MULTI-LUMEN INTRAVENOUS EXTENSION

Abstract: The multi-lumen intravenous extension system (10) comprising: a multi-lumen intravenous extension (12) including an elongate cylindrical body (50) having a main lumen (52) extending axially therein and at least one satellite lumens (54 and 56) extending parallel with the main lumen (52) in the multi-lumen intravenous extension (12); a coupling or connector (14) at a proximal end (16) of the multi-lumen intravenous extension (12); a liquid supply system (24) connected to the proximal end connector (14) for delivering liquid to the main lumen (52); at least one syringe (28 and 29) coupled by a tubing (18) to the proximal connector (14) for supplying a drug medication, pharmaceutical agent or other liquid to the satellite or secondary lumen (54 and 56); and, a connector (32) forming a mixing chamber (33) coupled to a distal end (30) of the intravenous extension (12); the connector (32) being adapted for connection to an intravenous or intra-vascular catheter (34) leading to an intra-vascular access site (38), thereby to supply recently mixed liquids to the intravascular catheter (34).

Description: MULTI-LUMEN INTRAVENOUS EXTENSION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention. The present invention relates to a multi-lumen intravenous extension for transmitting liquids to a position adjacent a body and for mixing the fluids as close as possible to the point where they are injected into the blood stream of the body. For this purpose, the multi-lumen intravenous extension of the present invention includes at least two, and possibly up to five, lumens, namely a main lumen for a carrier fluid, such as a saline solution, and at least one, and up to four, satellite lumens for carrying medication(s) to the body and mixing the medication(s) as close as possible to the point of input into the blood stream of the body at a proximal end of an intravenous catheter. 2. Description of the Prior Art. Heretofore catheters have been proposed for mixing components in the catheter prior to delivery of the mixture to a human body. Examples of analogous and non-analogous catheters are disclosed in the following analogous and non- analogous U.S. patents: U.S. Patent No. Patentee 4,908,018 Thomsen 4,968,307 Dake et al. 5,190,525 Oswald et al. 5,833,652 Pressman et al. The Thomsen U.S. Patent No. 4,908,018 and the Oswald et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,190,525 both disclose manifolds for injecting drugs, medications or liquids into an intravenous catheter or conduit. The Dake et al. U.S. Patent No. 4,968,307 discloses a catheter having a central lumen for receiving a guide wire and four satellite lumens which extend coaxially with the central lumen. The outer periphery of the catheter has openings which communicate, respectively, with the four different satellite lumens for enabling four different fluids to be introduced into the vessel in which the catheter is inserted. The Pressman et al. U.S. Patent No.5,833,652 discloses a component mixing catheter including an inner tubular body having a central lumen for a main fluid and an outer tubular body with an annular space between the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body for receiving a second liquid and the wall of the inner tubular body having holes therethrough for introducing the second liquid from the annular space into the main lumen where the second liquid is combined with the main fluid. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a multi-lumen intravenous extension which is designed to integrate with existing standardized infusion systems. The multi-lumen intravenous extension is positioned between an intra-vascular or intravenous access site and an infusion system typically including a supply of saline and syringes for injecting drugs, medications or other liquids into the multi-lumen intravenous extension. The multi-lumen intravenous extension allows for organized and efficient delivery and administration of a wide variety of medications and pharmaceutical agents, using less priming volume, minimizing effects of carrier fluid rates, and requiring only a minimal amount of medication mixing. Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a multi-lumen intravenous extension system comprising: a multi-lumen intravenous extension including an elongate cylindrical body having a main lumen extending axially therein and at least one satellite lumen extending parallel with the main lumen in the multi- lumen intravenous extension; a coupling or connector at a proximal end of the multi- lumen intravenous extension; a liquid supply system connected to the proximal end connector for delivering liquid to the main lumen; at least one syringe coupled by a tubing to the proximal connector for supplying a drug medication, pharmaceutical agent or other liquid to the satellite or secondary lumen; and, a connector forming a mixing chamber coupled to a distal end of the intravenous extension, the connector being adapted for connection to an intravenous or intra-vascular catheter leading to an intra-vascular access site, thereby to supply recently mixed liquids to the intra- vascular catheter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the multi-lumen single output conduit or intravenous extension of the present invention coupled at its input to a bag of saline solution and two syringes and coupled at its output end to a smaller infusion catheter inserted into a body. FIG. 2 is a sectional view through a mixing chamber connector or coupling shown in FIG. 1 and is taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the mixing chamber connector or coupling shown in FIG. 2 and is taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a sectional view through the mixing chamber connector or coupling shown in FIG. 3, is taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and shows the main lumen and two satellite lumens in the multi-fluid intravenous extension . DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 , a intravenous extension system 10 comprising a multi-lumen intravenous extension 12 having a connector 14 at the proximal end 16 of the intravenous extension 12 to 5 which are connected a main infusion conduit or tubing 18 that is connected to a connector 20 connected to a tubing 22 extending from a bag 24 of saline solution. Also connected to the connector 14 are first and second tubes 26 and 27 which are connected to first and second syringes 28 and 29, as shown. It will be understood that each of the syringes 28 and 29 will contain a selected drug, medication or liquid 10 in a predetermined amount which is to be infused into a body. At a distal end 30 of the multi-lumen intravenous extension 12 is a coupling connector 32 including a mixing chamber 33 (FIGS.2-4). The connector 32 typically can be realized by a Luer® connector 32. At the outlet of this connector 32 is an infusion or intravenous catheter 34 that typically has a needle at an outer distal end 15 36 thereof which is inserted into a body 38 and typically held therein by a wing tape or bandage 40. As best shown in FIGS.2, 3 and 4, the mixing chamber 33 in the connector 32 has an outer cylindrical wall or tubular portion 42 which is received over the distal end 30 of the multi-lumen intravenous extension 12. 20 As best shown in FIG. 3, the connector 32 has the larger diameter tubular portion 42 which fits over the distal end 30 of the multi-lumen intravenous extension 12 and a smaller diameter portion 44 at the distal end of the connector 32 which fits over or is connected to a proximal end 46 of the intravenous catheter 34. In this way, the connector 32 provides the mixing chamber 33 within the connector 32 where the 25 liquids comprising a main liquid, such as a saline solution, and one or two medications or drugs or other liquids inserted by the syringe 28 or 29. As best shown in FIG.4, the multi-lumen intravenous extension 12 has a main cylindrical body portion 50 with a main lumen 52 extending axially therein and two satellite lumens 54 and 56 therein extending coaxially with the main lumen 52 in the 0 body 50. It will be understood that the primary lumen 52 has an internal diameter or cross-sectional area approximately that of a standard infusion system. The primary or main lumen 52 may have variable shapes and septation. The proximal connector 14 can be of different types of standard female type connectors. The satellite or secondary lumens 54 and 56 may have variable shapes and septation and cross-sectional areas, and they will extend the majority length of the multi-lumen intravenous extension 12. The multi-lumen intravenous extension system 10 of the present invention has a number of advantages which result in improved patient safety. A primary advantage is that pharmaceutical agents can be delivered near the intra-vascular site without altering normal fluid dynamics of the infusion system 10. Other advantages of delivery of pharmaceutical agents near the intra-vascular access site include: infusion of multiple pharmaceutical agents into a single intra-vascular site with minimal mixing of agents; infusion of liquid agents through the satellite lumens 54 and 56 is not dependent upon carrier fluid rates for delivery; more rapid onsets of the action of the agents delivered; delivery of a higher concentration of agents at the infusion site; and alterations of carrier fluid rates have minimal effect upon delivery of the agents infused through the satellite lumens 54 and 56. Still another advantage of the multi-lumen intravenous extension system of the present invention is related to the infusion of agents through small volume secondary channels, i.e. the smaller-in-diameter satellite or secondary lumens 54 and 56. Some of these advantages include: decreased priming volume by reducing "tubing dead space"; independent infusion of multiple agents; reduction in carrier fluid rate requirements; and simplified and efficient access to the intra-vascular infusion site. The multi-lumen intravenous extension system of the present invention should decrease the confusion frequently associated with multiple access port infusion systems which is sometimes incurred with the systems disclosed in the Thomsen U.S. Patent No.4,908,018 and the Oswald et al. U.S. Patent No.5,190,525. Further, the multi-lumen intravenous extension system will very likely improve the response time for the onset of the action desired in the patient from the infused agents. Since the delivery of pharmaceutical agents through the secondary or satellite lumens 54 and 56 will not be significantly altered by a change in the carrier fluid rate through the primary or main lumen 52 accidental bolus injection of vaso-active medications can be reduced. The low priming volume and reduction in carrier fluid rate requirements reduces the potential for fluid overload in volume sensitive patients. The multi-lumen intravenous extension system 10 of the present invention can be used in a number of critical applications. For example, it can be used in anesthesia during operations for infusion of anesthetic agents, vaso-active agents, antibiotics, and antiarrhymics. It can be used with a PCA pump. It can be used in ICU for vaso-active meds, antiarrhymics, potassium, antibiotics, insulin, etc. It can be used for pediatric anesthesia, namely for supplying the appropriate pharmaceutical agents. It also can be used in neonatal and pediatric ICU. Also, the teachings of the present invention can be realized by grouping together a number of individual single lumen catheters, binding them together and coupling outlets at the distal ends of the single lumen catheters in the manner taught herein. From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the multi-lumen intravenous extension system 10 of the present invention including the multi-lumen intravenous extension 12 and the mixing chamber 33 in the connector 32 provide a number of advantages, some of which have been described above and others of which are inherent in the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.

