Low-drag septum for a catheter system
A peripheral intravenous catheter assembly may include a low-drag septum. The septum may include a body having a distal end and a proximal end, which may be sealed. The septum may include a slot disposed within an outer surface of the body and oriented along a longitudinal axis of the body. The slot may include a distal end spaced apart from the distal end of the body, and a proximal end spaced apart from the proximal end of the body. An introducer needle may extend through the slot.
1 . A peripheral intravenous catheter assembly, comprising:
a catheter adapter;
a septum disposed within a lumen of the catheter adapter, comprising:
a body having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal and proximal ends of the body are sealed; and
a channel disposed within the septum and oriented along a center longitudinal axis of the body, the channel formed by an inner surface of the body;
a first slit extending from an outer surface of the body to the channel;
a second slit defined in the outer surface of the body opposite the first slit and extending from the outer surface of the body to the channel, wherein the first slit and the second slit are oriented parallel to the center longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the first slit and the second slit are formed by a first side of the septum and a second side of the septum opposite and parallel to the first side, wherein the first side contacts the second side along an entirety of a length of the second side, wherein the first side and the second side are spaced apart from the center longitudinal axis, wherein the first side contacts the second side along the entirety of the length of the second side such that the first slit and the second slit are closed when the septum is disposed within the lumen of the catheter adapter, wherein the septum is monolithically formed as a single unit, wherein a proximal end of the first slit is spaced apart from the proximal end of the body and a distal end of the first slit is spaced apart from the distal end of the body and wherein a proximal end of the second slit is spaced apart from the proximal end of the body and a distal end of the second slit is spaced apart from the distal end of the body; and
an introducer needle extending through the channel, wherein an inner side surface of the channel is spaced apart from the introducer needle.
2 . The peripheral intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the septum is elastomeric.
3 . The peripheral intravenous catheter assembly of claim 2 , wherein the septum is molded in a bulged position with the first slit or the second slit open to allow formation of the channel.
4 . The peripheral intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first slit and the second slit are disposed in a middle of the body.
5 . The peripheral intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the channel is generally cylindrical.
6 . The peripheral intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein a length of the channel corresponds to a majority of a length of the body.
7 . The peripheral intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a semi-annular or annular groove disposed within the body, wherein the semi-annular or annular groove extends around a portion of a circumference of the body, wherein the first slit and the second slit extend through the semi-annular or annular groove.
8 . The peripheral intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the catheter adapter comprises a side port having an integrated extension tube.