Interior needle stick guard stems for tubes

摘要

Generally described herein are apparatus, systems and methods related to a stem insertable into the access port tubing for the prevention of fluid leaks. More particularly, the stem or stems may be larger than the interior diameter of the access port tubing thereby providing a fluid seal to keep the fluid within the access port tubing. However, these fluid seals might not be absolute and may still allow a certain degree of leakage. In one embodiment, by including barbs which further presses against the interior diameter of the access port tubing, the sealing of the fluid may be substantially improved. The stem itself, while impenetrable by a needle, may still allow for bend flexibility of the access port tubing by employing a ball and socket joint for connecting to a next stem. In this manner, fluid leak prevention is improved while retaining the mobility of the access port tubing.

主权项

1. A gastric banding system for the treatment of obesity, the gastric banding system comprising:
an access port having an internal fluid reservoir and a conduit having a head; a gastric band having an inflatable portion; a tube having an inner surface, said inner surface defining a first pathway, the tube connecting the internal fluid reservoir to the inflatable portion; and a first stem guard located within the first pathway of the tube and configured to prevent a needle from passing therethrough, the first stem guard including: a first socket-shaped tail portion that receives the head of the conduit, a first ball-shaped head portion, a first shaft portion located between the first socket-shaped tail portion and the first ball-shaped head portion, the first shaft portion defining a second pathway for carrying fluid, and a first barb portion protruding from the first shaft portion and configured to extend into the inner surface of the tube.