US4722725A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods for preventing the introduction of air or fluid into the body of a patient
Assignee: Interface Biomedical Laboratories Corp
•
Filing: 1987-05-11
•
Granted: 1988-02-02
•
Expires: 2007-05-11
Abstract
Abstract Methods for preventing the introduction of air into the vascular system of a patient during intravenous or intraarterial procedures, as well as for preventing the reflex of fluids into the body of a patient. Also, novel fluid directing means and catheters which include integal or attached fluid flow control means for use in these methods.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip N. Sawyer
- 👤 Joseph F. Fitzgerald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/36; A61M39/00; A61M39/22; A61M39/227; A61M39/228
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
31 words
A method for preventing the introduction of ambient air into the vascular system of a patient through catheter means introduced into said vascular system during intravenous or intra-arterial procedures which comprises:
Claim 2
Independent Claim
31 words
A method for preventing the introduction of ambient air into the vascular system of a patient through catheter means introduced into said vascular system during intravenous or intra-arterial procedures which comprises:
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
providing the catheter means with fluid flow control means comprising: a tubular structure including input means and output means; each provided with an open bore constituting a flow channel; and further means located between the bores of said input and output means of said tubular structure and having an open and a closed position, said further means providing for a connecting channel between said bores when said further means is in the open position, said further means normally being prestressed to said closed position and being forcible to said open position in response to a positive fluid pressure in the bore of either of said input or output means, said further means being constructed and arranged so as to return to said closed position in response to a removal of positive fluid pressure from said bore containing same;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
providing the catheter means with fluid flow control means comprising: a tubular structure including input means and output means; each provided with an open bore constituting a flow channel; and further means located between the bores of said input and output means of said tubular structure and having an open and a closed position, said further means providing for a connecting channel between said bores when said further means is in the open position, said further means normally being prestressed to said closed position and being forcible to said open position in response to a positive fluid pressure in the bore of either of said input or output means, said further means being constructed and arranged so as to return to said closed position in response to a removal of positive fluid pressure from said bore containing same;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
introducing the catheter into the vascular system of the patient during intravenous or intra-arterial procedures; and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
introducing the catheter into the vascular system of the patient during intravenous or intra-arterial procedures; and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
introducing a fluid into said patient through said fluid flow control means and catheter means by directing the fluid under a positive pressure above that of ambient air into the bore of the input means of said fluid flow control means so that the fluid flow control means remains competent in response to ambient air pressure in the bore of said input means but which opens in response to said positive fluid pressure to allow flow therethrough, while also preventing the introduction of air into the vascular system of the patient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
introducing a fluid into said patient through said fluid flow control means and catheter means by directing the fluid under a positive pressure above that of ambient air into the bore of the input means of said fluid flow control means so that the fluid flow control means remains competent in response to ambient air pressure in the bore of said input means but which opens in response to said positive fluid pressure to allow flow therethrough, while also preventing the introduction of air into the vascular system of the patient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid flow control means is integral with or attached to the catheter means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 which further comprises utilizing means to maintain the fluid flow control means in an open position to view blood reflux through the catheter means or to facilitate the introduction of obturating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the means to maintain the fluid flow control means in an open position further comprises a second fluid flow control means which remains competent in response to ambient air pressure but which opens in response to a positive fluid pressure above that of ambient air.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the obturating means comprises second catheter means, trocar means, needle means, or fluid directing means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
285 words
A method for preventing the reflux of blood from the vascular system of a patient through catheter means introduced into said vascular system during intravenous or intra-arterial procedures which comprises: providing the catheter means with fluid flow control means comprising: a tubular structure including input means and output means, each provided with an open bore constituting a flow-channel; and further means located between the bores of said input and output means of said tubular structure and having an open and a closed position, said further means providing for a connecting channel between said bores when said further means is in the open position, said further means normally being prestressed to said closed position and being forcible to said open position in response to a positive fluid pressure in the bore of either of said input or output means, said further means being constructed and arranged so as to return to said closed position in response to a removal of positive fluid pressure from said bore containing same; introducing the catheter into the vascular system of the patient during intravenous or intra-arterial procedures; and introducing a fluid into said patient through said fluid flow control means and catheter means by directing the fluid under a positive pressure above that of ambient air into the bore of the input means of said fluid flow control means so that the fluid flow control means remains competent in response to blood reflux in said output bore and ambient air pressure in said input bore but which opens in response to said positive fluid pressure to allow fluid flow therethrough, while also preventing the inntroduction of air into or the reflux of blood from the vascular system of the patient.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
285 words
A method for preventing the reflux of blood from the vascular system of a patient through catheter means introduced into said vascular system during intravenous or intra-arterial procedures which comprises: providing the catheter means with fluid flow control means comprising: a tubular structure including input means and output means, each provided with an open bore constituting a flow-channel; and further means located between the bores of said input and output means of said tubular structure and having an open and a closed position, said further means providing for a connecting channel between said bores when said further means is in the open position, said further means normally being prestressed to said closed position and being forcible to said open position in response to a positive fluid pressure in the bore of either of said input or output means, said further means being constructed and arranged so as to return to said closed position in response to a removal of positive fluid pressure from said bore containing same; introducing the catheter into the vascular system of the patient during intravenous or intra-arterial procedures; and introducing a fluid into said patient through said fluid flow control means and catheter means by directing the fluid under a positive pressure above that of ambient air into the bore of the input means of said fluid flow control means so that the fluid flow control means remains competent in response to blood reflux in said output bore and ambient air pressure in said input bore but which opens in response to said positive fluid pressure to allow fluid flow therethrough, while also preventing the inntroduction of air into or the reflux of blood from the vascular system of the patient.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 6 which further comprises utilizing means to maintain the fluid flow device in an open position to temporarily view blood reflux through the catheter means or to facilitate the introduction of obturating means, trocar means, second catheter means, or fluid directing means into the first catheter means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the means to maintain the fluid flow control means in an open position further comprises a second fluid flow control means which remains competent in response to blood reflux and ambient air pressure, but which opens in response to a positive fluid pressure above that of ambient air.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 7 which further comprises connecting the maintaining means to exterior conduit means such that, in the event the exterior conduit means is disengaged from the patient, the maintaining means is also removed, thus returning the fluid flow control means to a closed position.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
291 words
A method for preventing the reflux of fluids into an organ or the pleural cavity of a patient through fluid directing means utilized for removal of said fluids from the patient which comprises: providing the fluid directing means with fluid flow control means comprising: a tubular structure including input means and output means, each provided with an open bore constituting a flow channel; and further means located between the bores of said input and output means of said tubular structure and having an open and a closed position, said further means providing for a connecting channel between said bores when said further means is in the open position, said further means normally being prestressed to said closed position and being forcible to said open position in response to a positive fluid pressure in the bore of either of said input or output means, said further means being constructed and arranged so as to return to said closed position in response to a removal of positive fluid pressure from said bore containing same; introducing the fluid directing means into the organ or pleural cavity of the patient for removal of fluids therefrom; and removing fluid from said organ or pleural cavity of said patient through said fluid flow control means and fluid directing means by directing said fluid under a positive pressure ito the bore of the input means of said fluid flow control means so that the fluid flow control means remains competent in respnse to fluid reflux but which opens in response to said fluid pressure in the patient to facilitate the removal of said fluids by flow therethrough, while also preventing the introduction of air or the reflux of fluid into the organ or pleural cavity of the patient.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
291 words
A method for preventing the reflux of fluids into an organ or the pleural cavity of a patient through fluid directing means utilized for removal of said fluids from the patient which comprises: providing the fluid directing means with fluid flow control means comprising: a tubular structure including input means and output means, each provided with an open bore constituting a flow channel; and further means located between the bores of said input and output means of said tubular structure and having an open and a closed position, said further means providing for a connecting channel between said bores when said further means is in the open position, said further means normally being prestressed to said closed position and being forcible to said open position in response to a positive fluid pressure in the bore of either of said input or output means, said further means being constructed and arranged so as to return to said closed position in response to a removal of positive fluid pressure from said bore containing same; introducing the fluid directing means into the organ or pleural cavity of the patient for removal of fluids therefrom; and removing fluid from said organ or pleural cavity of said patient through said fluid flow control means and fluid directing means by directing said fluid under a positive pressure ito the bore of the input means of said fluid flow control means so that the fluid flow control means remains competent in respnse to fluid reflux but which opens in response to said fluid pressure in the patient to facilitate the removal of said fluids by flow therethrough, while also preventing the introduction of air or the reflux of fluid into the organ or pleural cavity of the patient.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 9 which further comprises periodically utilizing means to maintain the fluid flow device in an open position to facilitate faster removal of said fluid from the patient.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
247 words
Catheter means comprising an elongated body portion for insertion into a patient; at least one integral hub portion adjacent to the body portion; and at least one fluid flow control means located in the body or hub portion or adjacent to the hub portion, which means comprises: a tubular structure including input means and output means, each provided with an open bore constituting a flow channel; and further means located between the bores of said input and output means of said tubular structure and having an open and a closed position, said further means providing for a connecting channel between said bores when said further means is in the open position, said further means normally being prestressed to said closed position and being forcible to said open position in response to a positive fluid pressure in the bore of either of said input or output means, said further means being constructed and arranged so as to return to said closed position in response to a removal of positive fluid pressure from said bore containing same so that the fluid flow control means remains competent in response to ambient air pressure or fluid reflux but which opens in response to a positive fluid pressure above that of ambient air to allow fluid flow through said further means from the bore containing the positive pressure to the other bore, said flow control means capable of passing fluid in either direction depending upon which bore contains the positive fluid pressure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
247 words
Catheter means comprising an elongated body portion for insertion into a patient; at least one integral hub portion adjacent to the body portion; and at least one fluid flow control means located in the body or hub portion or adjacent to the hub portion, which means comprises: a tubular structure including input means and output means, each provided with an open bore constituting a flow channel; and further means located between the bores of said input and output means of said tubular structure and having an open and a closed position, said further means providing for a connecting channel between said bores when said further means is in the open position, said further means normally being prestressed to said closed position and being forcible to said open position in response to a positive fluid pressure in the bore of either of said input or output means, said further means being constructed and arranged so as to return to said closed position in response to a removal of positive fluid pressure from said bore containing same so that the fluid flow control means remains competent in response to ambient air pressure or fluid reflux but which opens in response to a positive fluid pressure above that of ambient air to allow fluid flow through said further means from the bore containing the positive pressure to the other bore, said flow control means capable of passing fluid in either direction depending upon which bore contains the positive fluid pressure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter means of claim 12 wherein the fluid flow control means is releasably secured to the hub portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The catheter means of claim 12 wherein two integral hub portions are provided and each hub includes fluid flow control means located adjacent thereto.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 14 wherein each fluid flow control means is releasably secured to its respective hub portion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
107 words
