Design of a High-Flow Catheter Connector to Enhance Fluid Transfer.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the performance of a prototype high-flow catheter connector, the Lamprey Lock, with that of a conventional Luer connector. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Lamprey Lock was created to eliminate the choke point resulting from Luer connections by achieving a cross-sectional area approximately 2.5 times larger than that achieved by a conventional Luer connector. A Lamprey Lock 3-way connector was also created by expanding the inner channels of a traditional Luer 3-way connector and exchanging the male Luer connection with a Lamprey Lock connection. These were tested against unaltered Luer and Luer 3-way connectors to compare flow rates using in vitro models of serous and purulent fluid. Each experimental condition was repeated 5 times. RESULTS: In the serous model, the mean drainage rate was 4.4 mL/s (95% CI, 4.3-4.6) and 3.3 mL/s (95% CI, 3.3-3.5) for the Lamprey Lock and Luer connector, respectively (P < .001). The mean drainage rate was 4.2 mL/s (95% CI, 3.9-4.5) and 2.7 mL/s (95% CI, 2.5-2.8) for the Lamprey Lock 3-way and Luer 3-way connector, respectively (P < .001). In the purulent model, the mean drainage rate was 1.4 mL/min (95% CI, 1.3-1.6) and 0.75 mL/min (95% CI, 0.68-0.82) for the Lamprey Lock and Luer connector, respectively (P < .001). The mean drainage rate was 1.5 mL/min (95% CI, 1.3-1.7) and 0.74 mL/min (95% CI, 0.70-0.78) for the Lamprey Lock 3-way and Luer 3-way connector, respectively (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed high-flow catheter connector, the Lamprey Lock, demonstrated higher flow rates than those demonstrated by a conventional Luer connector in vitro.