wheel 198. In other embodiments, however, teeth 222a may be formed along a portion of advancement wheel that is inset relative to the outermost edge.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 192 may include a seal (not illustrated) within the compartment 210 that isolates the spool drum and the instrument 128 from the external environment. In some embodiments, the seal 216 may or may not be employed since fluid entering the instrument channel 214 would be prevented from escaping the compartment 210 by the seal within the compartment 210.
Referring now to
Referring now to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Referring now to
In some embodiments, in response to aligning the advancement feature with the second indicator marking 236, the distal tip of the instrument 128 may be advanced a distance distal to the distal tip of the particular catheter. In some embodiments, in response to aligning the advancement feature with the third indicator marking 238, the distal tip of the instrument 128 may be advanced another distance distal to the distal tip of the particular catheter, which may be greater than the distance. In some embodiments, the first indicator marking 234, the second indicator marking 236, and the third indicator marking 236 may be similar or identical to the first other indicator marking 96, the second other indicator marking 98, and the third other indicator marking 100, respectively, in terms of one or more features and/or operation.
In some embodiments, the first indicator marking 234 may include a printed T or a printed word “Tip”. In some embodiments, the second indicator marking 236 may include a printed number corresponding to the distance. In some embodiments, the third indicator marking 238 may include a printed number corresponding to the other distance. In some embodiments, one or more of the first indicator marking 234, the second indicator marking 236, and the third indicator marking 238 may include one or more of the following: a color, a color change, a pattern, a symbol, a picture, an icon, an alphanumeric descriptor, an alphabetical descriptor, a numeric descriptor, line, and another suitable indicator marking.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the first wheel 1102 may rotate on an axle 1111. In some embodiments, the first wheel 1102 may include a protrusion or rod 1110, which may rotate on the axle 1111. In some embodiments, the axle 1111 may be aligned with a center axis of the first wheel 1102. In some embodiments, the second wheel 1104 may be disposed on the rod 1110 and configured to slip with respect to the rod 1110 and/or rotate independently from the rod 1110. In some embodiments, the second wheel 1104 may ride directly on the axle 1111, along with the first wheel 1102. In some embodiments, the axle 1111 may extend inwardly from the housing 1105. In some embodiments, the first wheel 1102 and the second wheel 1104 may rotate about a same axis and/or the second wheel 1104 may be disposed within the first wheel 1102.
In some embodiments, an inner surface 1113 of the first wheel 1102 may include a first wheel stop member 1115, which may include a protrusion. In some embodiments, a gap may be disposed between the housing stop member 1109 and the first wheel stop member 1115. In some embodiments, the second wheel 1104 may include a tab 1117, which may be configured to bridge the gap between the housing stop member 1109 and the first wheel stop member 1115. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 1100 may include an instrument, such as, for example, the instrument 128.
In some embodiments, the first wheel 1102 may be configured to rotate to advance the instrument in a distal direction through the distal end of the housing 1105. In some embodiments, the first wheel 1102 may be configured to rotate more than one full turn. In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 1100 may be disposed in a first configuration, as illustrated, for example, in
In some embodiments, in response to the instrument advancement device 1100 being disposed in the first configuration, the tab 1117 may be disposed between the housing stop member 1109 and the first wheel stop member 1115 and may contact the housing stop member 1109 and the first wheel stop member 1115. In these embodiments, a first side 1117a of the tab 1117 may contact a first side 1109a of the housing stop member 1109 and a second side 1117b of the tab 1117 may contact a first side 1115a of the first wheel stop member 1115. In some embodiments, in response to the instrument advancement device 1100 being disposed in the first configuration, the first wheel 1102 and/or the second wheel 1104 may be prevented from rotating in a first direction 1121, toward the housing stop member 1109, but may be configured to rotate in a second direction 1123 opposite the first direction 1121. In some embodiments, the first wheel 1102 may be configured to rotate more than one full turn in the second direction.
In some embodiments, in response to the instrument advancement device 1100 being disposed in the first configuration, the first wheel 1102 may be configured to rotate independent from the housing 1105 and the second wheel 1104 in a second direction 1123 until the first wheel stop member 1115 contacts the tab 1117. In these embodiments, the first wheel 1102 may be configured to rotate independent from the housing 1105 and the second wheel 1104 in the second direction 1123 opposite the first direction 1121 until a second side 1115b of the first wheel stop member 1115 contacts the first side 1117a of the tab 1117, which may be disposed on an opposite side of the tab 1117 as the second side 1117b. In these embodiments, the first wheel 1102 may be configured to rotate almost one full turn independent from the housing 1105 and the second wheel 1104.
