Multiple Stage Fluid Delivery Device and Method of Use
First Claim
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1. A method for flushing a catheter and for maintaining the patency of the catheter over an extended period of time, the method comprising the following steps:
- providing a fluid delivery device capable of delivering at least a first fluid at a first flow rate and a second fluid at a second lower flow rate;
delivering the first fluid to the catheter at the first flow rate with the fluid delivery device to flush the catheter; and
delivering the second fluid to the catheter at the second flow rate with the fluid delivery device to maintain the patency of the catheter by minimizing admittance of blood into the catheter.
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Abstract
Multiple stage fluid delivery devices are provided for dispensing a first fluid at a first flow rate and thereafter dispensing a second fluid at a second flow rate which is substantially lower than the first flow rate. The device may be used to inject a fluid into a catheter to flush the catheter and to thereafter slowly deliver fluid into the catheter to maintain patency of the catheter.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for flushing a catheter and for maintaining the patency of the catheter over an extended period of time, the method comprising the following steps:
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providing a fluid delivery device capable of delivering at least a first fluid at a first flow rate and a second fluid at a second lower flow rate; delivering the first fluid to the catheter at the first flow rate with the fluid delivery device to flush the catheter; and delivering the second fluid to the catheter at the second flow rate with the fluid delivery device to maintain the patency of the catheter by minimizing admittance of blood into the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A multi-stage fluid delivery device comprising:
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a housing defining a cavity and having a distal fluid outlet; a primary plunger positioned within the cavity; a secondary plunger positioned within the cavity at a location spaced from the primary plunger such that a first fluid reservoir having a first fluid is defined between a distal surface of the secondary plunger and a distal end of the housing and a second fluid reservoir having a second fluid is defined between a proximal surface of the secondary plunger and a distal surface of the primary plunger, the secondary plunger defining a throughbore which connects the first fluid reservoir to the second fluid reservoir; a biasing member positioned to urge the primary plunger towards the distal end of the housing; and a porous material positioned within the throughbore of the secondary plunger. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A multiple stage fluid delivery device comprising:
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a housing defining a cavity and having a distal fluid outlet; a plunger supported within the cavity, the plunger having a distal extension having a channel defined therein, the distal end of the housing and a distal surface of the plunger defining a fluid reservoir, the plunger being movable from a retracted position to an advanced position to dispense a fluid from the fluid reservoir; a biasing member positioned to urge the plunger towards the distal end of the housing; and an actuator being movable to compress the biasing member to urge the plunger towards the distal end of the housing to dispense fluid through the fluid outlet from the fluid reservoir at a first flow rate; wherein a distal end of the distal extension is dimensioned to seal the fluid outlet after the plunger has moved to a position between the retracted position and the advanced position such that further advancement of the plunger causes fluid to flow through the channel in the distal extension prior to being dispensed from the fluid outlet at a second fluid flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification