DEVICE TO INDICATE PRIMING OF AN INFUSION LINE
First Claim
1. A device for indicating the presence of fluid in a portion of an infusion line, comprising:
- a housing positioned along the infusion line and having a hollow interior arranged for receiving a flow of the fluid when in use;
a member located within said housing interior, having an exterior surface and being inaccessible to a user of the housing when the housing is in use;
a microporous membrane that exhibits a first visual characteristic when dry and that exhibits a second visual characteristic when wet with the fluid, the microporous membrane being positioned within said interior of said housing and inaccessible to a user when the housing is in use, said microporous membrane covering at least a portion of said exterior surface; and
wherein said exterior surface includes indicia that, upon said microporous membrane becoming wet with the fluid flowing into said hollow housing interior, becomes visible from an exterior of said housing through both said microporous membrane and said housing as the fluid flows from a first end of said housing to a second end.
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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
17 Claims
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1. A device for indicating the presence of fluid in a portion of an infusion line, comprising:
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a housing positioned along the infusion line and having a hollow interior arranged for receiving a flow of the fluid when in use; a member located within said housing interior, having an exterior surface and being inaccessible to a user of the housing when the housing is in use; a microporous membrane that exhibits a first visual characteristic when dry and that exhibits a second visual characteristic when wet with the fluid, the microporous membrane being positioned within said interior of said housing and inaccessible to a user when the housing is in use, said microporous membrane covering at least a portion of said exterior surface; and wherein said exterior surface includes indicia that, upon said microporous membrane becoming wet with the fluid flowing into said hollow housing interior, becomes visible from an exterior of said housing through both said microporous membrane and said housing as the fluid flows from a first end of said housing to a second end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A device for indicating the presence of fluid in a portion of an infusion line, comprising:
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a housing positioned along the infusion line and having a hollow interior arranged for receiving a flow of fluid inaccessible to a user when the infusion line is in use; a hydrophobic vent located in said housing and configured for allowing air to flow out of said housing while preventing fluid from flowing therethrough; a member having an exterior surface and being positioned within the interior of said housing; a microporous membrane that exhibits a first visual characteristic when dry and that exhibits a second visual characteristic when wet with the fluid, said microporous membrane covering at least a portion of said exterior surface of said member; and wherein said exterior surface includes indicia that, upon said microporous membrane becoming wet with the fluid flowing into said hollow interior of said housing, becomes visible from an exterior of said housing through both said microporous membrane and said housing, said housing being made of a material through which a change in appearance of said microporous membrane is visible. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification