Iv membrane attachment systems and methods

Abstract

An intravenous delivery system may have a liquid source containing a liquid, tubing, and an anti-run-dry membrane positioned such that the liquid, flowing form the liquid source to the tubing, passes through the anti-run-dry membrane. The anti-run-dry membrane may be positioned within an exterior wall of a drip unit, and may be secured to a seat of the exterior wall by an attachment component. The attachment component may have various forms, such as a secondary exterior wall that cooperates with the exterior wall to define a drip chamber, a washer positioned such that the anti-run-dry membrane is between the washer and the seat, and an adhesive ring formed of a pressure sensitive adhesive and secured to the anti-run-dry membrane and the seat via compression. Interference features may protrude inward from the exterior wall or outward from the anti-run-dry membrane to help keep the anti-run-dry membrane in place.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An intravenous delivery system comprising:
 a drip unit comprising:   an exterior wall shaped to at least partially define a drip chamber that receives a liquid from a liquid source, the exterior wall comprising a seat;   an anti-run-dry membrane comprising a plurality of pores that are permeable to the liquid, wherein the anti-run-dry membrane is formed of a hydrophilic material configured to resist passage of air through the pores, the anti-run-dry membrane comprising an attachment surface facing towards the seat; and   an attachment component that secures the attachment surface to the seat.   
     
     
         2 . The intravenous delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment component comprises an adhesive ring. 
     
     
         3 . The intravenous delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive ring is formed of a pressure-sensitive adhesive and secured to the anti-run-dry membrane and the seat via compression of the adhesive ring. 
     
     
         4 . The intravenous delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 tubing comprising a first end connectable to the drip unit and a second end; and   an intravenous access unit connectable to the second end of the tubing to deliver the liquid intravenously to a patient.   
     
     
         5 . The intravenous delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior wall comprises a generally tubular portion, a frustoconical shape, and a shelf disposed in between the generally tubular portion and the frustoconical shape. 
     
     
         6 . The intravenous delivery system of  claim 5 , wherein the seat comprises an annular surface on an interior of the shelf. 
     
     
         7 . The intravenous delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the seat comprises a ridge on which the attachment surface rests. 
     
     
         8 . The intravenous delivery system of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment surface comprises ultrasonic welding to the ridge of the seat. 
     
     
         9 . A method for manufacturing an intravenous delivery system, the method comprising:
 providing a drip unit by:   providing an exterior wall shaped to at least partially define a drip chamber that receives a liquid from a liquid source, the exterior wall comprising a seat;   providing an anti-run-dry membrane comprising a plurality of pores that are permeable to a liquid to be delivered to a patient, wherein the anti-run-dry membrane is formed of a hydrophilic material configured to resist passage of air through the pores, the anti-run-dry membrane comprising an attachment surface;   providing an attachment component; and   positioning the attachment component to abut the anti-run-dry membrane; and   securing the attachment component to the seat of the exterior wall with the attachment component to keep the anti-run-dry membrane in place.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 ,
 wherein the attachment component comprises an adhesive ring formed of a pressure-sensitive adhesive;   wherein securing the attachment component to the exterior wall comprises compressing the adhesive ring to secure the anti-run-dry membrane to the seat via the adhesive ring.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the exterior wall comprises a plurality of interference features that protrude inward;
 wherein positioning the attachment component to abut the anti-run-dry membrane comprises contacting an outer edge of the anti-run-dry membrane with the interference features such that the interference features provide radial interference with the outer edge, the radial interference tending to retain the anti-run-dry membrane relative to the exterior wall.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the anti-run-dry membrane comprises a plurality of interference features that protrude outward;
 wherein positioning the attachment component to abut the anti-run-dry membrane comprises contacting an interior surface of the exterior wall with the interference features such that the interference features provide radial interference with the interior surface, the radial interference tending to retain the anti-run-dry membrane relative to the exterior wall.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 providing tubing comprising a first end connectable to the drip unit and a second end; and   providing an intravenous access unit connectable to the second end of the tubing to deliver the liquid intravenously to a patient.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the exterior wall comprises a generally tubular portion, a frustoconical shape, and a shelf disposed in between the generally tubular portion and the frustoconical shape. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the seat comprises an annular surface on an interior of the shelf. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the seat comprises a ridge on which the attachment surface rests. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the attachment surface comprises ultrasonic welding to the ridge of the seat.