Intravenous line flushing device

• US 6,391,001 B1
• Filed: 09/21/2000
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jolie Graham, Joyce R. Varhola
• Original Assignee: Jolie Graham, Joyce R. Varhola
• Inventors: Graham, Jolie, Varhola, Joyce R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Esquivel, Denise L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Application Number:
  US09/666,927
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 604/82, 604/83, 604/90, 604/91, 604/131, 128/DIG.12, 128/DIG.6
• US Class Current: 604/82
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1403 Flushing or purging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1486 the bags being substantially completely surrounded by fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/165 Filtering accessories, e.g. blood filters, filters for infusion liquids A61M1/14 , A61M1/34, A61M1/3627, A61M1/3679, A61M1/3687 take precedence; needle sets with incorporated air inlet filters A61M5/162
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/36 with means for eliminating or preventing injection or infusion of air into body dialysis systems, blood oxygenators A61M1/14; haemofiltration equipment A61M1/34; automatic tube cut-off A61M39/281
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/12 Pressure infusion

Abstract

An intravenous line flushing device for preventing clotting of blood by the addition of saline solution to an intravenous line. The intravenous line flushing device includes a sleeve having an inner panel and an outer panel. Each of the panels has a top edge and a bottom edge. The top edge of the inner panel is integrally coupled to the top edge of the outer panel, and the bottom edge of the inner panel is integrally coupled to the bottom edge of the outer panel such that a space is defined between the inner and outer panels. The inner and outer panels are substantially air impermeable. A generally sealed container is positioned in the space between the inner and outer panels. A first agent is disposed in the space. A second agent is disposed in the container. Breaking the container mixes the first and second agents such that a gas is produced, which inflates the sleeve. A primary tube has a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to removably fluidly engage a pouch. A secondary tube has a first end and a second end. The first end is fluidly coupled to the primary tube and positioned generally between the first and second ends of the primary tube. The second end of the secondary tube comprises a primary infusion port. The pouch contains a solution. The pouch is placed in the sleeve such that inflation of the sleeve forces the solution into the primary tube.

Claims

1. An intravenous line flushing device for forcing saline solution through an intravenous line, the saline solution being located in a pouch having generally flexible walls, said device comprising:

a sleeve, said sleeve comprising an inner panel and an outer panel, each of said panels having a top edge and a bottom edge, said top edge of said inner panel being integrally coupled to said top edge of said outer panel, said bottom edge of said inner panel being integrally coupled to said bottom edge of said outer panel such that a space is defined between said inner and outer panels, said inner and outer panels being substantially air impermeable, said inner and outer panels comprising a resiliently flexible material;

a container, said container being positioned in said space between said inner and outer panels, said container being generally sealed, said container being generally frangible;

a first agent, said first agent being disposed in said space;

a second agent, said second agent being disposed in said container;

wherein breaking said container mixes said first and second agents such that a gas is produced, said gas inflating said sleeve;

a primary tube, said primary tube having a first end and a second end, said first end being adapted to removably fluidly engage said pouch;

a secondary tube, said secondary tube having a first end and a second end, said first end being fluidly coupled to said primary tube and positioned generally between said first and second ends of said primary tube, said second end of said secondary tube comprising an primary infusion port.

2. The intravenous line flushing device as in claim 1, further comprising:

a filter means for filtering bacteria and air out of said saline solution, said filter means being fluidly coupled to said primary tube and positioned between said first end of said primary tube and said secondary tube such that said saline solution travels through said filter means.

3. The intravenous line flushing device as in claim 1, further comprising:

a priming means for priming said primary tube, said priming means being fluidly coupled to said primary tube and positioned between said secondary tube and said second end of said primary tube.

4. The intravenous line flushing device as in claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of secondary infusion ports, said secondary infusion ports being fluidly coupled to said primary tube and positioned between said secondary tube and said second end of said primary tube.

5. An intravenous line flushing device for forcing solution through an intravenous line, the solution being located in a pouch having generally flexible walls, said device comprising:

a sleeve, said sleeve comprising an inner panel and an outer panel, each of said panels having a top edge and a bottom edge, said top edge of said inner panel being integrally coupled to said top edge of said outer panel, said bottom edge of said inner panel being integrally coupled to said bottom edge of said outer panel such that a space is defined between said inner and outer panels, said inner and outer panels being substantially air impermeable, said inner and outer panels comprising a resiliently flexible material;

a container, said container being positioned in said space between said inner and outer panels, said container being generally sealed, said container being generally frangible;

a first agent, said first agent being disposed in said space;

a second agent, said second agent being disposed in said container;

wherein breaking said container mixes said first and second agents such that a gas is produced, said gas inflating said sleeve;

a primary tube, said primary tube having a first end and a second end, said first end being adapted to removably fluidly engage said pouch such that the solution may enter said primary tube;

a filter means for filtering bacteria and air out of said solution and adapted for controlling flow rate of said solution through said primary tube, said filter means being fluidly coupled to said primary tube and positioned between said first and second ends of said primary tube such that said solution travels through said filter means.

6. An intravenous line flushing device for forcing saline solution through an intravenous line, the saline solution being located in a pouch having generally flexible walls, said device comprising:

a sleeve, said sleeve comprising an inner panel and an outer panel, each of said panels having a top edge and a bottom edge, said top edge of said inner panel being integrally coupled to said top edge of said outer panel, said bottom edge of said inner panel being integrally coupled to said bottom edge of said outer panel such that a space is defined between said inner and outer panels, said inner and outer panels being substantially air impermeable, said inner and outer panels comprising a resiliently flexible material;

a container, said container being positioned in said space between said inner and outer panels, said container being generally sealed, said container being generally frangible;

a first agent, said first agent being disposed in said space, said first agent comprising a bicarbonate;

a second agent, said second agent being disposed in said container, said second agent comprising an acid;

wherein breaking said container mixes said first and second agents such that a gas is produced, said gas inflating said sleeve;

a primary tube, said primary tube having a first end and a second end, said first end being adapted to removably fluidly engage said pouch such that the saline solution may enter said primary tube;

a filter means for filtering bacteria and air out of said saline solution, said filter means being fluidly coupled to said primary tube and positioned between said first and second ends of said primary tube such that said saline solution travels through said filter means, said filter means being adapted for filtering generally 1 cc of saline solution per hour;

a secondary tube, said secondary tube having a first end and a second end, said first end being fluidly coupled to said primary tube and positioned generally between said filter means and said second end of said primary tube, said second end of said secondary tube comprising an primary infusion port;

a priming means for priming said primary tube, said priming means being fluidly coupled to said primary tube and positioned between said secondary tube and said second end of said primary tube; and

a plurality of secondary infusion ports, said secondary infusion ports being fluidly coupled to said primary tube and positioned between said priming means and said second end of said primary tube.