Connector for catheter attachment to an implantable pump

Abstract

A catheter system for locking a catheter to an implantable pump and for effectively flushing a catheter after implantation within a body. A locking component comprises an extension boot and catheter lock that together fluidly connect the catheter to the pump in a secure, safe and effective manner. A catheter component comprises a design having kink-resistant walls and a unique tip. A flushing component comprises a hub and stylet combination characterized by a hydrophilic coating on the stylet and a flush through hub to allow flushing of the stylet while inside the catheter.

1 . A connection device for attaching a catheter to an implantable port or pump, wherein the catheter is in fluid communication with said port or pump, comprising: 
 a coupling device extending from said port or pump, comprising an arm portion and a stem, wherein the shape of the arm portion is substantially similar to an outer contour of said port or pump, and wherein the stem comprises a base portion and a tip portion; and    a locking device slideable along a length of the catheter, comprising varying diameter portions that communicate directly with diameters of the base portion and tip portion of the stem, wherein a locking connection is established therebetween.    
   
   
       2 . The connection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the base portion of the stem comprises a body portion and an engaging portion, wherein the engaging portion has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the body portion.  
   
   
       3 . The connection device according to  claim 2 , wherein the diameter of the body portion is constant.  
   
   
       4 . The connection device according to  claim 2 , wherein the diameter of the engaging portion tapers down to the diameter of the body portion.  
   
   
       5 . The connection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the tip portion of the stem comprises a barbed end, having a diameter larger than a lumen of the catheter.  
   
   
       6 . The connection device according to  claim 1 , wherein an audible confirmation is provided upon establishment of said locking connection.  
   
   
       7 . The connection device according to  claim 1 , wherein a tactile confirmation is provided upon establishment of said locking connection.  
   
   
       8 . The connection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the arm portion is comprised of a flexible material and is biased to a resting position in close proximity to said port or pump, wherein said arm portion is movable to a connecting position away from said port or pump, and wherein said arm portion retracts to said resting position upon release from said connecting position.  
   
   
       9 . The connection device according to  claim 1 , wherein said stem further comprises a rear portion.  
   
   
       10 . The connection device according to  claim 9 , wherein said rear portion comprises a barbed end.  
   
   
       11 . The connection device according to  claim 9 , further comprising a sleeve attached to said stem, covering said rear portion.  
   
   
       12 . The connection device according to  claim 11 , further comprising a collar positioned around said sleeve, said collar securing said sleeve to said stem.  
   
   
       13 . The connection device according to  claim 12 , wherein said collar is positioned between said base portion and a barbed end of said rear portion.  
   
   
       14 . The connection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the stem is comprised of titanium.  
   
   
       15 . The connection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the stem is comprised of stainless steel.  
   
   
       16 . The connection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking device is comprised of plastic.  
   
   
       17 . The connection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking device comprises a radiopaque portion.  
   
   
       18 . The connection device according to  claim 17 , wherein the radiopaque portion comprises a metal ring.  
   
   
       19 . The connection device according to  claim 17 , wherein the radiopaque portion comprises radiopaque ink.  
   
   
       20 . A connection device for attaching a catheter to an implantable port or pump, comprising: 
 a coupling device extending from the implantable port or pump, comprising an arm portion and a stem, wherein the shape of the arm portion is substantially similar to an outer contour of the implantable port or pump, and wherein the stem comprises a base portion and a tip portion; and    a locking device slideable over the catheter, comprising varying diameter portions that communicate directly with diameters of the base portion and tip portion, wherein a locking connection is established therebetween,    wherein the base portion of the stem comprises a body portion and an engaging portion, wherein the engaging portion has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the body portion, and wherein the tip portion of the stem comprises a barbed end, having a diameter larger than a lumen of the catheter.    
   
   
       21 . The connection device according to  claim 15 , wherein the locking device comprises a first diameter portion that is approximately equivalent to the diameter of the barbed end.  
   
   
       22 . The connection device according to  claim 16 , wherein the locking device further comprises a second diameter portion adjacent the first diameter portion that is approximately equivalent to the diameter of the tip portion of the stem.  
   
   
       23 . The connection device according to  claim 17 , wherein the locking device further comprises a third diameter portion adjacent the second diameter portion that is approximately equivalent to the diameter of the body portion of the base portion.  
   
   
       24 . The connection device according to  claim 18 , wherein the locking device further comprises a fourth diameter portion adjacent the third diameter portion that is approximately equivalent to the largest diameter of the engaging portion.  
   
   
       25 . The connection device according to  claim 19 , wherein the locking device further comprises a fifth diameter portion adjacent the fourth diameter portion, wherein the diameter of the fifth diameter portion is less than the diameter of the fourth diameter portion.  
   
   
       26 . A locking device for securing a catheter to a stem of an extension device, wherein the stem comprises a base portion and a tip portion, the base portion comprising a body portion and an engaging portion and the tip portion comprising a barbed end, comprising: 
 a first diameter portion that is approximately equivalent to the diameter of said barbed end;    a second diameter portion adjacent the first diameter portion that is approximately equivalent to the diameter of said tip portion;    a third diameter portion adjacent the second diameter portion that is approximately equivalent to the diameter of said body portion;    a fourth diameter portion adjacent the third diameter portion that is approximately equivalent to the largest diameter of the engaging portion; and    a fifth diameter portion adjacent the fourth diameter portion having a diameter less than the diameter of the fourth diameter portion.    
   
   
       27 . A coupling device for attachment of an implantable port or pump to a catheter, comprising: 
 an arm portion having a proximal end that is fixedly attached to said port or pump and a distal end, said arm portion comprising a flexible material and shaped substantially similar to an outer contour of said implantable port or pump, said arm portion being biased to a resting position in close proximity to said port or pump, wherein said arm portion is movable to a connecting position away from said port or pump, and wherein said arm portion retracts to said resting position upon release from said connecting position; and    a stem positioned at a distal end of said arm portion.    
   
   
       28 . The coupling device according to  claim 27 , wherein said stem comprises a rear portion, a base portion and a tip portion, wherein said rear portion is substantially covered by said arm portion.  
   
   
       29 . The coupling device according to  claim 28 , further comprising a sleeve attached to said stem, covering said rear portion.  
   
   
       30 . The coupling device according to  claim 29 , further comprising a collar positioned around said sleeve, said collar securing said sleeve to said stem.  
   
   
       31 . The coupling device according to  claim 30 , wherein said collar is positioned between said base portion and a barbed end of said rear portion.  
   
   
       32 . The coupling device according to  claim 29 , wherein said arm portion and said sleeve are comprised of silicone.