VASCULAR ACCESS DEVICE CLEANING STATUS INDICATION

• US 20070293818A1
• Filed: 05/07/2007
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Harding, Weston, McKinnon, Austin, Stout, Marty, Crawford, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,137,303 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/93.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1402 Priming
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3132 having flow passages for injection agents at the distal end of the barrel to bypass a sealing stopper after its displacement to this end due to internal pressure increase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/273 preventing reuse, e.g. of disposables
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/045 pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16831 Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/284 comprising means for injection of two or more media, e.g. by mixing
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0291 Labels or tickets undergoing a change under particular conditions, e.g. heat, radiation, passage of time
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A vascular access device for communicating with the vascular system of a patient may include a status indicator. The status indicator may detect and signal whether and to what extent at least a portion of the vascular access device has been cleaned.

Claims

1. A medical device, comprising:

a vascular access device for communicating with the vascular system of a patient, wherein the vascular access device comprises;

a body with a lumen, and

a status indicator, wherein the status indicator provides an indication of disinfection of at least a portion of the vascular access device.

2. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising:

a second vascular access device with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the second vascular access device is introduced into the vascular system, and wherein the vascular access device is a connector affixed directly or indirectly to the proximal end of the second vascular access device.

3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the status indicator includes a thermochromic material.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the status indicator includes a pH sensor.

5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the status indicator includes an alcohol sensor.

6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the status indicator includes a moisture sensitive compound.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the status indicator includes a colored substrate beneath a textured surface.

8. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the status indicator includes a reservoir of colored liquid.

9. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the status indicator includes a piezochromic material.

10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the status indicator includes a polymer that changes color in the presence of intense ultraviolet light.

11. A method of using a medical device comprising:

a. attaching a device having a status indicator to a vascular access device, said status indicator being activated upon commencement of usage;

b. cleaning the device having the status indicator; and

c. observing change of the status indicator after cleaning the device having the status indicator.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein observing change of the status indicator after cleaning the device includes observing change in color of the status indicator as a result of a change in temperature of at least a portion of the status indicator.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein observing change of the status indicator after cleaning the device includes observing change in color of the status indicator as a result of a change in pH of at least a portion of the status indicator.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein observing change of the status indicator after cleaning the device includes observing change in color of the status indicator as a result of a reaction between a chemochromic compound of the status indicator and a disinfecting agent.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein observing change of the status indicator after cleaning the device includes observing change in color of the status indicator as a result of applying pressure to at least a portion of the vascular access device.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein observing change of the status indicator after cleaning the device includes observing change in color of the status indicator as a result of a reaction between a moisture sensitive compound of the status indicator and moisture.

17. A medical device, comprising:

means for accessing the vascular system of a patient;

means for detecting a status change of at least a portion of the means for accessing the vascular system; and

means for signaling a status change of at least a portion of the means for accessing the vascular system.

18. The medical device of claim 17, wherein means for detecting a status change of at least a portion of the means for accessing the vascular system and means for signaling a status change of at least a portion of the means for accessing the vascular system include the same structure.

19. The medical device of claim 17, wherein a status change of at least a portion of the means for accessing the vascular system includes a status change relating to disinfection of the means for accessing the vascular system.

20. The medical device of claim 17, wherein a status change of at least a portion of the means for accessing the vascular system includes a status change relating to cleaning the means for accessing the vascular system.