Syringe-based delivery device for a vascular access instrument

Abstract

A delivery device for delivering an instrument into a catheter assembly may include a syringe having a barrel and a plunger movable within the barrel. In response to depression of the plunger within the barrel, an instrument may be advanced distally. The instrument may include a catheter, a probe, a light tube for disinfection, or another suitable instrument. In response to depression of the plunger within the barrel, a distal end of the instrument may move through a catheter assembly coupled to the delivery device and into vasculature of a patient.

1 . A delivery device for delivering an instrument into a catheter assembly, comprising:
 a syringe having a barrel and a plunger movable within the barrel;   an instrument coupled to the plunger and movable along the plunger to an advanced position, wherein the instrument extends distally into the barrel, wherein a distal end of the instrument is configured to be advanced distal to a distal end of the syringe.   
     
     
         2 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the plunger comprises a rib, wherein the instrument is coupled to the rib and movable along the rib. 
     
     
         3 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the plunger comprises a slot, wherein the instrument is disposed within the barrel and coupled to an advancement tab movable along the slot. 
     
     
         4 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the plunger comprises a stopper, wherein the instrument moves through the stopper in response to the plunger moving to the advanced position. 
     
     
         5 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the barrel comprises a liquid, wherein in response to depression of the plunger, the liquid exits a distal opening of the syringe, wherein a diameter of the distal opening of the syringe is greater than an outer diameter of the instrument. 
     
     
         6 . A delivery device for delivering an instrument into a catheter assembly, comprising:
 a syringe comprising an outer barrel, an inner barrel, an elongated body movable within the inner barrel, and a plunger head disposed within the inner barrel, wherein a distal end of the syringe comprises a distal opening and a distal connector configured to couple to a proximal end of a catheter adapter, wherein in response to advancement of the elongated body in a distal direction within the inner barrel, a distal end of the elongated body couples to the plunger head, wherein in response to the coupling of the elongated body to the plunger head, the elongated body and the plunger head are configured to distally advance together to expel liquid from the inner barrel through the opening; and   an instrument extending from a distal end of the elongated body and through the plunger head, wherein in response to advancement of the elongated body in the distal direction within the inner barrel, a distal end of the instrument is advanced in a distal direction.   
     
     
         7 . The delivery device of  claim 6 , wherein the instrument comprises a catheter or a probe. 
     
     
         8 . The delivery device of  claim 6 , wherein in response to the coupling of the elongated body to the plunger head, the elongated body and the plunger head are also configured to proximally retract together to expel liquid from the inner barrel into the outer barrel.