Catheter-Dressing Systems With Integrated Flushing Mechanisms

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve a sterile catheter-dressing system that allows for integrated injection of fluids, e.g., a saline flush, during the process of catheter insertion and sterile dressing placement. Such methods and devices can be used as a fully integrated catheter insertion system, or to convert existing catheter insertion devices and methods into integrated flush and sterile sealing catheter-dressing systems. Such methods and devices can greatly simplify the catheter insertion process, and can allow the reproducible placement of a fully sterile and flushed vascular catheter, as well as the placement of a durably sterile circumferentially sealing and securing dressing.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A catheter flushing device, comprising:
 an elongate body portion defining a fluid chamber therein;   a coupling element at a distal end of the body portion configured to couple the body portion to a catheter assembly such that the fluid chamber can be selectively placed in fluid communication with a lumen of the catheter assembly; and   an actuator configured to expel a fluid from the fluid chamber and into a lumen of a catheter assembly to which the device is coupled.   
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the fluid comprises sterile saline. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein catheter assembly comprises at least one of a catheter, a catheter hub, a catheter hub cap, a vascular catheter, a custom catheter, and an existing catheter. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the device allows for direct injection of the fluid into the catheter assembly at the time of attachment of the device to the catheter. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the catheter flushing device is pre-attached to the catheter assembly. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the coupling element is configured to couple to convention catheters or catheter assemblies. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the coupling element comprises at least one of a Luer connector, a needle-free connector, and tubing. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 35 , further comprising a circumferentially sealing dressing formed integrally with the coupling element. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the coupling element is a hub cap and wherein the device further comprises a circumferentially sealing dressing configured to seal to the hub cap. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the body portion can be used as a handle over which a circumferentially sealing dressing can be mounted and attached to the catheter assembly.