Safety device

• US 9,162,043 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2014
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nellin Medical Devices, LLC
• Original Assignee: Nellin Medical Devices, LLC
• Inventors: Mobassery, Hooman, Man, Kim Dick
• Primary Examiner(s): Bosques, Edelmira
• Application Number:
  US14/242,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20140257235A1
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 604/500
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0018 having a plug, e.g. an inflatable plug for closing catheter lumens
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0056 provided with an antibacterial agent, e.g. by coating, residing in the polymer matrix or releasing an agent out of a reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0606 "Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1011 Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/162 with antiseptic agent incorporated within the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/165 Shrouds or protectors for aseptically enclosing the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/20 Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes

Abstract

The present invention provides for a safety device and methods of using a safety device for use with a medical implement having a body with an inlet end portion, the safety device comprises a bracket for mounting on the body of the medical implement; a cap supported by the bracket and sized to fit over and seal the inlet end portion of the medical implement in a safety position wherein the cap covers the medical implement; an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis, the shaft being secured to the cap and being slidably and pivotally supported by the bracket so that the cap can be raised away from the inlet end portion of the medical implement and be pivoted about the longitudinal axis of the shaft away from the inlet end portion; and a biasing means for biasing the cap to the safety position.

Claims

1. A method of preventing contamination of a medical implement having a body with an inlet end portion, the method comprising:

a) providing a safety device for the medical implement, the safety device comprising a bracket for mounting the device on the body of the medical implement;

b) attaching the bracket to the body of the medical implement; and

c) covering the inlet end portion of the medical implement with a cap sized to fit over and seal the inlet end portion of the medical implement in a safety position, the cap secured to an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis and being slidably and pivotally supported by the bracket so that the cap can be raised away from the inlet end portion of the medical implement and be pivoted about the longitudinal axis of the shaft away from the inlet end portion.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

d) removing the cap from the inlet end portion of the medical implement by slidably raising the cap away from the inlet end portion of the medical implement and pivotally rotating the cap away from the medical implement; and

e) inserting or withdrawing fluids from the inlet end portion of the medical implement.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

f) after step (d) temporarily securing the cap away from the inlet end portion of the medical implement by engaging a lock; and

g) releasing the cap from the lock after step (e).

4. The method of claim 1, where the cap has an interior space defining an area for an antimicrobial agent.

5. The method of claim 4, where the interior space comprises an antimicrobial agent such that the antimicrobial agent is configured to contact the inlet end portion of the medical implement in the safety position.

6. The method of claim 5, where the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group comprising alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, chlorohexidine and combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 5, where the cap further comprises a rim, where the rim supports the antimicrobial agent.

8. The method of claim 4, where the cap further comprises a hinged door, where the hinged door can be opened so that the antimicrobial agent can be removed or inserted.

9. The method of claim 4, further comprising an indicator which visually signals a change in the antimicrobial agent.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising a medical implement having a body, where the bracket is molded as one piece with the body of the medical implement.