Access port with safety tab and fluid container employing same

• US 7,507,226 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Henaut, Eric J., Stanus, Johanny B. P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deak; Leslie R
• Application Number:
  US11/139,244
• Publication Number:
  US 20050283132A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: 604/6.16, 604/264, 604/403, 604/408, 604/411, 604/414, 604/533, 604/200, 604/201, 604/204, 604/167.01, 604/167.03, 604/167.05, 604/27, 604/33, 604/905, 604/220, 383/210.1, 222/83, 222/96, 222/104, 22215305- 7, 222/548
• US Class Current: 604/414
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1475 Inlet or outlet ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1668 Details of containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/28 Peritoneal dialysis ; Other peritoneal treatment, e.g. oxygenation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/222 frangible within tubing or bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1011 Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/162 Needle sets, i.e. connections by puncture between reservoir and tube ; Connections between reservoir and tube in jet-action syringes A61M5/30; connectors for tubes having sealed ends and a needle for piercing them A61M39/14
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0985 the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part F16L37/0982 takes precedence

Abstract

An access port for a medical fluid container is provided and in one embodiment includes: (i) a shell; (ii) a perforator located within the shell, the perforator including an end configured to pierce a medical fluid container; and (iii) a safety tab connected to the perforator, the safety tab initially preventing the perforator from piercing the medical fluid container, the safety tab manually removable to enable the perforator to pierce the medical fluid container. The shell can include a pair of hingedly moving arms and members connected hingedly to the arms, the members operable to push the perforator towards the medical fluid container when the arms are pushed. The safety tab can include a plurality of frangible fixtures, the fixtures collectively providing a suitably high tamper resistance force, the fixtures individually providing a suitably low tab removal force.

Claims

1. An access port comprising:

a perforator including an end configured to pierce a medical fluid container, the perforator comprising an end portion configured to connect fluidly to a connector; and

a shell positioned outside of the perforator, the shell including a body and a pair of arms (i) connected hingedly to the body and (ii) extending angularly away from the body toward the piercing end of the perforator, the shell further including members each having a first end connected hingedly to one of the arms and a second end contacting the perforator, the members operable to push the perforator towards a medical fluid container when the arms are pushed towards the body of the shell.

2. The access port of claim 1, which includes a safety tab attached removeably to the shell, the safety tab preventing the perforator from piercing the medical fluid container.

3. The access port of claim 1, wherein the members are each configured to do at least one of:

(i) connect to a middle part of one of the arms and (ii) contact a flange extending from the perforator.

4. The access port of claim 1, wherein the perforator and the shell are configured to provide at least one of:

(i) audible feedback when the perforator is moved with respect to the shell;

(ii) tactile feedback when the perforator is moved with respect to the shell; and

(iii) a locked engagement after the perforator has been moved to a piercing position with respect to the shell.

5. The access port of claim 2, wherein the safety tab includes a ring that initially prevents the perforator from piercing the medical fluid container.

6. The access port of claim 5, wherein the ring connects to the perforator via a plurality of frangible fixtures.

7. The access port of claim 5, which includes a flange extending from the perforator, the ring connected to the flange via a plurality of frangible fixtures.

8. The access port of claim 5, wherein the safety tab includes a handle connected to the ring, the handle configured to be manually grasped and pulled.