METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY OCCLUDING THE LUMEN OF A NEEDLE
A fluid transfer device for parenterally transferring fluid to and/or from a patient includes a housing, a needle, and an occlusion mechanism. The housing defines a fluid flow path and is couplable to a fluid reservoir. The needle has a distal end portion that is configured to be inserted into the patient and a proximal end portion that is configured to be fluidically coupled to the fluid flow path of the housing, and defines a lumen therebetween. The occlusion mechanism selectively controls a fluid flow between the needle and the fluid flow path. The occlusion mechanism includes an occlusion member that is movable between a first configuration where the lumen of the needle is obstructed during insertion into the patient and a second configuration where the lumen of the needle is unobstructed after the needle has been inserted into the patient allowing fluid transfer to or from the patient.
1 - 39 . (canceled)
40 . A device for parenterally transferring fluid to or from a patient, the device comprising:
a needle having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and defining a lumen therebetween, the lumen defining at least a portion of a fluid flow path configured to be placed in communication with a fluid reservoir, the distal end portion having a distal planar surface and configured for insertion into the patient; and
an occlusion member operable to selectively control fluid flow between the needle and the fluid flow path, the occlusion member configured to be moved between a first position such that the lumen of the needle is obstructed during insertion into the patient, and a second position such that the lumen of the needle is unobstructed after the needle has been inserted into the patient allowing fluid transfer to or from the patient,
the occlusion member having a distal planar surface, the distal planar surface of the occlusion member being substantially coplanar to the distal planar surface of the needle when the occlusion member is in the first position, the distal planar surface of the occlusion member is not coplanar to the distal planar surface of the needle when the occlusion member is in the second position.
41 . The device of claim 40 , wherein the occlusion member is movably disposed on at least a portion of the needle.
42 . The device of claim 40 , further comprising:
a housing that defines a portion of the fluid flow path, a distal end portion of the housing is coupled to the proximal end portion of the needle, a proximal end portion of the housing is configured to be coupleable to the fluid reservoir.
43 . The device of claim 40 , wherein the distal end portion of the needle defines a recessed portion fluidically isolated from the lumen, the recessed portion configured to receive at least one of tissue, bodily fluid, and contaminants upon insertion of the needle into the patient.
44 . The device of claim 43 , wherein the needle has a port in fluid communication with the lumen, the port being disposed proximal the recessed portion defined by the distal end portion.
45 . The device of claim 44 , wherein the port is obstructed when the occlusion member is in the first position and is substantially unobstructed when the occlusion member is in the second position.
46 . The device of claim 45 , wherein the occlusion member in the first position is such that a portion of the occlusion member is disposed on a portion of the needle defining the port thereby obstructing the port, and
the occlusion member in the second position is such that the occlusion member is not disposed on the portion of the needle defining the port thereby allowing the port to be unobstructed.
47 . The device of claim 40 , wherein the distal planar surface of the occlusion member in the second position is nonparallel with the distal planar surface of the needle.
48 . A device for parenterally transferring fluid to or from a patient, the device comprising:
a needle having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and defining a lumen therebetween, the proximal end portion configured to be fluidically coupleable to a fluid reservoir, the distal end portion configured for insertion into the patient, the distal end portion having a distal planar surface and defining an opening in communication with the lumen; and
an occlusion member having a distal planar surface, the distal planar surface of the occlusion member being substantially coplanar to the distal planar surface of the needle when the device is in a first configuration such that the opening of the needle is obstructed by the occlusion member, and the distal planar surface of the occlusion member being not coplanar to the distal planar surface of the needle when the device is in a second configuration such that the opening of the needle is unobstructed by the occlusion member.
49 . The device of claim 48 , wherein the occlusion member is movably disposed on at least a portion of the needle.
50 . The device of claim 49 , wherein the occlusion member is in a first position relative to the needle when the device is in the first configuration and is in a second position relative to the needle when the device is in the second configuration.
51 . The device of claim 48 , wherein the distal end portion of the needle defines a recessed portion fluidically isolated from the lumen, the recessed portion configured to receive at least one of tissue, bodily fluid, and contaminants upon insertion of the needle into the patient.
52 . The device of claim 51 , wherein the opening defined by the needle is proximal the recessed portion.
53 . The device of claim 48 , wherein the distal planar surface of the occlusion member is nonparallel with the distal planar surface of the needle when the device is in the second configuration.
54 . A device for parenterally transferring fluid to or from a patient, the device comprising:
a housing that defines a fluid flow path fluidically coupleable to a fluid reservoir; and
a needle having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and defining a lumen therebetween, the proximal end portion coupled to the housing such that the lumen of the needle is in communication with the fluid flow path, the distal end portion configured for insertion into the patient,
the needle configured to be transitioned between a first configuration such that the distal end portion of the needle is closed during insertion into the patient, and a second configuration such that the distal end portion of the needle defines an opening after the needle has been inserted into the patient allowing fluid transfer to or from the patient.
55 . The device of claim 54 , wherein the distal end portion of the needle transforms between a first shape and a second shape when the needle transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration.
56 . The device of claim 55 , wherein the distal end portion of the needle is configured to transform from the first shape to the second shape after insertion of the needle into the patient and at least partially in response to contact with a bodily fluid.
57 . The device of claim 55 , wherein the distal end portion of the needle is configured to transform from the first shape to the second shape after insertion of the needle into the patient and at least partially in response to heating the distal end portion of the needle to a given temperature.
58 . The device of claim 54 , wherein the distal end portion of the needle is formed from a shape memory alloy.
59 . The device of claim 54 , wherein the distal end portion of the needle includes a coating configured close the distal end portion of the needle, the coating configured to dissolve after insertion of the needle into the patient and in response to contact with a bodily fluid, the dissolving of the coating transitioning the needle from the first configuration to the second configuration.