Capped fluidic connector

• US 4,963,132 A
• Filed: 09/13/1989
• Issued: 10/16/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roger M. Gibson
• Original Assignee: Roger M. Gibson
• Inventors: Gibson, Roger M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUTOWSKI, ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US07/406,915
• Time in Patent Office: 398 Days
• Field of Search: 604/256, 604/283, 604/905, 604/380, 604/280, 285/331, 285/390, 285/901
• US Class Current: 604/256
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/20 Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/901 Cap closures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

A capped fluidic connector is provided which includes a body with an inner tubular member having proximate and distal sections. A cap is hingedly connected to the body for covering the inner tubular member distal section. The inner tubular member proximate section is received within an outer tubular member proximate section. An application of the connector in an intravenous or intra-arterial fluid system is disclosed.

Claims

1. A capped fluid connector, which includes:

(a) a connector body including;

(1) an inner tubular member with a proximal tapered male end and a distal, externally-threaded end;

(2) an inner tubular member bore extending coaxially therethrough and open at said proximal and said distal ends;

(3) said inner tubular member including a proximal section terminating at said proximal end and a distal section terminating at said distal end;

(4) an outer tubular member including a bore with internal, female threads, said bore being sealed and terminating at an annular plug with a distal face, said annular plug connected to said inner tubular member between the proximal and distal sections thereof, said outer tubular member having a proximal end, said outer tubular member bore being open at its proximal end;

(5) said inner tubular member proximal end being located within said outer tubular member bore; and

(6) said distal face including first connecting means;

(7) said inner tubular member distal section projecting distally from said annular plug distal face; and

(8) an annular clearance space between said outer tubular member and said inner tubular member proximal section within said outer tubular member bore; and

(b) a cap including;

(1) a closed top;

(2) a sidewall extending from said top to a free, annular bottom edge;

(3) a bore including a closed end adjacent to said top and an open end adjacent to said sidewall free edge, said bore being annularly surrounded by said sidewall;

(4) said side wall including second connecting means adjacent said cap bore, said second connecting means comprising an annular groove open inwardly adjacent to said sidewall free edge;

(5) a flexible hinge strap extending between said outer tubular member distal end and said sidewall;

(6) a finger tab extending outwardly from said connector cap top;

(7) said cap being movable through an arc of approximately 180°

between an open position spaced outwardly from said connector body and a closed position with said first connecting means releasably received in said cap sidewall groove and said inner tubular member distal section received in said cap bore; and

(8) said cap bore having a depth greater than a length of said inner tubular member distal section.

2. In combination with a three-way stopcock including an inlet port, an outlet port and a tubular, externally-threaded sampling port, the improvement of a capped connector, which comprises:

(a) a connector body including;

(1) an inner tubular member with a proximal tapered male end and a distal, externally-threaded end;

(2) an inner tubular member bore extending coaxially therethrough and open at said proximal and said distal ends;

(3) said inner tubular member including a proximal section terminating at said proximal end and a distal section terminating at said distal end;

(4) an outer tubular member including a bore with internal, female threads, said bore being sealed and terminating at an annular plug with a distal face, said annular plug connected to said inner tubular member between the proximal and distal sections thereof, said outer tubular member having a proximal end, said outer tubular member bore being open at its proximal end;

(5) said inner tubular member proximal end being located within said outer tubular member bore; and

(6) said distal face including first connecting means;

(7) said inner tubular member distal section projecting distally from said annular plug distal face; and

(8) an annular clearance space between said outer tubular member and said inner tubular member proximal section within said outer tubular member bore; and

(b) a cap including;

(1) a closed top;

(2) a sidewall extending from said top to a free, annular bottom edge;

(3) a bore including a closed end adjacent to said top and an open end adjacent to said sidewall free edge, said bore being annularly surrounded by said sidewall;

(4) said side wall including second connecting means adjacent said cap bore, said second connecting means comprising an annular groove open inwardly adjacent to said sidewall free edge;

(5) a flexible hinge strap extending between said outer tubular member distal end and said sidewall;

(6) a finger tab extending outwardly from said connector cap top;

(7) said cap being movable through an arc of approximately 180°

between an open position spaced outwardly from said connector body and a closed position with said first connecting means releasably received in said cap sidewall groove and said inner tubular member distal section received in said cap bore; and

(8) said cap bore having a depth greater than a length of said inner tubular member distal section.