Abstract:
A hub assembly is provided for accommodating a medical professional to grip and manipulate two components of a catheter hub and move one component longitudinally relative to the other, then removably engaging the two components of the catheter hub to restrict movement there between. The two catheter hub components include a proximal hub and a distal hub. The proximal hub and the distal hub are configured to removably engage with one another. The proximal hub is affixed to a first catheter member, such as a multi-lumen catheter, while the distal hub is affixed to a second catheter member, such as a sheath. The first catheter member and the second catheter member are cooperatively engaged and concentric with one another. Relative movement of the proximal and distal hubs translates into relative movement of the first and second catheter members.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/737,694, filed Jan. 9, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/584,716, filed Jan. 9, 2012, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The invention generally relates to hub assemblies for catheters. Catheters require that after deployment of filter, stent, or other similar intravascular medical device, two hubs may be attached to one another to prevent movement relative to one another. The intravascular medical device may, for example, be a vascular or vena cava filter for capturing embolic material in the blood flow, a stent, an embolic filter, an angioplasty balloon, a drug delivery device, or similar such minimally invasive intravascular device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A hub assembly is provided for accommodating a medical professional to grip and manipulate two components of a catheter hub and move one component longitudinally relative to the other, then removably engaging the two components of the catheter hub to restrict movement there between. The two catheter hub components include a proximal hub and a distal hub. The proximal hub and the distal hub are configured to removably engage with one another. The proximal hub is affixed to a first catheter member, such as a multi-lumen catheter, while the distal hub is affixed to a second catheter member, such as a sheath. The first catheter member and the second catheter member are cooperatively engaged and concentric with one another. Relative movement of the proximal and distal hubs translates into relative movement of the first and second catheter members. Thus, when the proximal hub is either rotated or longitudinally moved relative to the distal hub, the first catheter member will be rotated or longitudinally moved relative to the second catheter member. It will be understood that the first catheter member may be provided as a carrier for a medical device, such as a vena cava filter, positioned at a distal end of the first catheter member. 
         [0004]    The methods, systems, and apparatuses are set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the methods, apparatuses, and systems. The advantages of the methods, apparatuses, and systems will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the methods, apparatuses, and systems, as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    In the accompanying figures, like elements are identified by like reference numerals among the several preferred embodiments. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective exploded view of the hub assembly in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective exploded view of a portion of the hub assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment, including a catheter sheath and a strain relief element. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along line  2 A- 2 A of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a distal hub member of the hub assembly. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along line  3 A- 3 A of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a proximal hub member of the hub assembly. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the core member taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the sealing member taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective exploded view of a hemostasis valve. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the hub assembly coupled to a catheter. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the hub assembly of  FIG. 7A , wherein the proximal and distal hub members are removably coupled, as well as a strain relief element. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective transverse cross-sectional view of the inventive hub assembly illustrating coupling of fluid conduits to the hub assembly, in an alternative embodiment of the core member. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a transverse cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the hub assembly. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a transverse cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the hub assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof 
         [0021]    In the following description, the terms “distal” and “proximal” are intended to be spatial orientation descriptors relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter assembly. Thus, a “proximal” side refers to a side of an element generally facing the medical professional and away from the patient and, conversely, a “distal” side refers to a side of an element generally facing away from the medical professional and toward the patient. Likewise a pair of elements described as “proximal” and “distal” elements are understood to have the same spatial relationship as described hereinabove for the sides of an element. 
         [0022]    Generally speaking, the catheter connector hub assembly  100  comprises a proximal hub member  300  removably coupled to a distal hub member  200  generally along a longitudinal axis, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The proximal hub member  300  couples to a first catheter member  800  (not shown, see  FIG. 7A ), such as a multi-lumen catheter, as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. Nos. 11/849,225 and 12/684,839, herein incorporated by reference. The distal hub member  200  couples to a second catheter member  270  (not shown, see  FIGS. 1B ,  7 A), such as a catheter sheath. The first catheter member  800  and the second catheter member  270  are cooperatively and concentrically engaged relative to each other, such that movement of either the distal hub member  200  or the proximal hub member  300  translates movement to the respective second catheter member  270  or the first catheter member  800 . The second outer catheter member and the first inner catheter member are longitudinally and axially moveable relative to one another. More particularly, the proximal hub limits and/or controls the relative axial movement of the inner catheter relative to the outer catheter and that provides a locked position and kinking resistance for the first inner catheter member during its longitudinal and axial movement relative to the second outer catheter member. In some embodiments, proximal and/or distal hub components are small relative to the larger translation distance between the proximal and distal hub components. 
