Apparatus and methods for purging catheter systems
AssigneeInfusion Advancements, LLC
InventorsMichael W. Howlett, James V. Mercer, Amelio Paolucci
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for providing controlled pressure-flow pulses which purge a catheter system with turbulent flow flushing. Accomplishment of such controlled pressure-flow pulses is provided by a variety of inventive devices including a special plunger rod for a conventional syringe, other interactive parts for conventional syringes, an in-line catheter attachable device which automatically generates the controlled pressure-flow pulses and also single pulse, digitally operated devices.
Claims12
An apparatus which provides controlled and consistent push-pause pulsatile flow of sufficiently turbulent flushing pressure and flow within a catheter system to substantially purge the line of unwanted residue, said apparatus comprising:
- a source of flush fluid;
- a container for retaining a predetermined volume of the fluid,
- a valve mechanism interconnected for controllably interrupting fluid flow communication between the container and the catheter system;
- a sensing actuator which controls opening and closing said valve mechanism, said sensing actuator opening said valve mechanism at a given predetermined pressure which yields the sufficiently turbulent flow of fluid from the container, said sensor actuator further having an operating hysteresis such that the valve mechanism is closed at another predetermined pressure which is lower than the opening pressure;
- an implement for providing at least enough fluid force to engender the pressure within the container necessary to open the valve mechanism;
- and
- a memory element which stores energy received from action of the implement and releases the stored energy upon valve opening to provide the turbulent flushing fluid pressure and flow for a a period dependent upon time pressure within the container is above the other pressure.
A method for providing controlled push-pause pulsatile flow of sufficiently turbulent flushing pressure and flow within a catheter system to purge the line of unwanted residue comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an apparatus comprising:
- (i) a source of flush fluid;
- (ii) a container for retaining a predetermined volume of the fluid,
- (iii) a valve mechanism interconnected for controllably interrupting fluid flow communication between the container and the catheter system;
- (iv) a sensing actuator which controls opening and closing said valve mechanism, said sensing actuator opening said valve at a given predetermined pressure which yields the sufficiently turbulent flow of fluid from the container, said sensor actuator further having an operating hysteresis such that the valve mechanism is closed at another predetermined pressure which is lower than the opening pressure;
- (v) an implement for providing at least enough fluid force to engender the pressure within the container necessary to open the valve mechanism;
- and
- (vi) a memory element which stores energy received from the implement and releases the stored energy from action of the implement upon valve opening to provide the turbulent flushing fluid pressure and flow for a a period dependent upon time pressure within the container is above the other pressure.
- (b) filling container with fluid from the source;
- (c) providing force via the implement to create a fluid opening pressure within the
- (c) providing force via the implement to create a fluid opening pressure within the container thereby opening the valve at the given predetermined pressure;
- (c) dispensing flushing fluid having predetermined turbulent pressure and flow for a predetermined period into the catheter system;
- and
- (d) closing the valve once pressure within the container is reduced to a level below the other predetermined pressure.
A plunger rod which, in combination with an attached plunger of a syringe, is used to displace liquid within a syringe barrel which has a proximally disposed retention ring which provides opportunity for a tactile indication of a discernable stop to indicate a limit of proximal displacement of the plunger and plunger rod within the barrel, said plunger rod comprising:
- an elongated stem disposed between said plunger and a proximal end of the stem;
- an entry disk proximally disposed relative to the plunger on said stem for interacting with the retention ring;
- at least one valve actuating disk proximally disposed relative to said entry disk, said valve actuating disk being sized and shaped to require sufficient force upon displacement past the retention ring to produce pressure required for turbulent flow of liquid dispensed into an attached catheter when the valve actuating disk is forced through the retention ring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.