Diaphragm Pressure Pod For Medical Fluids

• US 20160303306A1
• Filed: 06/28/2016
• Published: 10/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B Braun Medical Incorporated (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Nxstage Medical Incorporated (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Inventors: WILSON, Karen, SCHNELL, William J., BELL, David, UTTERBERG, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 10,046,102 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/16 with membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3627 Degassing devices; Buffer reservoirs; Drip chambers; Blood filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3639 Blood pressure control, pressure transducers specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3641 Pressure isolators
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3655 Arterio-venous shunts or fistulae
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/00 Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use for respiratory devices, e.g. tracheal tubes A61M16/00; artificial heart valves A61F2/24
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 29/005 joints with cut-off devices which can be perforated cut-off devices with a breakable closure member in general F16K13/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85978 With pump

Abstract

A tubular medical fluid flow set comprises a pressure sensing chamber connected in flow-through relation to fluid flow tubing of the set. The pressure sensing chamber defines a movable, flexible, impermeable diaphragm dividing the chamber into two separate compartments. The fluid flow tubing communicates with one of the compartments and is isolated from the other of the compartments. A port is carried on the chamber, the port having a seal therein, and communicating with the other of the compartments. Thus, the other of the compartments is hermetically sealed until the port is opened for connection with a pressure measuring device, to keep the flexible diaphragm in a desired, initial position prior to opening of the seal.

Claims

1. A tubular blood flow set which comprises:

a pressure sensing pod defining a chamber, said pod being connected in flow-through relation to blood flow tubing of said set, said set defining a length of pressure tubing connectable at one end with said chamber via a pressure port thereof, for connection at the other pressure tubing end with a pressure measuring equipment connector with said pod being spaced from said connector; and

a flexible diaphragm sealingly mounted within said pod between connections of said blood flow tubing and said pressure tubing, said diaphragm being moveable between first and second positions, the diaphragm in said first position bowing outwardly to substantially maximize volume in said chamber that communicates with said blood flow tubing, the diaphragm in said second position bowing inwardly to substantially minimize but not eliminate the blood volume in said chamber that is inside of said diaphragm, said diaphragm in use being in contact on one side thereof with flowing blood;

the pressure port being in communication with said chamber on a side of said diaphragm opposite said connections of said blood flow tubing;

the pod being provided, prior to use, with said diaphragm in a desired one of the first and second positions by means of;

said diaphragm having a central dome portion that can flip between said first position said second position;

said pressure port having a seal therein the keeps the diaphragm in said desired one of said first and second positions until connection with a pressure measuring device causes said seal to open.

2. The set of claim 1, wherein the pod is provided, prior to use, in one of the first and second positions by means of said diaphragm having a central dome portion that can flip between said first position said second position.

3. The set of claim 1, wherein the pod is provided, prior to use, in one of the first and second positions by means of said pressure port having a seal therein the keeps the diaphragm in a desired one of said first and second positions until connection with a pressure measuring device causes said seal to open.

4. The set of claim 2, wherein the length of pressure tubing permanently connected said one end with said chamber via said pressure port.

5. The set of claim 2, wherein the dome portion has a continuous curved cross-section.

6. The set of claim 3, wherein the pressure tubing is unconnected to the pressure port.

7. The set of claim 6, wherein the pressure tubing has a connector connectable to said pressure port, said connector containing a member that breaks said seal.

8. A tubular blood flow set which comprises:

first and second pressure sensing pods, each defining a chamber;

said first pod being connected in flow-through relation to an arterial blood flow tubing portion of said set;

said first pod being connected in flow-through relation to a venous blood flow tubing portion of said set;

for each of said first and second pods, a length of pressure tubing connectable at one end with said chamber thereof via a pressure port thereof, for connection at the other pressure tubing end with a respective pressure measuring equipment connector to permit said each of said first and second pods to be spaced from said respective pressure measuring equipment; and

said each of said pods having a flexible diaphragm sealingly mounted within said each of said pods between connections of said arterial and venous blood flow tubing and said pressure tubing, said diaphragm being moveable between first and second positions, the diaphragm in said first position bowing outwardly to substantially maximize volume in said chamber that communicates with said blood flow tubing, the diaphragm in said second position bowing inwardly to substantially minimize but not eliminate the blood volume in said chamber that is inside of said diaphragm, said diaphragm in use being in contact on one side thereof with flowing blood;

the pressure port being in communication with said chamber on a side of said diaphragm opposite said connections of said blood flow tubing;

said diaphragm having a central dome portion that can flip between said first position said second position

the first pod diaphragm, prior to use, being arranged in the first position;

the second pod diaphragm, prior to use, being arranged in the second position.

9. The set of claim 8, wherein each length of pressure tubing is permanently connected by said one end with a respective one of said chambers via a respective one of said pressure ports.

10. The set of claim 8, wherein the dome portion has a continuous curved cross-section.