# US 8,540,944 B2 · Vascular access device time sensitive status indication

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- Number: US 8,540,944 B2
- Document ID: US8540944B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/868,940
- Filed: 2010-08-26
- Published: 2011-06-02
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2006-05-08
- Assignees: Becton, Dickinson and Company
- Applicants: Mark A. Crawford; Marty L. Stout; Weston F. Harding
- Inventors: Mark A. Crawford; Marty L. Stout; Weston F. Harding
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540944B2

## CPC

- A61M 39/045: {pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument}
- G09F 3/0291: {Labels or tickets undergoing a change under particular conditions, e.g. heat, radiation, passage of time}
- A61M 5/16831: {Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies (low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066)}
- A61M 5/284: {comprising means for injection of two or more media, e.g. by mixing}
- A61M 2005/1402: {Priming}
- A61M 2005/3132: {having flow passages for injection agents at the distal end of the barrel to bypass a sealing stopper after its displacement to this end due to internal pressure increase}
- A61M 2205/273: preventing reuse, e.g. of disposables
- A61M 2205/583: by visual feedback
- Y10T 436/2575: Volumetric liquid transfer
- 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)}
- G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A vascular access device for communicating with the vascular system of a patient may include a status indicator. The status indicator may detect and signal that a period of time has elapsed in relation to the use of the vascular access device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A medical device comprising:
a vascular access device having a body; and
a photochromic material incorporated within at least a portion of the body, the photochromic material changing the color of light reflected by the color-changing material from a first color to a second color after being exposed to ambient or UV light for a predetermined amount of time.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the vascular access device includes a septum, the septum having a slit extending through the septum.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the photochromic material includes a colorless isomer that contains a spiro carbon atom.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the photochromic material includes a photochromic dye.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount of time is approximately twenty four hours.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the photochromic material is a high intensity UV light sensitive material.

### Claim 7

A medical device comprising:
a vascular access device having a body;
a color-changing material included within or on the body, the color-changing material changing the color of light reflected by the color-changing material from a first color to a second color when the medical device has reached an infection risk threshold, wherein the color-changing material is configured to change color in response to oxidation, moisture absorption, or polymer crystallization of the color-changing material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The medical device of claim 7, wherein the color-changing material is a coating on the body of the medical device.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The medical device of claim 7, wherein the color-changing material is incorporated within at least a portion of the body.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The medical device of claim 7, further comprising a septum disposed within the body, the septum having a slit extending through the septum.

### Claim 11

A medical device comprising:
a vascular access device having a body; and
a color-changing material included within or on the body, the color-changing material changing the color of light reflected by the color-changing material from a first color to a second color when the medical device has reached an infection risk threshold, wherein the color-changing material includes a colorless isomer that contains a spiro carbon atom.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The medical device of claim 11, further comprising a septum disposed within the body, the septum having a slit extending through the septum.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The medical device of claim 12, wherein the color-changing material is incorporated within at least a portion of the body.