BR-122022025541-B1 - ACCESS DEVICE IV

Abstract

PIVCs with extension sets may include one or more flow diversion features to maximize the amount of flushing that occurs inside the catheter adapter. These flow diversion features, therefore, can minimize the amount of blood, medication, or other residual fluid that may exist within the catheter adapter after the PIVC has been flushed through the extension set. Flow diversion features may be in the form of structural modifications to the side port of the extension set, separate components that are contained within the side port or catheter adapter, components integrated within the side port or catheter adapter, other features, or some combination of any of these features.

Inventors

• Bryan Bihlmaier
• JONATHAN KARL BURKHOLZ
• Bin Wang

Assignees

• BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY

Dates

Publication Date

20260310

Application Date

20180906

Priority Date

20170927

Claims (5)

1. 1. IV access device (200) comprising: a catheter adapter (201) having a proximal end and a distal end and a side wall forming a lumen extending between them; a catheter (202) extending from the distal end; a side port (204) extending out of the side wall of the catheter adapter (201), the side port (204) being in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter adapter (201); a flow diversion feature configured to divert fluid flowing through the side port (204) and into the lumen in a proximal direction, the IV access device (200) CHARACTERIZED in that the flow diversion feature comprises an insert (510a, 510b), wherein the insert (510a, 510b) is positioned at least partially within the lumen and includes openings forming channels through it, at least one of the channels directing fluid flowing through the side port (204) in a proximal direction within the lumen.
2. 2. Access device IV (200), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the insert (510a, 510b) is positioned at least partially inside the side door (204).
3. 3. IV access device (200), according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the insert (510a, 510b) extends partially inside the catheter adapter (201).
4. 4. IV access device (200), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the insert (510a, 510b) is formed at least partially of a material that elutes an antimicrobial agent.
5. 5. IV access device (200), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the insert (510a, 510b) is positioned within the lumen above a side door opening (204).

Description

BACKGROUND [001] A peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) is an intravenous device that is designed to be placed in a peripheral vein. A PIVC can often be configured as a “closed” or “integrated” IV device, which refers to the fact that the device is configured to prevent blood from escaping the device during catheter insertion. Typically, such PIVCs are designed with an integrated extension set to accomplish this. [002] Figure 1 provides an example of a typical PIVC 100 that includes an integrated extension assembly. The PIVC 100 includes a catheter adapter 101 having a distal end from which a catheter 102 extends and a proximal end within which a septum 103 is positioned. Although not shown, the PIVC 100 would initially include an insertion needle that would extend from the proximal end of the catheter adapter 101, through the septum 103 and out through the distal end of the catheter 102. The septum 103 functions to seal the interior of the catheter adapter 101 after this insertion needle (or any other inserted device) is withdrawn. The PIVC 100 extension set consists of a side port 104 that is fluidically coupled to the inside of the catheter adapter 101, an extension tube 105, and an adapter 106. Fluid injected into the extension tube 105 via adapter 106 will flow into the catheter adapter 101 via side port 104 and ultimately into the patient via catheter 102. In this way, a fluid, such as a medication, can be administered to the patient without requiring direct access to the inside of the catheter adapter 101. [003] While a PIVC is inserted into a patient's vein, it may be necessary to flush the PIVC. For example, during catheter insertion 102, blood may flow proximally through catheter 102 and into catheter adapter 101. Typically, it is desirable to remove the blood from catheter adapter 101 to prevent the growth of bacteria or other pathogens. On the other hand, when a medication is administered through the extension set, some of the medication will likely remain within catheter adapter 101. Again, it is typically desirable to flush any residual medication from catheter adapter 101 back into the patient. This flushing is typically performed by injecting saline solution into catheter adapter 101 through the extension set. [004] With existing PIVCs, it is difficult to thoroughly flush the catheter adapter 101 when injecting saline solution through the extension assembly. For example, because of the angle of the side port 104 relative to the longitudinal geometric axis of the catheter adapter 101, the saline solution will flow into the catheter adapter 101 in a direction distal to the catheter 102. To accommodate the septum 103, the interior of the catheter adapter 101 may be elongated in a proximal direction relative to the opening of the side port 104. Although some deviation exists, the primary flow of saline solution will be directly between the opening of the side port 104 and the catheter 102 as represented by the arrows in Figure 1A. As a result, blood, medication, or other residual fluid located in this “proximal elongated region” is unlikely to be adequately removed from the catheter adapter 101. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [005] The present invention generally relates to PIVCs with extension assemblies where the PIVCs include one or more flow diversion features to maximize the amount of flushing that occurs within the catheter adapter. These flow diversion features can therefore minimize the amount of blood, medication, or other residual fluid that may exist within the catheter adapter after the PIVC has been flushed through the extension assembly. The flow diversion features may be in the form of structural modifications to the side port of the extension assembly, separate components that are contained within the side port or catheter adapter, components integrated within the side port or catheter adapter, or other features. [006] In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as an IV access device comprising: a catheter adapter having a proximal end and a distal end and a side wall forming a lumen extending between them; a catheter extending from the distal end; a side port extending outward from the side wall of the catheter adapter, the side port being in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter adapter; and a flow diversion feature configured to divert fluid flowing through the side port and into the lumen in a proximal direction. In some cases, the flow diversion feature may be in the form of at least one of a protrusion of a side wall of the side port; a diverter that is centrally positioned within an opening of the side port to thereby form a distal channel and a proximal channel adjacent to the diverter for fluid flowing through the side port and into the lumen; a protrusion of a portion of the side wall of the catheter adapter, the portion of the side wall being positioned opposite the side port; an insert; or a combination of such features. [007] In another embodime