Medical connectors and methods of use

• US 10,195,413 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2017
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Lopez, George A., Fangrow, Thomas F., Foret, Bob
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayman, Imani
• Application Number:
  US15/693,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20180050184A1
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1588 having means for monitoring, controlling or visual inspection, e.g. for patency check, avoiding extravasation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0063 Means for alignment of the septum, e.g. septum rim with alignment holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0633 the seal being a passive seal made of a resilient material with or without an opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0686 comprising more than one seal
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1072 with a septum present in the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/267 having a sealing sleeve around a tubular or solid stem portion of the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/02 characterised by a particular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/20 having means for promoting or enhancing the flow, actively or passively
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0613 with means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/16 having provision for disinfection or sterilisation A61M39/143 takes precedence; methods or apparatus for disinfection or sterilisation A61L2/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/38 with fluid cut-off means in only one of the two pipe-end fittings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9029 With coupling

Abstract

A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway includes a substantially transparent housing having a proximal end with a proximal opening and a distal end with a distal opening, and a cavity extending therebetween. The connector provides a substantially visible fluid flow path extending through a substantial portion of the connector.

Claims

1. A method of using a medical connector in conjunction with a first medical implement, the method comprising:

providing the medical connector having;

a hollow housing having a female end and a male end;

a rigid hollow support fixedly positioned within the hollow housing and having a closed end adjacent the female end of the hollow housing, and an open end opposite the closed end; and

an elongate elastomeric member positioned at least partially between the hollow housing and the rigid hollow support, the elongate elastomeric member having a first end and a second end;

wherein;

the elongate elastomeric member is configured to transition between a closed position wherein the first end is closed over the closed end of the rigid hollow support and an opened position wherein the first end is opened and positioned between the closed end of the rigid hollow support and the open end of the rigid hollow support; and

at least a portion of an interior passage of the rigid hollow support is visible through the hollow housing, through the rigid hollow support, and through the elongate elastomeric member when the elongate elastomeric member is in the closed position and when the elongate elastomeric member is in the opened position; and

coupling the male end of the housing to the first medical implement.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transitioning the elongate elastomeric member from the closed position to the opened position.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising transitioning the elongate elastomeric member from the opened position to the closed position.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising a valve member positioned between the open end of the rigid hollow support and the male end of the housing.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising stopping fluid flow from the male end of the housing to the open end of the rigid hollow support as the elongate elastomeric member is transitioned from the opened position to the closed position.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising collapsing an annular wall of the valve member as the elongate elastomeric member is transitioned from the opened position to the closed position.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising venting air to an ambient atmosphere from between the annular wall of the valve member and the housing.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising maintaining a slit in the valve member in a closed configuration as the elongate elastomeric member is transitioned from the opened position to the closed position.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling the female end of the housing to a second medical implement, wherein a distal end of the second medical implement enters the female end of the housing.

10. A method of using a medical connector in conjunction with a first medical implement, the method comprising:

providing the medical connector having;

a hollow housing having a proximal end and a distal end;

a hollow support fixedly positioned within the hollow housing and having a closed end adjacent the proximal end of the hollow housing, and an open end opposite the closed end; and

an elongate elastomeric member positioned at least partially between the hollow housing and the hollow support, the elongate elastomeric member having a first end and a second end;

wherein;

the elongate elastomeric member is configured to transition between a closed position wherein the first end is closed over the closed end of the hollow support and an opened position wherein the first end is opened and positioned between the closed end of the hollow support and the open end of the hollow support;

at least a portion of an interior passage of the hollow support is visible through the hollow housing, through the hollow support, and through the elongate elastomeric member when the elongate elastomeric member is in the closed position and when the elongate elastomeric member is in the opened position; and

the closed end of the hollow support is in fluid communication with the distal end of the housing when the elongate elastomeric member is in the closed position; and

coupling the distal end of the housing to the first medical implement.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising aligning the first end of the elongate elastomeric member with the proximal end of the housing.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising swabbing the first end of the elongate elastomeric member and the proximal end of the housing.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second end of the elongate elastomeric member is not fixed to the housing.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising limiting a distance in which the first end of the elongate elastomeric member travels away from the distal end of the housing as the elongate elastomeric member is transitioned from the opened position to the closed position.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising coupling the proximal end of the housing to a second medical implement, wherein a distal end of the second medical implement enters the proximal end of the housing.