Blood collection set with venting mechanism

Abstract

The blood collection set includes an IV needle assembly, a length of flexible plastic tubing extending from the IV needle assembly and a non-patient needle assembly. The set is formed with a venting mechanism that permits an outflow of air, while blocking an outflow of blood or other fluids. Thus, the venting mechanism enables air that had existed in interior portions of the blood collection set to be vented allowing for greater flash visualization on venous entry, and avoids the need to employ a discard tube.

1 . A blood collection set comprising; 
 a first needle assembly having a first hub and a first cannula mounted to said first hub, said first cannula having a lumen extending therethrough,    a length of flexible tubing having opposite first and second ends and a passage extending between said ends, said first end of said flexible tubing being in communication with said first hub for providing communication between said lumen of said first cannula and said passage through said flexible tubing,    a second hub having a passage extending therethrough and being in fluid communication with said second end of said flexible tubing,    a non-patient cannula having opposite proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending between said ends, said distal end of said non-patient cannula being mounted to said second hub such that said lumen through said non-patient cannula communicates with said passage through said second hub,    a multiple sample sleeve covering said non-patient cannula and mounted to said second hub.    a venting mechanism providing communication between said passage and ambient surroundings, wherein said venting mechanism permits an outflow of air from said blood collection set to said ambient surroundings through said venting mechanism, and wherein said venting mechanism substantially prevents an outflow of fluid from said blood collection set to said ambient surroundings through said venting mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , further comprising a female luer fitting mounted to said second end of said flexible tubing, such that said venting mechanism extends through said female luer.  
   
   
       3 . The blood collection set of  claim 2 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a vent media.  
   
   
       4 . The blood collection set of  claim 2 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises at least one aperture through said female luer, said aperture containing a venting plug.  
   
   
       5 . The blood collection set of  claim 2 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a venting ring surrounding said second end of said flexible tubing and at least one aperture through said female luer located distally of said venting ring.  
   
   
       6 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , further comprising a female luer fitting mounted to said second end of said flexible tubing and a male luer taper formed on said second hub, wherein said female luer fitting is mated with said male luer taper, and wherein said venting mechanism is located between said female luer and said male luer taper.  
   
   
       7 . The blood collection set of  claim 6 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a venting plug.  
   
   
       8 . The blood collection set of  claim 6 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a porous ring of hydrophobic material or said venting mechanism comprises a ring of porous material with a hydrophobic surface.  
   
   
       9 . The blood collection set of  claim 6 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a breathable venting cord.  
   
   
       10 . The blood collection set of  claim 6 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a textured surface.  
   
   
       11 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said venting mechanism extends through said second hub.  
   
   
       12 . The blood collection set of  claim 11 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a vent media.  
   
   
       13 . The blood collection set of  claim 11 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a passage through said second hub, said passage containing a venting plug.  
   
   
       14 . The blood collection set of  claim 13 , wherein said venting mechanism further comprises a one-way valve.  
   
   
       15 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said venting mechanism is located in said passage beyond said proximal end of said non-patient cannula.  
   
   
       16 . The blood collection set of  claim 15 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a vent media.  
   
   
       17 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said second hub further comprises a non-patient barb to which said multiple sample sleeve is mounted, and wherein said venting mechanism extends through said non-patient barb.  
   
   
       18 . The blood collection set of  claim 17 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a vent media.  
   
   
       19 . The blood collection set of  claim 17 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a passage through said non patient barb, said passage containing a venting plug.  
   
   
       20 . The blood collection set of  claim 17 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a slit through said non patient barb and a venting disc.  
   
   
       21 . The blood collection set of  claim 17 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises at least one aperture through said non patient barb, said aperture containing a venting plug.  
   
   
       22 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said second hub further comprises a non-patient barb, and wherein said non-patient barb comprises said venting mechanism.  
   
   
       23 . The blood collection set of  claim 22 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a vent media.  
   
   
       24 . The blood collection set of  claim 22 , wherein at least a portion of said non-patient barb is formed from a porous hydrophobic material or said portion of said non-patient barb comprises a porous material with a hydrophobic surface.  
   
   
       25 . The blood collection set of  claim 22 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a porous material impregnated with a hydrophilic material.  
   
   
       26 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said second hub further comprises a non-patient barb to which said multiple sample sleeve is mounted, and wherein said venting mechanism is located between said non-patient barb and said multiple sample sleeve.  
   
   
       27 . The blood collection set of  claim 26 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a venting sleeve.  
   
   
       28 . The blood collection set of  claim 27 , wherein said venting sleeve comprises a porous hydrophobic material or said venting sleeve comprises a porous material with a hydrophobic surface.  
   
   
       29 . The blood collection set of  claim 26 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a breathable venting cord.  
   
   
       30 . The blood collection set of  claim 26 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a textured surface.  
   
   
       31 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said multiple sample sleeve comprises said venting mechanism.  
   
   
       32 . The blood collection set of  claim 31 , wherein at least a portion of said multiple sample sleeve is formed from a porous hydrophobic material or said portion of said multiple sample sleeve comprises a porous material with a hydrophobic surface.  
   
   
       33 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a tortuous path providing said communication between said passage and said ambient surroundings.  
   
   
       34 . The blood collection set of  claim 33 , wherein said second hub further comprises a male luer and a non-patient cannula hub, and wherein said tortuous path is located between said male luer and said non-patient cannula hub.  
   
   
       35 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said second hub is formed from a vent media such that said second hub constitutes said venting mechanism.  
   
   
       36 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said second hub is formed from a porous material such that said second hub constitutes said venting mechanism.  
   
   
       37 . The blood collection set of  claim 36 , further comprising a layer of impermeable spot coat on the inside surfaces of said second hub.  
   
   
       38 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said second hub further comprises a male luer and a non-patient thread assembly, which form a reservoir when mated together.  
   
   
       39 . The blood collection set of  claim 38 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a first channel through said non patient thread assembly to said reservoir, a second channel from said reservoir to said ambient surroundings, and a venting plug located in said reservoir.  
   
   
       40 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said venting mechanism extends through said non patient cannula.  
   
   
       41 . The blood collection set of  claim 40 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a vent media.  
   
   
       42 . The blood collection set of  claim 40 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a hole through said non patient cannula and a porous venting ring.  
   
   
       43 . The blood collection set of  claim 40 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a hole through said non patient cannula and a resilient porous vent plug, wherein said resilience of said vent plug secures said vent plug in location around said hole.  
   
   
       44 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said venting mechanism extends through said flexible tubing.  
   
   
       45 . The blood collection set of  claim 44 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a vent media.  
   
   
       46 . The blood collection set of  claim 44 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a length of porous tubing and a one-way valve wrapped around said length of porous tubing.  
   
   
       47 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , further comprising a branch vent in communication with said passage.  
   
   
       48 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said second hub further comprises a Y branch vent or a T branch vent in communication with said passage.  
   
   
       49 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a vent media.  
   
   
       50 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a porous hydrophobic material or said venting mechanism comprises a porous material with a hydrophobic surface.  
   
   
       51 . The blood collection set of  claim 50 , wherein said hydrophobic material is selected from the group consisting of glass fiber, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), Nylon 6, polypropylene (PP), polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF) and polyethersulfone (PES).  
   
   
       52 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a hydrophilic material.  
   
   
       53 . The blood collection set of  claim 52 , wherein said hydrophilic material is carboxymethylcellulose or a polyacrylate.  
   
   
       54 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises; 
 a porous plug; and    a material that swells on contact with aqueous substances.    
   
   
       55 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises an air vent, wherein said air vent comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of a matte finish, micro-sized channels, laser drilled holes, and a tortuous path.  
   
   
       56 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a breathable venting cord.  
   
   
       57 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a one way valve.  
   
   
       58 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a porous plug and a biologically active agent.  
   
   
       59 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , wherein said venting mechanism comprises a superabsorbant material.  
   
   
       60 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , further comprising a shield for selectively covering said first cannula.  
   
   
       61 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , further comprising a second venting mechanism.  
   
   
       62 . The blood collection set of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one wing attached to said first needle assembly.