Y Stylet Catheter Placement Assembly

Abstract

Catheter placement units wherein the catheter tube is fixed to a generally Y-shaped transparent central unit. The stylet needle is provided with a tab to facilitate manual manipulation of the placement unit and extends through a bore in one arm of the central unit and through the catheter tue. The needle is formed with an opening adjacent the proximal end thereof which communicates the bore of the needle with the bore of the other arm of the central unit to provide visual indication of blood flashback indicative of successful venipuncture.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to catheters and is particularly directed to intravenous catheter placement units.

2. Prior Art

In the modern practice of medicine, it is often necessary or desirable to be able to introduce fluids, such as blood or saline solution, directly into the cardiovascular system of a patient. This is conventionally accomplished by performing a venipuncture and inserting a catheter in a vein located, for example, in the patient's arm. Unfortunately, due to the size and mobility of some patients' veins, it is often difficult to determine whether the venipuncture has been successfully performed with the catheter placement units of the prior art. Moreover, many of the prior art catheter placement units are difficult to handle both during placement of the unit and during subsequent withdrawal of the stylet needle.

These disadvantages of the prior art are overcome with the present invention and a novel catheter placement unit is provided which is easy to handle and provides a visual indication when a venipuncture has been achieved.

BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The advantages of the present invention are preferably attained by providing a catheter placement unit having a stylet needle extending therethrough formed with a tab at the proximal end to facilitate handling and having an opening formed in the stylet needle communicating with a transparent chamber in the unit to permit passage of blood through the needle and into the chamber to visually indicate a successful venipuncture.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved catheter placement unit.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a catheter placement unit including means for visually indicating a successful venipuncture. An additional significant object of the present invention is to provide structure for squeezing closed a hole made in an elastomeric end closure of the catheter upon removal of piercing means from the catheter. Both during placement and during subsequent withdrawal of the stylet needle.

A specific object of the present invention is to provide a catheter placement unit including a stylet needle provided with a tab at the proximal end thereof to facilitate handling and formed with an opening communicating with a transparent chamber in the unit to permit passage of blood through the needle and into the chamber to visually indicate a successful venipuncture.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a catheter placement unit embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section through the device of FIG. 1, taken on the line 3--3 thereof;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section through a portion of the device of FIG. 1, showing the parts in a first position; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, showing the parts in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

In that form of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration, FIG. 1 shows a catheter placement unit, indicated generally at 2, having a catheter 4, a central unit 6, and stylet needle 8.

The catheter tube 4 is preferably formed of a suitable transparent or translucent radiopaque synthetic resin, such as polyvinyl, polypropylene, polyethylene, polytetrafluorethylene, etc. The catheter 4 is centrally hollow and is integrally attached at the proximal end 10 thereof to the forwardly tapered projection 12 forming the distal end of a sleeve 14 and adapted to press-fit into the central bore of a conventional needle sheath 15. The sleeve 14 has a cylindrical end portion 16 of greater diameter than the projection 12 and an intermediate tapered portion 18 joining the end portion 16 to the projection 12. The sleeve 14 is formed with an axial bore 20 which has a configuration similar to the exterior of sleeve 14 and extends completely therethrough.

The central unit 6 has a bifurcated transparent body 22 having generally cylindrical arms 24 and 26 and is formed at the distal end 28 with a generally cylindrical male fitting 30 having a tapered front portion 32. The male fitting 30 and tapered portion 32 have exterior dimensions adapted to mate with the bore 20 of sleeve 14 and are preferably secured therein by a suitable bonding agent, such as epoxy. The arm 24 of body 22 extends coaxially with the male fitting 30 and is formed with a central bore 34 extending completely through the arm 24 and male fitting 30. The bore 34 communicates with a counter bore 36 of greater diameter adjacent the proximal end of arm 24 and arm 24 is provided at the proximal end with a radially outwardly projecting flange 38. The arm 26 intersects arm 24 at an angle to the axis of arm 24 adjacent the distal end 28 of body 22. The arm 26 is formed with an axial bore 40 which communicates with bore 34 of arm 24 and a pair of radial flanges 42 project outwardly from opposite sides of arm 26 at the proximal end thereof. The bore 40 of arm 26 has a diametral dimension such as to permit press-fit engagement with the male fitting of a fluid delivery tube, not shown, and may be provided with a generally cylindrical transparent cap 44. The cap 44 has a planar end member 46 and an annular skirt 48 dimensioned for press-fit engagement with flanges 42 of arm 26 and is provided with an annular base 50 depending from the end member 46 centrally within the skirt 48 and dimensional to be press-fit within bore 40 of arm 26. The skirt 48 is preferably provided with a plurality of spaced ribs 52 about the exterior thereof. Finally, a plug 54 formed of self-sealing material, such as latex, is press-fit into counterbore 36 of arm 24. The plug 54 is formed with a generally planar end portion 56 and an annular skirt 58 depending from the end portion 56 and terminating at its free end in a radially outwardly projecting flange 60 which serves to resiliently grip the flange 38 of arm 24. In addition, the plug 54 is formed with a central core 62 which extends forwardly from the end portion 56 slightly beyond the end of the skirt 58. The core 62 is dimensioned to fit closely within counter bore 36 of arm 24 and is provided with a central recess 64 communicating with the distal end portion 66 of core 62 and extending axially substantially the entire length of core 62 so that only self-sealing wall 67 is provided at the proximal end of core 62. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a thin-walled, axially elongated, annular shim 69 is provided, having an external diameter substantially equal to that of core 62 of plug 54. The shim 69 is formed of plastic or resinous material and has a pair of opposed recesses 71 formed in the proximal end thereof which define opposing jaws 73. The shim 69 is disposed in counter bore 36 with the jaws 73 expanded to extend about and partially circumscribe core 62 of plug 54, as seen in FIG. 3.

