Needle assembly with flashback chamber for collecting blood or other liquid samples
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10709369-B2
Publication Date
2020-07-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
A needle assembly comprising a housing, a first needle hub provided by the housing, a first hollow needle portion mounted to the first needle hub and extending from the first needle hub in a distal direction. A second needle hub is provided by the housing. A second hollow needle portion is mounted to the second needle hub and extends from the second needle hub in a proximal direction, opposite to the distal direction, wherein a hollow flashback chamber is arranged within the housing between the first needle portion and the second needle portion. The flashback chamber communicates with the inner lumen provided within the first and second hollow needle portion and is connected to the atmosphere by a passage and wherein a filter is provided within the passage, which is designed such that it is permeable for air to pour out of the flashback chamber into the atmosphere.
Core Innovation
A needle assembly is disclosed for collecting blood or other liquid samples for discharge into a container. The assembly includes a housing, a first needle hub with a first hollow needle portion extending distally, and a second needle hub with a second hollow needle portion extending proximally in an opposite distal direction. A hollow flashback chamber is arranged within the housing and extends longitudinally from a proximal end of the first needle portion to a distal end of the second needle portion.
The flashback chamber communicates with an inner lumen provided within the first and second hollow needle portions. The housing is formed from transparent material at least in a region close to the flashback chamber. The flashback chamber is connected to the atmosphere by a passage, and a filter is provided within the passage. The filter is permeable for air to pour out of the flashback chamber into the atmosphere but prevents blood or other liquid samples from pouring out through an opening into the atmosphere.
The flashback chamber has a longitudinal length approximately equal to an inner diameter of an entry opening of a cylindrical channel of the passage extending transversely from a longitudinal axis of the flashback chamber. This structure provides a longitudinally extended flashback chamber coupled to sample-carrying needle lumens and vented to atmosphere through an air-permeable, liquid-blocking filter in a passage with a defined cylindrical entry opening relationship.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim directed to a needle assembly architecture for flashback indication and atmospheric venting. The independent claim contains five core inventive features and is further refined by dependent claims that specify transparency/visibility and filter and structural relationships.
Longitudinal flashback chamber between oppositely directed needle portions
A hollow flashback chamber arranged within the housing and extending longitudinally from a proximal end of the first needle portion to a distal end of the second needle portion, wherein the flashback chamber communicates with an inner lumen provided within the first and second hollow needle portion.
Transparent housing region close to the flashback chamber
The housing is formed from transparent material at least in a region close to the flashback chamber.
Atmosphere-connected vent passage with air-permeable, liquid-blocking filter
The flashback chamber is connected to the atmosphere by a passage and a filter is provided within the passage, wherein the filter is permeable for air to pour out of the flashback chamber into the atmosphere but prevents blood or other liquid samples contained in the flashback chamber from pouring out through an opening into the atmosphere.
Defined cylindrical passage entry relationship
A longitudinal length of the flashback chamber approximately equals an inner diameter of an entry opening of a cylindrical channel of the passage extending transversely from a longitudinal axis of the flashback chamber.
First and second hollow needle portions mounted to hubs and extending in opposite directions
A first hollow needle portion mounted to said first needle hub and extending from said first needle hub in a distal direction; and a second hollow needle portion mounted to said second needle hub and extending from said second needle hub in a proximal direction, opposite to said distal direction.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on a needle assembly with a longitudinal flashback chamber communicating with needle lumens, a transparent housing region near the flashback chamber, and an atmosphere-connected passage carrying a filter that is air-permeable but liquid-blocking, combined with an approximately matching length/diameter relationship between the flashback chamber and a cylindrical passage entry opening.
Stated Advantages
Quick and reliable vein-entry indication (flashback indication).
Only a small flashback blood volume is involved.
Ease and cost-efficient manufacture due to a simple structure.
Documented Applications
Collecting blood or other liquid samples for discharge into a container; vein-entry flashback indication during blood collection.
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