Intravenous line flushing device

Details Intravenous line flushing device Intravenous line flushing device

2000-09-21

2002-05-21

Esquivel, Denise L. (Department: 3744)

Surgery

Means for introducing or removing material from body for...

Treating material introduced into or removed from body...

C604S131000, C128SDIG001

Reexamination Certificate

active

06391001

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to intravenous line devices and more particularly pertains to a new intravenous line flushing device for preventing clotting of blood by the addition of saline solution to an intravenous line.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of intravenous line devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, intravenous line devices heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,009; U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,375; U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,392; U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,334; U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,230; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,520.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new intravenous line flushing device. The inventive device includes a sleeve. The sleeve comprises an inner panel and an outer panel. Each of the panels has a top edge and a bottom edge. The top edge of the inner panel is integrally coupled to the top edge of the outer panel, and the bottom edge of the inner panel is integrally coupled to the bottom edge of the outer panel such that a space is defined between the inner and outer panels. The inner and outer panels are substantially air impermeable. A generally sealed container is positioned in the space between the inner and outer panels. A first agent is disposed in the space. A second agent is disposed in the container. Breaking the container mixes the first and second agents such that a gas is produced, which inflates the sleeve. A primary tube has a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to removably fluidly engage a pouch. A secondary tube has a first end and a second end. The first end is fluidly coupled to the primary tube and positioned generally between the first and second ends of the primary tube. The second end of the secondary tube comprises a primary infusion port. The pouch contains a solution. The pouch is placed in the sleeve such that inflation of the sleeve forces the solution into the primary tube.
In these respects, the intravenous line flushing device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of preventing clotting of blood by the addition of saline solution to an intravenous line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of intravenous line devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new intravenous line flushing device construction wherein the same can be utilized for preventing clotting of blood by the addition of saline solution to an intravenous line.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new intravenous line flushing device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the intravenous line devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new intravenous line flushing device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art intravenous line devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a sleeve. The sleeve comprises an inner panel and an outer panel. Each of the panels has a top edge and a bottom edge. The top edge of the inner panel is integrally coupled to the top edge of the outer panel, and the bottom edge of the inner panel is integrally coupled to the bottom edge of the outer panel such that a space is defined between the inner and outer panels. The inner and outer panels are substantially air impermeable. A generally sealed container is positioned in the space between the inner and outer panels. A first agent is disposed in the space. A second agent is disposed in the container. Breaking the container mixes the first and second agents such that a gas is produced, which inflates the sleeve. A primary tube has a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to removably fluidly engage a pouch. A secondary tube has a first end and a second end. The first end is fluidly coupled to the primary tube and positioned generally between the first and second ends of the primary tube. The second end of the secondary tube comprises a primary infusion port. The pouch contains a solution. The pouch is placed in the sleeve such that inflation of the sleeve forces the solution into the primary tube.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new intravenous line flushing device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the intravenous line devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new intravenous line flushing device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art intravenous line devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new intravenous line flushing device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new intravenous line flushing device which is of a durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new intravenous line flushing device which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such intravenous line flushing device economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new intravenous line flushing device which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof,

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