Catheter with Removable Extension

Abstract

A catheter connector including a valve assembly and an access cannula. The valve assembly includes a housing with a septum, a displaceable plunger, and a distal end adapted for insertion into a catheter. The access cannula includes a distal end configured to engage the plunger. Displacement of the plunger by the cannula establishes fluid communication between the cannula and housing.

1 . A catheter connector, comprising:
 a valve assembly including a housing with a distal end adapted for insertion into a dual lumen catheter, spaced apart first and second channels, a septum having a proximal opening adjacent to a proximal opening of the housing, and a displaceable plunger extending through the proximal openings of the septum and housing in a valve assembly closed position; and   an access cannula including a distal end configured to engage the plunger, and first and second lumens in respective fluid communication with first and second side ports, insertion of a distal portion of the cannula through the proximal openings of the septum and housing displacing the plunger and establishing fluid communication between the side ports and the channels in a valve assembly open position.   
   
   
       2 . The catheter connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the plunger is spring-loaded. 
   
   
       3 . The catheter connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the access cannula includes a recess configured to receive a proximal portion of the plunger. 
   
   
       4 . The catheter connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the access cannula is tapered. 
   
   
       5 . The catheter connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises first and second chambers in respective fluid communication with the first and second channels, the plunger separating the first and second chambers from one another in the valve assembly closed position. 
   
   
       6 . The catheter connector according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first and second chambers includes a curved surface. 
   
   
       7 . The catheter connector according to  claim 5 , wherein the first and second chambers are defined by the septum. 
   
   
       8 . The catheter connector according to  claim 7 , wherein the septum further comprises a plunger receiving section positioned between the first and second chambers, the distal end of the cannula received in the plunger receiving section in the valve assembly open position. 
   
   
       9 . The catheter connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the septum has a disk-shaped configuration. 
   
   
       10 . The catheter connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the access cannula further comprises first and second tubing extensions in respective fluid communication with first and second lumens. 
   
   
       11 . The catheter connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the access cannula further comprises a cannula casing including an outer wall circumscribing the distal portion of the cannula. 
   
   
       12 . The catheter connector according to  claim 11 , wherein the cannula casing outer wall includes latches configured to engage the valve assembly housing. 
   
   
       13 . The catheter connector according to  claim 12 , wherein the cannula casing further comprises levers cooperating with the latches. 
   
   
       14 . The catheter connector according to  claim 12 , wherein the cannula casing outer wall further comprises slots proximal of the latches configured to receive a removal tool. 
   
   
       15 . The catheter connector according to  claim 11 , wherein the cannula casing includes a clip configured to engage the valve assembly housing. 
   
   
       16 . The catheter connector according to  claim 11 , further comprising an O-ring seal around a shaft of the access cannula, the O-ring seal positioned adjacent the septum proximal opening in the valve assembly open position. 
   
   
       17 . The catheter connector according to  claim 11 , wherein the cannula casing further comprises a bifurcation positioned at a proximal end, the bifurcation including a first and second extension leg with passages in respective fluid communication with first and second tubings. 
   
   
       18 . The catheter connector according to  claim 11 , further comprising a valve positioned in a proximal portion of the cannula casing, including a closed proximal end with a slit, an open distal end in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second lumens, and a side wall that narrows from the valve proximal end to a neck and expands from the neck to the valve distal end, the neck configured to seal around a standard guidewire. 
   
   
       19 . A catheter connector, comprising:
 a valve assembly including a housing with a distal end adapted for insertion into a catheter, a septum having a proximal opening adjacent to a proximal opening of the housing, a displaceable sealing disk biased against a surface of the septum, a plunger displaceable independent of the sealing disk, a first spring positioned between a base of the plunger and the valve assembly housing, and a second spring positioned between the sealing disk and the plunger base; and   an access cannula including a distal end configured to engage the plunger, insertion of a distal portion of the cannula through the proximal openings of the septum and housing displacing the plunger and sealing disk to establish fluid communication between a lumen of the cannula and a channel of the valve assembly.   
   
   
       20 . A catheter connector, comprising:
 a valve assembly including a housing with a distal end adapted for insertion into a catheter, a septum having a proximal opening adjacent to a proximal opening of the housing, a displaceable sealing disk biased against a surface of the septum, and a plunger displaceable independent of the sealing disk; and   an access cannula including a distal end configured to engage the plunger, insertion of a distal portion of the cannula through the proximal openings of the septum and housing displacing the plunger and sealing disk to establish fluid communication between a lumen of the cannula and a channel of the valve assembly.