Method for sampling body fluids

Claim 1

A method for obtaining at least one sample of body fluid from an indwelling catheter comprising attaching to said indwelling catheter a valve having a port for attachment to an indwelling catheter, a port for attachment of a second fluid line, and a port for collection of fluids, said valve having at least a first position that allows body fluid to be removed from said indwelling catheter, a second position that allows a second fluid to be introduced into said indwelling catheter, and a third position that allows said second fluid to flow through said collection port, attaching a source of sterile fluid to said second fluid port, attaching to said valve a connector inserted in the collection port of said valve comprising an inserted fluid passage defining portion that forms a fluid-tight seal with the wall defining said port, a penetrating needle in communication with said fluid passage of said connector and protruding outwardly in a manner permitting it to pierce a sealing member, said needle associated with protective means preventing inadvertent contact by the user with the needle or with fluid adhered thereto, and said needle constructed to removably receive a vacuum collection tube with a penetrable sealing member in a manner permitting said needle to penetrate said sealing member and to apply the vacuum of said tube, to the needle, and therefrom to said collection port, removably attaching said tube in a manner permitting said needle to penetrate said sealing member, positioning said valve in said first position, applying the vacuum of said tube to draw fluid from the indwelling catheter into said tube until the desired quantity of fluid is obtained, positioning said valve in said second position, removing said tube from said needle, removably attaching a second vacuum collection tube with a penetrable sealing member in a manner permitting said needle to penetrate said sealing member, positioning said valve in said third position, applying the vacuum of said second tube to draw said sterile second fluid into said second tube until the desired quantity of said sterile second fluid is obtained, positioning said valve in said second position, and removing said second tube from said needle.

Claim 2

A method for obtaining at least one sample of body fluid from an indwelling catheter comprising attaching to said indwelling catheter a valve having a port for attachment to an indwelling catheter, a port for attachment of a second fluid line, and a port for collection of fluids, said valve having at least a first position that allows body fluid to be removed from said indwelling catheter, a second position that allows a second fluid to be introduced into said indwelling catheter, and a third position that allows said second fluid to flow through said collection port, attaching a source of sterile fluid to said second fluid port, attaching to said valve a connector inserted in the collection port of said valve comprising an inserted fluid passage defining portion that forms a fluid-tight seal with the wall defining said port, a penetrating needle in communication with said fluid passage of said connector and protruding outwardly in a manner permitting it to pierce a sealing member, said needle associated with protective means preventing inadvertent contact by the user with the needle or with fluid adhered thereto, and said needle constructed to removably receive a vacuum collection tube with a penetrable sealing member in a manner permitting said needle to penetrate said sealing member and to apply the vacuum of said tube, to the needle, and therefrom to said collection port, removably attaching said tube in a manner permitting said needle to penetrate said sealing member, positioning said valve in said first position, applying the vacuum of said tube to draw fluid from the indwelling catheter into said tube until the desired quantity of fluid is obtained, positioning said valve in said second position, removing said tube from said needle, removably attaching a second vacuum collection tube with a penetrable sealing member in a manner permitting said needle to penetrate said sealing member, positioning said valve in said third position, applying the vacuum of said second tube to draw said sterile second fluid into said second tube until the desired quantity of said sterile second fluid is obtained, positioning said valve in said second position, and removing said second tube from said needle.