PLUG FOR CLOSING AND/OR SEALING AN OPENING IN A MEDICAL DEVICE, TREATMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20120193359A1
• Filed: 02/01/2012
• Published: 08/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Original Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Inventors: MAI, Erwin
• Application Number:
  US13/363,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20120193359A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/233
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0036 characterised by a septum having particular features, e.g. having venting channels or being made from antimicrobial or self-lubricating elastomer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/045 pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/20 Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plug for closing and/or sealing an opening in a medical device, produced from or at least comprising an elastic material, wherein the plug comprises at least one through-hole. The at least one through-hole is self-sealing and provided and/or embodied for passing at least one tool through it. The invention further relates to a method and a treatment apparatus.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A plug for closing or sealing an opening in or on a medical treatment apparatus comprising:

a flexible or elastic material comprising at least one through-hole,

wherein the at least one through-hole is self-sealing, and is configured to receive at least one tool therethrough.

12. The plug according to claim 11, wherein the self-sealing through-hole is configured to be a liquid seal.

13. The plug according to claim 11, wherein the plug is one-piece.

14. The plug according to claim 12, wherein the plug is one-piece.

15. The plug according to claim 11, wherein the plug further comprises:

a latching device for latching the plug to a housing or a different section of an apparatus.

22. A method for closing an opening comprising the steps of:

providing the plug of claim 11; and

arranging the plug in an opening of a first surface of an apparatus,

wherein a second surface of the plug comprises the through-hole or a section thereof, and

wherein said second surface is flush with the first surface when the plug is arranged in the opening.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the self-sealing through-hole is configured to be a liquid seal.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the plug is one-piece.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the plug further comprises:

a latching device for latching the plug to the apparatus.

26. A method for actuating a component or a joint connection situated in a recess of a medical device, comprising the steps of:

providing the plug of claim 11;

passing a tool through the self-sealing through-hole of the plug; and

actuating the component or joint connection situated in the recess behind the through-hole with the tool.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the joint connection is a screw.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the self-sealing through-hole is configured to be a liquid seal.

29. The method according to claim 26, wherein the plug is one-piece.

30. The method according to claim 26, wherein the plug further comprises:

a latching device for latching the plug to the apparatus.

16. A medical treatment apparatus, comprising:

at least one plug for closing or sealing an opening in or on the blood treatment apparatus comprising;

a flexible or elastic material comprising at least one through-hole, wherein the at least one through-hole is self-sealing, and is configured to receive at least one tool therethrough.

17. The medical treatment apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is a hemodialysis device, a hemofiltration device, or a hemodiafiltration device.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the self-sealing through-hole is configured to be a liquid seal.

19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the plug is one-piece.

20. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the plug further comprises:

a latching device for latching the plug to the apparatus.

21. A method for producing or manufacturing at least one plug, comprising the step of:

providing a flexible or elastic material;

integrally producing a plug therefrom; and

forming or cutting a self-sealing through-hole in the plug.