Patent ID: 6261267
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An intravenous container spike for administering a medicinal fluid from a source, comprising:(a) a drip chamber having a fluid outlet at the lower end with a seat over said outlet;(b) a spike at the upper end of said drip chamber, said spike having a puncture tip at the upper end with a fluid channel through said puncture tip into said drip chamber;(c) a floating ball in said drip chamber having a density less than said medicinal fluid such that said floating ball floats in said medicinal fluid so that as the fluid level in said drip chamber decreases said ball settles onto said seat sealing said outlet;(d) a first sealable vent in said spike to allow air to be expelled from said drip chamber, said sealable vent comprising a vent inlet, an air passageway into said drip chamber and a vent cap attached to said inlet to seal said vent inlet;(e) a spider flange located in the lower end of said drip chamber to limit the upper movement of said floating ball; and(f) a second sealable vent in said spike to allow air to enter said container through said puncture tip.