Claims: CLAIMS I Claim: 1. A multi-lumen intravenous extension system comprising: a multi-lumen intravenous extension including an elongate cylindrical body having a main lumen extending axially therein and at least one satellite lumen extending parallel with the main lumen in the multi-lumen intravenous extension or at least two single lumen catheters coupled or bound together; a coupling or connector at a proximal end of said multi-lumen intravenous extension or at each proximal end of said single lumen catheters; a liquid supply system connected to said proximal end connector for delivering liquid to said main lumen or to one of said single lumen catheters; at least one syringe coupled by a tubing to said proximal connector for supplying a drug medication, pharmaceutical agent or other liquid to the satellite or secondary lumen o to another one of said single lumen catheters; and, a connector forming a mixing chamber coupled to a distal end of said intravenous extension orto said distal ends of said bundle of single lumen catheters; said connector being adapted for connection to an intravenous or intra-vascular catheter leading to an intra-vascular access site, thereby to supply recently mixed liquids to the intra-vascular catheter. 2. The multi-lumen intravenous extension system of claim 1 including a second satellite lumen and a second syringe connected to a proximal end of said second satellite lumen. 3. The multi-lumen intravenous extension system of claim 1 including a third satellite lumen and a second syringe connected to a proximal end of said third satellite lumen. 4. The multi-lumen intravenous extension system of claim 1 wherein said liquid delivery system includes a bag of saline.

Inventors: LEONE JAMES ERNEST, LEONE, JAMES, ERNEST
Applicants: CIRQUE MEDICAL INC, LEONE JAMES ERNEST, CIRQUE MEDICAL INCORPORATED, LEONE, JAMES, ERNEST
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A61M
IPC codes: A61M5, A61M39