Catheter with threading flash confirmation
An intravenous catheter assembly configured to provide two-stage visual indication during catheter insertion into a vein of a patient. The catheter insertion assembly including an insertion needle and a catheter coaxially positioned over the insertion needle to define an annular space between a radial wall of the insertion needle in a flexible wall of the catheter divided into a first axial chamber and a second axial chamber by a formed region of the flexible wall having a diameter configured to inhibit flow between the first axial chamber and the second axial chamber, thereby enabling blood to flow into the first axial chamber when the insertion needle and catheter are in an initial position, and enabling blood to flow into the second axial chamber when the insertion needle and catheter translate axially relative to one another.
1. An intravenous catheter assembly configured to provide a two-stage visual indication during catheter insertion into a vein of a patient, the intravenous catheter assembly comprising:
an insertion needle having a sharp distal tip, a proximal end, and a radial wall extending therebetween, the insertion needle defining a fluid conduit extending between an inlet positioned on the sharp distal tip and a first outlet and a second outlet positioned on the radial wall, the insertion needle defining a central needle axis between the inlet and the first and second outlets; and
a catheter coaxially positionable over the insertion needle and having a distal end, a proximal end, and a flexible wall defining a lumen extending therebetween, the catheter coaxially positionable over the insertion needle in a first position in which the sharp distal tip of the insertion needle extends beyond the distal end of the catheter, an annular space being presented between the radial wall of the insertion needle and the flexible wall of the catheter, the annular space being coupled to a secondary confirmation chamber extending outward from the flexible wall of the catheter, the secondary confirmation chamber configured to inhibit blood flow through the insertion needle, wherein the secondary confirmation chamber defines an opening to receive blood into an enclosed cavity, the secondary confirmation chamber having a substantially L-shaped cross-section defined by the opening and the enclosed cavity,
the first outlet being positioned on the radial wall within the annular space when the catheter is in the first position thereby providing a first visual indication during catheter insertion by enabling blood from the vein of the patient to flow through the first outlet clear of obstruction yet retained in generally fluid tight relationship within the annular space,
the catheter and the insertion needle translatable axially relative to one another to a second position during catheter insertion, such that the second outlet positioned on the radial wall is shifted to the secondary confirmation chamber, thereby providing a second visual indication during catheter insertion by enabling blood from the vein of the patient to flow through the opening of the secondary confirmation chamber and into the enclosed cavity for visual observation,
wherein the first outlet is circumferentially offset from the second outlet along a circumference of the insertion needle, such that the first visual indication by the first outlet is diametrically separated from the second visual indication by the second outlet.
2. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the insertion needle is a hollow hypodermic needle.