Devices and methods for ECG guided vascular access

• US 20130018248A1
• Filed: 07/09/2012
• Published: 01/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BARD Access Systems Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Romedex International SRL
• Inventors: Hurezan, Isabella Barbara
• Granted Patent: US 9,615,759 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/381
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6876 Blood vessel

Abstract

A new device and a method are provided which allow for making an electrical connection between an electrolyte and an electric wire. A new connector is provided which allows to be used by a single sterile operator. A new valved device is provided which allows for maintaining the integrity and the pressure of a saline column in the central venous line. A new device is provided which allows for automatically maintaining a continuous flush of a saline syringe in order to allow for keeping the valves of central venous lines open and capable of electric conduction. A new syringe is provided which allows for simultaneous electrical connection between the fluid in the syringe and an electrical wire. Several new methods are provided for making an electrical connection to a central venous line during and after the catheter placement procedure.

Claims

1. A device for ECG guided vascular access, comprising:

a body, including;

a first open end which can be connected to a vascular access device,

a second open end which can be connected to a syringe,

an electrically conductive cannula connecting the first to the second open end

an electrically conductive wire coupled to the electrically conductive cannula;

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device body can be electrically insulated using an insulating housing;

3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a connector coupled to the electrically conductive wire, wherein the connector can be connected to an ECG data acquisition system;

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the connector coupled to the electrically conductive wire can be connected to an ECG monitor;

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the insulation can be overmolded over the electrically conductive cannula coupled to the electrically conductive wire;

6. The device according to claim 2, wherein the insulation can be molded using a plastic material in a single or several pieces;

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the insulation is molded in two pieces separate in the transversal plane;

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the molded pieces can be assembled around the electrically conductive lumen coupled to the electrically conductive wire;

9. The device according to the claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive wire can be coupled to the electrically conductive cannula by any means preserving electrical conductivity, e.g., soldering, laser, ultrasound, gluing, crimping, and others;

10. The device according to claim 2, wherein the electrical insulation can be shaped to connect to a female luer connector at one end and to a male luer connector at the other end;

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein the luer connectors can be slip connectors or locking connectors.

16. A method for establishing an electrical connection between a vascular access device and an electrocardiography (ECG) data acquisition system, comprising:

1. connecting the device according to claim 1 with one end to a vascular access device, with the other end to a container filled with electrically conductive fluid, and with the electrically conductive wire to an ECG data acquisition system,

2. establishing a column of electrically conductive fluid through the electrically conductive cannula between the fluid container and the distal tip of the vascular access device,

3. measuring electrical activity at the distal tip of the vascular access device through the column of electrically conductive fluid using the ECG data acquisition system;

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the container filled with electrically conductive fluid is a syringe;

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the vascular access device is a catheter;

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the ECG data acquisition system can be an ECG monitor;

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the ECG data acquisition system can be a defibrillator.

12. A device for maintaining liquid pressure in a vascular access device, comprising:

a body, including;

one end which can be connected to the body of a syringe,

a second end which can be connected to the piston of a syringe,

an elastic element connecting the first to the second end

an enclosure of the elastic element;

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the elastic element is a spring;

14. The device of claim 12, where the enclosure of the elastic element is made of plastic material, fabric, or other material as to be resistant to the compression induced by the elastic element;

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the compression induced by the retracting elastic element is compensated by the resistance of the plastic enclosure as to provide a smooth movement of the syringe piston relative to the syringe body.