Patent ID: 7611504

Claim:
An infusion system to deliver intravenous fluid from a supply source to an infusion site via a fluid line and to enable injection of medicinal fluid into said fluid line while maintaining sterility of said intravenous fluid, said system comprising: a heat transfer unit including first and second conduits, wherein said first conduit receives said intravenous fluid and is connected with a fluid line portion extending toward said infusion site and said second conduit receives heat transfer fluid to heat said intravenous fluid flowing through said first conduit; and a fluid connector assembly to facilitate fluid flow between said supply source and said heat transfer unit and including: a fitting including a housing structure to receive said intravenous fluid and to direct said intravenous fluid received by said fitting into said heat transfer unit, wherein said housing structure includes: an elongated tubular body including a proximal end portion; a fluid inlet member with a distal end directly attached to said elongated tubular body and a proximal end to receive intravenous fluid into said housing structure; and a fluid outlet disposed at a distal end of said elongated tubular body and secured to said heat transfer unit with said fluid outlet in fluid communication with said first conduit; wherein said proximal end portion of said elongated tubular body includes: an instrument member positioned within a proximal portion of said elongated tubular body, wherein said instrument member includes a membrane to maintain a fluid tight seal and permit removable insertion of a portion of an instrument through said membrane and within said fluid connector assembly, wherein said instrument includes a syringe containing a medicinal fluid and said instrument portion includes a needle with a length dimension, and wherein said syringe facilitates injection of a medicinal fluid different than said intravenous fluid into said fluid connector assembly; and an extension member extending proximally from said instrument member and forming a proximal end of said elongated tubular body, wherein said extension member is configured to engage a syringe distal portion and enable insertion of said needle within said extension member, and wherein said extension member is configured to displace said syringe from said instrument member and provide a distance from said conduits greater than said length dimension of said needle to prevent contact and rupture of said conduits by said needle during said injection.