         [0023]    The catheter connector hub assembly  100  further comprises a core member  400 , a sealing member  500 , a hemostasis valve  600 , and an o-ring  700 . The core member  400  is principally disposed within the proximal hub member  300 , and the sealing member  500  and the hemostasis valve  600  are disposed within the distal hub member  200 . The catheter connector hub assembly  100  may further comprise a heat shrink strain relief  190 , shown in  FIG. 1B , disposed about and extending beyond the distal end of the distal hub member  200 . The heat shrink strain relief  190  may extend over the coupling of the second catheter member  270  to the distal hub member  200 . The heat shrink strain relief provides a mechanical retaining feature between the second catheter member  270  and the distal hub member  200 . When heated, heat shrink strain relief  190  shrinks to conform to the size and shape of the underlying material to provide insulation, strain relief, and protection against mechanical damage and abrasion. An adhesive lining may be coupled that melts and flows with the heat shrink strain relief  190 , creating a moisture-resistant protective barrier. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2A  depicts a cross-sectional view of the distal hub member  200  shown in  FIG. 1 . The distal hub member  200  comprises a body member  202  having an inside surface defining a longitudinal lumen  220  traversing the longitudinal axis of the distal hub member  200 . The longitudinal lumen  220  is heterodiametered, having a first diameter for a distal section  222  of the longitudinal lumen  220 , a first expanded section  224  having a diameter greater than the distal section  222 , a second expanded section  226  having a diameter greater than the first expanded section  224 , and a third expanded section  228  having a diameter greater than the second expanded section  226 . The term “heterodiametered” is intended to mean an opening, bore, lumen or channel having regions of differential diameter. This term is intended to include both step-wise changes in diameter, such as that present where a seat or flange is present in the opening, bore, lumen or channel, or tapers where there is a constant change in diameter over a longitudinal region of the opening, bore, lumen or channel. 
         [0025]    The distal hub member  200  further comprises a proximal hub attachment member. The proximal hub attachment member of the present embodiment comprises a pair of laterally spaced resilient projections  250 . Each resilient projection  250  comprises a proximally-extending arm  252  projecting from a proximal surface  230  of the distal hub member  200 . Each of the proximally extending arms  252  may have a planar surface that is orthogonal to a general plane of the distal hub member and tapers proximally away from the proximal surface  230 . The reduced mass of material lends resilience to the projection  250  such that it is capable of deflection toward and away from the central longitudinal axis of the catheter hub assembly  100 . The resilient projections  250  each further comprise a tab  254  attached to a proximal end of the proximally-extending arm  252 , the tab  254  having a generally rounded outside edge including a rounded corner  256 . The tab  254  extends generally perpendicular to the axis of the resilient projection  250 , proximally and radially outward away the longitudinal axis of the distal hub member  200 . Furthermore, the tab  254  includes an interfacing surface  258  that is generally flat and distal-facing. 
         [0026]    The proximally-extending arms  252  are fabricated from resilient material such that the proximally-extending arms  252  can deflect radially inwards and return to their non-deflected orientation without plastic deformation. In one embodiment, the resilient material is a polymer material or a metal based material. 
         [0027]    The resilient projection  250  may further include an aperture  260  through the tab  254 . The aperture  260  is located generally towards the proximal, radially outside section of the tab  254 . Aperture  260  is preferably used in practice as a suture aperture in order to secure hub assembly  100  to the patient. 
