Soft-grip medical connector

• US 20060271016A1
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomas F. Fangrow
• Original Assignee: Thomas F. Fangrow
• Inventors: Fangrow, Thomas F.
• Application Number:
  US11/417,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20060271016A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/539
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/263 where the fluid space within the valve is decreasing upon disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/266 where the valve comprises venting channels, e.g. to insure better connection, to help decreasing the fluid space upon disconnection, or to help the fluid space to remain the same during disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/02 characterised by a particular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/586 Ergonomic details therefor, e.g. specific ergonomics for left or right-handed users
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/045 pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument
• 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 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• 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: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A soft grip medical connector comprises a housing with an upstream end, a downstream end and a lumen extending through a central portion thereof. A flexible member comprises a valve portion integrally formed with a sleeve portion. The valve portion is positioned within a section of the housing and is configured to control a flow of fluid through the housing lumen. The sleeve is inverted to envelope at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing. In some embodiments the gripping portion is integrally formed with the valve portion. In some embodiments, the connector is also generally configured to create a positive pressure in a catheter lumen upon removal of a syringe or other medical device from the upstream end of the connector. Methods of making a medical fluid connector generally comprise forming a valve member with a sleeve extending there from, and assembling the valve, sleeve and housing.

Claims

1. A medical connector for selectively permitting fluid to flow between a first medical device and a second medical device, the connector comprising:

a housing, the housing having an upstream end, a downstream end, an outer surface, and a lumen extending through a central portion thereof, the housing having an interface configured to receive the first medical device;

a valve, at least a substantial portion of the valve being positioned within the housing, the valve configured to receive the second medical device and to control a flow of fluid through the housing lumen, the valve comprising;

a seal element made of a flexible material, the seal element having a downstream end, an upstream end configured to receive at least a portion of the second medical device, and a normally substantially closed passage in fluid communication with the downstream end and the upstream end, and

wherein the passage is defined by a first interior wall and a second interior wall, the first interior wall and the second interior wall being in sealable contact in a region near the upstream end when the seal element is in an undisturbed state, and the first interior wall and the second interior wall diverging towards a region near the downstream end when the seal element is in an undisturbed state; and

a sleeve, the sleeve disposed over at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing, and the sleeve unitarily formed with the valve.