Intravenous identification luminaire (IV-ID) and light pipe, and light conductive intravenous delivery system

• US 20070106263A1
• Filed: 10/24/2005
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Ward, Russell
• Application Number:
  US11/257,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20070106263A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/533
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1408 in parallel, e.g. manifolds, sequencing valves access sites A61M39/02; tube connectors A61M39/10

Abstract

An intravenous identification luminaire (IV-ID) and light pipe, and a light conductive intravenous delivery system is described. The light pipe preferably includes a female and male luer fitting, a fluid port, and a light source socket such that the light pipe is configured to be spliced into an IV line, and the IV-ID is coupled to the light pipe. The light pipe allows normal flow of the prescribed fluid through the light pipe while conducting light from the IV-ID, through the light source socket and along a conductive light path. The conductive light path continues into the IV line. The system also includes an indicator panel at the distal end of the IV line configured to reflect and make obvious the color of that particular IV line to a user.

Claims

1. A light pipe for conducting light from an identification luminaire to an intravenous line, the light pipe comprising:

a.) a fluid port configured to be spliced into the intravenous line, wherein the fluid port allows continuous flow of a fluid through the intravenous line;

b.) a light conducting medium configured to define the fluid port;

c.) a first fitting and a second fitting configured on a first end and a second end of the fluid port, such that the fittings effectuate connection to the intravenous line; and

d.) a light source connection socket configured to removably house the identification luminaire, and further configured to channel light from the identification luminaire into the light conducting medium, wherein the light conducting medium is configured to conduct the light into the intravenous line.

2. The light pipe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fitting and the second fitting are a luer fitting.

3. The light pipe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intravenous line is coated with a translucent coating.

4. The light pipe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light pipe is coated with a translucent coating.

5. The light pipe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identification luminaire emits colored light.

6. The light pipe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identification luminaire is a light emitting diode.

7. The light pipe as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an indicator panel configured on a distal end of the intravenous line, wherein the indicator panel is a reflective material, configured to reflect the light in the light conducting medium out of the light conducting medium.

8. The light pipe as claimed in claim 7, wherein the indicator panel is affixed to the outside surface of the intravenous line.

9. The light pipe as claimed in claim 7, wherein the indicator panel is embedded in the intravenous line.

10. The light pipe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicator panel includes:

a.) a housing configured to enclose a portion of the intravenous line; and

b.) an extension of the light conducting medium, such that the extension is in contact with the intravenous line and the housing, wherein the housing includes a transparent portion configured to allow the conducted light to leave the housing.

11. A light conductive IV system, comprising:

a.) an intravenous line configured to deliver a fluid from a fluid container to a patient;

b.) a light pipe inserted along the path of the intravenous line and including a fluid port configured to allow continuous flow of the fluid through the intravenous line, wherein a light conducting medium defines the fluid port;

c.) an identification luminaire coupled to the light pipe, wherein the light pipe channels light from the identification luminaire into the light conducting medium, wherein the light conducting medium is configured to conduct the light into the intravenous line; and

d.) an indicator panel configured on a distal end of the intravenous line, wherein the indicator panel is a reflective material, configured to reflect the light in the light conducting medium out of the light conducting medium.

12. The light conductive IV system of claim 11, further including a first fitting and a second fitting configured on a first end and a second end of the fluid port, such that the fittings effectuate connection to the intravenous lines.

13. The light conductive IV system of claim 12, wherein the first fitting and the second fitting are a luer fitting.

14. The light conductive IV system of claim 11, wherein the light pipe is molded into the intravenous line in a permanent fashion.

15. The light conductive IV system of claim 11, wherein the intravenous line and the light pipe are coated with a translucent coating.

16. The light conductive IV system of claim 11, wherein the identification luminaire emits colored light, and further wherein when the system includes a plurality of intravenous lines, a plurality of identification luminaires are utilized, each identification luminaire emitting a different color light.

17. The light conductive IV system of claim 11, wherein the identification luminaire is a light emitting diode.

18. The light conductive IV system of claim 11, wherein the indicator panel is affixed to the outside surface of the intravenous line.

19. The light conductive IV system of claim 11, wherein the indicator panel is embedded in the intravenous line.

20. A light pipe comprising:

a.) a fluid port configured to be spliced into an intravenous line, wherein the fluid port allows continuous flow of a fluid through the intravenous line;

b.) a light conducting medium configured to define the fluid port, and further configured to allow continuous light conduction through the intravenous line;

c.) a first luer fitting and a second luer fitting configured on a first end and a second end of the fluid port, such that the luer fittings effectuate connection to the intravenous line; and

d.) a light source connection socket configured to removably house an identification luminaire, and further configured to channel light from the identification luminaire into the light conducting medium, wherein the light conducting medium is configured to conduct the light into the intravenous line, and further wherein the light pipe is coated with a translucent coating.