Patent Description:
A common type catheter is an over-the-needle catheter. As its name implies, a catheter that is "over-the-needle" may be mounted over an introducer needle having a sharp distal tip. The sharp distal tip may be used to pierce skin and a vein of a patient. Insertion of the catheter into the vein may follow the piercing of the vein by the introducer needle. The introducer needle typically has the sharp distal tip to pierce skin and the vein of the patient with minimal resistance to minimize the pain to the patient.

The introducer needle is generally placed at a steep inclined angle with respect to a surface of the skin and a longitudinal dimension of the vein to be pierced to allow penetration through the skin and a wall of the vein. The introducer needle and the catheter are generally inserted with a bevel of the introducer needle facing away from the skin of the patient. After the tip of the introducer needle pierces the wall, the angle of the insertion is lowered to be able to slide the introducer needle and the catheter into the vein a distance sufficient to properly position the catheter in the vein. Once placement of the introducer needle within the vein has been confirmed, the user may temporarily occlude flow in the vein and withdraw the introducer needle, leaving the catheter in place for future fluid infusion and/or blood withdrawal.

<CIT> discloses a catheter adapter comprising a side port having a compressible valve. Another catheter adapter with a compressible valve is known from <CIT>. An example of a compressible valve having a cannula comprising a blunt end is shown in <CIT>.

The present disclosure relates generally to a catheter assembly comprising a catheter adapter, which includes a body and a side port extending outwardly from the body. The body includes a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end of the body and the proximal end of the body. The side port is disposed between the distal end and the proximal end and includes an outer opening.

The catheter assembly includes a valve comprising a channel and disposed within the side port. The catheter assembly includes a cannula fixed within the side port and disposed within the channel. The cannula includes a plurality of openings. The valve comprises: i) a position in which the plurality of openings are positioned within the valve, and ii) a compressed position in which the valve is positioned below the plurality of openings to expose the plurality of openings from within the valve, wherein the cannula comprises a blunt, closed end, and wherein the blunt, closed end of the cannula seals an end of the channel when the valve is in the position in which the plurality of openings are positioned within the valve. The catheter assembly includes a catheter extending distally from the distal end of the body. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include another valve, which may be generally cylindrical and/or disposed within the lumen.

In some embodiments, the side port and the body may be monolithically formed as a single unit. In some embodiments, the valve may be constructed of rubber or another suitable resilient material. In some embodiments, the valve may include a first end, a second end, and an accordion portion between the first end and the second end. In some embodiments, a diameter of the first end and a diameter of the second end may be greater than a diameter of the accordion portion. In some embodiments, the valve may include a rim and the side port may include a groove. In some embodiments, the rim may be disposed within the groove to secure the valve within the side port.

The blunt, closed end of the cannula seals the end of the channel, which may prevent bacteria from entering the catheter assembly. In further detail, in some embodiments, the blunt, closed end may include a first circumference and the end of the channel may include a second circumference approximately equal to the first circumference, which may facilitate a seal at the end of the channel.

In some embodiments, the openings may include a first opening, a second opening, and/or a third opening. In some embodiments, one or more of the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening may be spaced apart around a circumference of the cannula. In some embodiments, one or more of the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening may be proximate the blunt, closed end. In some embodiments, the cannula may include an annular body. In some embodiments, the first opening, the second opening, and/or the third opening may be disposed between the blunt, closed end of the cannula and the annular body.

In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include a base, which may be fixed to the cannula. In some embodiments, the cannula may include an opening which may extend along a length of the cannula from the blunt, closed end to the base. In these and other embodiments, the blunt, closed end of the cannula may be semi-circular, and the end of the channel may be generally semi-cylindrical, which may facilitate a seal at the end of the channel. In some embodiments, the channel may be generally semi-cylindrical. In some embodiments, the base may include a hole, which may be aligned with the opening.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring now to <FIG>, a catheter assembly <NUM> includes a catheter adapter <NUM>, which includes a body <NUM> and a side port <NUM> extending outwardly from the body <NUM>. In some embodiments, the side port <NUM> and the body <NUM> may be monolithically formed as a single unit. The body <NUM> includes a distal end <NUM>, a proximal end <NUM>, and a lumen <NUM> extending through the distal end <NUM> of the body <NUM> and the proximal end <NUM> of the body <NUM>. The side port <NUM> is disposed between the distal end <NUM> and the proximal end <NUM>, The side port <NUM> includes an outer opening <NUM>.

