Systems and Methods for Phlebotomy Through a Peripheral IV Catheter
An apparatus includes a catheter, an introducer having a first member and a second member, a locking mechanism coupled to a distal end of the first member and configured to couple the introducer to a peripheral intravenous line, and an actuator coupled to the catheter. The actuator is configured to move from a first configuration, in which the catheter is disposed within the introducer, toward a second configuration to move the second member to a distal position relative to the first member. A portion of a guide of the second member being distal to the first member when the second member is in the distal position. The actuator is configured to move relative to the second member to be placed in the second configuration when the second member is in its distal position such that the catheter is disposed within and extending past an end of the peripheral intravenous line.
1 . An apparatus configured for use with an indwelling peripheral intravenous line, the apparatus comprising:
an introducer defining an inner volume;
a catheter having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the catheter defining a lumen extending through the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the catheter, the catheter configured to move between a first configuration, in which the distal end portion of the catheter has a first position, and a second configuration, in which the distal end portion of the catheter has a second position spaced from the first position, the distal end portion of the catheter is positioned distal to the introducer when the distal end portion is in the second position; and
a guide member at least partially received within the introducer, the guide member defining a lumen, wherein a portion of the catheter is received within the lumen of the guide member when the catheter is in the first configuration, and wherein the distal end portion of the catheter is distal to the guide member when the catheter is in the second configuration.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the catheter comprises a first portion with a first stiffness and a second portion with a second stiffness, and wherein the first stiffness is higher than the second stiffness.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first stiffness of the first portion of the catheter is configured to inhibit kinking, pinching, breaking, and/or plastic deformation of the first position of the catheter when the catheter moves from the first configuration to the second configuration.
4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a section of the second portion of the catheter is received within the first portion of the catheter.
5 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first portion of the catheter is over-molded about a portion of the second portion of the catheter.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a distal end portion of the introducer comprises a locking mechanism.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a luer connection.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the introducer comprises a first member and a second member, with the second member moveable relative to the first member, and wherein the guide member is coupled to the second member of the introducer.
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the catheter, wherein movement of the actuator is configured to move the catheter from the first position to the second position.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the actuator is configured to engage and move the second member of the introducer relative to the first member of the introducer.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the catheter, wherein movement of the actuator is configured to move the catheter from the first position to the second position.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the guide member comprises a metal hypotube.
13 . An apparatus configured for use with an indwelling peripheral intravenous line, the apparatus comprising:
an introducer having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the introducer defining an inner volume;
a catheter having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the catheter defining a lumen extending through the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the catheter, the catheter configured to move between a first configuration, in which the distal end portion of the catheter has a first position, and a second configuration, in which the distal end portion of the catheter has a second position spaced from the first position, the distal end portion of the catheter is positioned distal to the introducer when the distal end portion is in the second position; and
an actuator coupled to the catheter, a portion of the actuator extending proximal to the proximal end portion of the introducer, wherein movement of the actuator is configured to move the catheter from the first configuration to the second configuration.
14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the actuator is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the introducer.
15 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the introducer comprises a first member and a second member, with the second member moveable relative to the first member.
16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the actuator is configured to engage and move the second member of the introducer relative to the first member of the introducer.
17 . The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising a guide member at least partially received within the introducer, the guide member defining a lumen, wherein a portion of the catheter is received within the lumen of the guide member when the catheter is in the first configuration, and wherein the distal end portion of the catheter is distal to the guide member when the catheter is in the second configuration.
18 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the actuator is configured to be engaged by a user to manipulate the catheter.