The catheter means of claim 14 wherein a first hub portion allows the introduction of a fluid into the body of the catheter means and a second hub portion allows a body fluid to be removed from the body of the catheter means; the first hub portion including fluid flow control means which remains competent in response to fluid reflux or ambient air pressure but which opens in response to a positive fluid pressure above that of ambient air; the second hub portion including fluid flow control means which remains competent in response to fluid reflux but which opens in response to fluid pressure in the patient.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The catheter means of claim 12 further comprising obturating means for rendering incompetent the fluid flow control means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The catheter means of claim 17 wherein the obturating means is second catheter means, trocar means, needle means, or fluid directing means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
50 words
The catheter means of claim 17 wherein the obturating means is trocar means and the trocar means includes a fluid flow control means which remains competent in response to blood reflux or ambient air pressure but which opens in response to a positive fluid pressure above that of ambient air.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
The catheter means of claim 17 wherein the obturating means is trocar means and the trocar means includes a fluid flow control means which remain competent in response to fluid reflux but which opens in response to fluid pressure in the patient.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The catheter means of claim 12 wherein the end of the body portion opposite the hub portion includes a plurality of apertures.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The catheter means of claim 12 wherein the fluid flow control means is located in the body portion.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter means of claim 12 wherein the fluid flow control means is located adjacent to the hub portion.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
234 words
Catheter means comprising an elongated body portion for insertion into a patient; an integral hub portion adjacent to the body portion for introducing fluids into the body portion; and integral fluid flow control means located in the body portion; and integral fluid flow control means located in the body portion adjacent the hub portion which comprises: a tubular structure having input means and output means, each provided with an open bore, and channel means connecting said input and output bores and operating between open and closed positions; and means for retaining a portion of the channel means in a prestressed condition to obturate said channel means so as to maintain the channel means in said closed position; said channel means being forcible to said open position in response to a positive pressure above that of ambient air in one of said bores to facilitate flow therethrough; said retaining means returning said channel means to said closesd position when said positive pressure is removed, so that the control means remains competent in response to blood reflux or ambient air pressure, but which opens in response to a positive fluid pressure above that of ambient air to allow fluid flow there said retaining means from the bore containing the positive pressure to the other bore, said fluid flow control means capable of passing fluid in either direction depending upon which bore contains the positive fluid pressure.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
234 words
Catheter means comprising an elongated body portion for insertion into a patient; an integral hub portion adjacent to the body portion for introducing fluids into the body portion; and integral fluid flow control means located in the body portion; and integral fluid flow control means located in the body portion adjacent the hub portion which comprises: a tubular structure having input means and output means, each provided with an open bore, and channel means connecting said input and output bores and operating between open and closed positions; and means for retaining a portion of the channel means in a prestressed condition to obturate said channel means so as to maintain the channel means in said closed position; said channel means being forcible to said open position in response to a positive pressure above that of ambient air in one of said bores to facilitate flow therethrough; said retaining means returning said channel means to said closesd position when said positive pressure is removed, so that the control means remains competent in response to blood reflux or ambient air pressure, but which opens in response to a positive fluid pressure above that of ambient air to allow fluid flow there said retaining means from the bore containing the positive pressure to the other bore, said fluid flow control means capable of passing fluid in either direction depending upon which bore contains the positive fluid pressure.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
218 words
Catheter means comprising an elongated body portion for insertion into a patient; an integral hub portion adjacent to the body portion for removal of fluids from the patient through the body portion; and integral fluid flow control means located in the body portion adjacent to the hub portion which comprises: a tubular structure having input means and output means, each provided with an open bore, and channel means connecting said input and output bores and operating between open and closed positions; and means for retaining a portion of the channel means in a prestressed condition to obturate said channel means so as to maintain the channel means in said closed position; said channel means being forcible to said open position in response to a positive pressure above that of ambient air in one of said bores to facilitate flow therethrough; said retaining means returning said channel means to said closed position when said positive pressure is removed, so that control means remains competent in response to fluid reflux but which opens in response to fluid pressure in the patient to allow fluid flow through said further means from the bore containing the positive pressure to the other bore, said flow control means capable of passing fluid in either direction depending upon which bore contains the positive fluid pressure.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
