Needleless luer access connector

• US 7,947,032 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2010
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Sonderegger, Ralph L., Brown, Carolyn E., Christensen, Kelly D., Miner, Thomas M., Harding, Weston F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi; Nicholas D
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, QUYNH-NHU HOANG
• Application Number:
  US12/661,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20100179489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 60416701-16704, 604/167.06, 604/237, 604/256, 604/533, 604/246, 604/905, 251/149, 251/149.1, 137844-847, 137/859
• US Class Current: 604/533
• 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 2039/0063 Means for alignment of the septum, e.g. septum rim with alignment holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/045 pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24

Abstract

A needleless luer access connector is disclosed having a septum disposed in a housing. The septum has a proximal portion with a cross section, a medial portion with a cross section smaller than the cross section of the proximal portion, and a distal portion. A longitudinal slit extends through the septum from the proximal portion to the distal portion. The septum and housing are designed so that septum will not be rotated or removed from the housing when the connector is accessed by a male luer taper. In addition, the septum and housing are designed to bias the slit at the distal portion closed and so a male luer connector does not have to extend completely through the distal portion to open the slit at the distal portion. Finally, the septum and housing are designed to minimize the amount of dead space in the connector when accessed with a male luer taper.

Claims

1. A needleless luer access connector, comprising:

a housing having a top portion defining an inlet opening, a channel defined by at least one sidewall extending from the inlet opening and having a cross section, and a bottom portion having an upper surface;

a septum disposed in the housing, the septum having a proximal portion, a medial portion having an external surface and a cross section less than a cross section of the proximal portion and less than the cross section of the channel and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion of the septum is displaced from the upper surface of the bottom portion of the housing to define an upper cavity, and wherein the housing further includes an outlet opening extending from the upper cavity such that the inlet opening and the outlet opening are in fluid flow communication;

a longitudinal slit extending through the septum from the proximal portion through the medial portion and into the distal portion such that when a male luer taper is inserted into the slit, the distal portion is moved both laterally and distally into contact with the upper surface, substantially filling the upper cavity.

2. A needleless luer access connector, comprising:

a housing having a top portion defining an inlet opening, a channel defined by at least one sidewall extending from the inlet opening and having a cross section, and a bottom portion having an upper surface and an outlet opening extending from the channel such that the inlet opening and the outlet opening are in fluid flow communication;

a septum disposed in the housing, the septum having a proximal portion, a medial portion having an external surface and a cross section less than a cross section of the proximal portion and less than the cross section of the channel and a distal portion having a peripheral surface constrained against movement by the housing;

wherein an upper cavity is defined between the distal portion of the septum and the upper surface of the bottom portion of the housing;

a longitudinal slit extending through the septum from the proximal portion through the medial portion and into the distal portion such that when a male luer taper is inserted into the slit but does not extend completely through the slit, an interior portion of the distal portion of the septum adjacent to the slit is moved distally so as to open the slit adjacent to the distal portion of the septum and substantially filling the upper cavity.