Blood drawing device with flash detection

Abstract

A device for drawing fluid from a lumen, and particularly blood from a blood vessel, is disclosed. The device may provide indication of the entry of an intravenous cannula into the lumen. The device may include a central body having an outer wall and an inner fluid passage. The device may include a luer-type adapter to permit the attachment of an I.V. infusion set of various lengths (“butterfly needle”) and or any luer-type fitting attached to an existing device. The outer wall of the central body may be transparent or translucent to permit the detection of fluid within the inner fluid passage. A front cannula may extend from one end of the central body and a rear cannula may extend from the other end of the central body. Both the front and rear cannulae may communicate with the inner fluid passage. A transparent or translucent flexible sleeve may surround at least a tip portion of the rear cannula. A venting member may be provided near a base portion of the rear cannula between the flexible sleeve and the ambient. The venting member may permit the passage of air through it, but be substantially impermeable to liquids, such as blood.

1 . A device for drawing fluid from a lumen, comprising:
 a central body having a front portion and a rear portion, said rear portion being adapted to receive a guide tube;   a cannula extending from the rear portion of the central body;   a sleeve surrounding at least a tip portion of the cannula, said sleeve defining an air space around the tip portion of the cannula; and   a means for venting air disposed between the sleeve and the cannula, between the air space and an ambient, and outside of and adjacent to the rear portion of the central body, and wherein the means for venting air includes a porous member, a porous collar, a porous insert or a porous spacer.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a guide tube surrounding the cannula and connected to the central body. 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for venting air includes a base portion contacting the central body. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for venting air includes a base portion spaced from the central body. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the porous spacer is disposed between the base portion and the central body. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the porous spacer comprises absorbent material. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for venting air includes a tapered portion and an annular recess adjacent to the tapered portion. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the central body is transparent or translucent. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a flexible or semi-rigid tube disposed between the front portion of the central body and a front cannula. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the cannula also extends from the front portion of the central body. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the flexible or semi-rigid tube is connected to a Luer-type hub. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is transparent or translucent. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for venting air is substantially porous to air and substantially non-porous to blood. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for venting air comprises:
 a first member adapted to vent air; and   a second member substantially non-porous to blood.   
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for venting air comprises:
 a first member adapted to vent air; and   a second member adapted to absorb blood.   
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for venting air is substantially porous for gas constituents less than about 5 microns in size, and substantially non-porous for liquid constituents about 5 microns or greater in size. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a means for controlling blood flow through the device. 
   
   
       21 . A device for drawing blood from a blood vessel, comprising:
 a central body having a front and a rear;   a front cannula portion extending from the central body front;   a rear cannula portion having a tip portion, said rear cannula portion extending from the central body rear;   a flexible sleeve surrounding the tip portion and defining an air space between the tip portion and the flexible sleeve; and   a venting member disposed between the flexible sleeve and the cannula, between the air space and an ambient, and outside of and adjacent to the rear portion of the central body, and wherein the venting member includes a porous member, a porous collar, a porous insert or a porous spacer.   
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 21  wherein the venting member is substantially porous to air and substantially non-porous to blood. 
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 21  wherein the front cannula portion and the rear cannula portion are incorporated into a single needle. 
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 21  wherein the venting member includes a portion substantially non-porous to blood and a portion substantially porous to air.