Patent Publication Number: US-2017354799-A1

Title: Cannula needle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/348,425, filed on Jun. 10, 2016. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the needles for intravenous (IV) catheters, and in particular, the invention relates to a needle puncturing surface which facilitates the flow of blood to improve a visible indication of the timing and presence of a proper IV needle insertion. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     Often IV catheters are used to maintain fluid &amp; electrolytes balance, to restore circulating volume, to administer medications, to transfuse blood &amp; blood products and to correct or maintain the patient&#39;s nutritional status. Isotonic fluids, which should be used with caution, use with caution with congestive heart failure, renal dysfunction &amp; circulatory insufficiency include Sodium chloride 0.9% solution and Lactated Ringer&#39;s Solution. Also used are hypotonic solutions which include Sodium chloride 0.45% solution. D 5% in 0.45% NS; and Hyper Tonic Fluids that must be administer cautiously &amp; only when the serum osmolality has decreased to dangerously low levels. D 10% in water. D 50% in water, Crystalloid, NR+Colloid; and blood products. Transitionally, these liquids are introduced to the patient using an IV catheter. 
     Factors to be consider when choosing an IV site including the condition of the vein, the types of IV therapy, and the duration of IV therapy. Additionally, important are the patient&#39;s age &amp; size, whether the patient is right or left handed, and the skills of person performing the vein puncture. Often, IV catheters are placed in the veins of the hand such as 1—digital dorsal veins; 2—dorsal metacarpal veins; 3—dorsal venous network; 4—cephalic vein; and 5—basilic vein. Additionally, they can be placed in the veins of the forearm including 1—cephalic vein; 2—median cubital vein; 3—accessory cephalic vein; 4—basilic vein; 5—cephalic vein; and 6—median antebrachial vein. 
     While it is preferred to use the veins in the upper extremities as opposed to that of the lower extremity sites for IV cannulation. Because the superficial veins of lower extremity connected directly to the deeper veins in the leg there is a high risk of DVT &amp; phlebitis. This site should be restricted to short term administration only and changed as soon as other site can be established elsewhere. 
     Unfortunately, due to physiology, it is often difficult to properly place the insertion needle into the vein. In this regard, it is unfortunately possible to have the insertion needle to be placed through the receiving vein causing discomfort and bruising. It is therefore a primary objective of the invention to provide an IV catheter device in which the disadvantages of the prior art are overcome. Therefore, the foregoing objectives, other objects, as well as numerous advantages of the present invention, are set forth in the following disclosure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing objectives may be achieved by a needle device for an intravenous catheter apparatus having a needle it configured to facilitate the flow of blood to improve a visible indication of the timing and presence of a proper IV needle insertion. 
     According to a teaching of the present invention, having a flexible catheter attached to a housing. A needle having an exterior surface having a first roughness, the needle being within the flexible catheter and the housing. The needle has and interface surface angled with respect to a needle centerline. A portion of the interface surface having a second roughness which is more than the first roughness. 
     According to a teaching of the present invention, the intravenous catheter apparatus above wherein second roughness has a Ra of 0.2 to 1.6 um. 
     According to a teaching of the present invention, the intravenous catheter apparatus above wherein the exterior surface defined a first channel. 
     According to a teaching of the present invention, the intravenous catheter apparatus above wherein the interface surface defines a second channel. 
     According to a teaching of the present invention, the intravenous catheter apparatus above further has a member defining a flashback chamber. 
     According to a teaching of the present invention, the intravenous catheter apparatus above further has a catheter base within the wing housing. 
     According to a teaching of the present invention, the intravenous catheter apparatus above wherein the needle safety device is capable of receiving between 14 through 18 gauge needles. 
     According to a teaching of the present invention, the intravenous catheter apparatus above wherein the catheter is capable of receiving between 18 through 24 gauge needles. 