The stylet needle 8 comprises a hollow or cannulated tubular steel needle 68 having a central bore 70 and a sharpened bevel point 72 adapted to penetrate the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and blood vessels of a patient. The needle 68 has a sufficient length to extend completely through the catheter 4 and central unit 6 and has its proximal end 74 seated in a recess 76 formed in the forward face 78 of a tab member 80. The end 74 of needle 68 is preferably secured within recess 76 by suitable means, such as epoxy or sonic bonding. Forward of the proximal end 74, the needle 68 is provided with an elongated opening 82 communicating the bore 70 with the exterior of needle 68. The tab member 80 has a generally rectangular handle portion 84 found on opposite sides thereof with rectangular recesses 86 of slightly lesser dimensions serving to provide a peripheral ridge 88 to facilitate manual gripping and manipulation. A generally cylindrical shell portion 90 is joined to the distal end of handle portion 84 and projects forwardly therefrom and is bifurcated adjacent the forward end thereof to provide a pair of opposingly curved fingers 92 which are dimensioned to extend about and frictionally engage the exterior of arm 24 of central unit 6. Alternatively, if desired, the stylet needle 8 may be replaced by a conventional stylet needle, not shown, having a blood "flashback" chamber communicating with the proximal end of the cannula.

In use, the needle 68 is inserted into recess 64 of plug 54, piercing the self-sealing wall 67, and is pushed through counter bore 36 and bore 34 of central unit 6 and catheter 4 to the position shown in FIG. 3. It will be noted that, in this position, opening 82 of needle 68 serves to communicate bore 70 of needle 68 with the bore 40 of arm 26 of the transparent central unit 6. Moreover, the fingers 92 of the stylet needle 8 frictionally engage and grip the sides of the central unit 6 to permit manual manipulation of the assembled catheter placement unit 2. The venipuncture is performed in a conventional manner and, upon penetration of a vein, blood will flow through bore 70 and opening 82 of needle 68 into bore 40 of arm 26 to provide a visual indication that the venipuncture has been achieved. Thereafter, the stylet needle 8 may be withdrawn, allowing wall 67 of plug 54 to seal. As indicated above, the jaws 73 of shim 69 are expanded to extend about core 62 of plug 54. Consequently, the jaws 73 apply an inward pressure to the wall of core 62 which tends to close recess 64 and enhances the self-sealing action of wall 67. In the event that adequate sealing is not obtained, plug 54 may be pressed forward to force the core 62 to extend more fully into shim 69 and, thereby, increasing the sealing pressure applied by jaws 73. Thereafter, cap 44 may be removed from arm 26 of central unit 6 to permit attachment thereto of a fluid delivery tube.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged sectional views illustrating the shim 69. As shown, the jaws 73 are, preferably, provided with external ridges 75 which are normally positioned externally of counter bore 36 adjacent the proximal end thereof, as seen in FIG. 4. In the event that inadequate sealing of wall 67 occurs, plug 54 is pressed forward, causing ridges 75 to bear against the end of counter bore 36 and forcing jaws 73 inwardly to clamp core 62 and substantially close recess 64 thereof, thus, significantly increasing the self-sealing action of wall 67.

Obviously, numerous variations and modifications may be made without departing from the present invention. Accordingly, it should be clearly understood that the form of the present invention described above and shown in the accompanying drawing is illustrative only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. A catheter placement unit comprising:

a hollow catheter tube;

a bifurcated central unit connected to the proximal end of the catheter tube and having an axial bore extending the full length of the central unit, the axial bore joining and aligned with the hollow of the catheter tube, and an angularly disposed branch having a bore intersecting the axial bore;

a self-sealing end closure closing the proximal end of the axial bore;

piercing means extending through the end closure, the axial bore and the hollow of the catheter tube;

venipuncture handle means joining the piercing means proximal of the end closure, the handle means comprising a pair of oppositely disposed forwardly projecting spaced fingers, said fingers converging in a forward direction and which frictionally engage and bite into the exterior surface of the central unit to resist rearward displacement of the piercing means and the handle means during venipuncture while allowing removal of the piercing means after venipuncture.

2. A catheter placement unit comprising:

a hollow catheter tube;

a bifurcated central unit connected to the proximal end of the catheter tube and having an axial portion with a central throughbore and an angularly disposed side arm with a bore connected to the axial bore, said axial bore communicating with the interior of said catheter tube;

a self-sealing end closure extending at least in part into and closing the proximal end of the axial portion of the central unit;

piercing means extending through the end closure, the bore of said axial portion and the hollow of the catheter tube, the piercing means having tab means fixedly secured to the proximal end of the piercing means outside of the end closure, which tab means comprise a manually manipulable handle; and

shim means engaging the portion of said end closure within the axial bore and urging said end closure into self-sealing relation.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein: said central unit is formed of transparent material.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein:

said piercing means comprises a needle comprising an opening which communicates the bore of said needle with the bore of one of the arms of said central unit when said needle is positioned extending through the bore of the other arm of said central unit and through said catheter.

5. The catheter placement unit of claim 2 wherein said tab means comprises a pair of forwardly projecting fingers which frictionally engage the exterior of said central unit.

6. The device of claim 2 wherein:

said shim means is disposed within the bore of said one of said arms and is formed with a pair of jaws closable to engage and squeeze the portion of said end closure within said one arm.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein:

said jaws are each formed with an exterior ridge adjacent the proximal end thereof.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein:

said ridge is normally positioned external to the bore of said one of said arms and is displaceable into said bore to cause said jaws to force said plug into sealing relation.