Contrast medium delivery system and associated method

Abstract

A device cooperating with a pump for guiding a contrast medium from a source thereof to a catheter for delivery to a patient's vascular system. The device comprises a dual check valve, a tubular member, an in-line check valve and a three-port stopcock. The dual check valve has an inlet port connectable to the source of contrast medium, an inlet-outlet port connectable to the pump, and an outlet port coupled to the tubular member. The in-line check valve is connected to the tubular member at a point spaced from the dual check valve for preventing fluid flow towards the dual check valve. The stopcock connected at a first port to the in-line check valve, a second port of the stopcock being operatively connectable to the catheter. Using this device, medical personnel infuses contrast medium into the patient from the source without having to disconnect any element from the device during the infusion process.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A system for delivering contrast medium at low pressure to a catheter for delivery to a patient's vascular system comprising: 
        a dual check valve adapted to be connected to a lower pressure source of contrast medium, said dual check valve having an inlet port, an outlet port and an inlet-outlet port,  
       said dual check valve containing a first one-way valve at said inlet port automatically responsive to the relatively low pressure at said inlet-outlet port to permit down-stream fluid flow and to prevent upstream fluid flow,  
       said dual check valve containing a second one-way valve at said outlet port automatically responsive to the relatively high pressure at said inlet-outlet port to permit downstream fluid flow and to prevent upstream fluid flow,  
       said inlet-outlet port in communication with said first and second one-way valves and adapted to be connected to  
       a pump,  
       a connecting tubular member having an upstream and a downstream end, said upstream end in communication with said outlet port of said dual check valve,  
       suction at said inlet-outlet port by a  the pump causing flow of medium from whatever source is coupled to said inlet port through said first one-way valve into the pump, said second one-way valve preventing fluid flow upstream from said connecting tubular member into the pump,  
       positive pressure at said inlet-outlet port from a  the pump causing fluid flow through said second one-way valve and said outlet port into said tubular member, said first one-way valve preventing upstream fluid flow to a  the source, and  
       a third one-way valve in communication with said down-stream end of said tubular member to permit down-stream fluid flow from said tubular member and to prevent upstream fluid flow into said tubular member.  
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  further comprising: 
       a first stopcock upstream of said inlet port of said dual check valve to turn flow from a  the source on and off.  
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  further comprising: 
       a second stopcock downstream of said third one-way valve to turn flow into a  the catheter on and off.  
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 2  further comprising: 
       a second stopcock downstream of said third one-way valve to turn flow into a  the catheter on and off.  
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  further comprising: 
       a second dual check valve downstream of said down-stream end of said tubular member and incorporating said third one-way valve,  
       said second dual check valve having a second inlet-outlet port adapted to be connected to an ancillary pump,  
       said second dual check valve having a fourth one-way valve in communication with said second inlet-outlet port to permit downstream fluid flow from an  the ancillary pump, said third one-way valve preventing upstream fluid flow from an  the ancillary pump.  
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5  further comprising: 
       a first stopcock upstream of said inlet port of said dual check valve to turn flow from a  the source on and off.  
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 5  further comprising: 
       a second  stopcock downstream of said second dual check valve to turn flow into a  the catheter on and off.  
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 6  further comprising: 
       a second stopcock downstream of said second dual check valve to turn flow into a  the catheter on and off.  
     
     
       9. An apparatus for delivering contrast medium at low pressure to a catheter for delivery to a patient's vascular system comprising: 
         a dual check valve adapted to be connected to a lower pressure source of contrast medium, said dual check valve having a first inlet port, a first outlet port and a first inlet - outlet port,    
         said dual check valve containing a first one - way valve at said first inlet port automatically responsive to the relatively low pressure at said first inlet - outlet port to permit downstream fluid flow and to prevent upstream fluid flow,    
         said dual check valve containing a second one - way valve at said first outlet port automatically responsive to the relatively high pressure at said first inlet - outlet port to permit downstream fluid flow and to prevent upstream fluid flow,    
         said first inlet - outlet port in communication with said first and second one - way valves and adapted to be connected to a pump,    
       
         a connecting tubular member having an upstream and a downstream end, said upstream end in communication with said first outlet port of said dual check valve,  
       
         suction at said first inlet - outlet port by the pump causing flow of medium from whatever source is coupled to said first inlet port through said first one - way valve into the pump, said second one - way valve preventing fluid flow upstream from said connecting tubular member into the pump, and    
         positive pressure at said first inlet - outlet port from the pump causing fluid flow through said second one - way valve and said first outlet port into said tubular member, said first one - way valve preventing upstream fluid flow to the source.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising: 
       
         a first stopcock upstream of said first inlet port of said dual check valve to turn flow from the source on and off. 
       
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising: 
       
         a second stopcock on said downstream end of said tubular member to turn flow into the catheter on and off. 
       
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising: 
       
         a stopcock on said downstream end of said tubular member to turn flow into the catheter on and off. 
       
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising: 
         an in - line check valve connected to said downstream end of said tubular member, wherein said in - line check valve has a second inlet port in which said tubular member is connected, a second inlet - outlet port adapted to be connected to an ancillary pump, and a second outlet port connected to a first stopcock which is connected to the catheter.   
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising: 
       
         a second stopcock upstream of said first inlet port of said dual check valve to turn flow from the source on and off. 
       
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising: 
         a third stopcock disposed between the ancillary pump and the second inlet - outlet port downstream said in - line check valve to turn flow into the catheter on and off.