A CLOSURE FOR A MEDICAMENT WELL

Abstract: A closure for a medicament well (1) with a central closing luer-shaped body (2) and, if desired, a round body (2), and a luer-lock skirt extending substantially in parallel with the latter, comprises a void (4), which is provided in the upper end of closure (2) and defined against the outside by a flexible wall (5) on the upper side and on the other side is made to communicate with the outside, via a channel (6) extending through body (2).

Description: A closure for a medicament well. The present invention relates to a closure for a medicament well. More precicely, the invention relates to a closure for a medicament well on a cannula, with a central, closing body and, if desired, a round body and a skirt extending substant¬ ially in parallel with the latter. There is mainly one kind of intravenous cannulae on the market at present, viz. a kind where a circular medicament well projecting normally to the liquid channel in the intravenous cannula is closed from above by the aid of a conventional cap, which is commonly fastened to the sleeve of the medicament well by the aid of a more or less sturdy fastening strap. The present cannulae with a medicament well of a conventional kind show the inherent deficiency that after administration of medicament and removal of the administrating syringe, there is always a small volume of medicament solution left in the well due to the counterpressure from the liquid flowing in the cannula. This phenomenon may represent quite a health hazard, since the volume of medicament remaining in the medicament well may act as a substrate for bacteria, or the medicament may subjected to decomposition or metamorphosis due to influence from the outside environment. This is probably one of the reasons for the fact that this kind of intravenous cannula is not accepted by the FDA on the American market. Body heat may also cause undesirable changes. Often, hours may pass between each time the medicament well is used, and this enhances the hazard of undesirable changes. wlien the medicament well is used again, the medicament phase which may be modified or decomposed will be pushed into the cannula and introduced into the body, which may cause undesirable and even dangerous states. Another aspect that should be considered in this connection is that when small volumes of medicaments are administered it may occur that not all of the medicament is injected, since somewhat is left in the well. It is an object of the present invention to remedy the shortcomings of known technology and to provide a device which permits complete discharge of the well. In this manner any hazard of administrating contaminated material to the patient is avoided, decomposition or modification of a medicament remaining in the well is avoided, and complete administration of the medicament to the patient is ensured. This is achieved by the aid of a closure of the above mentioned kind, and this closure is characterized by a void provided in the upper end of the closure, which is defined against the outside on top by a flexible wall and is on the other side made to communicate with the outside, via a channel extending through the closure body. The invention is disclosed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a medicament well with an inserted syringe for administration of a medicament; Figure 2 shows a conventional closure; Figure 3 shows a closure according to the invention in the same phase as the conventional closure according to Figure 2; and Figure 4 shows a closure according to the invention immediately after the remaining residue was squeezed out of the well. In Figure 1 a syringe 7 with a luer 8 is Inserted into well 9 for administration of medicament solution 10. When medicament solution 10 is injected into the liquid path 12 inside the cannula, valve 11 is urged to open, as indicated in Figure 4. Upon completed injection the counter- pressure in liquid 12 will urge valve 11 back into contact with the cannula wall, and upon removal of syringe 10 and insertion of a closure the situation is as shown in Figures 2 and 3, with a conventional closure, and a closure according to the invention, respectively. As indicated, a residue of medicament solution 10 will remain on the bottom of well 1, and this residue may, as mentioned above, be subjected to decomposition of metamorphosis, and/or it may represent great values of economic and therapeutic kind. As mentioned above, it is an object of the invention to permit utilization of said residue 10 as well by removing it from well 1 and urge it into the liquid path 12. This is achieved by the aid of the arrangement according to the invention by the fact that the flexible wall 5 which defines an air-filled void 4 uppermost in the closure is compressed, as shown in Figure 4. Consequently, air is discharged through channel 6 in the central body 2 of the closure and will urge residual liquid 10 past valve 11 and into the liquid path 12. Upon compression of void 4 and removal of residual liquid 10 the counterpressure in liquid 12 will cause valve 11 to contact the cannula wall 1. The object of the invention is preferably used for closures of cannula wells which are fastened to the cannula, e.g. by the aid of a strap 13. However, there is nothing to prevent the closure according to the invention from being separate and used on various kinds of multi-way valves and cocks, as commonly used within this field of medical technology, so as to solve the same problems as regards residues of medica¬ ments. According to an especially preferred feature of the invention the volume of the air void 4 is substantially equal to the volume of the residue of medicament solution 10 remaining at the bottom of well 1 for complete removal of said residue without air being introduced into the liquid flow 12. It is, thus, possible to remove remaining medicament solution from wells or corresponding injection sleeves in a simple and hygienic manner in order to avoid the above indicated problems in a simple and safe manner.

Claims: PATENT CLAIMS: 1. A closure for a medicament well (1) with a central, closing luer-shaped body (2) and, if desired, a round body (2), and a luer-closure skirt extending substantially in parallel with the latter, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n a void (4), which is provided at the upper end of closure (2) and is defined towards the outside on the upper side by a flexible wall (5) and Is on the other side made to communicate with the outside, via a channel (6) extending through body (2). 2. A closure according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the total volume of void (4) and channel (6) is substantially equal to the residue of medicament solution (10) which is generally seen to remain on the bottom of well (1). AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 23 November 1992 (23.11.92); original claims 1 and 2 replaced by amended claims 1 and 2 (1 page)] PATENT CLAIMS: 1. A closure for a medicament well (1) with a central, closing body (2) and, if desired, and around the body (2) extending closure skirt, substantially in parallel with the body 2, c h a r e c t e r i z e d i n a void (4), which is provided at the upper end of closure (2) and is defined towards the outside on the upper side by a flexible wall (5) and is on the other side made to communicate with the outside, via a channel (6) extending through body (2). 2. A closure according to claim 1, c h a r e c t e r i z e d i n that the total volume of void (4) and channel (6) is substantially equal to the residue of medicament solution (10) which is generally seen to remain on the bottom of well (1).

Inventors: HEIMREID BENT, HEIMREID, BENT
Applicants: HEIMREID BENT, PREISS OTTO T, HEIMREID, BENT, PREISS, OTTO, T.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: A61M5
IPC codes: A61M5, A61M39