IV Catheter with In-Line Valve and Methods Related Thereto

Abstract

Featured is a vascular access device such as an IV catheter device including a housing, a tubular member and a seal member, and a securing mechanism. The housing includes a proximal and distal portion and a chamber that extends between the proximal and distal portions. The tubular member is coupled to the housing distal portion so it is fluidly coupled to the chamber. The seal member is disposed within the chamber and the securing mechanism secures the seal member distal end to the housing proximal portion so the seal member is sealingly and compressibly retained between a chamber proximal end and the securing mechanism. Such a seal member also is constituted so a portion of the seal member moves axially responsive to an axial force applied to the proximal end.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An in-line valve device comprising:
 a housing including a proximal housing portion and a distal housing portion, the proximal housing portion and the distal housing portion collectively defining an internal chamber, the proximal housing portion defining a proximal opening that is selectively fluidly coupled to the internal chamber;   a seal member within the internal chamber, the seal member defining an inner cavity and the seal member including:
 a proximal end having a sealing portion configured and dimensioned to seal the proximal opening of the proximal housing portion from the internal chamber, the sealing member defining at least one aperture disposed distally of the sealing portion and in communication with the inner cavity; and 
 at least one channel extending through the proximal end such that unsealing the proximal opening of the proximal housing portion establishes at least one flow path through the at least one channel, about the seal member, through the at least one aperture, and into the inner cavity of the seal member. 
   
     
     
         22 . The in-line device of  claim 21 , wherein the seal member has a plurality of raised sections extending proximally from the sealing portion, the at least one channel extending between the plurality of raised sections. 
     
     
         23 . The in-line valve device of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of raised sections define a centrally positioned chamber. 
     
     
         24 . The in-line valve device of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one channel is in communication with the centrally positioned chamber such that fluid is communicated from the centrally positioned chamber and through the at least one channel upon disengagement of the sealing portion of the seal member from the proximal opening of the proximal housing portion. 
     
     
         25 . The in-line device of  claim 21 , further including a securing member positioned to secure a distal end of the seal member to the proximal housing portion such that the seal member is compressibly retained between the proximal opening of the proximal housing portion and the securing member. 
     
     
         26 . The in-line device of  claim 25 , wherein the securing member is an annular ring. 
     
     
         27 . The in-line device of  claim 26 , further including a groove formed in the proximal housing portion dimensioned to receive and axially retain the annular ring. 
     
     
         28 . The in-line device of  claim 25 , wherein the securing member includes a raised rib formed about an inner circumference of the proximal housing portion. 
     
     
         29 . The in-line valve device of  claim 21 , wherein the seal member further includes a septum configured and dimensioned to sealingly engage an inserted surgical object. 
     
     
         30 . The in-line device of  claim 21 , wherein the distal housing portion includes at least one axially extending fin extending from an inner surface of the distal housing portion into the internal chamber. 
     
     
         31 . As vascular access device comprising:
 a housing defining an internal chamber and a proximal opening; and   a seal member within the internal chamber, the seal member defining an inner cavity and the seal member including:
 a sealing portion configured and dimensioned to engage the housing adjacent the proximal opening to seal the proximal opening from the internal chamber, the seal member defining at least one aperture disposed distally of the sealing portion and in communication with the inner cavity, 
 wherein the proximal opening is selectively fluidly coupled to the internal chamber upon disengagement of the sealing portion of the sealing member from the housing adjacent the proximal opening such that at least one flow path is established about the seal member, through the at least one aperture, and into the inner cavity of the seal member. 
   
     
     
         32 . The vascular access device of  claim 31 , wherein the housing includes a proximal housing portion and a distal housing portion collectively defining the internal chamber, the proximal opening being defined in the proximal housing portion. 
     
     
         33 . The vascular access device of  claim 32 , further including a tubular member defining a lumen coupled to the distal housing portion such that the lumen is fluidly coupled to the internal chamber. 
     
     
         34 . The vascular access device of  claim 31 , wherein the housing adjacent the proximal opening includes a seating surface configured to locate the sealing portion of the seal member, wherein distal displacement of the sealing portion of the seal member from the seating surface establishes the at least one flow path to permit fluid to flow through the housing.