Granted Patent B2

US 12,478,730 · App. 18/616,082 · Granted Nov 25, 2025

Inventors: Benjamin W. Close (Brazil, IN); Thomas A. Hall, III (Lexington, TX)

Assignee: MEDTG, LLC

A61M5/16804A61B5/150351A61B5/150946A61B5/150992A61B2503/40A61M2250/00

Abstract

Claims (29)

1 . An infusion and blood collection apparatus for use with a catheter having a distal end configured for insertion into a blood vessel, an IV fluid source, and a vacuum collection device providing a predetermined maximum vacuum pressure, the apparatus comprising:

an IV infusion lumen attachable to the catheter and defining a distal end, the IV infusion lumen configured for insertion into the blood vessel with the distal end of the IV infusion lumen extending a specified distance beyond the distal end of the catheter;

an IV fluid inlet fluidly connected to the IV infusion lumen and configured for fluidic connection to the IV fluid source and uninterrupted delivery of IV fluid to the blood vessel;

a draw port configured for fluidic connection to a blood collection channel, the draw port also configured for fluidic connection to the vacuum collection device;

an elastomeric seal for sealing the draw port, the elastomeric seal configured to receive therethrough a portion of the vacuum collection device;

an outlet connector configured for fluidic connection to the catheter; and

a valve member selectively providing a fluidic connection between the outlet connector and the IV fluid inlet, thereby selectively alternating between blood collection and IV fluid delivery.

2 . The infusion and blood collection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the outlet connector defines a concave distal end surface;

the concave distal end surface is configured for fluidic connection with the catheter; and

a maximum depth of the concave distal end surface is out of alignment with a center of the outlet connector to create a fluid flow pattern that removes residual bodily fluid remaining at the concave distal end surface after the infusion and blood collection apparatus transitions from drawing bodily fluid from the blood vessel through the catheter to administering the IV fluid to the blood vessel through catheter.

3 . The infusion and blood collection apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a passive fluid flow restriction device configured and sized to limit a flow rate of blood drawn through the distal end of the catheter by the predetermined maximum vacuum pressure of the vacuum collection device to a preselected flow rate; and

wherein the passive fluid flow restriction device is configured such that the preselected flow rate prevents IV fluid exiting the distal end of the IV infusion lumen from entering the distal end of the catheter when the catheter and the IV infusion lumen are inserted into the blood vessel, the IV fluid inlet is fluidly connected to the IV fluid source, and the draw port is fluidly connected to the vacuum collection device.

4 . The infusion and blood collection apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the passive fluid flow restriction device defines an internal cross-section sized so that the preselected flow rate is 30 ml/min or less.

5 . The infusion and blood collection apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the passive fluid flow restriction device defines an internal cross-section sized so that the preselected flow rate is 15 ml/min or less.

6 . The infusion and blood collection apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the specified distance is at least 10 mm.

7 . The infusion and blood collection apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the passive fluid flow restriction device includes a section of reduced internal cross-section for blood draw flow between the distal end of the catheter and the draw port.

8 . The infusion and blood collection apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the passive fluid flow restriction device comprises a length of 24-gauge stainless steel hypodermic round tubing.

9 . The infusion and blood collection apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a blood collection component that includes the passive fluid flow restriction device, and wherein at least a portion of the passive fluid flow restriction device extends within the draw port.

10 . The infusion and blood collection apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the at least a portion of the passive fluid flow restriction device is configured to fluidly couple the vacuum collection device to the draw port.

11 . The infusion and blood collection apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the draw port is configured to couple with the vacuum collection device.

12 . The infusion and blood collection apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the passive fluid flow restriction device is sized to provide a volume flow rate of 30 ml/min or less when the predetermined maximum vacuum pressure of the vacuum collection device is 700 mmHg.

13 . The infusion and blood collection apparatus of claim 3 , wherein:

the outlet connector defines a concave distal end surface;

the concave distal end surface is configured for fluidic connection with the catheter; and

a maximum depth of the concave distal end surface is out of alignment with a center of the outlet connector to create a fluid flow pattern that removes residual bodily fluid remaining at the concave distal end surface after the infusion and blood collection apparatus transitions from drawing bodily fluid from the blood vessel through the catheter to administering the IV fluid to the blood vessel through catheter.

14 . The infusion and blood collection apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the draw port is configured to be entirely self-flushing of residue blood after a blood draw is completed and the draw port is selectively fluidly connected to the IV fluid inlet by the valve member.

15 . The infusion and blood collection apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the blood collection channel is configured to be entirely self-flushing of residue blood after a blood draw is completed and the blood collection channel is selectively fluidly connected to the IV fluid inlet by the valve member.

Assignments (2)

Continuity (8)

References Cited (129)