Catheter adapter

摘要

A clam shell shaped adapter for retaining a catheter to establish a fluid path between the catheter and a fluid device or line has two shells integrally connected by a living hinge. A first shell has a luer end and a catheter end wherein a catheter is insertable through its aperture. A flexible tube at the inner surface of the first shell connects the luer end to the catheter end. The catheter is inserted through the catheter end to extend along the flexible tubing. A retainer structure is provided at the inner surface of the second shell so that when the first and second shells close upon each other, the retainer structure presses against the flexible tubing to fixedly retain the catheter in a fluidly sealing manner. Respective latch mechanisms provided at the shells lockingly couple the two shells to each other. The latch mechanisms are located remotely from the outer surfaces and peripheries of the shells to prevent inadvertent uncoupling of the shells. The shells may be uncoupled by inserting a pointed object through a notch to the interior of the device to disengage the latch mechanisms.