Medical connector
First Claim
1. A medical connector having a downstream end for receiving a first medical device and an upstream end for receiving a second medical device, the medical connector comprising:
- a housing having an interface configured to receive a connector portion of the first medical device and an axial opening opposite the interface, the housing comprising an upstream end, a downstream end, a cavity extending from the upstream end of the housing to a lower inner surface of the housing, and a lead cannula extending from the lower inner surface of the housing toward the upstream end of the housing, wherein at least a portion of the housing includes a first side opening and a second side opening; and
a seal having a downstream end in fluid communication with the interface, an upstream end configured to receive the second medical device, and a normally substantially closed passage, the seal comprising a body and a transverse flange, the body made of flexible material and having a downstream end and an upstream end opposite the downstream end wherein the body has first and second lateral portions each having an upper surface, and the transverse flange disposed proximal to the upstream end of the seal and having a lower surface, wherein the seal further comprises a lead lumen formed in the downstream end of the body and in fluid communication with the passage such that the lead lumen of the seal is permitted to slide along an outer surface of the lead cannula and to move toward the lower inner surface of the housing when the second medical device is inserted into the medical connector;
wherein the seal is disposed within the housing such that the transverse flange extends across the axial opening, and the first lateral portion of the body extends into the first side opening and the second lateral portion of the body extends into the second side opening;
wherein the first and second side openings have top edges that define the portions of the side openings nearest the axial opening, and the first and second lateral portions of the seal body have shoulders configured to engage the top edges of the first and second side openings, and the top edges of the side openings are remote from the axial opening to impart a tensile force to the seal between the transverse flange and the shoulders.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A valve for selectively permitting a fluid flow between first and second medical implements is disclosed. The valve has a housing with an interface suitable for receiving a connector portion of a first medical device such as a catheter, and a seal made of a flexible material. The seal has a first end in fluid communication with the interface, a second end suitable for receiving the second medical device, and at least one slit in fluid communication with the first end and the second end. The slit defines a restricted fluid flow path and a relatively small interior volume when in an undisturbed state, defines an expanded fluid flow path and a larger interior volume upon the introduction of the second medical instrument into the slit, and retracts to define a restricted flow path and a small interior volume upon the withdrawal of the second medical device from the seal.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A medical connector having a downstream end for receiving a first medical device and an upstream end for receiving a second medical device, the medical connector comprising:
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a housing having an interface configured to receive a connector portion of the first medical device and an axial opening opposite the interface, the housing comprising an upstream end, a downstream end, a cavity extending from the upstream end of the housing to a lower inner surface of the housing, and a lead cannula extending from the lower inner surface of the housing toward the upstream end of the housing, wherein at least a portion of the housing includes a first side opening and a second side opening; and a seal having a downstream end in fluid communication with the interface, an upstream end configured to receive the second medical device, and a normally substantially closed passage, the seal comprising a body and a transverse flange, the body made of flexible material and having a downstream end and an upstream end opposite the downstream end wherein the body has first and second lateral portions each having an upper surface, and the transverse flange disposed proximal to the upstream end of the seal and having a lower surface, wherein the seal further comprises a lead lumen formed in the downstream end of the body and in fluid communication with the passage such that the lead lumen of the seal is permitted to slide along an outer surface of the lead cannula and to move toward the lower inner surface of the housing when the second medical device is inserted into the medical connector; wherein the seal is disposed within the housing such that the transverse flange extends across the axial opening, and the first lateral portion of the body extends into the first side opening and the second lateral portion of the body extends into the second side opening; wherein the first and second side openings have top edges that define the portions of the side openings nearest the axial opening, and the first and second lateral portions of the seal body have shoulders configured to engage the top edges of the first and second side openings, and the top edges of the side openings are remote from the axial opening to impart a tensile force to the seal between the transverse flange and the shoulders. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification