Patent ID: 7004931
Filing Date: 2006-02-28
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. Catheter assembly for regulating the rate of suction-assisted aspiration, the apparatus comprising: a hub having a distal end, a blood outlet port, an aspiration port, and a bore in fluid communication with the blood outlet port and the aspiration port; a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a working lumen extending therebetween; wherein the distal end of the hub receives and is sealingly engaged with the proximal end of the catheter so that the bore is in fluid communication with the working lumen of the catheter, and a valve comprising a frame and at least one flap affixed to an interior surface of the frame in fluid communication with the working lumen of the catheter, the bore, the blood outlet and the aspiration port, wherein the valve is configured to regulate the direction of fluid flow between the working lumen of the catheter and the blood outlet port, and further to regulate the rate of suction-assisted aspiration provided by the aspiration port to the working lumen of the catheter.