Apparatus and method for targeted delivery of thrombolytic agent to an indwelling iv catheter tip

A method for targeted delivery of a thrombolytic agent to a distal end of an indwelling IV catheter, the method comprising:

• providing a vascular access device comprising an intravenous (IV) catheter and an instrument delivery device for targeted delivery of a thrombolytic agent into the IV catheter, the instrument delivery device comprising:
• a collapsible sleeve comprising a distal end and a proximal end;
• a catheter tube positioned at least partially within the collapsible sleeve and coaxially therewith, the catheter tube defining a lumen therein and including a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end comprising a blunt tip having a slit formed therein;
• a proximal connector positioned at the proximal end of the collapsible sleeve, with the proximal end of the collapsible sleeve and the proximal end of the catheter tube coupled with the proximal connector;
• a distal connector positioned at the distal end of the collapsible sleeve;
• and
• an advancement member positioned at the distal end of the collapsible sleeve, between the distal connector and the collapsible sleeve, the advancement member comprising:
• a housing connected to the collapsible sleeve on a first side thereof and connected to the distal connector on a second side thereof;
• a wheel member positioned on the housing so as to be actuatable by a user;
• and
• a roller mechanism positioned within the housing and operably connected to the wheel member such that the roller mechanism is caused to rotate responsive to actuation of the wheel member, wherein the catheter tube is routed through the roller mechanism and is engaged therewith;
• coupling the distal connector to a port of the vascular access device, the port in fluid communication with the indwelling IV catheter;
• coupling a fluid delivery device to the proximal connector, the fluid delivery device containing the thrombolytic agent therein;
• actuating the wheel member in the first direction to advance the catheter tube from the first position to the second position to dispose the distal end of the catheter tube at or adjacent the distal end of the IV catheter;
• and
• operating the fluid delivery device to inject the thrombolytic agent into the lumen of the catheter tube, with the thrombolytic agent flowing through the lumen and out through the slit formed in the blunt tip of the catheter tube, such that the thrombolytic agent is dispensed at the distal end of the indwelling IV catheter and onto a thrombotic occlusion thereat.

A system comprising:

• a vascular access device comprising an intravenous (IV) catheter;
• and
• an instrument delivery device for targeted delivery of a thrombolytic agent into the IV catheter, the instrument delivery device comprising:
• a hollow spool including a distal end and a proximal end;
• a catheter tube wound about the hollow spool, the catheter tube defining a lumen therein and including a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end comprising a blunt tip having a slit formed therein and the proximal end connected to the hollow spool;
• a proximal connector connected to the proximal end of the hollow spool;
• a distal connector positioned at the distal end of the hollow spool;
• and
• an advancement member positioned at the distal end of the hollow spool, between the distal connector and the hollow spool, the advancement member comprising:
• a housing connected to the hollow spool on a first side thereof and connected to the distal connector on a second side thereof;
• a wheel member positioned on the housing so as to be actuatable by a user;
• and
• a roller mechanism positioned within the housing and operably connected to the wheel member such that the roller mechanism is caused to rotate responsive to actuation of the wheel member, wherein the catheter tube is routed through the roller mechanism and is engaged therewith;
• wherein rotation of the wheel member in a first direction advances the catheter tube from a first position, in which a distal end of the catheter tube is disposed within the housing or within the distal connector, to a second position, in which the distal end of the catheter tube is disposed at or adjacent a distal end of the IV catheter.