Medical valve connector

• US 9,707,346 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2013
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Matsuura, David G., Simpson, Philip J., Gillespie, Walter D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bosworth, Kami A
• Application Number:
  US14/052,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20140228777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3103 Leak prevention means for distal end of syringes, i.e. syringe end for mounting a needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3128 Incorporating one-way valves, e.g. pressure-relief or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1066 having protection means, e.g. sliding sleeve to protect connector itself, shrouds to protect a needle present in the connector, protective housing, isolating sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/19 Constructional features of carpules, syringes or blisters
• 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 39/22 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31 Details
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3134 characterised by constructional features of the distal end, i.e. end closest to the tip of the needle cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/34 Constructions for connecting the needle , e.g. to syringe nozzle or needle hub connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a valve assembly comprising a male luer end portion and a female luer end portion and a passage for the transfer of fluids extending between the male and female luer end portions, valve means movable between a first position, in which the passage is closed, and a second position, in which the passage is open, biasing means for biasing the valve means toward the first position, and actuating means extending into the male luer end portion and coupled to the valve means to actuate the valve means when a female luer end portion of a medical accessory is engaged with the male luer end portion.

Claims

1. A medical connector comprising:

housing comprising;

a male luer end portion with an opening, and

an internal thread on an interior surface of the housing near the opening, the internal thread configured to receive a separate medical connector;

a female luer end portion positioned in a proximal region of the medical connector, the female luer end portion comprising an external thread on an outer surface of the female luer end portion, and the female luer end portion being configured to receive a male luer;

a valve member comprising;

a generally tubular body with a proximal portion and a distal portion;

a valve lumen extending inside the generally tubular body from the distal portion of the generally tubular body to the proximal portion of the generally tubular body; and

a plug at a distal end of the valve lumen;

wherein the generally tubular body has a first position configured to inhibit fluid flow through the generally tubular body to or from the separate medical connector, and the generally tubular body has a second position configured to allow fluid flow through the generally tubular body to or from the separate medical connector,

wherein the generally tubular body is biased to the first position; and

an actuating biasing member positioned between the male luer end portion and the internal thread on the interior surface of the housing, the actuating member and configured to actuate the generally tubular body from the first position to the second position,

wherein the actuating member is coupled to the valve member at a location proximal from the plug.

2. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the actuating member actuates the generally tubular body when the separate medical connector engages the housing.

3. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the valve member comprises an anchor flange, wherein the actuating member is coupled to the anchor flange.

4. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the male luer end portion of the housing extends further in the distal direction than the internal thread on the interior surface of the housing.

5. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the valve member is positioned within the housing.

6. The medical connector of claim 5, wherein the plug on the valve member has an outer surface that is tapered.

7. The medical connector of claim 6, wherein the valve lumen extends within the valve member from the plug to the female luer end portion.

8. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the valve member further comprises lateral side openings adjacent the plug and in fluid communication with the valve lumen.

9. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the plug is positioned within the opening of the male luer end portion.

10. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the male luer end portion further comprises a central fluid channel and the opening is positioned at an end of the central fluid channel.

11. The medical connector of claim 10, wherein the central fluid channel is positioned within and extends distally past the internal thread.

12. The medical connector of claim 10, wherein the central fluid channel comprises a valve seat.

13. The medical connector of claim 12, wherein the plug is movable relative to the valve seat and configured to engage the valve seat to inhibit fluid flow through the central fluid channel when the generally tubular body is in the first position.

14. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the male luer configured to be received by the female luer end portion further comprises a syringe.

15. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the valve member is integrally formed with the female luer end portion.

16. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the actuating member comprises at least one abutment element configured to engage with the separate medical connector.

17. A fluid communication system comprising the medical connector of claim 1 in combination with the separate medical connector.