Luer cleaner

• US 20060030827A1
• Filed: 07/13/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raulerson J. Daniel
• Original Assignee: Medical Components, Inc.
• Inventors: Raulerson, J. Daniel, Schweikert, Timothy, Fisher, Mark S., Wall, William Shaun
• Granted Patent: US 7,857,793 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/267
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0019 Cleaning catheters or the like, e.g. for reuse of the device, for avoiding replacement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• 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 39/162 with antiseptic agent incorporated within the connector

Abstract

A luer cleaner (100) including a generally hollow body (112) having an open first end (104), a closed second end (106), and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough between the first end and the second end. The first end (104) is sized to receive therein a luer connector (190) proximal end and includes a plurality of bristles (134) extending generally toward the longitudinal axis sufficiently to engage the outer surfaces of the luer proximal end disposed therein. The second end comprises a compressible reservoir (166) containing a fluid (168), wherein, when the second end is compressed, the fluid is transmitted from the reservoir toward the first end through passageways to wet the luer proximal end. A method for cleaning luer connectors is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A luer cleaner comprising:

a generally hollow body having;

an open first end, a closed second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough between the first end and the second end,

wherein the first end is sized to receive therein a luer and wherein the first end includes a plurality of bristles extending generally toward the longitudinal axis sufficiently to engage the luer disposed therein; and

wherein the second end comprises a compressible reservoir containing a fluid, wherein, when the second end is compressed, the fluid is transmitted from the reservoir toward the first end.

2. The luer cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is an antiseptic fluid.

3. The luer cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of bristles comprises at least one ring disposed in the open end, and wherein the plurality of bristles extend from the at least one ring toward the longitudinal axis.

4. The luer cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the at least one ring comprises a plurality of rings.

5. The luer cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir is defined within an initially separate compressible body joined to the hollow cleaner body remote from the open first end.

6. The luer cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the separate compressible body further comprises a collar disposed thereon forwardly of the reservoir, for being joined sealingly with the hollow cleaner body.

7. The luer cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the body further comprises an exterior portion, wherein the exterior portion comprises a plurality of ribs extending therefrom, away from the longitudinal axis.

8. The luer cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a centering post disposed along the longitudinal axis and within the open first end, complementary to the open proximal end of a luer connector that closes the open proximal end upon full insertion of the luer connector proximal end into the open first end of the luer cleaner body.

9. The luer cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is retained in a frangible capsule within the compressible reservoir.

10. The luer cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is retained in two frangible capsules within the compressible reservoir, separated from each other by a tab having a channel extending forwardly toward the luer cleaner first end.

11. The luer cleaner according to claim 1, wherein, in the absence of compression of the reservoir, the fluid is sufficiently viscous to remain within the reservoir.

12. The luer cleaner according to claim 1, comprising at least one passageway for communicating the fluid from the reservoir to the first end.

13. A method of cleaning a luer comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a luer cleaner comprising;

a generally hollow body having an open first end, a closed second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough between the first end and the second end,

wherein the first end is sized to receive therein a luer and wherein the first end includes a plurality of bristles extending generally toward the longitudinal axis sufficiently to engage the luer disposed therein; and

wherein the second end comprises a compressible reservoir adapted to receive and retain a fluid, wherein, when the second end is compressed, the fluid is transmitted toward the first end;

(b) inserting a luer into the open end, wherein the plurality of bristles engage an exterior of the luer; and

(c) compressing the second end and transmitting the fluid to the luer and to the plurality of bristles.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising rotating the luer about the longitudinal axis.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein rotating the luer about the longitudinal axis further comprises reciprocally rotating the luer in each of two directions.

16. A luer cleaner comprising:

a generally hollow body having;

an open first end, a closed second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough between the first end and the second end,

means for scrubbing a luer disposed at the first end; and

a reservoir for retaining a fluid at the second end and for transmitting the fluid from the second end toward the first end.