Sheath
AssigneeICU Medical, Inc.
InventorsDavid Nelson, Nicholas Lopez, Alison D. Burcar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sheath can be used to protect a catheter hub from contamination. The sheath can surround the catheter hub and seal the interface between the catheter hub and a needleless connector. The sheath can be installed onto the catheter hub either before or after the needleless connector has been connected to the catheter hub.
Claims29
A sheath for use with a medical line connection site, comprising:
- a housing having:
- a first end configured to cover and sealingly engage a first connector;
- a second end spaced from the first end and configured to sealingly engage a second connector, the first and second connectors configured for connection to one another;
- wherein the housing is configured for initial attachment to the first connector independent of whether the first connector is already connected to the second connector and further configured for irreversible removal such that the housing is no longer able to sealingly engage at least one of the first connector and the second connector after said irreversible removal.
A sheath comprises:
- a flexible housing configured to sealingly engage medical tubing at one end and to sealingly engage and cover a connection between a catheter hub and a needleless connector.
A sheath for selectively covering an interface between a closeable connector and a catheter hub with tubing comprising:
- a first end configured to engage the connector;
- a second end with a tongue and grove closure configured to engage the catheter hub or the tubing.
A system for use with an intravenous medical treatment of a patient, comprising:
- a sheath with a flexible housing having:
- a first end configured to cover and create a fluid tight seal around a connection between a catheter hub and a needleless connector;
- a second end spaced from the first end such that the housing completely encloses the catheter hub;
- the flexible housing configured for initial attachment to the catheter hub independent of whether the needleless connector is already connected to the catheter hub and configured to tear so as to facilitate removal.
A method of replacing a needleless connector comprising:
- assessing a first flexible sheath covering an interface connection between a first needleless connector and a catheter hub, the first flexible sheath completely covering the catheter hub;
- damagingly removing the first flexible sheath from the interface connection between a first needleless connector and a catheter hub such that the first flexible sheath is rendered unusable;
- disposing of the first flexible sheath;
- removing the first needleless connector from the catheter hub;
- connecting a second needleless connector to the catheter hub;
- advancing a second flexible sheath over the second needleless connector and the catheter hub, the second flexible sheath being separate from the second needleless connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.