The catheter assembly <NUM> includes a valve <NUM> disposed within the side port <NUM>. In some embodiments, the valve <NUM> may be constructed of rubber or another suitable resilient material. The valve <NUM> includes a channel <NUM> extending through the valve <NUM>. The catheter assembly <NUM> includes a cannula <NUM> disposed within the channel <NUM>. The cannula <NUM> includes a blunt, closed end <NUM>.

The catheter assembly <NUM> includes a catheter <NUM> extending distally from the distal end <NUM> of the body <NUM>. In some embodiments, the catheter <NUM> may include a peripheral intravenous catheter ("PIVC"), a peripherally inserted central catheter ("PICC"), a midline catheter, or another suitable catheter. In some embodiments, a needle assembly that includes an introducer needle <NUM> may extend through the catheter adapter <NUM>, as illustrated, for example, in <FIG>. In some embodiments, in response to the introducer needle <NUM> and catheter <NUM> being inserted into vasculature of a patient, the needle assembly may be removed from the catheter adapter <NUM>, as illustrated, for example, in <FIG>. In some embodiments, a blood collection device may be coupled to the catheter adapter <NUM>, and when the catheter <NUM> is inserted into the vasculature of the patient, blood may flow from the vasculature, distally through the catheter <NUM>, through the catheter adapter <NUM>, and into the blood collection device.

The cannula <NUM> includes a plurality of openings <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the valve <NUM> is configured to compress to expose the openings <NUM> from within the valve <NUM>. In some embodiments, a medical device <NUM> may be inserted into and/or coupled to the side port <NUM>, which may compress the valve <NUM> to expose the openings <NUM> from within the valve <NUM> and allow fluid to flow from the medical device <NUM>, through the openings <NUM>, through an annular body <NUM> of the cannula <NUM>. In some embodiments, in response to the medical device <NUM> being removed and/or uncoupled from the side port <NUM>, the valve <NUM> may resiliently return to a position in which the openings <NUM> are within the valve <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the openings <NUM> may include a first opening 34a, a second opening 34b, and/or a third opening 34c (which may be referred to collectively in the present disclosure as "openings"). In some embodiments, the openings <NUM> may include more than three openings. In some embodiments, the openings <NUM> may be spaced apart around a circumference of the cannula <NUM>, as illustrated in Figure. In these embodiments, the openings <NUM> may be aligned with each other.

In some embodiments, the openings <NUM> may be proximate the blunt, closed end <NUM>. In some embodiments, the openings <NUM> may be disposed between the blunt, closed end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> and the annular body <NUM>. In some embodiments, the annular body <NUM> may include a fluid pathway <NUM> or channel extending through the annular body <NUM>. In some embodiments, the openings <NUM> may be in fluid communication with the fluid pathway <NUM>. In some embodiments, the openings <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other by beams or separators, which may extend between the blunt, closed end <NUM> and the annular body <NUM>. In some embodiments, the beams or separators may be monolithically formed with the blunt, closed end <NUM> and/or the annular body <NUM> as a single unit.

In some embodiments, the catheter assembly <NUM> may include another valve <NUM>, which may be generally cylindrical and/or disposed within the lumen. In some embodiments, the other valve <NUM> may be solid or may include a channel extending there through and aligned with a longitudinal axis of the body. In some embodiments, the side port <NUM> may be generally perpendicular with respect to the body <NUM>, which may facilitate fluid from the medical device <NUM> contacting the other valve <NUM> at about a <NUM>° angle, which may facilitate operation and opening of the other valve <NUM>. In some embodiments, the other valve <NUM> may open to allow fluid communication between the side port <NUM> and the lumen <NUM>. In some embodiments, the other valve <NUM> may open when a portion of the other valve <NUM> is depressed in response to contact by the fluid. In some embodiments, the other valve <NUM> may include any suitable valve, which may be generally perpendicular to the valve <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the valve <NUM> may include a first end <NUM>, a second end <NUM>, and an accordion portion <NUM> between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. In some embodiments, a diameter of the first end <NUM> and a diameter of the second end <NUM> may be greater than a diameter of the accordion portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, an outer surface of the accordion portion <NUM> may be curved.

