Thumb-powered flushing device for catheters

Abstract

A catheter flushing device includes a chamber covered with a movable member (e.g., a flexible diaphragm) that can be compressed by exertion of pressure on the diaphragm; and a valve having a first position allowing fluid from a fluid source to fill the chamber, and a second position allowing fluid from the chamber to flow through the catheter when pressure is exerted on the movable member. In particular, the catheter flushing device includes a housing having a cylindrical valve opening, an inlet port for connection with the fluid source, and an outlet port for connection with the catheter. The chamber is defined by a flexible diaphragm sealed about a region of the housing. The chamber can be compressed by manually exerting pressure on the diaphragm by means of a thumb or finger. A passageway extends through the housing from the chamber to the valve opening. A rotatable valve member within the valve opening has a channel directing fluid from the inlet port into the chamber in the first position, and a channel directing fluid from the chamber to the outlet port in the second position. The device can also be equipped with a KVO flow path through the housing between the inlet and outlet ports to maintain a substantially constant, minimal flow from the fluid source to the catheter that bypasses the valve assembly.