Abstract:
A catheter system including an insertion device and a catheter device. The insertion device includes a housing, a latch, a needle for insertion into a patient; and a spring. The catheter device includes a housing comprising a chamber, and a seal disposed in said chamber. The seal is configured to reseal when the needle is withdrawn from the seal such that blood is sealed in the chamber. The spring relaxes and thereby retracts the needle entirely into the housing of the insertion device when the latch decouples from the catheter device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Typically, it may be difficult to couple a catheter to extension devices while also preventing blood leakage. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention generally relates to the field of catheters and catheter systems incorporating extension devices that attach to the catheter. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Traditional catheter and extension systems require the catheter device to be coupled to the extension system via threads, which necessitates a rotating motion to couple and uncouple the devices. There exists a need for an easier and more efficient way to couple and uncouple these systems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first embodiment, a catheter insertion device comprises a housing, a latch for resiliently coupling the housing to a catheter device, a needle for insertion into a patient and a spring, wherein said spring relaxes and thereby retracts the needle entirely into the housing when the latch resiliently decouples from the catheter device. 
     In a second embodiment, a catheter device comprises a housing comprising a chamber and a seal disposed in the chamber, wherein the seal is configured to reseal when a needle of the catheter insertion device is withdrawn from the seal such that blood is sealed in the chamber. 
     In a third embodiment, a catheter system comprises an insertion device that comprises a housing, a latch, a needle for insertion into a patient and a spring; and a catheter device coupled to the insertion device, the catheter device comprising a housing comprising a chamber and a seal disposed in the chamber, wherein the seal is configured to reseal when the needle is withdrawn from the seal such that blood is sealed in the chamber, and wherein the spring relaxes and thereby retracts the needle entirely into the housing of the insertion device when the latch decouples from the catheter device. 
     In a fourth embodiment a catheter device comprises a housing comprising a coupling feature for coupling the catheter device to another device, wherein the coupling feature does not require threads. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the catheter system in a pre-insertion state. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the catheter system of  FIG. 1  in a pre-insertion state. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the catheter system showing the needle completely withdrawn from the catheter. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an extension set coupled to a catheter device. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the extension set of  FIG. 4  coupled to a catheter device. 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the catheter device. 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6A . 
     
    
    
     The drawings referred to in this description should be understood as not being drawn to scale except if specifically noted. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present technology, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the technology will be described in conjunction with various embodiment(s), it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present technology to these embodiments. On the contrary, the present technology is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     Furthermore, in the following description of embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present technology. However, the present technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of catheter system  100  (or catheter assembly) in a pre-insertion state.  FIG. 2  depicts a cross-sectional view of the catheter system  100  in the pre-insertion state. A pre-insertion state is the state of catheter system  100  prior to inserting the catheter into a patient. 
     Catheter system  100  includes catheter insertion device  110  coupled to catheter device  130 . Catheter insertion device  110  is resiliently coupled to catheter device  130  via latch  134 . In one embodiment, latch  134  is a spring latch that flexibly and resiliently engages (e.g., snap fit) with any physical features (e.g., protrusions, indentions, etc.) on housing  132  of catheter device  130 . It should be appreciated that catheter insertion device  110  is coupled to catheter device  130  without requiring a threaded coupling. 
     In contrast, conventional catheter systems a catheter device is coupled to an insertion device via threads. As such, the insertion device must be rotated to couple/decouple it from the catheter device. 
     In one embodiment, latch  134  resiliently couples to internal features of catheter device  130 . In another embodiment, latch  134  is rotatable with respect to catheter device  130  when resiliently coupled to catheter device  130 . 
     Needle  150  is held by needle collet  120 . An end of needle  150  is disposed in viewing chamber  122 . When in the pre-insertion state, the tip  152  of the needle  150  extends through and out of catheter device  130  and is also disposed within catheter  140 . 
     Moreover, in the pre-insertion state, spring  114  is compressed and abuts against needle collet  120 . 
     During insertion, needle  150  and catheter  140  are inserted into a vein of a patient. When properly inserted, blood travels within needle  150  to viewing chamber  122 . In particular, the blood does not come into contact with any internal surface of (e.g., chamber  133 ) of catheter device  130  when catheter insertion device  110  is coupled to catheter device  130 . 
     When blood is provided in viewing chamber  122 , the blood is able to be viewed through housing  112  and needle collet  120  to provide a visual indication that needle  150  and catheter  140  have been properly inserted into the vein. As such, both housing  112  and needle collet  120  are either translucent or transparent. 
     The blood is sealed in viewing chamber by filter  124 . In one embodiment, filter  124  is a hydrophobic filter. In particular, when blood enters into viewing chamber  122 , air passes through filter  124  and exits vent  126  into ambient. However, the blood is not able to pass through filter  124 . 
     In order to withdraw needle  150  from the vein, catheter insertion device  110  is withdrawn from catheter device  130 . However, latch  134  still remains in contact with and is coupled to catheter device  130  via features on housing  132 . During withdrawal, needle  150  is also withdrawn through catheter  140  (which remains in the vein). 
     Once latch  134  is completely decoupled from catheter device  130  (e.g., latch  134  does not engage with retaining features on housing  132 ), spring  114  is released into its relaxed state. In doing so, spring  114  urges needle collet  120  such that it axially slides within chamber  116 . As a result, needle  150  is completely withdrawn through catheter device  130  and is entirely disposed within housing  112 , as depicted in  FIG. 3 . In other words, needle  150  is automatically withdrawn from the vein and through catheter device  130  when latch  134  is decoupled from housing  132 . When no longer coupled to catheter device  130 , catheter insertion device  110  may be properly discarded. 
     Once needle  150  is withdrawn through seal  136 , seal  136  reseals. As such, blood entering into chamber  133 , via catheter  140  is sealed within chamber  133  to prevent blood loss. Therefore, catheter device  130  is also a closed system because blood is securely sealed within chamber  133 . In one embodiment, seal  136  is a silicone disc. In another embodiment, seal  136  is pre-slit to facilitate in the insertion/withdrawal of device (e.g., needle  150 ). 
       FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment of extension set  180  coupled to catheter device  130 .  FIG. 5  depicts a cross-sectional view of extension set  180  coupled to catheter device  130 . 
     In order to couple extension set  180  to catheter device  130 , a user grasps base  182  an inserts cannula  188  through seal  136  until coupling features  190  and  191  (e.g., tines) mechanically couple (e.g., snap fit) with associated coupling features of housing  132 . The coupling may be provided by use of a single hand of a user. 
     In contrast, in conventional systems, the extension set is rotatably coupled to the catheter via threads. Moreover, a user must use both hands to couple the catheter to the extension set. For example, a user must hold onto the catheter and use the other hand to handle the extension set and rotated with respect to the catheter. 
     When properly coupled, blood is able to flow through tube  186  to luer access device  184 . It should be appreciated that any compatible disposable set or extension set may be coupled to catheter device  130 . 
       FIGS. 6A-B  depict an embodiment of catheter device  630 . Catheter device  630  includes first section  632  that is joined to second section  634 . The joining can be but is not limited to an ultrasonic weld, adhesive, snap fit, etc. Seal  136  is placed between first section  632  and second section  634  prior to joining and is securely seated between first section  632  and second section  634  when the sections are joined at joint  638 . 
     In one embodiment, second section  634  includes funnel  636  to facilitate in the guiding of needle  150  through catheter device  630  during assembly such that needle  150  is properly aligned to puncture seal  136 . 
     It should be appreciated that embodiments, as described herein, can be utilized or implemented alone or in combination with one another. While the present invention has been described in particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention should not be construed as limited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to the following claims.