Medical connector

• US 9,126,029 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2013
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Fangrow, Thomas F., Lopez, George A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bosworth, Kami A
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, BRANDY SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US13/942,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20130304037A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 604533-539
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1038 Union screw connectors, e.g. hollow screw or sleeve having external threads
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1044 Verifying the connection, e.g. audible feedback, tactile feedback, visual feedback, using external light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1061 Break-apart tubing connectors or couplings
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/261 where the fluid space within the valve is increasing upon disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/268 wherein the stem portion is moved for opening and closing the valve, e.g. by translation, rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1011 Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/14 for connecting tubes having sealed ends needle sets A61M5/162; having valves closing automatically on disconnection of line A61M39/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/143 both tube ends being sealed by meltable membranes pierced after connection by use of heat, e.g. using radiant energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24

Abstract

Some embodiments comprise a connector including a rigid housing having a first end and a second end. A second member can be positioned at a second end portion of the housing and be engageable with a second device. The second member can have a body portion having a first body portion, a second body portion, and a flow lumen extending axially through the body portion, an annular covering portion extending in a radial direction away from the body portion, a receiving portion extending away from the covering portion in an axial direction, and at least one protrusion extending radially away from an outside surface of the body portion. In some embodiments, the second member can be supported by the housing such that, in an assembled state, the first body portion is positioned within the housing and such that the annular covering portion and the second body portion are positioned outside the housing.

Claims

1. A medical fluid connector configured to inhibit disconnection, comprising:

a proximal region comprising an end cap portion and a distally extending plunger, an inside surface of the distally extending plunger configured to be in contact with medical fluid passing through the connector when in use;

an intermediate portion comprising a proximally extending wall, an inside surface of the proximally extending wall configured to be in contact with medical fluid passing through the connector;

an o-ring contacting both a portion of the distally extending plunger and a portion of the proximally extending wall in a region where the distally extending plunger and the proximally extending wall overlap; and

wherein the medical fluid connector comprises a first stage in which the plunger and the intermediate portion are not capable of rotating with respect to each other, and the medical fluid connector comprises a second stage in which the plunger and the intermediate portion are capable of rotating with respect to each other, the transition from the first stage to the second stage being configured to be actuated by advancement of a medical implement at the proximal region of the medical fluid connector; and

wherein rotation between the plunger and the intermediate portion is configured to inhibit disconnection of the medical fluid connector from the medical implement.

2. A fluid transfer system comprising the medical fluid connector of claim 1 in combination with the medical implement.

3. The medical fluid connector of claim 1, wherein the o-ring is circular.

4. The medical fluid connector of claim 3, wherein the o-ring is resilient.

5. The medical fluid connector of claim 4, wherein the o-ring inhibits fluid leakage while permitting rotational movement.

6. The medical fluid connector of claim 1, wherein the end cap portion is located at the proximal end of the medical fluid connector.

7. The medical fluid connector of claim 6, wherein the end cap portion is generally flush with the proximal end of the medical fluid connector.

8. The medical fluid connector of claim 1, wherein a resilient seal is located between the proximal region and a distal end of the fluid connector.

9. The medical connector of claim 1, further comprising at least one actuation arm configured to be actuated by contact between the medical connector and a medical implement.

10. The medical connector of claim 9, further comprising two actuation arms.

11. The medical connector of claim 9, wherein the at least one actuation arm is configured to open the male luer portion.

12. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the transition from the first stage to the second stage is irreversible in normal use.

13. The medical connector of claim 12, wherein the medical connector is configured to be permanently attached to the medical implement in normal use after the medical connector transitions from the first stage to the second stage.

14. The medical connector of claim 1, further comprising a distal region comprising a distally extending male luer portion configured to be in fluid communication with the proximal region.

15. The medical connector of claim 14, wherein the distally extending male luer portion comprises a first sealed stage and a second open stage.

16. The medical connector of claim 15, wherein the distally extending male luer portion is configured to transition between the first stage and the second stage upon contact or connection of the distal region of the medical connector with a medical implement.

17. The medical connector of claim 16, wherein the distally extending male luer portion in the first stage comprises an interior plug.

18. The medical connector of claim 17, wherein the interior plug in the first stage is generally flush with a distal end of the distally extending male luer portion.

19. The medical connector of claim 18, wherein the interior plug in the second stage is advanced in the proximal direction from the distal end of the distally extending male luer portion.