Air embolization prevention system

摘要

The invention generally relates to an intravascular catheter that includes a proximal hub and a distal elongated tubular member. In one embodiment, the hub is designed to mitigate the introduction of air into a patient's vasculature during the delivery of a second device through the catheter into the patient's body.

主权项

1. An intravascular catheter and catheter hub, comprising:
an elongated tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and a hub comprising a first end, a second end, and a reservoir comprising at least one pocket defined by at least one hub extension, wherein the second end of the hub is optionally coupled to the proximal end of the elongated tubular member, the hub reservoir extends from the first end of the hub to the second end of the hub, the hub extension being an incomplete partition, and the at least one pocket of the hub reservoir is partially shielded from the lumen of the elongated tubular member, wherein the hub further comprises a first sealing gland positioned at, and angled toward, the first end of the hub, the first sealing gland comprising a plurality of air permeable pores that release air bubbles trapped in the reservoir into a surrounding environment outside the patient; and, wherein the hub further comprises an air permeable membrane positioned through a surface of the hub between the first end of the hub and the second end of the hub.