Medication administration system

An improved medication administration system includes a series of one way valves disposed closely adjacent and in direct fluid communication with an auxiliary IV line leading to a patient. A plurality of syringes filled with various selected medications are each secured in a tray against axial and lateral movement by depressing them into correspondingly dimensioned longitudinal grooves. The flanges of the syringes abut a lip of the tray to further restrict axial movement. The nozzles of the syringes are connected to the inlets of the valves so that medication can be adminstered intravenously by simply depressing the appropriate syringe plunger. The tray is surrounded by a supporting outer box which includes retractable clamps for fastening the tray to an operating table. A second similarly shaped box is adapted to be clipped to the first box or clamped to the table. The second box can contain miscellaneous medical equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
I. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to medication delivery systems and, in particular, 
to an organized system for the safe delivery of various selected 
medications to a patient having an intravenous (IV) line in place. 
II. Description of the Prior Art 
Several previously known medication administration systems are designed to 
deliver a selected medication intravenously to a patient. In one such 
system, the medication is contained in a syringe which is attached 
directly to a needle. The needle is inserted directly into the vein of the 
patient and the medication is delivered through a bore in the needle. 
In patients who are receiving nourishment and/or fluids intravenously, 
several additional previously known delivery systems have been employed. 
In these systems an IV line connects the source of fluids to a needle 
which is inserted into the vein of the patient. The fluids drain by 
gravity into the patient's circulatory system. 
In one administration system for use with such an IV line, medication is 
injected directly into the source of IV fluid. Medications given in this 
manner must be compatible with the IV fluid itself, and with other 
medications previously injected into the source of IV fluids. 
Another delivery system, known as intravenous piggyback (IVPB), is used 
when relatively large volumes of medication are to be added to IV fluids. 
In this system, a bag or bottle containing the selected medication is 
arranged to drip gradually into a side port of the IV line, forced by 
gravity. 
Yet another IV administration system employs a valve or stop cock disposed 
in the IV line intermediate the source of IV fluids and the patient. By 
connecting a source of medication to the inlet of the valve, the 
medication can be delivered to the patient by opening the valve. 
Each of the above described delivery systems has certain disadvantages. 
Systems employing needles which are injected into the patient or into the 
IV fluid directly, involve a risk that the user could accidentally 
puncture the patient or him or herself if the needle is not carefully 
handled. Moreover, syringes and needles in combination are susceptible to 
theft and potential misuse. 
More importantly, often times more than one medication must be administered 
to a patient. This is especially true in the case of an anesthesiologist 
who is preparing a patient for surgery. In addition, precise control of 
the blood levels of a given medication depend on the administration of a 
precise amount at a precise time. The present invention overcomes these 
and other disadvantages. 
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
The present invention provides for a convenient and organized system for 
delivery of various selected medications through an IV line to a patient. 
An auxiliary IV line is connected to a side port of the main IV line and 
contains a series of valves which permit the addition of medication while 
preventing back flow of IV fluid. The valves may be three way stop cocks 
which must be manually opened to administer medication. Preferably, 
however, they are one way valves which permit the administration of 
medication without having to open the valve manually. The valves are 
arranged in or closely adjacent the auxiliary IV line so that there is 
little or no dead space between the valve outlet and the auxiliary IV line 
itself. 
A number of conventional syringes are filled with various selected 
medications and are each connected by a nozzle to an inlet of one of the 
valves. A precise amount of the medication can be delivered by depressing 
the plunger to deliver the proper volume of medication through the opened 
valve. The medication is flushed through the system by a second IV fluid 
source. 
To neatly organize the administration system, a tray is provided with 
semi-cylindrical shaped longitudinal grooves which frictionally engage the 
barrels of the syringes, to restrict them from axial and lateral movement. 
The grooves are arranged parallel to one another and are variously 
dimensioned to accommodate syringes of various sizes. The tray is also 
provided with a lip or lateral groove having a surface which can abut a 
flange attached to one end of the syringe barrel to further restrict axial 
movement of the syringe barrel. 
In the preferred embodiment, about eight longitudinal grooves are arranged 
in parallel sequence to accommodate syringes varying from 3 cc to 20 cc. 
In addition, an outer box protects the plungers of the syringes from being 
accidentally depressed. 
A clamp means is attached to the tray or the accompanying outer box which 
permits the tray to be clamped onto a table supporting the patient. In 
this manner, the syringes are retained in a neat, orderly fashion at a 
position which is conveniently located near the head of the patient. A 
desired amount of any selected medication can quickly and easily be 
administered. 
In another preferred embodiment, a second, similarly dimensioned box is 
arranged for clamping to the table at a convenient location or, 
alternatively, to be attached to the first outer box. The second box can 
contain miscellaneous equipment such as tape, scissors, clamps, spare 
syringes or medication, and the like, which may be required by the 
anesthesiologist during the surgery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring first to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the medication 
administration system 10 is thereshown comprising a tray 12, supporting 
syringes 14 which are connected to valves 16 in an auxiliary intravenous 
(IV) line 18 leading from an auxiliary source 20 of IV fluids to a side 
port 17 in a main IV line 19. The main IV line 19 leads from a main source 
21 of IV fluids to a vein of a patient 22. The tray 12 is supported by a 
first or outer box 24 which is clamped to a table 26 by means of clamps 
28. A second box 30 is shown attached to the first box 24 and may contain 
miscellaneous medical and/or anesthesiology equipment. 
Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the tray 12 and the outer box 24 are shown in 
more detail. The tray 12 and the outer box 24 may be molded as a single 
unit or, alternatively, the tray 12 is inserted in the interior of the box 
24. The tray 12 and the box 24 may be made of any rigid material, such as 
molded plastic, so long as it is durable and can withstand repeated 
washing and disinfecting. The box 24 has two parallel sides, two ends, a 
bottom and an open top. The box 24 is approximatley 12 inches long, 10 
inches wide and 2 inches deep but these dimensions can be varied within 
the scope of the invention. 
One of the sides has two openings 32 (FIGS. 3 and 5) for a purpose which is 
to be described shortly. Two tracks 34 are disposed along the bottom of 
the tray 12 or the box 24 adjacent and parallel to each of the ends, and 
aligned with the openings 32. Each of the tracks 34 forms a guide for a 
sliding member 36 which supports the clamp 28. The clamp 28 and the 
sliding member 36 can be retracted into the box 24 through the opening 32 
along the slide track 34. When the system 10 is to be used, the box 24 is 
secured to the table 26 by sliding the clamp 28 out of the box 24 and 
securing it to the table 26. Tabs or knobs (not shown) may be provided for 
sliding the clamps and locking them in position. The depth of the box 24 
can be minimized by placing the tracks 34 at one end outside the valves 16 
and, at the other end, outside the ends of the smaller syringes 14, as 
shown in FIG. 2. 
Still referring to FIGS. 2-5, the tray 12 includes a plurality of 
semi-cylindrical longitudinal grooves 38. Although only four grooves 38 
are shown in the drawing, it will be understood that the tray 12 may 
comprise any convenient number of grooves 38, and preferably contains 
eight. The grooves 38 are dimensioned to frictionally engage and securely 
grip the barrels 40 of the syringes 14. As it is desirable to use syringes 
14 of various sizes, the grooves 38 must be dimensioned accordingly. For 
example, in the preferred embodiment having eight longitudinal grooves 38, 
two are dimensioned to engage the barrels of 20 cc syringes, one is 
dimensioned to engage the barrel of a 10 cc syringe, three grooves 38 are 
dimensioned to engage the barrels of 5 cc syringes, and two of the grooves 
38 are dimensioned to engage the barrels of 3 cc syringes. Thus, as shown 
in the drawings, the grooves 38 have varying dimensions. 
The frictional engagement between the barrels 40 and the grooves 38 
prevents the syringes 14 from moving laterally or axially with respect to 
the tray 12. However, to further restrict axial movement of the syringes 
14, a transverse groove or lip 42 is provided in the tray 12 and the lip 
42 has a face 44 which abuts a flange 46 connected to the barrel 40 of the 
syringes 14. As the plunger 48 of the syringe 14 is depressed, any 
tendency of the barrel 40 to slide in the longitudinal groove 38 is 
prevented by abutment of the flange 46 against the face 44 of the tray 12. 
The flange 46 may be round as shown in the drawings, or any other shape, 
so long as a portion of the flange 46 abuts the face 44. 
Although the grooves 38 of the tray 12 are the preferred embodiment for 
securing the syringes 14 against axial and lateral movement, other 
securing means are also contemplated by this invention. For example, the 
syringes 14 could be securely fastened to a planar surface such as a board 
with adhesive means such as tape. Alternatively, a leather or fabric 
member having pockets, or a strap having rings or loops, into which the 
syringes 14 can be inserted is also within the scope of the present 
invention. In yet another variation, semi-cylindrical grooves as described 
are provided with resilient members along their longitudinal edges which 
grip the syringe barrels 40. 
Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the nozzles 50 of the syringe barrels 40 
are secured to the inlets 52 of the valves 16. In this embodiment, each of 
the syringe nozzles 50 and the valves 16 are lined up approximately 
parallel to the ends of the box 24. Because syringes 14 of varying volumes 
have varying lengths as well, the grooves 38 must also have varying 
lengths. This requires that the lip 42 of the tray 12 be varied in a 
stepwise fashion as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. 
Each valve 16 comprises at least an inlet 52 and an outlet 54. The inlet 52 
is fluidly connected to the nozzle 50 of a syringe 14, while the outlet 54 
is in direct fluid communication with the IV line 18. The connections can 
be made by any means known in the art, such as screw threads, or lever 
locks. This direct connection provides a minimum amount of dead space 
between the outlet 54 and the IV line 18 to decrease the amount of 
medication which remains trapped in the intermediate tubing. Eliminating 
the dead space reduces the risk of precipitation caused by incompatible 
medications, and has the advantage of delivering an exact volume of 
medication to the patient 22. 
