# US 10,500,349 B2 · Endovascular catheter air block > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,500,349 B2 - Document ID: US10500349B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/708,460 - Filed: 2017-09-19 - Published: 2018-01-04 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2006-01-30 - Assignees: The Regents of the University of California - Applicants: The Regents of the University of California - Inventors: Kalyanam Shivkumar; David A. Cesario - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500349B2 ## CPC - A61M 5/36: with means for eliminating or preventing injection or infusion of air into body (dialysis systems, blood oxygenators A61M1/14; haemofiltration equipment A61M1/34; {automatic tube cut-off A61M39/281}) - A61M 5/385: {using hydrophobic filters} - A61M 39/06: Haemostasis valves, i.e. gaskets sealing around a needle, catheter or the like, closing on removal thereof - A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings - B01D 19/0031: {by filtration} - A61M 2205/7536: allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract This invention is an air block for industrial, medical, and non-medical uses. For example, the air block is connected to the proximal end of a vascular access catheter. The air block is either removably connected to the proximal end of the catheter or it is integral to the proximal end of the catheter. The air block permits introduction of other catheters or instrumentation through its central lumen and on into a lumen of the catheter while minimizing fluid loss or gain into the catheter. The air block further prevents air from entering the catheter and provides for removal of the air or other gas from the central lumen before it can enter the catheter where it could cause harm to the patient. The air block can be attached to various standard proximal catheter terminations including Luer fittings and hemostasis valve outer barrels. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of catheterization, comprising: connecting a source of liquid to an air block apparatus that comprises an outer shell, a core tube disposed within an interior volume of the outer shell, a first valve, a second valve and an outlet port, the core tube in fluid communication with the interior volume of the outer shell via a fenestrated portion of the core tube, delivering liquid from the source of liquid into the interior volume of the outer shell; inserting a catheter through the first valve, and then through an unobstructed inner channel of the core tube, and then through the second valve; and removing gas that passes from the core tube via the fenestrated portion and collects within the interior volume of the outer shell. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the air block apparatus is connected to a proximal end of a catheter introducer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the catheter introducer comprises a primary catheter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the catheter introducer comprises a cannula. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein said inserting further comprises inserting the catheter into the catheter introducer after the catheter passes through the first valve, the inner channel of the core tube, and the second valve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising providing one or more of therapeutic intervention and diagnostic intervention within the cardiovascular system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the first catheter is routed to the right atrium of the heart through the venous system, passes through the interatrial septum and resides, at its distal end, within the left atrium of the heart. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising elevating the source of liquid above the level of the outer shell. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said removing comprises activating a gas withdrawal connected to a port of the air block apparatus. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said removing comprises removing the gas from the interior volume of the outer shell through a gas permeable membrane which is operably connected to the second port. ### Claim 11 A method of catheterization, comprising: connecting a source of liquid to an inlet port of an air block apparatus, wherein the inlet port is operably connected to and is configured to pass liquid into the interior volume of an outer shell of the air block apparatus, the outer shell having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein a core tube is located within the interior volume of the outer shell and extends from the proximal end of the outer sell to the distal end of the outer shell, the core tube comprising an inner channel and having a fenestrated portion that is configured to permit gas to move out of the inner channel of the core tube and into the interior volume of the outer shell, the air block apparatus further comprising a first valve, a second valve, and an outlet port that is operably connected to and is configured to pass at least gas out of the interior volume of the outer shell; inserting a catheter through the first valve, and then through inner channel of the core tube, and then through the second valve; and removing gas that collects within the interior volume of the outer shell via the second port. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the air block apparatus is connected to a proximal end of a catheter introducer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the catheter introducer comprises a primary catheter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the catheter introducer comprises a cannula. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein said inserting further comprises inserting the catheter into the catheter introducer after the catheter passes through the first valve, the inner channel of the core tube, and the second valve. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising providing one or more of therapeutic intervention and diagnostic intervention within the cardiovascular system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the first catheter is routed to the right atrium of the heart through the venous system, passes through the interatrial septum and resides, at its distal end, within the left atrium of the heart. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising elevating the source of liquid above the level of the outer shell. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein said removing comprises activating a gas withdrawal connected to the second port. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein said removing comprises removing the gas from the interior volume of the outer shell through a gas permeable membrane which is operably connected to the second port.