Arterial/venous fluid transfer system

Claim 1

A system for transferring fluids to and from a patient's circulatory system through a vascular catheter comprising: (a) a channel member comprising: (i) a duct extending therethrough, the duct having first and second ends, the first end being adapted to attach to a vascular catheter, the second end being adapted to attach to an intravascular (IV) fluid administration system; (ii) an access port in flow communication with the duct, the access port being provided with a self-sealing cap and being recessed within a first mounting member; (b) an adapter, comprising: (i) a second mounting member for removably mounting the adapter to the access port, wherein the second mounting member is adapted to mate with the first mounting member; (ii) a housing connected to the second mounting member; and (iii) a needle assembly comprising a first needle cannula, recessed and enclosed within the second mounting member sufficiently to shield the needle from a user, a first end of the first needle cannula being in flow communication with the housing, whereby when the adapter is mounted to the access port of the channel member, a second end of the first needle cannula pierces the cap of the access port and is placed in flow communication with the access port; and (c) an integral, manually closable two-way valve disposed within the duct at a location upstream of the access port with reference to the direction of flow of IV fluid through the channel member, and having an open position permitting flow of IV fluid from the IV fluid administration system from the second end to the first end of the duct, and a closed position preventing flow of IV fluid from the IV fluid administration system through the duct; wherein fluids may be injected into the duct through the access port, and, when the integral valve is closed, fluid may be withdrawn from the duct through the access port without further influx of fluid from upstream of the valve.

Claim 2

A system for transferring fluids to and from a patient's circulatory system through a vascular catheter comprising: (a) a channel member comprising: (i) a duct extending therethrough, the duct having first and second ends, the first end being adapted to attach to a vascular catheter, the second end being adapted to attach to an intravascular (IV) fluid administration system; (ii) an access port in flow communication with the duct, the access port being provided with a self-sealing cap and being recessed within a first mounting member; (b) an adapter, comprising: (i) a second mounting member for removably mounting the adapter to the access port, wherein the second mounting member is adapted to mate with the first mounting member; (ii) a housing connected to the second mounting member; and (iii) a needle assembly comprising a first needle cannula, recessed and enclosed within the second mounting member sufficiently to shield the needle from a user, a first end of the first needle cannula being in flow communication with the housing, whereby when the adapter is mounted to the access port of the channel member, a second end of the first needle cannula pierces the cap of the access port and is placed in flow communication with the access port; and (c) an integral, manually closable two-way valve disposed within the duct at a location upstream of the access port with reference to the direction of flow of IV fluid through the channel member, and having an open position permitting flow of IV fluid from the IV fluid administration system from the second end to the first end of the duct, and a closed position preventing flow of IV fluid from the IV fluid administration system through the duct; wherein fluids may be injected into the duct through the access port, and, when the integral valve is closed, fluid may be withdrawn from the duct through the access port without further influx of fluid from upstream of the valve.

Claim 9

A method for collecting a blood sample from a patient requiring IV fluid, comprising the steps of: (a) implanting an arterial or venous catheter into a vein or artery of a patient; (b) providing an IV fluid administration system; (c) providing a channel member comprising a duct having first and second ends, the first end being adapted to connect to an intravenous or intraarterial catheter, the second end being adapted to attach to an IV fluid administration system, the channel member further comprising an access port in flow communication with the duct; (d) connecting the first end of the duct to the catheter implanted in the patient's vein or artery and connecting the second end of the duct to the IV fluid administration system; (e) channeling IV fluid from the IV fluid administration system to the catheter through the duct of the channel member; (f) providing an adapter comprising a mounting member for connecting to the access port of the channel member, a housing shaped to hold an evacuated container, and a two cannula needle assembly recessed within the mounting member; (g) stopping the IV fluid from flowing through the channel member; (h) establishing flow communication between the channel member and the adapter by mounting the adapter to the access port of the channel member whereby a first needle cannula of the needle assembly enters the access port; (i) then inserting an evacuated container into the housing of the adapter whereby flow communication is established between a second needle cannula of the needle assembly and the evacuated container and blood contaminated with IV fluid is drawn into the evacuated container; (j) then removing the evacuated container from the adapter; and (k) thereafter inserting a second evacuated container into the housing of the adapter and establishing flow communication therebetween via the second needle cannula, whereby an uncontaminated blood sample is drawn directly into the second evacuated container.

Claim 10

A method for collecting a blood sample from a patient requiring IV fluid, comprising the steps of: (a) implanting an arterial or venous catheter into a vein or artery of a patient; (b) providing an IV fluid administration system; (c) providing a channel member comprising a duct having first and second ends, the first end being adapted to connect to an intravenous or intraarterial catheter, the second end being adapted to attach to an IV fluid administration system, the channel member further comprising an access port in flow communication with the duct; (d) connecting the first end of the duct to the catheter implanted in the patient's vein or artery and connecting the second end of the duct to the IV fluid administration system; (e) channeling IV fluid from the IV fluid administration system to the catheter through the duct of the channel member; (f) providing an adapter comprising a mounting member for connecting to the access port of the channel member, a housing shaped to hold an evacuated container, and a two cannula needle assembly recessed within the mounting member; (g) stopping the IV fluid from flowing through the channel member; (h) establishing flow communication between the channel member and the adapter by mounting the adapter to the access port of the channel member whereby a first needle cannula of the needle assembly enters the access port; (i) then inserting an evacuated container into the housing of the adapter whereby flow communication is established between a second needle cannula of the needle assembly and the evacuated container and blood contaminated with IV fluid is drawn into the evacuated container; (j) then removing the evacuated container from the adapter; and (k) thereafter inserting a second evacuated container into the housing of the adapter and establishing flow communication therebetween via the second needle cannula, whereby an uncontaminated blood sample is drawn directly into the second evacuated container.