         [0028]    The distal hub member  200  further comprises a side port  240  comprising a tubular member  242  defining a side-branching lumen  244 . The side-branching lumen  244  is in fluid communication with the longitudinal lumen  220 . The side-branching lumen  244  is heterodiametered, having a distal lumen section  246  with a diameter less than the diameter of a proximal lumen section  248 . In the present embodiment, the side-branching lumen  240  is coplanar with the resilient projection  250 . In an alternative embodiment, the side-branching lumen  240  may be non-coplanar with the resilient projections  250 . 
         [0029]    The distal hub member  200  further comprises a flange member  280  defining the proximal surface  230  of the distal hub member  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . In the present embodiment, the proximally-extending arms  252  attach to the flange member  280 , thereby connecting the resilient projections  250  to the distal hub member  200 . In alternative embodiments, the resilient projections  250  may connect to the distal hub member  200  without the flange member  280 . The flange member  280  is supported by ribs  282 . The ribs  282  taper outward from the body member  202  to the outside edge of the flange member  280 . In the present embodiment, one of the ribs  282  is coplanar with and bounded by the side-branching lumen  240 . The ribs  282  may optionally be integrally formed with either of the body member  202  or the flange member  280 , or both. 
         [0030]    The distal hub member  200  further comprises an outer sheath  270 , as shown in FIGS.  1 B and  7 A-B), extending generally distally form a distal portal  272  of the distal hub member  200 . The outer sheath  270  is attached to the distal hub member  200  in the distal section  222  of the longitudinal lumen  220 . The outer sheath  270  can be attached by any method that prevents detachment of the outer sheath  270  due to distal forces applied to the outer sheath  270 , including the use of adhesives. Alternatively, the outer sheath  270  may be integrally formed with the body member  202  of the distal hub member  200 . In some embodiments, a heat shrink strain relief  190  may be disposed over the connection between the outer sheath  270  and the distal hub member  200 . In still further embodiments, the outer sheath  270  may comprise a multi-lumen sheath, such as that disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/668,308, filed Jul. 5, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0031]    The distal hub member  200  further comprises an upper surface  290  and a lower surface  292  that each define a contour about a horizontal axis  294  of the distal hub member  200 . The contour of the upper surface  290  may be asymmetric to the contour of the lower surface  292  about the horizontal axis  294 . Alternatively, the contour of the upper surface  290  may be symmetric about the horizontal axis  294  to the contour of the lower surface  292 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3A  depicts a cross-sectional view of the proximal hub member  300  shown in  FIG. 1 . The proximal hub member  300  comprises an outer wall  310  defining an interior cavity  318 . The distal end  312  of the proximal hub member  300  is open and is defined by a distal surface  314  of the outer wall  310 . The outer wall  310  has a major diameter less than the distance between the radially outside surfaces of the tabs  254  of the resilient projections  250 . The interior cavity  318  has a volume sufficient to accommodate the disposal of the resilient projections  250  therein. 
         [0033]    The proximal hub member  300  further comprises a central mounting section  320 . The central mounting section  320  defines an opening in the proximal end of the outer wall  310 , creating a proximal port  316 . The proximal port  316  is configured to engage with the core member  400 . The central mounting section  320  comprises a distally-extending wall  322  having a distal surface  324  and defining a longitudinal lumen  326 . The distally-extending wall  322  further comprises an annular shelf  328  within the longitudinal lumen  326  having a generally flat proximal-facing surface, creating a distal lumen section  331  having a first diameter and a proximal lumen section  333  having a second diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the proximal lumen section  333  is greater than the diameter of the distal lumen section  331 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 3B  depicts the proximal hub member  300  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The proximal hub member  300  further includes a catch opening  330  formed in the outer wall  310 . The catch opening  330  is configured to receive the resilient projections  250  therethrough, thereby permitting the removable coupling of the proximal hub member  300  and the distal hub member  200 . In the present embodiment, the catch opening  330  comprises a recess  332  in the outer wall  310 . The recess  332  is concave, in contrast to the generally convex curvature of the outer wall  310 , and it is generally circular, and accommodates a user&#39;s fingers to permit depression of the tab  254  of the resilient projection  250  within the recess  332  to disengage the proximal hub member  300  from the distal hub member  200 . Within the boundary of the depression  332  is an aperture  334  through the outer wall  310 , creating an open area communicating between the interior cavity  318  and the outside environment. The aperture  334  is geometrically configured to follow the curvature of the recess  332  and defines a distal interfacing surface  335 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . The aperture  334 , which in this embodiment is externally configured as a slot, is further dimensioned to allow the tab  254  of the resilient projection clip  250  to pass there through and engage in an abutting and locking fashion to secure the proximal hub member  300  with the distal hub member  200  as illustrated in  FIG. 7B . Finally, the aperture  334  defines a proximal surface  336 . Alternatively, the proximal hub member  300  may be lockingly engaged with the distal hub member via a fastener, an adhesive, a press fit, a snap fit, a removable attachment, a rotatable attachment, a magnetic attachment, a slidable attachment, ratchet arrangement, or via any method of attachment. 
         [0035]    The proximal hub member  300  further comprises an upper surface  340  and a lower surface  350  that each defines a contour about a horizontal axis  360  of the proximal hub member  300 . The contour of the upper surface  340  may be asymmetric about the horizontal axis  360  to the contour of the lower surface  350 . Alternatively, the contour of the upper surface  340  may be symmetric to the contour of the lower surface  350  about the horizontal axis  360 . In either case, the contour of the upper surface  340  should align with the contour of the upper surface  290  of the distal hub member  200  and the contour of the lower surface  350  should align with the contour of the lower surface  292  of the distal hub member  200 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  depicts a cross-sectional view of the core member  400  shown in  FIG. 1 . The core member  400  is a plug disposed through the opening  316  in the proximal end of the central mounting section  320 , through the interior cavity  318 , and extending out the distal end  312  of the proximal hub member  300 . The core member  400  comprises a wall  410  defining a longitudinal lumen  420 , a radially-extending flange  430  at a proximal end of the core member  400 , and an annular recess  440  formed in an outside surface of the wall  410 . The core member  400  may further comprise a first annular taper  450  formed at the distal end of the core member  400  and a second annular taper  460  intermediate the annular recess  440  and the radially-extending flange  430 . 
         [0037]    The wall  410  of the core member  400  has an outside diameter that is less than the diameter of the longitudinal lumen  326  of the central mounting section  320 , thereby permitting the distal end of the core member  400  to pass therethrough. The radially-extending flange  430  has an outside diameter greater than the diameter of the distal lumen section  331  but less than the proximal lumen section  333 , thereby allowing the radially-extending flange  430  to pass through or fit within the proximal lumen section  333  but not the distal lumen section  331 . The radially-extending flange  430  engages with the annular shelf  328 , thereby preventing the core member  400  from further distal translation with respect to the proximal hub member  300 . Furthermore, the core member  400  may optionally be fixed to the proximal hub member  300  by use of an adhesive at any interface between the core member  400  and the central mounting section  320 , in particular the annular shelf  328  and the proximal lumen section  333 . The adhesive can be used on the surface of the distal lumen section  331 . 
         [0038]    The longitudinal lumen  420  of the core member  400  comprises a distal narrowed section  422 , a proximal widened section  424 , and an intermediate tapered section  426  therebetween. The diameter of the distal narrowed section  422  is smaller than the diameter of the proximal widened section  424 . 
         [0039]    The annular recess  440  is formed in the outer surface of the wall  410  of the core member  400  in a section of the wall  410  that, when the core member  400  is disposed through the central mounting section  320 , projects beyond the distal end  312  of the proximal hub member  300 . The annular recess  440  serves to seat a seal, such as an O-ring seal  700  (not shown, but shown in  FIG. 1 ), to create a fluid tight seal. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  depicts a cross-sectional view of the sealing member  500  shown in  FIG. 1 . The sealing member  500  is a component configured to be disposed within the longitudinal lumen  220  of the distal hub member  200 . The sealing member  500  may be a generally cylindrical member defining a longitudinal lumen  510  having a narrow distal section  512 , a wide proximal section  514 , a tapering intermediate section  516 , and a tapering proximal section  518 . Alternatively, the sealing member  500  may be a polygonal shape or interface that mates with and is complimentary to the longitudinal lumen  220 . The sealing member  500  further comprises an outside surface having a narrow distal section  522 , a wide proximal section  524 , and an annular shelf  526  connecting the two. The narrow distal section  522  has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the wide proximal section  524 . The wide outer proximal section  524  attaches to the wall surface of the longitudinal lumen  220  of the distal hub member  200  at the third expanded section  228  by any suitable method preventing its movement during normal use, such as by press fit or adhesive. A fluid barrier may thereby be created between the internal cavities/lumens  318  and  220  of the proximal hub member  300  and the distal hub member  200 , respectively. 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the generally cylindrical sealing member  500  may have at least one flat edge. The third expanded section  228  of the distal hub member  200  may have a corresponding flat edge configured to align with the flat edge of the sealing member  500 , so as to prevent rotation of the sealing member  500  once inserted into the expanded section  228 . 
         [0042]    The wide inner proximal section  514  of the longitudinal lumen  510  has a diameter that is slightly greater than the outside diameter of the wall  410  of the core member  400 , thereby permitting the distal end of the core member  400  to enter the wide inner proximal section  514 . Furthermore, the first annular taper  450  of the core member  400  cooperates with the tapering proximal section  518  in facilitating the entry of the distal end of the core member  400  by permitting the core member  400  to enter the wide proximal section  514  off-centered, with the first annular taper  450  interfacing with and sliding along the tapering proximal section  518 , thereby centering the core member  400  within the longitudinal lumen  510 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  depicts a hemostasis valve  600  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The hemostasis valve  600  prevents fluid flow along a passageway formed along its longitudinal axis, which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the sealing member  500 . In the present embodiment, the hemostasis valve  600  comprises a distal valve member  610  and a proximal valve member  620 . The proximal valve member  620  defines a proximal surface  630  and a radially outside surface  640 . 
         [0044]    The hemostasis valve  600  is disposed distal the sealing member  500  within the distal hub member  200 . The proximal surface  630  interfaces with the annular shelf  526  of the sealing member  500 , preventing fluid flow around the outside surface  520  of the sealing member  500 . The radially outside surface  640  attaches to the surface of the longitudinal lumen  510  at the second expanded section  226  by any suitable method preventing its movement during normal use and forming a fluid seal, such as by press fit or adhesive. Furthermore, the distal valve member  610  interfaces with surface of the longitudinal lumen  220  of the distal hub member  200  at the first expanded section  224 , preventing fluid flow therethrough. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the o-ring  700  is an annular ring configured to seat within the annular recess  440  of the core member  400 . The o-ring  700  extends radially outward from the outside surface of the wall  410 . When the core member  400  is disposed within the sealing member  500 , the o-ring  700  interfaces with the surface of the longitudinal lumen  510  of the sealing member  500 , creating a fluid barrier. 
         [0046]    In operation, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-B , hemostasis valve  600  is first disposed within the distal hub member  200  and attached as described hereinabove. Second, the sealing member  500  is disposed within the distal hub member  200  and is attached as described hereinabove. Third, the core member  400  has a catheter  800  disposed through the longitudinal lumen  420  such that the catheter  800  extends beyond the distal end of the core member  400 . 
         [0047]    The catheter  800  may optionally be fixed to the core member  400 . One method of fixation is to fill the proximal widened section  424  of the core member  400  with a resin that, when cured, adheres to the catheter  800  and the surface of the longitudinal lumen  420 . The resin may be cured by any known method, including electromagnetic radiation and heat. In one embodiment, the resin is cured by UV radiation. In that embodiment, the core member  400  is comprised of a UV-transparent material, permitting the UV radiation to pass therethrough. Alternatively, the core member  400  is inserted into the proximal hub member  300 . 
         [0048]    The core member  400  may be inserted into the proximal hub member  300 , such that the distal end of the core member  400  is inserted through the proximal port  316  of the proximal hub member  300 . The core member  400  may thus be disposed within the central mounting section  320  of the proximal hub member  300 . 
