Medical connection indicator and method of use

• US 5,695,466 A
• Filed: 07/23/1993
• Issued: 12/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Lopez, George A., Prince, Kathaleen K.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCDERMOTT, CORRINE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/096,659
• Time in Patent Office: 1,600 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: 604/93.01
• 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 fluid flow apparatus that provides an indication of its location in a dark environment, comprising:

a medical implement that facilitates the passage of fluids either to or from a patient; and

a light emitting device affixed to said medical implement by way of locking ears that comprise a part of said medical implement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light emitting device comprises a light emitting material.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said light emitting material comprises a phosphorescent material.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said light emitting material comprises zinc sulfide.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said zinc sulphide constitutes about 25 percent to about 50 percent of the material comprising said light emitting device.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said zinc sulphide constitutes about 30 percent of said material comprising said light emitting device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light emitting device comprises an annular ring.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light emitting device comprises a tapered annular ring.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, whereto said light emitting device comprises a plastic.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said plastic comprises polypropylene.