# US 9,750,446 B2 · Systems and methods for phlebotomy through a peripheral IV catheter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,446 B2 - Document ID: US9750446B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/758,585 - Filed: 2013-02-04 - Published: 2014-02-13 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-04-26 - Assignees: Velano Vascular, Inc. - Applicants: Creative Vascular, LLC. - Inventors: Pitamber Devgon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750446B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/150992: {Blood sampling from a fluid line external to a patient, such as a catheter line, combined with an infusion line; Blood sampling from indwelling needle sets, e.g. sealable ports, luer couplings or valves} - A61B 5/15003: {for venous or arterial blood} - A61B 5/150221: {Valves} - A61B 5/150396: {Specific tip design, e.g. for improved penetration characteristics} - A61B 5/150511: {Details of construction of shaft} - A61B 5/150572: {Pierceable protectors, e.g. shields, caps, sleeves or films, e.g. for hygienic purposes} - A61B 5/150717: {manually removed} - A61B 5/154: {Devices} using pre-evacuated means - A61M 39/02: Access sites - A61B 5/150526: {Curved or bent needles} - A61B 5/155: {Devices} specially adapted for continuous or multiple sampling, e.g. at predetermined intervals {(devices loaded with multiple lancets simultaneously A61B5/15146)} - A61M 25/0606: {"Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters} - A61M 2039/1077: {Adapters, e.g. couplings adapting a connector to one or several other connectors} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - 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 An apparatus for performing phlebotomy through a peripheral intravenous line. The apparatus includes an introducer and a catheter configured to advance the catheter through a peripheral intravenous line. A y-adapter with a port of larger diameter is configured to receive the catheter and place in fluid communication with the peripheral intravenous line. When advanced the catheter is configured to transport a bodily fluid (i.e. blood) to a volume outside of the body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for phlebotomy through an indwelling intravenous line having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising: a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therethrough; an introducer having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therethrough, the introducer configured to receive the catheter therein, the distal end of the introducer configured to be coupled to the proximal end of the indwelling intravenous line; and an actuator having a portion maintained within the introducer and coupled to and in contact with the catheter, the actuator configured to move relative to the introducer such that the portion of the actuator moves within the introducer to move the catheter between a proximal position in which the catheter is disposed within the introducer and a distal position in which the catheter is distal to and at least partially outside the introducer; the catheter being disposed within, and extending past the distal end of the indwelling intravenous line when in the distal position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an adapter coupled between the distal end of the introducer and the proximal end of the indwelling intravenous line. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an adapter coupled between the distal end of the introducer and the proximal end of the indwelling intravenous line, the adapter including a first lumen and a second lumen, the first lumen having a diameter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first lumen has a first diameter and the second lumen has a second diameter, the first diameter being different from the second diameter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a backflow preventer coupled to the adapter adjacent the second lumen. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catheter defines a plurality of openings adjacent the distal end of the catheter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a port coupled to the proximal end of the introducer, the port being in fluid communication with the catheter, the port further configured to move bodily fluid to a volume outside the catheter when the catheter is in the second position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one of a sheathed needle, a syringe, a locking mechanism, or an access port fluidically coupled to the catheter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is movably coupled to the introducer and is fixedly coupled to the catheter. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catheter is between 18 gauge and 26 gauge. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catheter has a Shore durometer of approximately 20 Shore A to 50 Shore D. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the entirety of the catheter is maintained within the introducer when in the first position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the catheter extends past the proximal end of the introducer when in the first position. ### Claim 14 An apparatus for phlebotomy through an indwelling intravenous line having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising: a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therethrough; an introducer having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therethrough, the introducer configured to receive at least a portion of the catheter therein, the distal end of the introducer configured to be coupled to the proximal end of the indwelling intravenous line; and an actuator coupled to and in contact with at least the portion of the catheter within the introducer, the actuator configured to move relative to the introducer such that a portion of the actuator moves within the introducer to move the catheter between a proximal position in which the catheter is disposed within the introducer and a distal position in which the catheter is distal to and at least partially outside the introducer; the catheter being disposed within, and extending past the distal end of the indwelling intravenous line when in the distal position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: an adapter coupled between the distal end of the introducer and the proximal end of the indwelling intravenous line. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: an adapter coupled between the distal end of the introducer and the proximal end of the indwelling intravenous line, the adapter including a first lumen and a second lumen, the first lumen having a diameter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first lumen has a first diameter and the second lumen has a second diameter, the first diameter being different from the second diameter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a backflow preventer coupled to the adapter adjacent the second lumen. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the catheter defines a plurality of openings adjacent the distal end of the catheter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a port coupled to the proximal end of the introducer, the port being in fluid communication with the catheter, the port further configured to move bodily fluid to a volume outside the catheter when the catheter is in the second position. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising one of a sheathed needle, a syringe, a locking mechanism, or an access port fluidically coupled to the catheter. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the actuator is movably coupled to the introducer and is fixedly coupled to the catheter. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the catheter is between 18 gauge and 26 gauge. ### Claim 24 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the catheter has a Shore durometer of approximately 20 Shore A to 50 Shore D. ### Claim 25 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the entirety of the catheter is maintained within the introducer when in the first position and the actuator is coupled to a portion of the catheter. ### Claim 26 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a portion of the catheter extends past the proximal end of the introducer when in the first position, the portion of the catheter that extends past the proximal end of the introducer is different from the portion of the catheter coupled to the actuator.