US 5,423,751 A · Contrast media dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A dispensing system and apparatus for introducing contrast media intravascularly during catheterization procedures, which includes connected segments of tubing that serve as a flow path into the vascular system. A spike is provided at one end of a first segment of the tubing for "spiking" a bottle of contrast media. A stopcock is also provided in the first segment of tubing and a luer lock fitting is attached to the stopcock for connecting a second length of IV (intravascular) tubing fitted with a companion luer lock fitting. In a first preferred embodiment a top check valve is provided in the second segment of tubing, which terminates in the top of a reservoir. A second stopcock is connected to the bottom of the reservoir and a third length of IV tubing projects from the second stopcock and receives a bottom check valve and a second luer lock fitting for securing the bottom end of the third length of IV tubing to a conventional manifold. In alternative embodiments of the invention the top and bottom check valves are omitted from the dispensing system. When the dispensing system is operational, contrast fluid is allowed to flow into the reservoir by manipulating the top stopcock, from which reservoir it flows into the manifold by manipulating the second stopcock and is injected intravascularly into the body from the manifold during the catheterization procedure.

Claims2

Dependent claims

In a contrast fluid dispensing apparatus for dispensing a contrast fluid from a container to a point of contrast fluid distribution and preventing reverse flow of the contrast fluid from the point of contrast fluid distribution to the container, said contrast fluid dispensing apparatus having a first length of tubing connected to the container;

a reservoir having one end connected to said first length of tubing;
and a second length of tubing having one end connected to the opposite end of the reservoir, with the opposite end of said second length of tubing terminating at said point of contrast fluid distribution, wherein the improvement comprises a first stopcock carried by said first length of tubing for controlling a flow of contrast fluid from the container through said first length of tubing to said reservoir;
a luer lock provided on said first stopcock, said luer lock connected to said first length of tubing, for disconnecting said reservoir and said second length of tubing from the container;
a first check valve provided in said first length of tubing for preventing a reverse flow of contrast fluid from said reservoir to the container;
a second stopcock carried by said second length of tubing, said second stopcock disposed in fluid-communication with said point of contrast fluid distribution for selectively dispensing contrast fluid from said reservoir through said second length of tubing to said point of contrast fluid distribution;
and a second check valve provided in said second length of tubing for preventing a reverse flow of contrast fluid from said point of contrast fluid distribution through said second length of tubing to said reservoir.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Contrast media dispensing apparatus

Life of this patent

Contrast media dispensing apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims2