Systems and method for assessing functionality of dual check valve arrangements in medical tubing sets
First Claim
1. A method of delivering fluid using a medical fluid tubing set that comprises a multi-use tubing section, a first single-use tubing section, and a connector between said multi-use tubing section and said first single-use tubing section, wherein said first single-use tubing section comprises first and second check valves that are spaced along and are located within said first single-use tubing section, and wherein said first single-use tubing section is used for only a single patient, the method comprising:
- operating an injection device, wherein said operating step comprises a first operating step, wherein said first operating step directs a flow of fluid through said multi-use tubing section, then through said first single-use tubing section, and then to a first patient such that each of said multi-use tubing section and said first single-use tubing section are located between said injection device and said first patient;
monitoring a fluid pressure in said first single-use tubing section at a location that extends between said first and second check valves and including when both of said first and second check valves are open and when both of said first and second check valves are closed, wherein said monitoring step uses a pressure sensor that is positioned within said first single-use tubing section at a location that is between said first and second check valves;
assessing an operating condition of at least one of said first and second check valves of said first single-use tubing section based on said monitoring step, wherein said assessing step comprises using said monitoring step to identify an occurrence of a first condition, said first condition being that said fluid pressure between said first and second check valves of said first single-use tubing section has dropped below a predetermined fluid pressure level;
providing an indication upon identifying the occurrence of said first condition;
replacing said first single-use tubing section prior to using said multi-use tubing section for an injection of another patient; and
discarding said multi-use tubing section upon identifying the occurrence of said first condition.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dual one-way check valve arrangement that may be used for assessing an operating condition of at least one of first and second check valves situated in series along/within a section of a patient-specific section of tubing. A pressure sensor may be associated with at least part of the flow path between the first and second check valves and may be operable to provide an indication of a failed condition of at least one of the first and second check valves. In one embodiment, the pressure sensor may change from a first state to a second state upon fluid pressure within the flow path between the first and second check valves falling below a predetermined level. For instance, the predetermined level may be a cracking pressure of at least one of the first and second check valves. The change in state may be visually discernible on an exterior of the pressure sensor.
15 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A method of delivering fluid using a medical fluid tubing set that comprises a multi-use tubing section, a first single-use tubing section, and a connector between said multi-use tubing section and said first single-use tubing section, wherein said first single-use tubing section comprises first and second check valves that are spaced along and are located within said first single-use tubing section, and wherein said first single-use tubing section is used for only a single patient, the method comprising:
-
operating an injection device, wherein said operating step comprises a first operating step, wherein said first operating step directs a flow of fluid through said multi-use tubing section, then through said first single-use tubing section, and then to a first patient such that each of said multi-use tubing section and said first single-use tubing section are located between said injection device and said first patient; monitoring a fluid pressure in said first single-use tubing section at a location that extends between said first and second check valves and including when both of said first and second check valves are open and when both of said first and second check valves are closed, wherein said monitoring step uses a pressure sensor that is positioned within said first single-use tubing section at a location that is between said first and second check valves; assessing an operating condition of at least one of said first and second check valves of said first single-use tubing section based on said monitoring step, wherein said assessing step comprises using said monitoring step to identify an occurrence of a first condition, said first condition being that said fluid pressure between said first and second check valves of said first single-use tubing section has dropped below a predetermined fluid pressure level; providing an indication upon identifying the occurrence of said first condition; replacing said first single-use tubing section prior to using said multi-use tubing section for an injection of another patient; and discarding said multi-use tubing section upon identifying the occurrence of said first condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification