# US 12,623,066 B2 · Coupling mechanisms for medical devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,623,066 B2 - Document ID: US12623066B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/326,915 - Filed: 2023-05-31 - Published: 2023-11-30 - Granted: 2026-05-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-08 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Medical Device Limited - Applicants: Boston Scientific Medical Device Limited - Inventors: Jeffery Arnett; Linus Hoi Chen Leung; Moussa Chehade; John Paul Urbanski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12623066B2 ## CPC - A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings - A61M 25/0662: {Guide tubes} - A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/3421: {Cannulas} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/347: {Locking means, e.g. for locking instrument in cannula} - A61M 2025/0681: {Systems with catheter and outer tubing, e.g. sheath, sleeve or guide tube} - A61M 2025/0687: {having means for atraumatic insertion in the body or protection of the tip of the sheath during insertion, e.g. special designs of dilators, needles or sheaths} - A61M 2039/0229: {having means for facilitating assembling, e.g. snap-fit housing or modular design} - A61M 2039/1016: {Unlocking means providing a secure or comfortable disconnection} - A61M 2039/1027: {Quick-acting type connectors} - A61M 2039/1044: {Verifying the connection, e.g. audible feedback, tactile feedback, visual feedback, using external light sources} - A61M 2039/1061: {Break-apart tubing connectors or couplings} - 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)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A releasable coupling mechanism for coupling a delivery catheter and a dilator. The delivery catheter comprising a first mating member at the proximal end and the dilator comprising a second mating member at the proximal end. The proximal end of the first mating member comprises a first coupling means for releasably receiving a second coupling means which is positioned at a distal end of the second mating member. The first coupling means comprising a coupling member the coupling member comprising a pair of engagement members positioned on opposing sides of the coupling member and configured to releasably engage the second coupling means. The first mating member further comprising at least one indicia perpendicular from the pair of engagement members. The indicia indicate an orientation of the first mating member such that the second mating member disengages from the coupling member by simultaneously deflecting the pair of engagement members. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A transseptal puncture system for crossing a septum of a patient's heart, the system comprising a delivery catheter adapted for advancing through the patient's vasculature and defining a lumen, the delivery catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion including a catheter hub positioned at a proximal end of the delivery catheter, the catheter hub having a base portion and a separate hub cap that are configured to be coupled together using a snap fit arrangement, the hub cap positioned on top of the base portion to form an enclosure, an internal coupling member contained within the enclosure; and a dilator adapted to translate longitudinally within the lumen of the delivery catheter, the dilator having a proximal portion including a dilator hub at a dilator proximal end, the dilator hub having a raised portion adapted to releasably engage with the internal coupling member of the delivery catheter; wherein the internal coupling member includes a pair of engagement members positioned on opposing sides of the internal coupling member and configured to releasably engage the raised portion of the dilator hub, the pair of engagement members each including a first angled ramp defining an insertion force and a second angled ramp defining a removal force, wherein the insertion force and the removal force are equivalent; wherein the hub cap includes at least one indicia indicative of a disengagement direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The transseptal puncture system of claim 1, wherein the at least one indicia is positioned perpendicularly offset from the pair of engagement members. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The transseptal puncture system of claim 1, wherein the at least one indicia is aligned with the pair of engagement members. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The transseptal puncture system of claim 1 wherein the pair of engagement members extend radially inward toward a longitudinal center of the catheter hub. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The transseptal puncture system of claim 1, wherein the at least one indicia is selected from the group consisting of a tactile indicia and a visual indicia. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The transseptal puncture system of claim 1, wherein the at least one indicia is at least one beveled edge. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The transseptal puncture system of claim 1, wherein the dilator hub comprises a groove proximal to the raised portion, the groove having a diameter less than a diameter of the raised portion, such that when the dilator hub is inserted, the raised portion is configured to deflect the pair of engagement members. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The transseptal puncture system of claim 7 wherein the groove is configured to accept and retain the pair of engagement members, such that the catheter hub and the dilator hub are longitudinally coupled, enabling the delivery catheter and the dilator to be advanced together. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The transseptal puncture system of claim 1, wherein the hub cap comprises an aperture configured to receive the dilator hub and wherein the hub cap further comprises a beveled face from an outer edge to the aperture. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The transseptal puncture system of claim 9, wherein the dilator hub comprises a beveled surface on a distal portion that corresponds to the beveled face whereby the beveled surface on the distal portion of the dilator hub is flushed with the beveled face of the hub cap when the dilator hub is engaged in the catheter hub. ### Claim 11 A transseptal puncture system for crossing a septum of a patient's heart, the system comprising a delivery catheter adapted for advancing through the patient's vasculature and defining a lumen, the delivery catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion including a catheter hub positioned at a proximal end of the delivery catheter, the catheter hub having a base portion and a separate hub cap that are configured to be coupled together using a snap fit arrangement, the hub cap and the base portion forming an enclosure, an internal coupling member contained in the enclosure; and a dilator adapted to translate longitudinally within the lumen of the delivery catheter, the dilator having a proximal portion including a dilator hub at a dilator proximal end, the dilator hub having a raised portion adapted to releasably engage with the internal coupling member of the delivery catheter; wherein the internal coupling member includes a pair of orientation keys and a pair of engagement members positioned on opposing sides of the internal coupling member and configured to releasably engage the raised portion of the dilator hub, the pair of engagement members each including a first angled ramp defining an insertion force and a second angled ramp defining a removal force, the pair of orientation keys being offset from and extending away from the first angled ramp and the second angled ramp; wherein the hub cap includes a pair of indicia indicative of a disengagement direction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The transseptal puncture system of claim 11, wherein the pair of indicia are positioned perpendicularly offset from the pair of engagement members. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The transseptal puncture system of claim 11, wherein the pair of indicia are aligned with the pair of engagement members. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The transseptal puncture system of claim 11 wherein the pair of engagement members extend radially inward toward a longitudinal center of the catheter hub. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The transseptal puncture system of claim 11, wherein the pair of indicia are selected from the group consisting of tactile indicia and visual indicia. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The transseptal puncture system of claim 11, wherein the pair of indicia includes a pair of opposing beveled edges. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The transseptal puncture system of claim 11, wherein the dilator hub comprises a groove proximal to the raised portion, the groove having a diameter less than a diameter of the raised portion, such that when the dilator hub is inserted, the raised portion is configured to deflect the pair of engagement members. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The transseptal puncture system of claim 17, wherein the groove is configured to accept and retain the pair of engagement members, such that the catheter hub and the dilator hub are longitudinally coupled, enabling the delivery catheter and the dilator to be advanced together. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The transseptal puncture system of claim 11, wherein the hub cap comprises an aperture configured to receive the dilator hub and wherein the hub cap further comprises a beveled face from an outer edge to the aperture. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The transseptal puncture system of claim 19, wherein the dilator hub comprises a beveled surface on a distal portion that corresponds to the beveled face whereby the beveled surface on the distal portion of the dilator hub is flushed with the beveled face of the hub cap when the dilator hub is engaged in the catheter hub.