IL122005A - Adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

An adapter to be used with needles or syringes which comprises a body (1) having a male end (3) to enable the mounting of the adapter to a needle or the like, and a male/female end (5), there is further provided a vent (7, 9) which establishes communication between the inner side of the adapter and the atmosphere adopted to release locked air, in a slow controlled manner. 3113 ח' בטבת התשס" ב - December 23, 2001

Description

ADAPTER 0 οκηη Eitan, Pearl, Latzer & Cohen-Zedek Advocates, Notaries and Patent Attorneys P-68277-IL The present invention relates to a sterile adapter to be used with syringes or intra- vascular needles.

When an intra- vascular needle has entered a blood conducting vein or artery and the pressure within the said blood vessel is to be measured by means of any kind of blood pressure indicator which is attached to the proximal end of the needle it so happens that the blood does not enter the syringe to its full length but only to its free distal end since the air which is locked within the needle has no vent to escape and is compressed within the needle.

In cases of very thin needles, after the needle has been removed from the respective blood vessel a phenomena of the capillarity of the needle occurs, namely, the pressure within the needle remains, this phenomena is reduced when the diameter of the needle is larger. Due to this phenomena it is not possible to detect double puncture of a blood conducting vein or artery.

E:\2main\D68\68277a.DOC 2. In cases of very thin needles, after the needle has been removed from the Blood vessel a phenomenon of the capillarity of the needle occurs, namely, the pressure within the needle remains. (This capillary phenomenon is reduced when the diameter of the needle is larger.) Due to this phenomenon it is not possible to detect double puncture of a blood-conducting vein or artery.

It is thus the object of the present invention to use an adapter for slow controlled pressure release at the distal end of the needle in order to solve the problem.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In order to neutralize the phenomenon of capillary pressure when the needle is removed or is not within the blood vessel, it is proposed to add means for releasing the pressure within the needle in a controlled manner.

Consequently, when the needle is not within or removed from the blood vessel, the pressure within the needle will be reduced.

The means for releasing the pressure will not allow any liquid to be released from the needle, since it is mounted at the distal end of the needle. The diameter there is relatively large, and consequently the capillary phenomenon will not exist. Liquid which reaches the point where air is released will be sealed.

As long as the distal end of the needle is under pressure, the air locked within the needle is slowly released through the vent. Since the rate of flow of blood into the needle is larger than the rate of release of locked air, the blood pressure will be sensed by the appropriate sensor. When the needle is not within the blood vessel, such as in the case of double puncture, the flow of the blood into the needle stops, which will be sensed by the appropriate sensor.

Since the rate of release of the air through the vent is quite slow, the needle may be fully penetrated into the blood vessel before the blood reaches the vent and possibly seals it.

The vent could be effected either by hydrophobic material or by means of small slots or bore as will be indicated.

According to the invention the adapter comprises a body having a luer male end to enable the connection to a needle, a male/female end to enable the connection to a sensing device, and a vent which establishes communication between the inner side of the adapter and the atmosphere, adapted to slowly release locked air.

The invention will now be described with reference to the annexed drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section of the adapter where the vent is an aperture sealed with hydrophobic material.

Figure 2 is a cross-section of the adapter where the vent comprises longitudinal narrow slots.

Figure 3 is a cross-section along line A-A of Figure 2.

Turning first to Figure 1 the adapter according to the invention comprises a body 1 having a male end part 3 and a male/female end part 5. In this embodiment an aperture 7 is provided intermediate both ends. The aperture 7 and outlet 9 are stuffed with a porous hydrophobic material 10 which enables the escape of air, in a slow controlled manner, but prevents the outflow of blood, hence the sterility of thg^adapter. Instead of aperture 7 a small diameter bore could be provided.

In the embodiment seen in Figure 2 and 3 the vent is made of longitudinal narrow slots 11 provided on the outer circumference of male end part 3 of the adapter. The narrow slots allow the air to escape in a slow controlled manner in the space between the outer side of the male end part 3 of the adapter and the inner side of the needle. 122005/2

Claims (5)

1. An adapter to be used with needles or syringes which comprises a body having a male end to enable the mounting of the adapter to a needle or the like, and a male/female end, there is further provided a vent which establishes communication between the inner side of the adapter and the atmosphere adopted to release locked air, in a slow controlled manner.

2. An adapter as claimed in claim 1 where said vent being an aperture provided intermediate both ends of the adapter.

3. An adapter as claimed in claims 1 and 2 where said aperture and the outlet of the adapter are provided with hydrophobic and porous material.

4. An adapter as claimed in claim 1 where the circumference of said male end part is provided with longitudinal narrow vent slots.

5. An adapter, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the Applicant