In some embodiments, the instrument may be in a retracted or fully retracted position in response to the instrument advancement device 1100 being in the first configuration. In some embodiments, in response to the first wheel 1102 rotating independent from the housing 1105 and the second wheel 1104 in the second direction 1123 until the first wheel stop member 1115 contacts the second side 1117b of the tab 1117, the first wheel 1102 and the second wheel 1104 are configured to rotate together further in the second direction 1123 until the instrument advancement device 1100 is disposed in a second configuration. In these embodiments, the first wheel 1102 and the second wheel 1104 may be configured to rotate together almost one full turn.
In some embodiments, the instrument may be in an advanced or fully advanced position in response to the instrument advancement device 1100 being in the second configuration. In some embodiments, in the second configuration, the tab 1117 may be disposed between the housing stop member 1109 and the first wheel stop member 1115 and may contact the housing stop member 1109 and the first wheel stop member 1115. In these embodiments, the second side 1117b of the tab 1117 may contact the second side 1109b of the housing stop member 1109 and the first side 1117a of the tab 1117 may contact the second side 1115b of the first wheel stop member 1115, as illustrated, for example, in
In some embodiments,
In some embodiments, the first wheel 1102 may be configured to rotate almost two full turns, from the first configuration to the second configuration. In is understood that in some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 1100 one or more other wheels that operate in a similar fashion to the second wheel 1104 to each allow almost another full turn of the first wheel 1102. In these embodiments, the one or more other wheels may be disposed between the second wheel 1104 and the housing stop member 1109.
In some embodiments, the first wheel 1102 may extend out from the housing 1105, which may facilitate turning of the first wheel 1102 by a digit of the clinician. In some embodiments, in order to advance the instrument, the clinician may rotate the portion of the first wheel 1102 exposed from the housing 1105 toward the distal end 1100a of the housing 1105 or in the second direction 1123 to advance the instrument distally. In some embodiments, the clinician may rotate the portion of the first wheel 1102 exposed from the housing 1105 away from the distal end 1100a of the housing 1105 or in the first direction 1121 to retract the instrument proximally.
It is understood, however, in some embodiments, positions of the housing stop member 1109 and the first wheel stop member 1115 may be reversed. In these embodiments, the clinician may rotate the portion of the first wheel 1102 exposed from the housing 1105 away from the distal end 1100a of the housing 1105 or in the first direction 1121 to advance the instrument distally and/or the clinician may rotate the portion of the first wheel 1102 exposed from the housing 1105 away from the distal end 1100a of the housing 1105 or in the first direction 1121 to retract the instrument proximally. In some embodiments, a location of the housing stop member 1109, the tab 1117, and the first wheel stop member 1115 in the first configuration may vary.
In some embodiments, additional geometry can be added to the first wheel 1102 and/or housing 1105 so there would be a detent at a beginning and/or an end of rotation or travel of the first wheel 1102. In some embodiments, multiple detents may act against the second wheel 1104, and the second wheel 1104 may slide axially to allow one detent to act at a time. The additional geometry may include different ramp angles to encourage one ramp to act before the other.
In some embodiments, the instrument advancement device 1100 may include a cover 1130 coupled to the second wheel 1104 and configured to rotate with the second wheel 1004. In some embodiments, the cover 1130 may include a window 1132, which may be constructed of glass or another suitable transparent material. In some embodiments, when the instrument advancement device 1100 is in the first configuration, the cover 1130 may hide an indicator marking 1134 disposed on an inner surface of the housing 1105, as illustrated, for example, in
Referring now to
In non-limiting embodiments, for example as shown in
Turning to
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.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/170,391, entitled “Instrument Advancement Device Having an Indicator Marking”, filed Apr. 2, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/309,918, entitled “Instrument Advancement Device Having an Indicator Marking”, filed Feb. 14, 2022, the entire disclosures of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63170391 | Apr 2021 | US | |
63309918 | Feb 2022 | US |