Closed IV access device with paddle grip needle hub and flash chamber
An IV access device can include a needle hub that incorporates a flash chamber. The flash chamber can be used to provide visual confirmation of proper catheter placement within a vein. The flash chamber can include a path-defining structure to facilitate identifying whether blood is continually flowing into the flash chamber. The flash chamber may also be removable from the needle hub. In some cases, the needle hub may include a paddle grip that facilitates insertion of the catheter and separation of the needle hub from the catheter adapter.
1. An IV access device comprising:
a catheter adapter;
a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter;
a needle, comprising a lumen; and
a needle hub coupled to the catheter adapter, wherein a proximal end of the needle is secured within the needle hub and the needle extends through the catheter, wherein the needle hub comprises a flash chamber;
a path-defining structure inserted into the flash chamber of the needle hub; and
a visualization channel disposed between an inner surface of the needle hub and an outer surface of the path-defining structure, wherein the path-defining structure and visualization channel are configured such that blood flashback flows from the lumen of the needle proximally between a top portion of the outer surface of the path-defining structure and the needle hub in the visualization channel, wherein a bottom portion of the outer surface opposite the top portion contacts the needle hub such that the blood flashback does not flow between the bottom portion of the outer surface and the needle hub.
2. The IV access device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization channel comprises an elongated groove.
3. The IV access device of claim 2 , wherein a distal end of the flash chamber comprises an opening, wherein the proximal end of the needle is disposed within the opening, wherein the distal end of the flash chamber further comprises a leak channel in fluid communication with the opening and the proximal end of the needle.
4. The IV access device of claim 3 , wherein the flash chamber further comprises a needle-retaining portion, wherein the needle-retaining portion is press-fit within the opening.
5. The IV access device of claim 3 , wherein the leak channel is aligned with and in fluid communication with the visualization channel.
6. The IV access device of claim 5 , wherein the visualization channel is disposed on a top of IV device.
7. The IV access device of claim 5 , wherein flash chamber comprises a plurality of alignment ribs forming the visualization channel.
8. The IV access device of claim 3 , wherein the proximal end of the needle comprises a notch, wherein the notch is disposed within the opening.
9. The IV access device of claim 8 , wherein the proximal end of the needle extends through a wall of the flash chamber proximal to the notch.
10. The IV access device of claim 9 , wherein a portion of the proximal end proximal to the wall comprises a curl to prevent the needle from being pulled distally through the wall.
11. The IV access device of claim 1 , wherein a proximal end of the flash chamber comprises a plurality of venting grooves proximate the visualization channel.
12. The IV access device of claim 1 , wherein the flash chamber further comprises a vent plug, wherein the vent plug is disposed at a proximal end of the visualization channel.
13. The IV access device of claim 12 , wherein an inner surface of the flash chamber comprises a protrusion proximate and proximal to the vent plug.
14. The IV access device of claim 1 , wherein the flash chamber includes a sloped retention bump to retain the path-defining structure, wherein a slope of the sloped retention bump extends in a proximal direction.
15. The IV access device of claim 1 , wherein the needle hub further comprises a porous material disposed within the visualization channel.
16. The IV access device of claim 15 , wherein the porous material extends along an entire length of the visualization channel.
17. The IV access device of claim 15 , wherein the porous material is disposed at a proximal end of the visualization channel.
18. The IV access device of claim 15 , wherein the porous material vents air and wicks blood.