Support devices for bodily fluid transfer systems and methods of using the same
An access device including a lumen-defining device defining a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end, a support member disposed within the lumen of the lumen-defining device, and a hub configured to be coupled to the lumen-defining device and the support member. The support member and the lumen-defining device are flexible. When the lumen-defining device and the support member are bent, the support member supports at least a portion of the lumen-defining device without occluding or blocking the entire lumen and/or the support member is transitionable from a first configuration in which a proximal end portion of the support member extends in a first direction to a second configuration in which the proximal end portion extends in a second direction.
1. An access device comprising:
a lumen-defining device having a proximal end and a distal end, the lumen-defining device having an open end at the proximal end, and an open end at the distal end, and defining a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end;
a support member having a proximal end and a distal end, the support member disposed within the lumen of the lumen-defining device; and
a hub having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the hub configured to be coupled to the proximal end of the lumen-defining device and the proximal end of the support member,
wherein the support member and the lumen-defining device are flexible, and
wherein, when the lumen-defining device and the support member are bent, the support member supports at least a portion of the lumen-defining device without occluding or blocking the entire lumen.
2. The access device of claim 1 , wherein the lumen-defining device has a first stiffness and the support member has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.
3. The access device of claim 1 , wherein the support member has an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the lumen-defining device.
4. The access device of claim 3 , wherein the lumen-defining device comprises a 16-gauge catheter.
5. The access device of claim 3 , wherein the lumen-defining device comprises a 24-gauge catheter.
6. The access device of claim 1 , wherein the support member is a solid elongate member having a circular cross-sectional shape.
7. The access device of claim 1 , wherein the support member has an X-shaped cross-sectional shape.
8. The access device of claim 1 , wherein the support member has a Y-shaped cross-sectional shape.
9. The access device of claim 1 , wherein the support member has a C-shaped cross-sectional shape.
10. The access device of claim 1 , wherein the support member has an I-shaped cross-sectional shape.
11. The access device of claim 1 , wherein the support member has a Z-shaped cross-sectional shape.
12. An access device comprising:
a lumen-defining device having a proximal end and a distal end, the lumen-defining device having an open end at the proximal end, and an open end at the distal end, and defining a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end;
a support member having a proximal end and a distal end, the support member disposed within the lumen of the lumen-defining device; and
a hub having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the hub configured to be coupled to the proximal end of the lumen-defining device and the proximal end of the support member,
wherein the support member and the lumen-defining device are flexible, and
wherein the support member is transitionable from a first configuration in which a proximal end portion of the support member extends in a first direction to a second configuration in which the proximal end portion extends in a second direction.
13. The access device of claim 12 , wherein the distal end portion of the support member forms a U-bend in the second configuration.
14. The access device of claim 12 , wherein the distal end portion of the support member forms a spiral shape in the second configuration.
15. The access device of claim 12 , wherein the distal end portion of the support member forms a wave shape in the second configuration.
16. The access device of claim 12 , wherein the support member comprises more than one distal end portion and the distal end portions form a Y-shape in the second configuration.
17. The access device of claim 12 , wherein the distal end portion of the support member is straight in the first configuration.
18. The access device of claim 12 , wherein, when the lumen-defining device and the support member are bent, the support member supports at least a portion of the lumen-defining device without occluding or blocking the entire lumen.
19. The access device of claim 12 , wherein the lumen-defining device has a first stiffness and the support member has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.
20. The access device of claim 12 , wherein the support member has an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the lumen-defining device.