Valved connector assembly and sterility barriers for heat exchange catheters and other closed loop catheters
US6887263B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 3, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/36
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A connector assembly for catheters having closed loop flow circuits, such as some balloon catheters and heat exchange catheters. The connector assembly comprises first and second connector bodies that may be connected and disconnected from one another. When the connector bodies are disconnected, a syringe or negative pressure source may be attached to withdraw residual fluid from the catheter's closed loop circuit and to deflate any expandable portion of the closed loop circuit (e.g., balloon or expandable heat exchanger). A one way flow valve prevents make up air or other fluid from entering the catheter while the negative pressure is being applied. Also disclosed are sterility barrier assemblies for all types of catheters. Such sterility barrier assemblies are operative to prevent contamination of the portion of a catheter that remains outside of a patient's body so that the catheter may subsequently be further advanced into the patient's body without introducing microbes or other contaminants into the patient's body.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.