Catheter Connection Systems

Abstract

A catheter connector system, including a catheter hub and a coupling member. The catheter hub includes a cannula portion connected to a housing portion and a distal interface including a tapered seal post fixed to the housing portion, a deformable sealing element surrounding the tapered seal post, and a retention collar surrounding the sealing element. The coupling member includes an opening to receive the distal interface, an inwardly extending portion to engage the retention collar, and an actuating member to engage the deformable sealing element.

1 . A catheter connector system, comprising:
 a catheter hub, including:
 a cannula portion connected to a housing portion, the cannula portion having an open end and a lumen in fluid communication therewith, and 
 a distal interface including a tapered seal post fixed to the housing portion, a deformable sealing element surrounding the tapered seal post, and a retention collar surrounding the sealing element; and 
   a coupling member, including:
 an opening to receive the distal interface, 
 an inwardly extending portion to engage the retention collar, and 
 an actuating member to engage the deformable sealing element, the engagement of the retention collar by the inwardly extending portion maintaining engagement of the deformable sealing element by the actuating member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The catheter connector system according to  claim 1 , wherein the deformable sealing element, the retention collar, and the actuating member are substantially annular. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter connector system according to  claim 1 , comprising a sealed configuration wherein a sealing surface of the deformable sealing element is in contact with the seal post to prevent fluid flow through the catheter hub, and an open configuration where the deformable sealing element is deformed such that the sealing surface is longitudinally displaced with respect to the connector hub and the seal post to open a fluid flow path through the catheter hub. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter connector system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tapered seal post, deformable sealing element, and retention collar extend beyond an end of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter connector system according to  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the tapered seal post, deformable sealing element, and retention collar are longitudinally co-extensive in a sealed position. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter connector system according to  claim 1 , wherein the deformable sealing element is retained between the retention collar and the housing to longitudinally fix a proximal end of the deformable sealing element with respect to the catheter hub. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter connector system according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention collar includes an internal indention creating an open space between the deformable sealing element and the retention collar to provide a volume for the deformable sealing element to deform when engaged by coupling member. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter connector system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tapered seal post includes a plurality of longitudinal channels. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter connector system according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling member includes a cantilevered pivoting element associated with the inwardly extending portion to disengage the inwardly extending portion from the retention collar. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter connector system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cantilevered pivoting element includes a handle. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter connector system according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling member includes an aperture to permit verification of engagement of the deformable sealing element by the actuating member when the inwardly extending portion is engaged with the retention collar. 
     
     
         12 . The catheter connector system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cover member surrounding the cannula portion. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter connector system according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling member includes a luer fitting.