# US 8,540,677 B2 · Vascular access device chamber venting

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,540,677 B2
- Document ID: US8540677B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/931,538
- Filed: 2007-10-31
- Published: 2008-06-05
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2006-11-02
- Assignees: Becton, Dickinson and Company
- Applicants: Austin Jason McKinnon; Christopher N. Cindrich; Mark A. Crawford; Weston F. Harding
- Inventors: Austin Jason McKinnon; Christopher N. Cindrich; Mark A. Crawford; Weston F. Harding
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540677B2

## CPC

- A61M 39/045: {pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument}
- A61M 39/26: Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof {(check valves A61M39/24)}
- A61M 39/16: having provision for disinfection or sterilisation {(A61M39/143 takes precedence)}
- A61M 2039/0036: {characterised by a septum having particular features, e.g. having venting channels or being made from antimicrobial or self-lubricating elastomer}
- A61M 2039/266: {where the valve comprises venting channels, e.g. to insure better connection, to help decreasing the fluid space upon disconnection, or to help the fluid space to remain the same during disconnection}
- 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)}

## Abstract

A vascular access device within an external environment may include a body and a septum at least partially housed within the body, a gas chamber housed within the body and the septum, and a vent adjacent the body capable of facilitating gas transfer between the gas chamber and the external environment. A method of venting a gas chamber within a medical device includes transferring gas between the gas chamber and an external environment of the device through a vent that is adjacent the body of the device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A medical device, comprising:
a vascular access device within an external environment, wherein the vascular access device includes a body;
a septum at least partially housed within the body, the septum having a generally I-shaped cross section including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top and bottom portions being interconnected via a middle portion, the septum having a slit;
a gas chamber forming a void between the body and the middle portion of the septum; and
a vent providing fluid communication between the gas chamber and the external environment wherein the vent includes a channel formed within at least a portion of the septum and further comprising a low pressure gas valve adjacent the body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the vent comprises a portion of the bottom portion of the septum.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the vent comprises a portion of the top portion of the septum.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the channel of the vent further comprises a non-compressible gas channel situated between the septum and the body.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The medical device of claim 4, wherein the non-compressible gas channel includes a porous material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the body is a frame comprising a plurality of frame members, and wherein the vent transfers gas between the plurality of frame members.

### Claim 7

A method of venting a gas chamber within a medical device, comprising:
providing a vascular access device in an external environment, wherein the device includes a body, a septum housed within the body, the septum having a generally I-shaped cross section including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top and bottom portions being interconnected via a middle portion, and a gas chamber forming a void between the body and the middle portion of the septum, the septum having a slit;
providing fluid communication between the gas chamber and the external environment by a vent comprising a low pressure gas valve adjacent the body; and
transferring a gas between the gas chamber and the external environment via the vent.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the medical device further comprises a channel forming a portion of the septum.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the medical device further comprises a channel forming a portion of the top portion of the septum.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the medical device further comprises a channel forming a portion of the bottom portion of the septum.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the vent further comprises a non-compressible gas channel situated between the septum and the body.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the body is a frame comprising a plurality of frame members, and wherein a portion of the vent further comprises a pathway between adjacent frame members.