Catheter having a low drag septum

Abstract

The catheter and introducer needle assembly of this invention includes a catheter adapter at its proximal end having a hollow septum disposed therein. The septum preferably is hollow to minimize drag as the introducer needle is removed therefrom. If desired a gel or lubricious material may be disposed in the cavity.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An intravenous catheter assembly comprising: 
 a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;    a catheter adapter in fluid communication with the catheter and having a proximal end and a distal end connected to the proximal end of the catheter;    an introducer needle disposed, at least in part, within the catheter, the introducer needle having a proximal end and a distal end with an opening;    a needle hub having a proximal end and a distal end connected to the proximal end of needle;    a septum housing mounted at the proximal end of the catheter adapter, wherein the septum housing includes a proximal end; and    an elastomeric septum having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the elastomeric septum being disposed in the septum housing, distal, at least in part, to the proximal end of the septum housing;    wherein the proximal end of the septum housing is adapted to prevent the attachment of a medical device to the proximal end of the catheter adapter.    
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the proximal end of the septum housing extends over at least a portion of a proximal face of the septum.  
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein the introducer needle defines a notch therein adjacent to the distal end, and wherein a notch distance is defined as the distance between a proximal end of the notch and a distal end of the opening in the distal end of the introducer needle and wherein the septum has a length greater than the notch distance.  
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3  wherein the septum defines a cavity.  
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the septum housing extends only along the proximal portion of the septum.  
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the septum housing extends along both the proximal portion and the distal portion of the septum.  
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the septum is disposed in the septum housing in a friction fit.  
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the septum housing provides a compressive force to the septum.  
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the septum housing is affixed to the catheter adapter by at least one of an interference fit or an adhesive or a weld.  
     
     
         10 . A septum assembly comprising: 
 an adapter having a proximal end and a distal end;    a rigid septum housing mounted at the proximal end of the catheter adapter, wherein the septum housing includes a proximal end; and    an elastomeric septum having a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein a cavity is located in the septum, extending from the distal portion to the proximal portion and wherein the elastomeric septum is disposed in the septum housing;    wherein the proximal end of the septum housing abuts at least a portion of a proximal face of the septum to prevent the attachment of a medical device to the proximal end of the catheter adapter.    
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein the septum housing extends only along the proximal portion of the septum.  
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein the septum housing extends along both the proximal portion and the distal portion of the septum.  
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein the septum is compressed within the septum housing and held in a friction fit.  
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein the septum housing is affixed to the catheter adapter by at least one of an interference fit or an adhesive or a weld.  
     
     
         15 . An assembly comprising: 
 a needle having a cross section;    an adapter having a proximal end and a distal end;    a septum housing having a fixed shape and fixedly attached to the adapter; and    a septum fixedly disposed in the septum housing and including a septum proximal portion and a septum distal portion;    wherein the needle has a proximal end and a distal end with an opening, wherein the introducer needle defines a notch therein adjacent to the distal end, and wherein a notch distance is defined as the distance between a proximal end of the notch and a distal end of the opening in the distal end of the introducer needle and wherein the septum has a length greater than the notch distance; and    wherein the proximal end of the septum housing is adapted to prevent the attachment of a medical device to the proximal end of the adapter.    
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15  wherein the proximal end of the septum housing abuts and extends over at least a portion of a proximal face of the septum.  
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16  wherein the septum defines a cavity.  
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein the septum housing extends only along the proximal portion of the septum.  
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 18  wherein the septum is disposed in the septum housing in a friction fit and the septum housing provides a compressive force to the septum.  
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 19  wherein the septum housing is affixed to the catheter adapter by at least one of an interference fit or an adhesive or a weld.