         [0049]    A distal end of the catheter  800  is passed through the longitudinal lumens of the proximal hub member  300 , the sealing member  500 , and the distal hub member  200  as well as the passageway of the hemostasis valve  600 , extending beyond the distal end of the distal hub member  200  and into the second catheter member  270 , such as an outer catheter sheath, as depicted in  FIGS. 7A-B . The distal hub member  200  and the proximal hub member  300  are then moved towards each other. The rounded corner  256  of the tab  254  engages with the distal surface  314  of the wall  310  of the proximal hub member  300 , and as the distal hub member  200  translates proximally with respect to the proximal hub member  300 , the resilient projections  250  deflect radially inward, permitting the distal hub member  200  to translate further proximally. 
         [0050]    As the hub members are pushed closer together, the core member  400  enters the longitudinal lumen  510  of the sealing member  500  as described above. As the core member  400  extends further into the longitudinal lumen  510 , the o-ring  700  interfaces with the surface of the longitudinal lumen  510 , creating a fluid barrier. 
         [0051]    As the distal hub member  200  continues to translate proximally, the tabs  254  of the resilient projections  250  will enter the apertures  334  of the catches  330 . When the tabs  254  extend completely through the apertures  334 , the resilient projections  250  will be in their un-deflected state. In this state, the proximal surface  336  of the apertures  334  engages with the resilient projections  250 , thereby preventing further proximal translation of the resilient projections  250  and the distal hub member  200 . Furthermore, in this state, the interfacing surface  258  of the resilient projections  250  interfaces with the distal interfacing surface  335  thereby preventing the distal hub member  200  from translating distally relative to the proximal hub member  300 . Therefore, when the resilient projections  250  engage with the catches  330 , the distal hub member  200  and the proximal hub member  300  are prevented from translating longitudinally with respect to each other, creating a removable coupling of the two hub members. 
         [0052]    To disengage the resilient projections  250  from the catches  330 , the user may press the tabs  254  inward, deflecting the resilient projections  250  inward and removing the interface between interfacing surface  258  of the distal hub member  200  and the distal interfacing surface  335  of the proximal hub member  300 . Once the resilient projections  250  have been deflected radially inward sufficiently, they will no longer protrude through the apertures  334 , thereby decoupling the distal hub member  200  from the proximal hub member  300  and allowing the distal hub member  200  to translate distally relative to the proximal hub member  300 . As the distal hub member  200  translates distally, o-ring  700  will cease to interface with the surface of the longitudinal lumen  510  of the sealing member  500  and the core member  400  will translate proximally out of the longitudinal lumen  510 . Eventually, the resilient projections  250  will translate distally out of the interior cavity  318  of the proximal hub member  300  through the opening in the distal end  312 . 
         [0053]    In an alternative embodiment, the core member  400  may further comprise an annular detent  470 , as depicted in  FIG. 8 . The annular detent  470  protrudes radially outward from the outside surface of the wall  410 . The annular detent  470  is spaced longitudinally apart from the radially-extending flange  430  a distance greater than the length of the distal lumen section  331 , such that when the radially-extending flange  430  engages with the annular shelf  328 , the annular detent  470  is disposed distally beyond the distal surface  324  of the central mounting section  320 . 
         [0054]    The annular detent  470  has an outside diameter greater than the diameter of the longitudinal lumen  326  of the central mounting section  320 . To translate through the longitudinal lumen  326 , the wall  410  and the annular detent  470  are made of a material with sufficient flexibility to deflect radially inward, thereby reducing the outside diameter of the annular detent  470  to less than the diameter of the longitudinal lumen  326 . Once the annular detent  470  is distal the distal surface  324 , if the core member  400  begins to translate proximally with respect to the proximal hub member  300 , the annular detent  470  engages with the distal surface  324 , preventing further proximal translation. As such, longitudinal translation of the core member  400  with respect to the proximal hub member  300  is constrained by the annular detent  470  and the radially-extending flange  430 . 
         [0055]    In a further embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 9 , a catheter connector hub  900  substantially comprises a distal hub member  902 , a proximal hub member  904 , a core member  906 , a sealing member  908 , a hemostasis valve  910 , and an o-ring (not pictured), analogous to these elements as presented above in relation to  FIGS. 1-8 . However, the proximal hub member  904  and the core member  906  are integrally formed as a single piece. Accordingly, the central mounting section is not present in this embodiment. Furthermore, the proximal hub member  904  may include a catheter support wall  912  extending proximally from the proximal end of the proximal hub member  904 . 
         [0056]    Yet further in this embodiment, the distal hub member  902  may comprise attachment clips  914  that differ from the resilient projections  250  presented above. For instance, the attachment clips  914  include proximally-extending arms  916 , but do not include tabs. Instead, the attachment clips  914  include clip heads  918  having a rounded edge  920  and a distal interfacing surface  924  to interact with the proximal hub member  904  substantially as presented above. 
         [0057]    In a yet further embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 10 , a catheter connector hub assembly  1000  is substantially similar to the catheter connector hub as depicted in  FIG. 8 , with the exception that it includes attachment clips  1002  as presented by the embodiment depicted in FIG.  9 . However, the distal hub member  1004  of the present embodiment comprises two suture wings  1006  attached to a distal section of the body member  1008  of the distal hub member  1004 . The suture wings  1006  each comprise a tab  1010  that is generally flat and extends radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the distal hub member  1004 , and an aperture  1012  formed through the tab. The aperture  1012  may be formed at any place in the tab  1010 , such as a radially outward section of the tab  1010  as shown. 
         [0058]    Generally, the catheter hub apparatus comprises a distal hub member comprising a longitudinal lumen, having a distal section, a first expanded section, a second expanded section, and a third expanded section, wherein the distal section has a diameter less than the diameter of the first expanded section, the first expanded section has a diameter less than the diameter of the second expanded section, and the second expanded section has a diameter less than the diameter of the third expanded section; a radially-extending flange disposed at a proximal end of the body member; a proximal hub attachment member comprising a proximally-extending arm and a resilient projection, the resilient projection being biased radially outward and having a radially-extending tab with an aperture therethrough; a side port in fluid communication with the longitudinal lumen; and an outer sheath extending distally from the distal end of the longitudinal lumen; a proximal hub member comprising an outer wall defining an internal cavity and having an open distal end, a central mounting section comprising a distally-extending annular wall defining a longitudinal lumen, an annular shelf, and an opening at the proximal end of the proximal hub member, and a catch formed in the outer wall of the body member comprising an aperture formed in the outer wall having a distal interfacing surface; a core member comprising a wall defining a longitudinal lumen having a distal section and a proximal section, wherein the distal section has a diameter less than the diameter of the proximal section, the wall being made of UV-transparent material, a flange at a proximal end of the core member, an annular detent, an annular recess, and UV-curable resin disposed within the proximal section of the longitudinal lumen that has been cured by application of UV radiation; a sealing member attached to an inside surface of the body member of the distal hub member comprising a wall defining a longitudinal lumen, the longitudinal lumen having a diameter greater than an outside diameter of the core member; a hemostasis valve interfaced with the inside surface of the body member of the distal hub member; and an o-ring seated within the annular recess of the core member and interfacing with an inside surface of the sealing member; wherein the resilient projection engages with the catch to couple removably the distal hub member to the proximal hub member, the hemostasis valve forms a fluid barrier preventing proximal fluid flow between a distal end of the longitudinal lumen of the distal hub member and a distal end of the sealing member, and the o-ring forms a fluid barrier between the distal end of the longitudinal lumen of the sealing member and the internal cavity of the proximal hub member. 
         [0059]    A catheter hub apparatus comprises a distal hub member having an upper surface defining a contour, a lower surface defining a contour, and a horizontal axis; and a proximal hub member having an upper surface defining a contour, a lower surface defining a contour, and a horizontal axis; wherein the distal hub member upper contour is asymmetric to the distal hub member lower contour about the distal horizontal axis, and the proximal hub member upper contour is asymmetric to the proximal hub member lower contour about the proximal horizontal axis. The distal hub member upper contour may align with the proximal hub member upper contour, and the distal hub member lower contour aligns with the proximal hub member lower contour. 
         [0060]    While the invention has been described in connection with various embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is capable of further modifications. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention, and including such departures from the present disclosure as, within the known and customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains.