ADJUSTABLE CONNECTOR AND DEAD SPACE REDUCTION

• US 20110092784A1
• Filed: 07/20/2010
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OptiScan Biomedical Corporation
• Original Assignee: OptiScan Biomedical Corporation
• Inventors: Butler, Michael, Johnson, Craig, Lim, Eugen
• Granted Patent: US 8,731,638 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/322
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0228 using calibration standards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1427 Multiple blood sampling, e.g. at periodic or pre-established intervals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14557 specially adapted to extracorporeal circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15003 for venous or arterial blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150221 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150229 Pumps for assisting the blood sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150236 Pistons, i.e. cylindrical bodies that sit inside the syringe barrel, typically with an air tight seal, and slide in the barrel to create a vacuum or to expel blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150267 Modular design or construction, i.e. subunits are assembled separately before being joined together or the device comprises interchangeable or detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150755 Blood sample preparation for further analysis, e.g. by separating blood components or by mixing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150786 Optical identification systems, e.g. bar codes, colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150992 Blood sampling from a fluid line external to a patient, such as a catheter line, combined with an infusion line; blood sampling from indwelling needle sets, e.g. sealable ports, luer couplings, valves tubing connectors and couplings A61M39/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/153 Devices specially adapted for taking samples of venous or arterial blood, e.g. with syringes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/155 : Devices specially adapted for continuous or multiple sampling, e.g. at predetermined intervals devices loaded with multiple lancets simultaneously A61B5/15146
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 : Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 : Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6866 : Extracorporeal blood circuits, e.g. dialysis circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 : with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 : Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 : with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 : with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 : Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1011 : Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1415 : Stands, brackets or the like for supporting infusion accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 : Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 : controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 : using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0346 : Capillary cells; Microcells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/03 : Cuvette constructions
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/07 : Centrifugal type cuvettes G01N21/09 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/35 : using infrared light G01N21/39 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/491 : by separating the blood components G01N15/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 : delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation

Abstract

Methods and systems for determining the concentration of one or more analytes from a sample such as blood or plasma are described. The systems described herein can be configured to withdraw a certain volume of sample from a source of bodily fluid, direct a first portion of the withdrawn sample to an analyte monitoring system and return a second portion of the sample to the patient. The analyte monitoring system can be connected to the source of bodily fluid via a connector that is configured to maintain uniform velocity across the connector and reduce the dead space volume.

Claims

1. An analyte monitoring system comprising:

a fluidic system in fluid communication with a source of bodily fluid in a patient, said fluidic system being configured to obtain a sample of bodily fluid from the source;

a spectroscopic sample cell in fluid communication with said fluidic system and configured to receive said sample of bodily fluid;

an analyte detection system coupled to the spectroscopic sample cell through a transparent window, said analyte detection system spectroscopically analyzing the sample of bodily fluid or a component of the sample of bodily fluid;

a fluid infusion system; and

a patient connector comprising a spring loaded self adjusting extender tube,

wherein the analyte detection system is configured to estimate the concentration of an analyte in said sample of the bodily fluid or a component of the sample of the bodily fluid;

wherein the fluidic system is fluidically connected to the source of bodily fluid in the patient through the patient connector, said patient connector configured to provide a continuous flow path.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the patient connector comprises a standard Luer connector that is configured to connect with a fluid line attached to the patient.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the fluid line comprises a central venous catheter.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the fluid line comprises a peripheral venous catheter.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the fluid line has a depth in the range of approximately 6.9 mm to approximately 19.8 mm.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the fluid line has a diameter of up to 16 gauge.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the patient connector can withstand a pressure of up to approximately 100 psi.

8. The system of claim 1 configured to maintain uniform velocity of the bodily fluid across the patient connector.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the patient connector is configured to reduce the cross-sectional area change.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the patient connector is configured to reduce the dead volume.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the self adjusting extender tube comprises polyimide.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein the self adjusting extender tube has a tip at one end which is configured to connect with the fluid line in the patient.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the tip of the self adjusting extender tube has a square cross-sectional shape.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the tip of the self adjusting extender tube has a conical cross-sectional shape.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the tip of the self adjusting extender tube is tapered.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the tip of the self adjusting extender tube is beveled.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the tip of the self adjusting extender comprises a stiff material.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the tip of the self adjusting extender comprises polyimide.

19. An accommodating connector configured to reduce leaks and improve fluid flow between a medical device and a source of body fluid, the accommodating connector comprising:

a first inlet/outlet;

a second inlet/outlet; and

a force-exerting structure having a stiffness;

wherein the accommodating connector is configured to connect to a mating connector that is attached to a source of bodily fluid; and

wherein the force-exerting structure is configured to exert a force on an inner portion of the mating connector in a contact region and firmly seat the first or second inlet/outlet against the inner portion of the mating connector such that a dead space between the first or second inlet/outlet and the inner portion of the mating connector is reduced.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the force-exerting structure comprises a spring.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the force-exerting structure comprises an extender tube located between the first inlet/outlet and the second inlet/outlet.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the stiffness of the force-exerting structure is greater than the stiffness of the inner portion of the mating connector such that the inner portion of the mating connector provides a resiliency that improves a seal in the contact region.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the stiffness of the force-exerting structure is less than the stiffness of the inner portion of the mating connector such that the force-exerting structure provides a resiliency that improves a seal in the contact region.

24. A system for eliminating dead space and improving fluid flow through medical connectors, the system comprising:

an outer portion comprising at least one standard-facing end;

an inner portion comprising an extended flow passageway; and

an actuating member that is situated between the outer and the inner portion and configured to move the inner portion toward or away from the outer portion thereby causing the extended flow passageway to approach an inner portion of any of a variety of standard connectors having different depths.

25. A extendable medical connector for reducing dead space and improving fluid flow, the connector comprising:

a standard-facing end comprising;

a standard-facing outer portion; and

a standard-facing inner portion comprising an extended flow passageway;

an opposite end comprising;

an opposite outer portion comprising a first pushing surface; and

a receiving opening configured to receive a regular flow passageway;

the standard-facing outer portion and the opposite outer portion together comprising an outer housing;

a second pushing surface facing the first pushing surface;

the extended flow passageway configured to connect to the regular flow passageway to form a combined flow passageway configured to move with the second pushing surface;

a force exerting member is situated between the first and second pushing surfaces and configured to simultaneously exert a force against both of these pushing surfaces to thereby urge the first pushing surface (along with the outer housing) away from the second pushing surface (along with the combined inner portion), thereby causing the extended flow passageway to approach—

and the inner portion of the standard-facing end to more firmly seat against—

an inner portion of any of a variety of standard connectors having different depths.

26. A penetrating connector configured to be positioned along a fluid line between a medical device and a source of body fluid to allow fluid flow while reducing leaks, the connector comprising

first and second openings at either end of the connector, the openings configured to:

allow fluid communication—

through the connector—

between the medical device and the source of body fluid; and

cooperate with openings of other connecting devices to assist in forming mating complexes at either side end of the connector, at least one of the mating complexes having an enlarged space;

an extender tube having a first cross-sectional width, the extender tube configured to;

convey the fluid along a fluid pathway that extends at least part of the way between the first and second openings; and

penetrate through at least one of the mating complexes while bypassing the enlarged space, which has a cross sectional width that is wider than the first cross-sectional width;

confine fluid within its walls to prevent the fluid from flowing out into the enlarged space of the mating complex; and

abut an opening of one of the other connecting devices such that fluid flows directly between the extender tube and the opening of the other connecting device; and

a force-exerting structure that uses a resilient property to improve a seal, the seal located where the extender tube abuts the opening of the other connecting device.

27. The penetrating connector of claim 26, wherein the extender tube comprises a resilient portion, and the resilient portion is the force-exerting structure.

28. The penetrating connector of claim 26, wherein the resilient portion comprises a fixed but protruding extender tube having resilient properties.

29. The penetrating connector of claim 26, wherein the resilient portion comprises a supporting structure at least partially surrounding the extender tube.