     According to another feature of the present invention, the intravenous catheter apparatus has cylindrical wing housing. The needle according to the present teachings fitting efficiently within the cylindrical wing housing. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an intravenous catheter apparatus according to the present teachings; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2 ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3D  are cross sectional views of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  taken along line  3 - 3 ; and 
         FIGS. 4A-E  represent tips of the needle shown in  FIGS. 1-3D  according to the present teachings. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     According to  FIGS. 1-4D , an IV catheter system  10  according to the present teachings is disclosed. The system  10  consists of a needle  12  inside a plastic catheter  14  which is inserted into the vascular system during a medical procedure. The catheter  14  and needle assembly can be supported by a cannula  16 . The needle  12  is used to enter the skin &amp; the vein and provides a stable support structure during the insertion of the catheter  14  within the vein. The needle  12  is removed once the cannulation is accomplished. The plastic catheter  14  which, is soft &amp; flexible, is the only thing left within the vein and has the advantage of being secure &amp; stable in the vein. The catheter  14  is supported by the annularly disposed cannula  16 , which is available in a variety of designs &amp; sizes, with wings or without wings. 
     Typically, the assembly  10  has a steel needle  12 , plastic wings &amp; a flexible extension cannula tube  16  that varies in length from 3 to 12 inches. The needle size is ranging from 0.5 to 1 inch, &amp; gauges from 17 to 27. It is suitable for short term IV therapy (less than 24 hrs), obtaining blood sample, with infants, pediatric, &amp; elderly patients. For trauma patient &amp; major surgery 18 g. For blood transfusion, 20 g. For most adult patients a 22 g. needle can be used. For pediatric &amp; elderly patients with fragile veins, a 24 g. can be appropriate. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an intravenous (IV) catheter apparatus  10  of the present invention is shown. The IV catheter apparatus  10  includes the needle  12 , a needle cover, a wing housing, a port cap in unitary assembly with the wing housing. As seen in the cross section depicted in  FIG. 2 , a needle  12  extends from the cannula  16  through the catheter  14  and ends in a needle tip  22  under the needle cover. As described in detail below, the needle  12  can define a hollow groove portion which facilitates a small amount of blood which is visible with a transparent portion of a flash back chamber  30  once the needle  12  pierces a vein. The needle tip  22  is typically cut at a diagonal. When the needle tip  22  is inserted into a patient the needle may encounter fluid pressure which travels adjacent needle tip  22  and the needle  12  and in a space defined between the needle  12  and the catheter  14  and enter a flash back chamber  30  which give a visual indication of a proper insertion. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 a -3 d   , surrounding the needle is a catheter  14  which is attached to the wing housing or catheter  14  by catheter base  28 . The catheter  14  is a flexible tube that will remain in the user to provide fluids, nourishment, or medicines. As shown, the exterior surface  34  of the needle  12  can define a channel  36 . The exterior surface  34  has a generally polished finish having a first roughness Ra of 0.1 to 0.6 um. The channel  36  can have a flat lower surface  38 , an angled surface  40 , or a rounded channel  42 . The channel  36  can help facilitate the flow of indicating blood to the flashback chamber. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A-4E , the needle tip can be formed by an angled cut that forms a generally planar interface surface  44 . The interface surface  44  is generally oval in shape and has an interface edge  46  between the interface surface  44  and the needle surface  34 . The interface edge  46  is roughened compared to the exterior surface  34  to provide a serrated edge which helps facilitate the insertion of the needle  12  in the vein. The interface surface  44  can define a second channel  50  which helps to facilitate the flow of blood to the flashback chamber. As shown in  FIG. 4A , the second channel  50  can be fluidly coupled to the first channel or to the need exterior surface  34 . The interface surface  44  has a generally finish having a second roughness which is more than the first roughness and has an Ra of 0.2 to 1.6 um. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 c   , the interface surface can have a central portion have a third finish having a third roughness which is less than the second roughness and has an Ra of for example 0.1 to 0.6 um.  FIGS. 4D and 4E  represent needles  12  defining a shallow through cavity  58  which facilitates the flow of blood to the flashback chamber via portions illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3D . 
     In use, a medical professional receives the intravenous (IV) catheter apparatus with the needle tip  22  as seen in  FIGS. 1-3D , the needle  10  and catheter  12  are inserted into a patient&#39;s vein slowly until blood is seen in the flashback chamber. This prevents the needle tip  22  from passing through the obverse side of the vein. The needle  12  is then withdrawn from the patient by grasping the cannula and pulling upon the needle leaving the cannula within the vein. The needle  10  slides through the cannula  16 . 
     Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.