Soft-grip medical connector
First Claim
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 having an upstream end, a downstream end, an outer surface, and a lumen extending through a central portion thereof, the housing comprising;
an upstream housing portion; and
a downstream housing portion coupled to the upstream housing portion, the downstream housing portion having an interface configured to couple to the first medical device; and
a flexible member comprising;
an elastomeric valve portion positioned substantially within the upstream housing portion, the valve portion configured to receive the second medical device and to control a flow of fluid through the housing lumen; and
an elastomeric gripping portion disposed over substantially all of the outer surface of the housing such that the gripping portion provides a soft, grippable outer surface over the housing.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A medical connector for selectively permitting fluid to flow between a first medical device and a second medical device, the connector comprising:
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a housing having an upstream end, a downstream end, an outer surface, and a lumen extending through a central portion thereof, the housing comprising;
an upstream housing portion; and
a downstream housing portion coupled to the upstream housing portion, the downstream housing portion having an interface configured to couple to the first medical device; and
a flexible member comprising;
an elastomeric valve portion positioned substantially within the upstream housing portion, the valve portion configured to receive the second medical device and to control a flow of fluid through the housing lumen; and
an elastomeric gripping portion disposed over substantially all of the outer surface of the housing such that the gripping portion provides a soft, grippable outer surface over the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A medical connector for selectively permitting fluid to flow between a first medical device and a second medical device, the connector comprising:
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a housing having an upstream end, a downstream end, an outer surface, and a lumen extending through a central portion thereof, the housing comprising;
an upstream housing portion; and
a downstream housing portion coupled to the upstream housing portion, the downstream housing portion having an interface configured to couple to the first medical device; and
a flexible member comprising;
a valve portion with a slit, the valve portion being positioned substantially within the upstream housing portion, and the valve portion being made of a material sufficiently flexible to permit the slit to open when a cannula is inserted into the valve portion and to close when the cannula is withdrawn; and
a gripping portion disposed over substantially all of the outer surface of the housing, the gripping portion being made of a material sufficiently flexible to permit the gripping portion to be stretched over substantially all of the outer surface of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification