Medical connector
AssigneeICU Medical, Inc.
InventorsDavid Nelson, Joseph K. Walker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway includes a housing configured to permit fluid flow between a first medical device and a second device or location. The medical connector includes a valve member configured to be positioned at least partially within the housing. The valve member is configured to receive the first medical device. The valve member can be moved into a second state. The connector can be adapted for use with a catheter assembly.
Claims14
A method of using a catheter assembly for insertion of a catheter into a patient, said method comprising:
- providing a catheter assembly, the catheter assembly comprising:
- a catheter hub comprising a housing and a valve member, the housing comprising an upper end and a lower end and the valve member positioned at least partially within the housing, the valve member having a top surface, a central body defining an internal cavity, and a slit extending from the top surface to the internal cavity, the valve member configured to transition from a first state in which the valve member has a first length to a second state in which the valve member has a second length, the second length greater than the first length;
- and
- a catheter extending from the lower end of the housing, the catheter configured to be in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the valve member;
- extending a needle at least partially through the catheter hub and at least partially through the catheter, the needle having a distal end below the lower end of the housing and a needle hub at a proximal end, the needle configured to transition from a non-insertion position to an insertion position;
- transitioning the needle from the non-insertion position to the insertion position, thereby also transitioning the valve member from the first state to the second state;
- inserting the needle into a patient;
- inserting the catheter into the patient;
- and
- removing the needle from the patient and the catheter hub.
A method of using a catheter assembly for inserting a catheter into a patient, said method comprising:
- providing a catheter assembly, the catheter assembly comprising:
- a catheter hub comprising a housing and a valve member, the housing comprising an upper end and a lower end, the housing including walls defining an interior space and at least two recessed areas in the walls and the valve member attached to the upper end of the housing and positioned at least partially within the housing, the valve member having a top surface, a central body defining an internal cavity, a slit extending from the top surface to the internal cavity, and at least two lateral extensions from the central body;
- a catheter connected to the catheter hub and extending from the lower end of the housing, the catheter configured to fluidly communicate with the internal cavity of the valve member;
- a needle extending at least partially through the catheter hub and at least partially through the catheter;
- and
- a needle hub attached to the needle;
- inserting the needle hub into the catheter hub, wherein inserting the needle hub into the catheter hub transitions the valve member from a first state in which the at least two lateral extensions are outside one of the at least two recessed areas to a second state in which at least a portion of each of the at least two lateral extensions is positioned within the one of the at least two recessed areas;
- inserting the needle into a patient;
- inserting the catheter into the patient;
- and
- removing the needle from the patient and the catheter hub.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.