Systems and Methods for Phlebotomy Through a Peripheral IV Catheter

Abstract

An apparatus for performing phlebotomy through a peripheral intravenous line. The apparatus includes an introducer and a catheter configured to advance the catheter through a peripheral intravenous line. A y-adapter with a port of larger diameter is configured to receive the catheter and place in fluid communication with the peripheral intravenous line. When advanced the catheter is configured to transport a bodily fluid (i.e. blood) to a volume outside of the body.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an introducer coupleable to a peripheral intravenous line, the peripheral intravenous line being at least partially insertable into a vein of a patient; and   a catheter movable from a first position inside the introducer and outside the peripheral intravenous line to a second position at least partially outside the introducer and extending through the peripheral intravenous line, a proximal end of the catheter disposed in the introducer when the catheter is in the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an actuator coupled to the proximal end portion of the catheter and movable along a fixed length of the introducer to move the catheter between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the introducer defines a slot, the actuator being movable within the slot along the fixed length of the introducer. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the introducer is configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration to move the catheter between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the introducer has a first length when in the first configuration and a second length less than the first length when in the second configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the introducer is collapsible from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an adapter coupleable between a lock at a distal end portion of the introducer and at least one of a first port or a second port of the peripheral intravenous line.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the lock of the introducer is coupleable to one of a first port and a second port of the adapter, the catheter in the second position extendable through the adapter and the peripheral intravenous line such that a distal end of the catheter is distal to the peripheral intravenous line when the adapter is coupled between the lock of the introducer and the peripheral intravenous line. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an introducer coupleable to a peripheral intravenous line, the peripheral intravenous line being at least partially insertable into a vein of a patient; and   a catheter movable between a first position inside the introducer and proximal to the peripheral intravenous line and a second position at least partially outside the introducer such that a distal end of the catheter is distal to the peripheral intravenous line, a proximal end of the catheter disposed in the introducer and proximal to the peripheral intravenous line when the catheter is in the second position.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 an actuator coupled to the proximal end portion of the catheter and movable along a fixed length of the introducer to move the catheter between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the introducer defines a slot, the actuator being movable within the slot along the fixed length of the introducer. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein a distal end portion of the introducer includes a lock that is coupleable to one of a first port and a second port of the peripheral intravenous line. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 an adapter coupleable between a lock at a distal end portion of the introducer and at least one of a first port or a second port of the peripheral intravenous line.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the catheter in the second position is extendable through the adapter and the peripheral intravenous line when the adapter is coupled between the lock of the introducer and the peripheral intravenous line such that (i) a distal end of the catheter is distal to the peripheral intravenous line and (ii) a proximal end of catheter is disposed in the introducer and proximal to the adapter. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an introducer coupleable to an adapter connected to a port of a peripheral intravenous line that is at least partially insertable into a vein of a patient; and   a catheter movable between a first position inside the introducer and proximal to the adapter and a second position partially outside the introducer, a portion of the catheter in the second position extendable through the adapter and the peripheral intravenous line to place a distal end of the catheter distal to the peripheral intravenous line, a proximal end of the catheter in the second position disposed in the introducer and proximal to the adapter.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an actuator coupled to the proximal end portion of the catheter and movable along a fixed length of the introducer to move the catheter between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the introducer defines a slot, the actuator being movable within the slot along the fixed length of the introducer. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the introducer is configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration to move the catheter between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the introducer has a first length when in the first configuration and a second length less than the first length when in the second configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the port of the peripheral intravenous line is a first port, the peripheral intravenous line including a second port, the adapter being connectable to one of the first port and the second port.