The valves 16 may comprise manifolds having three way stop cocks which must 
manually be opened before medication can be delivered. Preferably, 
however, the valves 16 comprise one way valves or check valves which will 
freely permit flow from the inlet 52 to the outlet 54 but which will 
prevent any back flow. With the preferred one way valve 16, medication can 
be administered easily with one hand since it is unnecessary to open any 
valves. 
It is to be understood that a valve 16 is associated with each groove 38. A 
syringe 14 may be associated with each valve 16 but this depends on the 
number of syringes 14 employed by the physician. It is possible, 
therefore, to have unused valves 16 in the system. 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6, the second box 30 is shown attached to the 
first box 24. The second box 30 is similar to the first box 24 in shape 
and construction and is attached to the first box 24 such as by means of a 
clip 60 which is formed in a U-shape and fits over the sidewall of the box 
24. In this embodiment, a slot 62 (FIG. 6) is cut away from the tray 12 to 
receive the end 64 of the clip 60. Because of the weight of the equipment 
in the second box 30, the end 64 of the clip 60 must be relatively long, 
and must securely grip the wall of the first box 24. Alternatively, the 
boxes 24 and 30 may be connected by a hinge (not shown) of the type that 
permits complete separation of the boxes 24 and 30. 
Additionally, as can best be seen in FIG. 1, the side of the second box 30 
which is opposite the U-shaped clip 60 may be provided with openings 80, 
slide tracks 82, slide members 84 and the clamp members 86 which are 
substantially similar to the clamping means of the first box 24 and 
therefore will not be described in detail. Thus, the second box 30 may 
also be clamped to the table 26 at a convenient location. 
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the boxes 24 and 30 are thereshown in a 
stacked arrangement, one on top of the other. The first box 24 may be 
dimensioned slightly smaller than the second box 30 or, alternatively, the 
end and sidewalls of each of the boxes may be slightly tapered so that the 
bottom of the boxes is slightly smaller than the open top. In this manner, 
the bottom of either box may be inserted into the top of the other box. It 
is also within the scope of this invention to invert one box on top of the 
other with a panel or flap inbetween to separate the contents of each box, 
or to place both boxes into a carrying case. 
In addition a handle (not shown) can be placed on the top 70 or along the 
sides of the boxes 24, 30 for carrying the boxes to and from the operating 
room. 
Also shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is a lid 70 which comprises a substantially 
planar member which is slidable onto the open top of the outer box 24. By 
securely wrapping one or more straps 72 around the stacked boxes and lid 
70, the entire system 10 may be stored neatly in an organized fashion. 
Preferably, the strap 72 comprises two portions each of which can be 
releasably secured to itself once it is wrapped around the boxes. For this 
purpose, one face of the strap 72 is provided with hook members 74 and the 
other face of the strap 72 is provided with corresponding loop members 76. 
In addition, when the system 10 is in use, one strap 72 may be fastened to 
the table 26 or to an IV pole doubled over upon the first strap 72 as 
shown in FIG. 9 to form loops 78 through which various cords, tubes or 
lines 80 may be passed to maintain them in an organized manner. 
Having described the structural features of the present invention, its 
operation can be easily understood. The system 10 is particularly adapted 
for use by an anesthesiologist administering sedatives or anesthetics to 
the patient 22. Each anesthesiologist selects those medications which are 
indicated for the particular patient 22 and prepares the syringes 14 in 
advance with the amounts of the medications which he or she anticipates 
will be needed. Each syringe 14 may contain a different medication, or a 
medication which is used in large volume may occupy more than one syringe 
14. The tray 12 containing the valves 16 is placed near the head of the 
patient 22. The valves 16 are connected to the auxiliary IV line 18 
between the auxiliary source 20 and a side port 17 of the main IV line 19, 
leading to the patient 22. The nozzles 50 of the syringes 14 are connected 
to the inlets 52 of the valves 16 and the barrels 40 are pressed into 
place in the grooves 38 of the tray 12. 
In putting the patient under the effect of sedatives or anesthetics, the 
anesthesiologist need only depress the plunger of the appropriate syringe 
14 of the amount required to deliver a specific volume of medication. The 
volume delivered can be read from graduations on the side of the syringe 
barrel 40. Because of the operation of the one way valves 16, the 
anesthesiologist needs only one hand to deliver medication from the 
syringes 14, thereby freeing the other hand for additional care, such as 
maintaining the patient's airway. The syringes 14 are retained in position 
in the tray 12 and are restrained from axial or lateral movement. 
Moreover, the outer box 24 includes an end wall which provides protection 
against accidentially depressing a plunger and administering medication 
inadvertently. Thus, the system 10 provides a safety feature not found in 
the prior art. 
The system 10 allows the anesthesiologist to administer as many as eight 
different medications in varying amounts conveniently and efficiently in a 
neat and organized fashion. 
Moreover, the system 10 can be used by other physicians as well. For 
example, in chemotherapy several medications may be administered over a 
short time period and the system 10 of the present invention is easily 
adapted for this use. 
The foregoing detailed description of the preferred embodiment has been 
given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations 
should be understood therefrom. Some modifications will be obvious to 
those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, without 
deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the 
appended claims.