Medical connectors and methods of use

• US 9,205,243 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2014
• Issued: 12/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Lopez, George A., Fangrow, Thomas F., Foret, Bob
• Primary Examiner(s): HAYMAN, IMANI N
• Application Number:
  US14/520,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20150105737A1
• Time in Patent Office: 413 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1588 having means for monitoring, controlling or visual inspection, e.g. for patency check, avoiding extravasation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0063 Means for alignment of the septum, e.g. septum rim with alignment holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0633 the seal being a passive seal made of a resilient material with or without an opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0686 comprising more than one seal
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1072 with a septum present in the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/267 having a sealing sleeve around a tubular or solid stem portion of the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/02 characterised by a particular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/20 having means for promoting or enhancing the flow, actively or passively
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0613 with means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence
• 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 39/16 having provision for disinfection or sterilisation A61M39/143 takes precedence; methods or apparatus for disinfection or sterilisation A61L2/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/38 with fluid cut-off means in only one of the two pipe-end fittings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9029 With coupling

Abstract

A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway includes a substantially transparent housing having a proximal end with a proximal opening and a distal end with a distal opening, and a cavity extending therebetween. The connector provides a substantially visible fluid flow path extending through a substantial portion of the connector.

Claims

1. A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway, the connector comprising:

a housing having a proximal region with a proximal opening and a distal region with a distal opening, and a housing cavity extending between the proximal and distal openings, the housing being transparent in that at least a portion of the housing cavity is visible through the housing;

a valve member having an interior valve cavity, the valve member being disposed within the housing cavity and being transparent in that at least a portion of the interior valve cavity is visible through the valve member, and the valve member having a proximal opening that is biased closed to obstruct fluid flow through the proximal opening, wherein the valve member is configured to selectively obstruct fluid communication between the housing proximal opening and the interior valve cavity when the valve member is provided in a first position and to permit fluid communication between the housing proximal opening and the interior valve cavity when the valve member is in a second position; and

a support member fixed relative to the housing, the support member comprising an elongate portion positioned in the interior valve cavity, the support member having an inner conduit that extends from adjacent a proximal tip portion to a distal region of the support member, the support member having at least one opening that extends through the support member to the inner conduit, and the support member being transparent in that at least a portion of the inner conduit is visible through the support member, wherein the fluid communication between the housing proximal opening and the interior valve cavity is permitted in the second position when the proximal tip portion and the at least one opening of the support member protrude through the valve proximal opening; and

wherein at least a portion of the inner conduit is visible through at least a portion of each of the housing, the valve member, and the support member.

2. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the valve member sealingly engages internal surfaces of the housing cavity.

3. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the valve member obstructs entry of contamination into the housing cavity.

4. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the valve member further comprises a radially outwardly extending protrusion.

5. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a body and a base, and a portion of the body overlaps a portion of the base.

6. The medical connector of claim 5, wherein the base is transparent such that at least a portion of an interior of the base is visible through the base.

7. The medical connector of claim 5, wherein the body is transparent such that at least a portion of an interior of the body is visible through the body.

8. The medical connector of claim 1, comprising a second valve member positioned between the proximal tip portion of the support member and a distal end of the housing.

9. The medical connector of claim 8, wherein the second valve member is substantially transparent.

10. The medical connector of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises a base and a body that overlaps at least a portion of the base, and wherein the second valve member is positioned at least partially within the base.