Catheter assembly with seal member

摘要

CATHETER ASSEMBLY WITH SEAL MEMBER A catheter assembly includes a catheter hub (12) defining an interior cavity (24) and a catheter tube (14) extending distally thereof A rigid actuator (16) extends proximally in the interior cavity (24) and supports a seal member (18) thereon. The seal member (18) includes a central membrane (72), a distal portion (74), and a proximal portion (76). An hourglass shaped actuator cavity (88) is formed in the distal portion (74) and receives a barbed end (50) of the actuator (16). The outer surface (71) of the seal member (18) is in partial circumferential engagement with the catheter hub (12) to define an air path (102) that allows fluid communication between areas (PI and Dl) of the interior cavity (24) distal and proximal of the seal member (18). A punch tool (160) is provided to form a tri-slit (82) in the membrane (72) of the seal member (18). The seal member (18) may be configured for multi-use and include a biasing member (204) that moves the seal member (18) to force the membrane (72) back over the actuator (16) to close the membrane (72).