The cannula <NUM> is fixed within the side port <NUM>. As an example, the cannula <NUM> may be fixed to the side port and/or the catheter adapter <NUM>. As another example, the valve <NUM> may be coupled to the side port <NUM>, and the cannula <NUM> may fit snugly within the valve <NUM>. In some embodiments, an end of the cannula <NUM> opposite the blunt, closed end <NUM> may have a diameter greater than an end <NUM> of the channel <NUM> prior to and/or after insertion of the medical device <NUM>, which may facilitate the cannula <NUM> being secured within the valve <NUM>. In some embodiments, the end of the cannula <NUM> opposite the blunt, closed end <NUM> may contact and/or be secured to a stepped surface, which may facilitate securement of the cannula <NUM> within the side port <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the valve <NUM> may be coupled to the catheter adapter <NUM> in any number of suitable ways. In some embodiments, the valve <NUM> may include a rim <NUM>, and the side port <NUM> may include a groove <NUM>. In some embodiments, the rim <NUM> may be disposed within the groove <NUM> to secure the valve <NUM> within the side port <NUM>. In some embodiments, the rim <NUM> and/or the groove <NUM> may be annular.

The blunt, closed end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> seals the end <NUM> of the channel <NUM>, which may prevent bacteria from entering the catheter assembly <NUM>. In further detail, in some embodiments, the blunt, closed end <NUM> may include a first circumference and the end <NUM> of the channel <NUM> may include a second circumference approximately equal to the first circumference, which may facilitate a seal at the end <NUM> of the channel <NUM>. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly <NUM> may not include a cap <NUM> because the blunt, closed end <NUM> and the valve <NUM> may seal the catheter adapter <NUM> from the external environment.

Referring now to <FIG>, not forming part of the invention, the catheter assembly <NUM> may include a valve <NUM> and a cannula <NUM>. In some embodiments, the valve <NUM> may include or correspond to the valve <NUM> described with respect to <FIG> and/or the cannula <NUM> may include or correspond to the cannula <NUM> described with respect to <FIG>. In some embodiments, the valve <NUM> may include one or more features of the valve <NUM> described with respect to <FIG> and/or the cannula <NUM> may one or more features of the cannula <NUM> described with respect to <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the catheter assembly <NUM> may include a base <NUM>, which may be fixed to the cannula <NUM>. In some embodiments, the cannula <NUM> and the base <NUM> may be monolithically formed as a single unit. In some embodiments, the cannula <NUM> may include an opening <NUM> which may extend along a length of the cannula <NUM>. In some embodiments, the cannula <NUM> may include an opening <NUM> which may extend along a length of the cannula <NUM> from the blunt, closed end <NUM> to the base <NUM>. In these and other embodiments, the blunt, closed end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> may be semi-circular, and the end <NUM> of the channel <NUM> may be generally semi-cylindrical, which may facilitate a seal at the end <NUM> of the channel <NUM>. In some embodiments, the channel <NUM> may be generally semi-cylindrical. In some embodiments, the base <NUM> may include a hole <NUM>, which may be aligned with the opening <NUM>.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Claim 1:
A catheter assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a catheter adapter (<NUM>), comprising:
a body (<NUM>), comprising a distal end (<NUM>), a proximal end (<NUM>), and a lumen (<NUM>) extending through the distal end and the proximal end; and
a side port (<NUM>) extending outwardly from the body and disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the side port comprises an outer opening (<NUM>);
a valve (<NUM>) disposed within the side port, wherein the valve comprises a channel (<NUM>) extending through the valve;
a cannula (<NUM>) fixed within the side port and disposed within the channel, wherein the cannula comprises a plurality of openings (<NUM>), wherein the valve comprises: i) a position in which the plurality of openings are positioned within the valve, and ii) a compressed position in which the valve is positioned below the plurality of openings to expose the plurality of openings from within the valve, wherein the cannula comprises a blunt, closed end (<NUM>), and wherein the blunt, closed end of the cannula seals an end (<NUM>) of the channel when the valve is in the position in which the plurality of openings are positioned within the valve; and
a catheter extending distally from the distal end of the body.