Contrast media dispensing apparatus

• US 5,423,751 A
• Filed: 02/18/1993
• Issued: 06/13/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harrison, Samuel W., John Hardin III
• Original Assignee: Harrison, Samuel W., John Hardin III
• Inventors: Hardin, John III, Harrison, Samuel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): MENDEZ, MANUEL A
• Application Number:
  US08/019,048
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 604/251-259, 604/246, 604/248, 604/83, 604/80, 604/81, 604/82, 604/85, 604/249
• US Class Current: 604/83
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1412 Burettes, measuring cylinders for laboratory use B01L3/02
• 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

Abstract

A dispensing system and apparatus for introducing contrast media intravascularly during catheterization procedures, which includes connected segments of tubing that serve as a flow path into the vascular system. A spike is provided at one end of a first segment of the tubing for "spiking" a bottle of contrast media. A stopcock is also provided in the first segment of tubing and a luer lock fitting is attached to the stopcock for connecting a second length of IV (intravascular) tubing fitted with a companion luer lock fitting. In a first preferred embodiment a top check valve is provided in the second segment of tubing, which terminates in the top of a reservoir. A second stopcock is connected to the bottom of the reservoir and a third length of IV tubing projects from the second stopcock and receives a bottom check valve and a second luer lock fitting for securing the bottom end of the third length of IV tubing to a conventional manifold. In alternative embodiments of the invention the top and bottom check valves are omitted from the dispensing system. When the dispensing system is operational, contrast fluid is allowed to flow into the reservoir by manipulating the top stopcock, from which reservoir it flows into the manifold by manipulating the second stopcock and is injected intravascularly into the body from the manifold during the catheterization procedure.

Claims

1. In a contrast fluid dispensing apparatus for dispensing a contrast fluid from a container to a point of contrast fluid distribution and preventing reverse flow of the contrast fluid from the point of contrast fluid distribution to the container, said contrast fluid dispensing apparatus having a first length of tubing connected to the container;

a reservoir having one end connected to said first length of tubing; and

a second length of tubing having one end connected to the opposite end of the reservoir, with the opposite end of said second length of tubing terminating at said point of contrast fluid distribution, wherein the improvement comprises a first stopcock carried by said first length of tubing for controlling a flow of contrast fluid from the container through said first length of tubing to said reservoir;

a luer lock provided on said first stopcock, said luer lock connected to said first length of tubing, for disconnecting said reservoir and said second length of tubing from the container;

a first check valve provided in said first length of tubing for preventing a reverse flow of contrast fluid from said reservoir to the container;

a second stopcock carried by said second length of tubing, said second stopcock disposed in fluid-communication with said point of contrast fluid distribution for selectively dispensing contrast fluid from said reservoir through said second length of tubing to said point of contrast fluid distribution; and

a second check valve provided in said second length of tubing for preventing a reverse flow of contrast fluid from said point of contrast fluid distribution through said second length of tubing to said reservoir.

2. In a contrast fluid dispensing apparatus for dispensing a contrast fluid from a bottle to a manifold and preventing reflux of the contrast fluid from the manifold to the bottle, said contrast fluid dispensing apparatus having a first length of tubing;

a spike provided on one end of said first length of tubing for connecting said first length of tubing to the bottle in fluid communication;

a reservoir provided on the opposite end of said first length of tubing from said one end for receiving a supply of the contrast fluid from the bottle through said first length of tubing; and

a second length of tubing having one end attached to said reservoir, with the opposite end of said second length of tubing attached to the manifold, wherein the improvement comprises a first check valve provided in said first length of tubing for preventing reflux of contrast fluid from said reservoir through said first length of tubing to the bottle;

a first stopcock provided in said first length of tubing and attachment means provided on said first stopcock, said attachment means connected to said first length of tubing, for selectively opening said first length of tubing and removing said reservoir and said second length of tubing from said spike;

a second stopcock provided in said second length of tubing for controlling a flow of contrast fluid from said reservoir to the manifold; and

a second check valve provided in said second length of tubing for preventing reflux of contrast fluid from the manifold to said reservoir.