Disposable, closed blood sampling system for use in medical conduit line

Abstract

A disposable, closed fluid sampling system for use with a medical conduit line (70), especially for taking blood samples from a pressure monitoring line. The conduit line (70) has at least one fluid sampling site (100, 102) interposed between a distal segment of tubing and a proximal segment of tubing. The system includes a disposable subsystem (96) having a bypass cannula (110) adapted to engage the sampling site, a reservoir (112) for drawing a prime volume of fluid past the sampling site, and a fluid sampling container (114). A 3-way stopcock (116) may connect the reservoir, bypass cannula, and sampling vessel for controlling the sampling procedure. The bypass cannula (110) may simultaneously place the subsystem into fluid communication with an inner chamber (136) of the sampling site and exclude the proximal segment of the conduit line. Alternatively, a stopcock immediately adjacent the sampling site in the proximal segment may be utilized. A method of using the system includes attaching the disposable subsystem, opening the reservoir to the distal segment while excluding the proximal segment, drawing a prime volume of fluid into the reservoir, opening the sampling vessel to the distal segment and drawing a sample, re-infusing the prime volume into the distal segment, and removing and discarding the subsystem. The reservoir remains attached between the prime volume draw and re-infusion and is thus 'closed'.

Description

technical field [0001] [0001] The present invention relates to blood sampling systems and, in particular, to disposable blood sampling systems within medical lines, such as pressure monitoring lines. Background technique [0002] [0002] In a hospital setting, there is always a need to monitor the health status of patients through the estimation of blood chemical properties. The simplest method used in hospitals is to use a syringe with a pointed cannula on one end and insert the cannula into a vein or artery to draw a patient's blood sample. Withdraw blood using a syringe, or more easily, into a vacuum vessel. Patients in critical care units or operating rooms sometimes have blood drawn as many as 12 times a day, which can be excruciating. Moreover, such frequent collection of injections presents the clinician with needle stick and blood exposure risks, and potentially exposes the patient to airborne bacteria and viruses that can enter the bloodstream through the opening f...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Adding components to the flow line, such as a sampling site with an elastic septum or a dedicated reservoir with a rubber-tipped plunger, and / or increasing the length of the tubing, can contribute to signal attenuation

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