Flashback chamber visual enhancement

• US 20080082053A1
• Filed: 09/27/2007
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kpr U.S., LLC (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Schrader, Eugene, Fiser, Richard, Carlyon, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,833,201 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/168.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0606 "Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0693 Flashback chambers

Abstract

Featured is a medical infusion device for vascular access with enhanced flashback visualization that includes a hub assembly having a flashback chamber. The hub assembly includes a proximal portion, a distal portion and a substantially transparent window section intermediate the proximal portion and distal portion. A needle is coupled to the flashback chamber so that fluid flows through the lumen of the needle into the flashback chamber after the needle is inserted into a blood vessel. A contrasting member is disposed on at least a portion of the hub assembly, so that when blood enters the flashback chamber, the contrasting member provides a high-contrast background when viewed through the window section.

Claims

1. A medical infusion device for vascular access with enhanced flashback visualization, comprising:

a hub assembly having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a substantially transparent window section and a flashback chamber, the window section being disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion;

a needle having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough, the lumen being fluidly coupled to the flashback chamber to allow fluid to flow through the lumen into the flashback chamber; and

a contrasting member disposed on at least a portion of the hub assembly, such that fluid in the flashback chamber is view through the substantially transparent window section thereagainst.

2. The medical infusion device of claim 1, wherein the hub assembly is substantially transparent.

3. The medical infusion device of claim 1, wherein the hub assembly further includes an outlet fluidly coupled to the flashback chamber and the outlet is configured so as to be gas-permeable and substantially impermeable to liquid.

4. The medical infusion device of claim 3, wherein the outlet includes a gas-permeable member disposed therein.

5. The medical infusion device of claim 1, wherein the hub assembly includes depressed hollows formed on at least one opposing side of the hub assembly.

6. The medical infusion device of claim 1, wherein the contrasting member is a patterned member secured to the hub assembly.

7. The medical infusion device of claim 1, wherein the contrasting member is a coating applied to the hub assembly.

8. The medical infusion device of claim 1, wherein the contrasting member is formed by a molding process.

9. The medical infusion device of claim 8, wherein the molding process is two-shot injection molding.

10. The medical infusion device of claim 8, wherein the molding process is over-molding.

11. The medical infusion device of claim 1, wherein the hub assembly is coupled to a proximal end of the needle.

12. A medical infusion device with enhanced flashback visualization, comprising:

a hub assembly including a chamber, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a substantially transparent window section intermediate the proximal portion and distal portion;

wherein the hub assembly includes an outlet and a plug in the outlet to allow egress of gas therethrough;

a needle including a lumen fluidly coupled to the chamber so that fluid can flow through the lumen into the chamber; and

a contrasting member disposed on at least a portion of the hub assembly, such that fluid in the chamber is viewed through the window thereagainst and, in turn, be more easily visualized to a user;

wherein the contrasting member is formed by a two-shot injection molding process.

13. A medical infusion device with enhanced flashback visualization, comprising;

a hub assembly including a chamber, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a substantially transparent window section intermediate the proximal portion and distal portion;

wherein the hub assembly includes an outlet and a plug in the outlet to allow egress of gas therethrough;

a needle having a lumen fluidly coupled to the chamber so that fluid can flow through the lumen into the chamber; and

a contrasting member disposed intermittently on at least a portion of the hub assembly, such that fluid in the chamber is viewed through the window thereagainst and, in turn, be more easily visualized by a user.

14. The medical infusion devise of claim 13, wherein the hub assembly includes hollows formed on at least two opposing sides allowing for improved grip by a user.

15. The medical infusion device of claim 14, wherein the contrasting member is disposed in the hollows and is formed by a two-shot injection molding process.