×

Method and apparatus for facilitating injection of medication into an intravenous fluid line while maintaining sterility of infused fluids

  • US 7,611,504 B1
  • Filed: 03/09/2004
  • Issued: 11/03/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An infusion system to deliver intravenous fluid from a supply source to an infusion site via a fluid line and to enable injection of medicinal fluid into said fluid line while maintaining sterility of said intravenous fluid, said system comprising:

  • a heat transfer unit including first and second conduits, wherein said first conduit receives said intravenous fluid and is connected with a fluid line portion extending toward said infusion site and said second conduit receives heat transfer fluid to heat said intravenous fluid flowing through said first conduit; and

    a fluid connector assembly to facilitate fluid flow between said supply source and said heat transfer unit and including;

    a fitting including a housing structure to receive said intravenous fluid and to direct said intravenous fluid received by said fitting into said heat transfer unit, wherein said housing structure includes;

    an elongated tubular body including a proximal end portion;

    a fluid inlet member with a distal end directly attached to said elongated tubular body and a proximal end to receive intravenous fluid into said housing structure; and

    a fluid outlet disposed at a distal end of said elongated tubular body and secured to said heat transfer unit with said fluid outlet in fluid communication with said first conduit;

    wherein said proximal end portion of said elongated tubular body includes;

    an instrument member positioned within a proximal portion of said elongated tubular body, wherein said instrument member includes a membrane to maintain a fluid tight seal and permit removable insertion of a portion of an instrument through said membrane and within said fluid connector assembly, wherein said instrument includes a syringe containing a medicinal fluid and said instrument portion includes a needle with a length dimension, and wherein said syringe facilitates injection of a medicinal fluid different than said intravenous fluid into said fluid connector assembly; and

    an extension member extending proximally from said instrument member and forming a proximal end of said elongated tubular body, wherein said extension member is configured to engage a syringe distal portion and enable insertion of said needle within said extension member, and wherein said extension member is configured to displace said syringe from said instrument member and provide a distance from said conduits greater than said length dimension of said needle to prevent contact and rupture of said conduits by said needle during said injection.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×