EP0343953A1 — Self-occluding intravascular cannula assembly

Claim 1

Independent Claim 89 words

A self-occluding cannula assembly comprising: A flexible cannula sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner lumen extending axially therethrough; a connecting hub formed on the proximal end of said cannula sheath; and an occluding means positioned within said connecting hub and alternately disposable between a first "occluded" configuration wherein the occluding means serves to prevent at least proximally directed flow of fluid through the cannula lumen, and a second "non-occluded" configuration wherein the occluding means permits at least distally directed flow through the cannula lumen.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 89 words

A self-occluding cannula assembly comprising: A flexible cannula sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner lumen extending axially therethrough; a connecting hub formed on the proximal end of said cannula sheath; and an occluding means positioned within said connecting hub and alternately disposable between a first "occluded" configuration wherein the occluding means serves to prevent at least proximally directed flow of fluid through the cannula lumen, and a second "non-occluded" configuration wherein the occluding means permits at least distally directed flow through the cannula lumen.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 63 words

The self-occluding cannula assembly of Claim 1 wherein the occluding means comprises an elastic obturator member having an elastically openable and closable aperture extending therethrough, said obturator being sized, configured and positioned such that when said aperture is closed fluid flow through the cannula lumen will be prevented and when said aperture is open fluid flow through the cannula lumen will be permitted.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 58 words

The self-occluding cannula assembly of Claim 1 wherein the cannula assembly further comprises; an introducer needle having a bevelled distal tip, a proximal end and an outer surface, said introducer needle being slidably axially disposed within the cannula lumen such that the bevelled distal tip of the needle extends beyond the distal tip of the flexible cannula sheath.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 46 words

The self-occluding cannula assembly of Claim 3 wherein the introducer needle is positioned to interact with the occluding means such that the occluding means will rapidly assume its first "occluded" configuration upon proximal withdrawal of the introducer needle from its initial position with the cannula assembly.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 41 words

The self-occluding cannula assembly of Claim 3 wherein the introducer needle comprises a generally hollow needle having an open, axially extending inner lumen through which blood may flow upon insertion of the distal tip of the needle into a blood vessel.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 40 words

The self-occluding cannula assembly of Claim 3 wherein the occluding means is further operative to circumferentially wipe adherent blood from the outer surface of the introducer needle as it is proximally withdrawn from its initial position within the cannula assembly.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 43 words

The self-occluding cannula assembly of Claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the cannula hub is configured in the form of a female connector having an inner bore into which a correspondingly shaped male tubing connector may be inserted and frictionally retained.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 45 words

The self-occluding cannula assembly of Claim 7 wherein the cannula ssembly is functionally adapted such that insertion of the male tubing connector into the female connector of the cannula hub will cause the occluding means to shift from its "occluded" configuration to its "non-occluded" configuration.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 51 words

The self-occluding cannula assembly of Claim 8 wherein the cannula assembly is further functionally adapted such that removal of a previously inserted male tubing connector from its position within the female connector of the cannula hub will cause the occluding means to shift from its "non-occluded" configuration to its "occluded" configuration.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 40 words

The self-occluding cannula assembly of Claim 1 further comprising; a dilator projection sized, configured and positioned to interact with said occlusion means, thereby assisting in the transition of said occlusion means from said "occluded" configuration and to said "non-occluded" configuration.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 48 words

The self-occluding cannula assembly of Claim 2 further comprising; a dilator projection sized, configured and positioned to selectively interact with the elastic obturator member, thereby selectively exerting pressure about the elastically openable and closable aperture so as to assist in the alternate opening and closing of said aperture.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 37 words

The self-occluding cannula assembly of Claim 2 wherein an obturator seating groove is formed with the cannula hub, said obturator seating groove being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of said obturator member therewithin.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 40 words

The self-occluding canula assembly of Claim 12 wherein said obturator member is only partially seated within said seating groove while the cannula assembly is in its "occluded" configuration but fully seated within said seating groove when in its "non-occluded" configuration.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 41 words

The self-occluding cannula assembly of Claim 13 wherein; said cannula assembly further comprises a generally conical dilator projection having a round base and a blunt apex with an obturator seating groove formed annularly about the round base of said dilator projection.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 117 words

The self-occluding cannula assembly of Claim 14 wherein said obturator member comprises a cylindrical disc-shaped structure formed of elastomeric material and having a first generally conical notch formed therein, said first generally conical notch being substantially analogous in configuration to the configuration of the dilator projection and positioned thereover such that while said cannula assembly is in its "occluded" configuration, the blunt apex of the dilator projection will be partially advanced into said conical notch and, when said cannula assembly is in its "non-occluded" configuration the blunt apex of the dilator projection will be fully advanced into said conical notch so as to facilitate opening of said aperture by exerting outward pressure on said elastic obturator member.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 167 words

A self-occluding cannula assembly comprising; a generally tubular cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axially extending inner lumen; a tubing connector formed on the proximal end of the cannula, said tubing connector being operative to fluidly connect said cannula to a separate tube; at least one occluding means positioned within the assembly, said occluding means being alternately disposable between an "occluded" configuration and a "non-occluded" configuration, wherein said occluded configuration is operative to block said inner lumen so as to prevent back flow of bodily fluids from the proximal end of said cannula and said non-occluded configuration is operative to permit fluid infusion distally through said cannula; and said cannula assembly being sized, configured and constructed such that the physical act of connecting a separate tube to the said tubing connector will cause said occluding means to assume its "non-occluded" configuration while the disconnection of said separate tube from said tubing connector will allow said occluding means to assume its occluded configuration.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 167 words

A self-occluding cannula assembly comprising; a generally tubular cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axially extending inner lumen; a tubing connector formed on the proximal end of the cannula, said tubing connector being operative to fluidly connect said cannula to a separate tube; at least one occluding means positioned within the assembly, said occluding means being alternately disposable between an "occluded" configuration and a "non-occluded" configuration, wherein said occluded configuration is operative to block said inner lumen so as to prevent back flow of bodily fluids from the proximal end of said cannula and said non-occluded configuration is operative to permit fluid infusion distally through said cannula; and said cannula assembly being sized, configured and constructed such that the physical act of connecting a separate tube to the said tubing connector will cause said occluding means to assume its "non-occluded" configuration while the disconnection of said separate tube from said tubing connector will allow said occluding means to assume its occluded configuration.

Self-occluding intravascular cannula assembly

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