Device to Indicate Priming of an Infusion Line
First Claim
1. A device for indicating priming of an infusion line, comprising:
- a membrane that exhibits a first visual characteristic when dry and that exhibits a second visual characteristic when wet; and
a surface covered by the membrane, the surface including indicia that, upon the membrane becoming wet, becomes visible.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A priming indicator for a fluid infusion system includes a luer cap or other component of the infusion system having an indicator surface covered by a membrane. The membrane exhibits a first visual characteristic, such as being opaque, when dry and exhibits a second characteristic, such as becoming less opaque, when wet. Once the membrane becomes wet, indicia on the surface, which may be provided on a rod at least partially covered by the membrane, becomes visible, thereby indicating an intravenous tube to which the luer cap is secured has been primed or is nearly primed. The indicator may alternately be employed at an upstream end of an infusion set, such as at the port of a medical bag providing a supply of fluid, to indicate a low level of fluid in the medical bag.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A device for indicating priming of an infusion line, comprising:
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a membrane that exhibits a first visual characteristic when dry and that exhibits a second visual characteristic when wet; and a surface covered by the membrane, the surface including indicia that, upon the membrane becoming wet, becomes visible. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A device for administering fluid from a reservoir of an intravenous fluid, comprising:
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a tubing line connected at one end of the reservoir and permitting the intravenous fluid to flow therethrough; a luer connected to the tubing line downstream of the reservoir and configured to receive a luer cap; and a luer cap received on the luer, the luer cap including; a membrane; a surface covered by the membrane, the surface including indicia that presents a visually discernable difference to the visual impression of the membrane, whereby the membrane includes a material that upon comes into contact with the fluid, alters the transparency characteristics of the material such that the visual impression of the surface is sufficiently visual to discern a difference in appearance of the luer cap. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for administering fluid, comprising:
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providing a reservoir of an intravenous fluid; providing a tubing line connected at one end of the reservoir and providing the intravenous fluid to flow therethrough; providing a luer connected to the tubing line downstream of the reservoir and configured to receive a luer cap; providing a luer cap on the luer, at least one of the luer cap, the tubing line, or the luer including; a membrane that exhibits a first visual characteristic when dry and that exhibits a second visual characteristic when wet; a surface covered by the membrane, the surface including indicia that, upon the membrane exhibiting the second visual characteristic, becomes visible; and waiting to administer the intravenous fluid until after the membrane becomes transparent, rendering the indicia on the surface visible from a position outside of the luer cap. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. An infusion set comprising:
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a medical bag initially containing a volume of fluid to be delivered to a patient; a length of tubing having a first end that may be placed in fluid communication with the fluid of the medical bag; and a second length of tubing, one of the first length of tubing and second length of tubing including a fluid-permeable tubular member enclosed in a tubular casing, the tubular casing comprised of a membrane that exhibits a first visual characteristic when in contact with the fluid and a second visual characteristic when dry, appearance of the second characteristic providing an indication the general absence of fluid. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification