# US 12,599,752 B2 · Splitable catheter docking station system and method

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,599,752 B2
- Document ID: US12599752B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/372,610
- Filed: 2023-09-25
- Published: 2024-01-11
- Granted: 2026-04-14
- Earliest claimed: 2020-01-23
- Assignees: Bard Access Systems, Inc.
- Applicants: Bard Access Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Glade H. Howell; Zachary S. Hastings; Kent Diasabeygunawardena; Jon B. Taylor; Taylor C. Tobin; Jacquelyn N. Phelps; Daniel Hamilton
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12599752B2

## CPC

- A61M 25/0606: {"Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters}
- A61M 25/0668: {splittable, tear apart}
- A61M 25/0631: {having means for fully covering the needle after its withdrawal, e.g. needle being withdrawn inside the handle or a cover being advanced over the needle}
- A61M 25/0693: {Flashback chambers}
- A61M 25/09: Guide wires
- A61M 25/09041: {Mechanisms for insertion of guide wires}
- A61M 29/00: Dilators with or without means for introducing media, e.g. remedies
- A61M 25/0097: {characterised by the hub (tube connectors or tube couplings A61M39/10)}
- A61M 2209/086: Docking stations
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

A two-step rapid insertion central catheter (“RICC”) system that can include an introducer placement system, a docking station and a catheter placement system. The introducer placement system can place an introducer within a vasculature, which is supported by a docking station that detaches from a distal end of the introducer placement system. A catheter placement system can be configured to couple with the docking station, and a catheter can be advanced through the introducer into the vasculature. The introducer can then be split and retracted before the catheter placement system disengages the docking station. The docking station can be configured to split and disengage from the catheter. The RICC system can include a guidewire hub to prevent guidewire embolisms, collapsible sterile barriers to prevent contamination, and locking features to prevent premature advancement of guidewires, dilators and the like.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A two-step method of placing a catheter within a vasculature of a patient including a first step of placing an introducer using an introducer placement system comprising a body, a docking station releasably coupled to a distal end of the body, a needle, an introducer guidewire, a dilator, and the introducer, and a second step of placing the catheter using a catheter placement system including a docking portion, a rail including a catheter frame slidably engaged thereto, the catheter releasably coupled to the catheter frame, and a locking hub disposed at a proximal end of the rail, the method comprising:
accessing the vasculature using the needle; advancing the introducer guidewire through a lumen of the needle;
advancing the dilator, including the introducer disposed thereon, over the needle to transfer the introducer from the body to the docking station;
retracting the needle and the introducer guidewire from the dilator;
retracting the dilator from the introducer;
detaching the body of the introducer placement system from the docking station;
coupling the docking portion of the catheter placement system with a proximal end of the docking station;
advancing a catheter guidewire distally through a lumen of the catheter and through a lumen of the introducer until a distal portion is disposed distally of a distal tip of the introducer;
advancing the catheter frame distally to advance the catheter through the lumen of the introducer;
actuating an introducer retraction assembly to split the introducer along a longitudinal axis into a first half and a second half, wherein the first half of the introducer is wound around a first reel, and wherein the second half of the introducer is wound around a second reel;
retracting the catheter guidewire distally from the catheter;
removing the catheter placement system from the docking station; and
removing the docking station from the catheter.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein accessing the vasculature using the needle further includes actuating a blood flash actuator, configured to release a vacuum disposed within a blood flash indicator tube to draw a proximal blood flow through the lumen of the needle lumen and into the blood flash indicator tube, to confirm vascular access of the needle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein accessing the vasculature using the needle further includes observing a blood flow through the blood flash indicator tube and through the body of the introducer placement system.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein one of advancing the introducer guidewire, advancing the dilator, and retracting the needle includes releasing a locking mechanism by pinching a pair of finger tabs together, prior to longitudinal movement of the pair of finger tabs relative to the introducer placement system.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein advancing the catheter guidewire distally includes collapsing a guidewire sterile barrier between a guidewire hub and the locking hub of the catheter placement system, the guidewire sterile barrier surrounding the catheter guidewire and preventing a clinician from contacting the catheter guidewire.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein advancing the catheter frame distally includes collapsing a portion of a rail sterile barrier between the catheter frame and the docking portion of the catheter placement system, wherein the rail sterile barrier surrounding the rail and a portion of the catheter is configured to prevent a clinician from contacting the portion of the catheter.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method according to claim 6, wherein a portion of the catheter frame extends through an aperture disposed in a side wall of the rail sterile barrier, and is configured to allow the clinician to grasp the portion of the catheter frame to urge the catheter frame distally.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein advancing the catheter frame distally includes expanding an extension leg sterile barrier between the locking hub and an extension leg of the catheter, the extension leg sterile barrier surrounding the catheter guidewire and prevents a clinician from contacting the catheter guidewire.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein advancing the introducer guidewire through the lumen of the needle further includes blunting a tip of the needle.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein transferring the introducer from the body to the docking station further includes retaining an introducer hub within a lumen of the docking station.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein detaching the docking station from the body further includes adhering a distal surface of the docking station to a skin surface of the patient.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the catheter guidewire further includes a guidewire hub permanently attached to a proximal end of the catheter guidewire, the guidewire hub configured to prevent the proximal end of the catheter guidewire entering the lumen of the catheter.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein coupling the catheter placement system with the proximal end of the docking station further includes coupling a clamp of the introducer retraction assembly with an introducer hub, the clamp opening a valve disposed within the introducer hub.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein advancing the catheter guidewire proximally further includes unlocking a guidewire lock to allow longitudinal movement of the catheter guidewire relative to the catheter placement system, followed by locking the guidewire lock, to inhibit longitudinal movement of the catheter guidewire relative to the catheter placement system when a distal tip of the catheter guidewire is disposed proximate a target location.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein actuating the introducer retraction assembly further includes rotating a twist knob of the introducer retraction assembly.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein removing the catheter placement system from the docking station further includes removing a cap portion of the catheter placement system to allow transverse movement of the catheter placement system relative to the catheter.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein removing the docking station from the catheter further includes splitting the docking station longitudinally along a breach line by urging a first portion and a second portion laterally outward.

### Claim 18

A method of placing a catheter within a vasculature of a patient, sequentially comprising:
placing an introducer within the vasculature of the patient using an introducer placement system including a body and a docking station;
detaching the body of the introducer placement system from a proximal end of the docking station;
coupling a catheter placement system with the proximal end of the docking station;
advancing the catheter into the vasculature of the patient;
removing the introducer using an introducer retraction assembly; and
removing the catheter placement system and the docking station.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method according to claim 18, wherein placing the introducer further includes transferring the introducer from the body of the introducer placement system to the docking station.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method according to claim 19, further including retaining an introducer hub of the introducer within a lumen of the docking station.

### Claim 21 (depends on 18)

The method according to claim 18, further including actuating a blood flash actuator configured to release a vacuum disposed within a blood flash indicator tube to draw a proximal blood flow through a needle lumen and into the blood flash indicator tube to confirm vascular access of a needle.

### Claim 22 (depends on 18)

The method according to claim 18, wherein placing the introducer within the vasculature of the patient further includes advancing an introducer guidewire through a needle lumen and blunting a tip of a needle.

### Claim 23 (depends on 18)

The method according to claim 18, wherein advancing the catheter into the vasculature of the patient further includes a guidewire hub permanently attached to a proximal end of a catheter guidewire, the guidewire hub configured to prevent a proximal end of the catheter guidewire entering a lumen of the catheter.

### Claim 24 (depends on 18)

The method according to claim 18, wherein removing the introducer further includes splitting the introducer along a longitudinal axis.