Self venting plug for venous entry unit
First Claim
1. In a venous entry unit having a hollow needle and a hollow flashback chamber proximal of the needle in fluid communication therewith for obtaining a visual indication of blood vessel entry by flow of blood into the chamber, the chamber having a proximal opening, the improvement comprising:
- a self venting plug removably seated in the proximal opening of the flashback chamber and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the flashback chamber adjacent the opening, said plug having as its major portion an integrally formed body of solid porous plastic material with pores therein of predetermined size to provide a flow path for air from the chamber outwardly through the plug while preventing the flow of blood outwardly from said chamber through said plug.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The specification discloses a self venting plug for a venous entry unit which is a porous plastic body adapted to be removably seated in a hollow flashback chamber. The plug comprises an open pored plastic having a pore size on the order of 10-15 microns, and provides a flow path for venting air from the flashback chamber while inhibiting flow of blood from the chamber. The plug may be used, for example, with over-the-needle and through-the-needle catheter units employing piercing needles, and may be used to anchor a stylet for stiffening a catheter to be forwarded into the body.
88 Citations
11 Claims
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1. In a venous entry unit having a hollow needle and a hollow flashback chamber proximal of the needle in fluid communication therewith for obtaining a visual indication of blood vessel entry by flow of blood into the chamber, the chamber having a proximal opening, the improvement comprising:
a self venting plug removably seated in the proximal opening of the flashback chamber and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the flashback chamber adjacent the opening, said plug having as its major portion an integrally formed body of solid porous plastic material with pores therein of predetermined size to provide a flow path for air from the chamber outwardly through the plug while preventing the flow of blood outwardly from said chamber through said plug. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9)
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8. A self venting plug adapted to be removably seated in the tapered opening of a flashback chamber in a venous entry unit, which comprises:
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an integral body of porous plastic having open pores therein of predetermined size to provide a flow path through said body for air while inhibiting the flow of blood therethrough from the flashback chamber; said body having a smoothly tapered forward portion configured for sealing engagement with the interior of said flashback chamber, a relatively enlarged rear portion, and a forwardly facing shoulder portion located between the forward and rear body portions. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. In a venous entry unit having a hollow needle and a hollow flashback chamber proximal of the needle in fluid communication therewith for obtaining a visual indication of blood vessel entry by flow of blood into the chamber, the chamber having a proximal opening, the improvement comprising:
an integrally formed porous plastic self venting plug seated in the proximal opening of the flashback chamber and engaging the inside surface of the flashback chamber adjacent the opening, said plug having open pores therein of predetermined size to provide flow path for air from the chamber outwardly through the plug while preventing the flow of blood therethrough and having a smooth distal portion for sealingly engaging the inside surface of the flashback chamber.
Specification