Inventors:
Kenneth C. Raines - Bethlehem PA
Gary Fenicle - Bethlehem PA
Assignee:
B. Braun Medical Inc. - Allentown PA
International Classification:
A61M 500
Abstract:
In general, the medical infusion device of the present invention includes at least one check valve chamber through which a primary intravenous stream is arranged to pass by way of a primary fluid inlet port and a primary outlet port. Each check valve chamber has at least one physically associated infusion port through which a medicational or nutritional fluid can be injected in any number of possible ways. Each check valve chamber has an interior volume, a check valve opening formed between its interior volume and its associated infusion port, a check valve chamber opening formed through the check valve chamber and axially aligned with the check valve opening, a flexible check valve element, and a check valve support element. The check valve support element is installed through the check valve chamber opening and is mounted within the check valve chamber so as to support the flexible check valve element over the check valve opening in a normally closed configuration, and thus prevents fluid from passing therethrough. By virtue of this novel construction, medicational or nutritional fluids can now, be easily injected into the infusion port of the medical infusion device and directly infused into the primary intravenous stream flowing through its check valve chamber with minimal loss of injected fluid.
