US3766916A - Y stylet catheter placement assembly - Google Patents

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

United States Patent 1191 Moorehead et a1.

14 1 Oct. 23, 1973 1 Y STYLET CATHETER PLACEMENT ASSEMBLY [75] inventors? Harvey Moorehead, Salt Lake City;

George R. Reading, Sandy; Silas S. Smith, Bountiful, all of Utah [73] Assignee: Deseret Pharmaceutical Co. Inc.,

Sandy, Utah [22] Filed: July 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 269,671

[52] US. Cl. l28/214.4, l28/D1G. 16

[51] Int. Cl A6lm 5/00 [58] Field of Search l28/2l4.4, 221, 347, 128/348, DIG. 16

[ 56] A References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1969 Ring r al. ..12s 214.4 9/1968 .Pannier et a1 ..12s 214.4

3/1970 7 Podhora 128/2144 2,531,667 11/1950 Brent 128/2144 3,313,299 4/1967 Spademan l28/2l4.4

Primary Examiner-Dalton L. Truluck Attorney-Lynn G. Foster [57] ABSTRACT Catheter placement units wherein the catheter tube is fixed toa generally Y-shaped transparent central unit.

The stylet needle is provided with a tab tofacilitate 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 boreof the lother arm of the central unit to providehvi sual indication ofblood flashback indicative of successful venipuncture. i

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 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 'neces- V sary or desirable to be able to introduce fiuids, such as blood or saline solution, directly. into the cardiovascular system of a patient. This is conventionally accom-' plished by performing a venipuncture and inserting a catheter in a vein located, for example, in the patients 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 placementof the unit and during subsequent withdrawal of the stylet needle.

These disadvantages of the prior art are overcome with the present invention and anovel 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 advantagesof 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 thestylet 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. I

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 theunit to permit passage of blood through the needle and into the chamher 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 sectionthrough 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. r

The catheter tube 4 is preferably fonned of a suitable v greater diameter than theprojection 12 and an intermediate taperedportion '18 joining theend portion 16 to theprojection 12. Thesleeve 14 is formed with anaxial bore 20 which has a configuration similarto the exterior ofsleeve 14 and extends completely therethrough.

The central unit 6 has a bifurcatedtransparent body 22 having generallycylindrical arms 24 and 26 and is .formed at thedistal end 28 with a generally cylindrical male fitting 30 having atapered front portion 32. The male fitting 30 andtapered portion 32 have exterior dimensions adapted to mate with thebore 20 ofsleeve 14 and are preferably secured therein by a suitable bonding agent, such as epoxy. Thearm 24 ofbody 22 extends coaxially with the male fitting 30 and is formed with acentral bore 34 extending completely through thearm 24 and male fitting 30. Thebore 34 communicates with acounter bore 36 of greater diameter adjacent the proximal end ofarm 24 andarm 24 is provided at the proximal end with a radially outwardly projectingflange 38. Thearm 26 intersectsarm 24 at an angle to the axis ofarm 24 adjacentthedistal end 28 ofbody 22. Thearm 26 is formed with anaxial bore 40 which communicates withbore 34 of arm 24and a pair ofradial flanges 42 project outwardly from opposite sides ofarm 26 at the proximal end thereof. Thebore 40 ofarm 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 cylindricaltransparent cap 44. Thecap 44 has aplanar end member 46 and anannular slrirt 48 dimensioned for press-fit engagement withflanges 42 ofarm 26 and is provided with anannular base 50 depending from'theend member 46 centrally within theskirt 48 and dimensional to be press-fit withinbore 40 ofarm 26. Theskirt 48 is preferably provided with a plurality of spacedribs 52 about the exterior thereof. Finally,'aplug 54 formed of self-sealing material, such as latex, is press-fit intocounterbore 36 ofarm 24. Theplug 54 is formed with a generallyplanar end portion 56 and anannular skirt 58 depending from theend portion 56 and terminating at its free end in a radially outwardly projectingflange 60 which serves to resiliently grip theflange 38 ofarm 24. In addition, theplug 54 is formed with acentral core 62 which extends forwardly from theend portion 56 slightly beyond the end of theskirt 58. Thecore 62 is dimensioned to fit closely withincounter bore 36 ofarm 24 and is provided with acentral recess 64 communicating with thedistal end portion 66 ofcore 62 and extending axially substantially the entire length ofcore 62 so that only self-sealingwall 67 is provided at the proximal end ofcore 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 ofcore 62 ofplug 54. Theshim 69 is formed of plastic or resinous material and has a pair ofopposed recesses 71 formed in the proximal end thereof which defineopposing jaws 73. Theshim 69 is disposed incounter bore 36 with thejaws 73 expanded to extend about and partially circumscribecore 62 ofplug 54, as seen in FIG. 3.

The stylet needle 8 comprises a hollow or cannulatedtubular steel needle 68 having acentral bore 70 and a sharpenedbevel point 72 adapted to penetrate the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and blood vessels of a patient. Theneedle 68 has a sufficient length to extend completely through the catheter 4 and central unit 6 and has its proximal end 74 seated in arecess 76 formed in theforward face 78ofa tab member 80. The end 74 ofneedle 68 is preferably secured withinrecess 76 by suitable means, such as epoxy or sonic bonding. Forward of the proximal end 74, theneedle 68 is provided with anelongated opening 82 communicating thebore 70 with the exterior ofneedle 68. Thetab member 80 has a generallyrectangular handle portion 84 found on opposite sides thereof withrectangular recesses 86 of slightly lesser dimensions serving to provide aperipheral ridge 88 to facilitate manual gripping and manipu- -lation. A generallycylindrical shell portion 90 is joined to the distal end ofhandle portion 84 and projects forwardly therefrom and is bifurcated adjacent the forward end thereof to provide a pair of opposinglycurved fingers 92 which are dimensioned to extend about and frictionally engage the exterior ofarm 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, theneedle 68 is inserted intorecess 64 ofplug 54, piercing the self-sealingwall 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 ofneedle 68 serves to communicate bore 70 ofneedle 68 with thebore 40 ofarm 26 of the transparent central unit 6. Moreover, thefingers 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 throughbore 70 andopening 82 ofneedle 68 intobore 40 ofarm 26 to provide a visual indica- .tion that the venipuncture has been achieved. Thereafter, the stylet needle 8 may be withdrawn, allowingwall 67 ofplug 54 to seal. As indicated above, thejaws 73 ofshim 69 are expanded to extend aboutcore 62 ofplug 54. Consequently, thejaws 73 apply an inward pressure to the wall ofcore 62 which tends to closerecess 64 and enhances the self-sealing action ofwall 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 intoshim 69 and, thereby, increasing the sealing pressureapplied byjaws 73. Thereafter, cap

44 may be removed fromarm 26 of central unit 6 to permit attachment thereto of a fluid delivery tube.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged sectional views illustrating theshim 69. As shown, thejaws 73 are, preferably, provided with external ridges 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 ofwall 67 occurs, plug 54 is pressed forward, causingridges 75 to bear against the end of counter bore 36 and forcingjaws 73 inwardly to clampcore 62 and substantiallyclose recess 64 thereof, thus, significantly increasing the self-sealing action ofwall 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.

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 and 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 convergingin 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 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 positionedl 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.

Claims (8)

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.

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