218 words
Catheter means comprising an elongated body portion for insertion into a patient; an integral hub portion adjacent to the body portion for removal of fluids from the patient through the body portion; and integral fluid flow control means located in the body portion adjacent to the hub portion which comprises: a tubular structure having input means and output means, each provided with an open bore, and channel means connecting said input and output bores and operating between open and closed positions; and means for retaining a portion of the channel means in a prestressed condition to obturate said channel means so as to maintain the channel means in said closed position; said channel means being forcible to said open position in response to a positive pressure above that of ambient air in one of said bores to facilitate flow therethrough; said retaining means returning said channel means to said closed position when said positive pressure is removed, so that control means remains competent in response to fluid reflux but which opens in response to fluid pressure in the patient to allow fluid flow through said further means from the bore containing the positive pressure to the other bore, said flow control means capable of passing fluid in either direction depending upon which bore contains the positive fluid pressure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
58 words
The catheter means of claim 12 wherein said fluid flow control means further comprises a relatively rigid support tube having spaced ends and provided with a bore within which said tubular structure is partly accommodated, said tubular structure including end portions extending out of the support tube and being rolled over the support tube ends for engagement therewith.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
75 words
The catheter means of claim 26 wherein saidf fluid flow control means further comprises a housing provided with first and second channels of different diameters in coaxial relation to define a shoulder therebetween, said support tube and tubular structure insertable into said first channel and trapping said support tube and tubular structure against said shoulder and a catheter accommodated in said second channel, said plug means and catheter providing passageways coupled through said tubular structure.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
65 words
The catheter means of claim 24 wherein the fluid flow control means further comprises a relatively rigid support member having spaced ends and an internal bore within which said tubular structure is at least partly accommodated, said input and output bores of said tubular structure including end portions extending out of the support member and being rolled over the support member ends for engagement therewith.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
64 words
The catheter means of claim 28 wherein the fluid flow control means further comprises: a housing provided with first and second channels of different diameters in coaxial relation to define a shoulder therebetween; said support member and channel means being accommodated in said first channel, and plug means insertable into said first channel and trapping said support member and channel means against said shoulder.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The catheter means of claim 29 wherein said obturating means comprises clip means for retaining said channel means portion in a closed condition in the absence of positive fluid pressure.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
65 words
The catheter menas of claim 25 wherein the fluid flow control means furhter comprises a relatively rigid support member having spaced ends and an internal bore within which said tubular structure is at least partly accommodated, said input and output bores of said tubular structure including end portions extending out of the support member and being rolled over the support member ends for engagement therewith.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
64 words
The catheter means of claim 31 wherein the fluid flow control means further comprises: a housing provided with first and second channels of different diameters in coaxial relation to define a shoulder therebetween; said support member and channel means being accommodated in said first channel, and plug means insertable into said first channel and trapping said support member and channels means against said shoulder.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
The catheter means of claim 32 wherein said obturating means comprises clip means for retaining said channel means portion in a closed condition in the absense of positive fluid pressure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US220559A
Cited
US3298391A
Cited
FR592193A
Cited
US1696018A
Cited
US2786642A
Cited
US2988103A
Cited
US3543752A
Cited
US3441245A
Cited
US3469582A
Cited
SU509746A1
Cited
US3687365A
Cited
US3672372A
Cited
US3717174A
Cited
US3769982A
Cited
US3833013A
Cited
US3991768A
Cited
US3888249A
Cited
US3967645A
Cited
DE2513490A1
Cited
CA1052659A
Cited
GB1510191A
Cited
US4126132A
Cited
US4096860A
Cited
SU555251A1
Cited
US4134402A
Cited
US4134402B1
Cited
US4062360A
Cited
US4103689A
Cited
US4111047A
Cited
US4108175A
Cited
US4103686A
Cited
US4300552A
Cited
US4303100A
Cited
US4385631A
Cited
US4496350A
Cited
US4324239A
Cited
US4336800A
Cited
US4515589A
Cited
US4501531A
Cited
US4468224A
Cited
US4535773A
Cited
US4540027A
Cited
US4502502A
Cited
US4568333A
Cited
US4535818A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-02-01 | 1991-08-03 | 1992-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-01 | 1995-08-03 | 1996-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-01 | 1999-08-03 | 2000-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |