Protective cap assembly for protecting and sealing a tubing

• US 5,694,978 A
• Filed: 12/05/1995
• Issued: 12/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fresenius AG (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Original Assignee: Fresenius AG (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Inventors: Heilmann, Klaus, Jessen, Claus
• Primary Examiner(s): BRINSON, PATRICK F
• Application Number:
  US08/567,560
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 138/89, 138/90, 138/109, 138/103, 138/89.1-89.4, 215/329, 215/350, 215/333, 215/337-340, 215/356, 215/296, 220/228, 220/255, 220/256, 15/214
• US Class Current: 138/89
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/165 Shrouds or protectors for aseptically enclosing the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/20 Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/10 Means for stopping flow from or in pipes or hoses F16L29/00, F16L37/28 take precedence; valves F16K
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/1152 fixed by screwing or by means of a screw-threaded ring

Abstract

A protective cap assembly for protecting and sealing a tubing used in the field of peritoneal dialysis, includes a plug that is closely fitted in one end of a tubing, and a protective cap which has first connection means for allowing a permanent attachment of the protective cap to the plug, and second connection means for allowing a detachable securement of the protective cap to the tubing.

Claims

1. A protective cap assembly for use in peritoneal dialysis for attachment to a plug received in one end of a peritoneal cavity connector which is in fluid communication with a patient'"'"'s peritoneal cavity, said protective cap assembly comprising:

a protective cap defining an interior and including first connection means for allowing a permanent attachment of the protective cap to the plug, and second connection means for allowing a detachable securement of the protective cap to the peritoneal cavity connector; and

an antiseptic-releasing member secured interiorly of the protective cap for disinfecting the interior of the protective cap upon securement to the peritoneal cavity connector.

2. The protective cap assembly of claim 1 wherein the first connection means of the protective cap is formed by at least one latching element.

3. The protective cap assembly of claim 1 wherein the first connection means of the protective cap is formed by a threaded connection effective in only one direction.

4. The protective cap assembly of claim 1 wherein the first connection means of the protective cap is formed by a serrated rotating member.

5. The protective cap assembly of claim 2 wherein the latching element includes at least one projection for engagement in a groove of the plug.

6. The protective cap assembly of claim 2 wherein the latching element includes at least one groove for engagement by a projection of the plug.

7. The protective cap assembly of claim 1 wherein said second connection means is a threaded connection between the protective cap and the peritoneal cavity connector.

8. The protective cap assembly of claim 1 wherein said second connection means is a plug-in connection between the protective cap and the peritoneal cavity connector.

9. The protective cap assembly of claim 1 wherein said second connection means is a bayonet connection between the protective cap and the peritoneal cavity connector.

10. The protective cap assembly of claim 1 wherein the antiseptic-releasing member is an absorbent material soaked with antiseptic.

11. The protective cap assembly of claim 10 wherein the absorbent material is foamed polymer.

12. The protective cap assembly of claim 10 wherein the absorption material is a sponge.

13. In combination for use in peritoneal dialysis,

a plug received in one end of a peritoneal cavity connector in fluid communication with a patient'"'"'s peritoneal cavity for securing the end in fluidtight manner;

a protective cap defining an interior and including first connection means for allowing a permanent attachment of the protective cap to the plug, and second connection means for allowing a detachable securement of the protective cap to the peritoneal cavity connector; and

an antiseptic-releasing member secured interiorly of the protective cap for disinfecting the interior of the protective cap upon securement to the peritoneal cavity connector.