Device to indicate priming of an infusion line
First Claim
1. A device for indicating the presence of fluid in a portion of an infusion line, comprising:
- a housing positioned along the infusion line and having a hollow interior arranged for receiving a flow of fluid when in use;
a member having an exterior surface and being positioned within the interior of the housing and inaccessible to a user of the housing when the housing is in use;
a microporous membrane that exhibits a first visual characteristic when dry and that exhibits a second visual characteristic when wet with the fluid, the microporous membrane being positioned within the interior of the housing and inaccessible to a user of the housing when the housing is in use, the microporous membrane covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of the member; and
wherein the exterior surface of the member includes indicia that, upon the microporous membrane becoming wet with the fluid flowing into the hollow interior of the housing, becomes visible from an exterior of the housing through both the microporous membrane and the housing, the housing being made of a material through which a change in appearance of the microporous membrane is visible.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A priming indicator for a fluid infusion system includes a luer cap or other component of the infusion system having an indicator surface covered by a membrane. The membrane exhibits a first visual characteristic, such as being opaque, when dry and exhibits a second characteristic, such as becoming less opaque, when wet. Once the membrane becomes wet, indicia on the surface, which may be provided on a rod at least partially covered by the membrane, becomes visible, thereby indicating an intravenous tube to which the luer cap is secured has been primed or is nearly primed. The indicator may alternately be employed at an upstream end of an infusion set, such as at the port of a medical bag providing a supply of fluid, to indicate a low level of fluid in the medical bag.
36 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A device for indicating the presence of fluid in a portion of an infusion line, comprising:
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a housing positioned along the infusion line and having a hollow interior arranged for receiving a flow of fluid when in use; a member having an exterior surface and being positioned within the interior of the housing and inaccessible to a user of the housing when the housing is in use; a microporous membrane that exhibits a first visual characteristic when dry and that exhibits a second visual characteristic when wet with the fluid, the microporous membrane being positioned within the interior of the housing and inaccessible to a user of the housing when the housing is in use, the microporous membrane covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of the member; and wherein the exterior surface of the member includes indicia that, upon the microporous membrane becoming wet with the fluid flowing into the hollow interior of the housing, becomes visible from an exterior of the housing through both the microporous membrane and the housing, the housing being made of a material through which a change in appearance of the microporous membrane is visible. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A device for indicating priming of an infusion line, comprising:
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a microporous membrane that blocks transmission of light therethrough when dry and that allows transmission of light therethrough when wet; a source of a light signal covered by the microporous membrane, light from the source of the light signal being transmitted through the microporous membrane upon the microporous membrane becoming wet; and a sensor that senses light from the source of the light signal, the sensor separated from the source of the light signal by at least the microporous membrane, and the sensor in electrical communication with a controller in communication with an alarm, the controller signaling the alarm to activate upon detection by the sensor of light from the source of the light signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A device for indicating the presence of fluid in a portion of an infusion line, comprising:
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a housing positioned along the infusion line and having a hollow interior arranged for receiving a flow of fluid inaccessible to a user when the infusion line is in use; a member having an exterior surface and being positioned within the interior of the housing; a microporous membrane that exhibits a first visual characteristic when dry and that exhibits a second visual characteristic when wet with the fluid, the microporous membrane covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of the member; and wherein the exterior surface includes indicia that, upon the microporous membrane becoming wet with the fluid flowing into the hollow interior of the housing, becomes visible from an exterior of the housing through both the microporous membrane and the housing, the housing being made of a material through which a change in appearance of the microporous membrane is visible. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A device for indicating the presence of fluid in a portion of an infusion line, comprising:
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a housing positioned along the infusion line and having a hollow interior arranged for receiving a flow of fluid in an axial direction; a member within an interior of the housing and having a length extending in the axial direction; a membrane that exhibits a first visual characteristic when dry and that exhibits a second visual characteristic when wet; and wherein the member includes an exterior surface extending along the axial length at least partially covered by the membrane, the surface including indicia that, upon the membrane becoming wet when fluid flows into the interior of the housing in the axial direction, becomes visible from an exterior of the luer cap through both the membrane and the housing, the housing being made of a material through which a change in appearance of the membrane is visible.
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Specification