Fluid Transfer Devices With Extended Length Catheters and Methods of Using the Same

Abstract

An apparatus includes a housing, a catheter, and an actuator. The housing has a first port and a second port that is coupleable to an indwelling vascular access device. The catheter is at least partially disposed in the housing such that the first port of the housing receives a proximal end portion of the catheter. The actuator is partially disposed in the housing to selectively engage a portion of the catheter in the housing. The actuator is configured to be rotated an angular distance relative to the housing to move a distal end portion of the catheter a linear distance from a first position inside the housing, to a second position in which the catheter extends through the second port and distal to the indwelling vascular access device when the second port is coupled thereto. The linear distance is greater than the angular distance.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a housing having a first port and a second port, the second port being coupleable to an indwelling vascular access device;   a catheter having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the catheter at least partially disposed in the housing such that the proximal end portion is received by the first port; and   an actuator, wherein the actuator comprises an engagement portion disposed outside of the housing and a shaft portion disposed within the housing, wherein the shaft portion is configured to engage a portion of the catheter in the housing, the actuator configured to be rotated relative to the housing to move the distal end portion of the catheter a linear distance from a first position in which the distal end portion of the catheter is disposed in the housing, to a second position in which the catheter extends through the second port such that the distal end portion of the catheter is distal to the indwelling vascular access device when the second port is coupled thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the housing has a circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion of the actuator is one of a rotary switch, a rotary button, a tab, a knob, or a dial. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft portion of the actuator is one of a rigid sleeve, a tube, a rod, a shaft, a drum, or a spool. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the catheter is configured to be wound around the shaft portion of the actuator. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein one or more  360 ° turns of the catheter are wound around the shaft portion of the actuator. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises one or more internal structures configured to support the catheter. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more internal structures comprise one or more walls, partitions, protrusions, ridges, ribs, channels, or rollers. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end portion of the catheter is coupled to the first port and maintained in a fixed position when the catheter is moved from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter comprises a first section and a second section. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first section of the catheter is fixedly coupled to the first port of the housing and coupled to a port of the actuator. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second section of the catheter extends from the shaft portion of the actuator to the second port of the housing. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a housing having a first port and a second port, the second port being coupleable to an indwelling vascular access device;   a catheter having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the catheter at least partially disposed in the housing such that the proximal end portion is received by the first port;   an internal structure disposed within the housing, wherein the internal structure is configured to support at least a portion of the catheter; and   an actuator separate from the internal structure, the actuator configured to be rotated relative to the housing to move the distal end portion of the catheter a linear distance from a first position in which the distal end portion of the catheter is disposed in the housing, to a second position in which the catheter extends through the second port such that the distal end portion of the catheter is distal to the indwelling vascular access device when the second port is coupled thereto.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the internal structure is one of a cylindrical wall, a drum, one or more protrusions, or one or more ridges. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the catheter is configured to be wound around the internal structure. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the actuator is coupled to the housing at a position proximate the second port of the housing. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a housing having a first port and a second port, the first port being disposed in a central portion of the housing and the second port being coupleable to an indwelling vascular access device;   a catheter having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the catheter at least partially disposed in the housing such that the proximal end portion is received by the first port; and   an actuator, wherein the actuator and the housing collectively form a channel configured to receive at least a portion of the catheter.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the channel is circular and is disposed adjacent to an exterior wall of the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the actuator comprises a spool structure movably coupled to the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the spool structure is coupled to the proximal end portion of the catheter.