Medical connection indicator

• US 5,690,612 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 11/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Prince, Kathaleen K., Lopez, George A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCDERMOTT, CORRINE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/477,382
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 250/458.1, 250/462.1, 250/463.1, 250/465.1, 250/466.1, 604/93, 604/189, 604/246-247, 604/249, 604/251, 604/264, 604/280, 604/283, 604/411
• US Class Current: 604/95.05
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1038 Union screw connectors, e.g. hollow screw or sleeve having external threads
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1044 Verifying the connection, e.g. audible feedback, tactile feedback, visual feedback, using external light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1072 with a septum present in the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/262 having a fluid space within the valve remaining the same upon connection and disconnection, i.e. neutral-drawback valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/32 with radio-opaque indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 Optical identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 2/00 Non-electric light sources using luminescence using excitation by radioactivity G21H3/02, H01J65/06, H01J65/08; using excitation by an external electromagnetic field or by external corpuscular radiation H01J65/04; Light sources using electrochemiluminescence

Abstract

The invention relates to an indicator for use in indicating a medical implement that facilitates the passage of fluids either to or from a patient comprising a light emitting device affixed to said medical implement and related methods.

Claims

1. A medical flow apparatus that provides an indication of it location in a dark environment comprising:

a medical implement that facilitates the passage of fluids either to or from a patient, said implement having an outer housing having a first end and a second end, said ends adapted for mating engagement with another medical implement and said housing defining a fluid passage therethrough; and

a visible light emitting device affixed to said medical implement, said device comprising an annular ring encircling a portion of said housing of said implement.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said light emitting device is positioned between said first and second ends of said implement.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said implement includes first and second outwardly extending flanges positioned on said housing and wherein said light emitting device is positioned between said flanges.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said light emitting device comprises a light emitting material.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said ring is tapered.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said ring has an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein said inner surface has at least one ridge positioned on said internal surface for use in affixing said ring to said apparatus.