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Medical connectors and methods of use

  • US 9,750,926 B2
  • Filed: 12/07/2015
  • Issued: 09/05/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway, the connector comprising:

  • a housing having;

    a base having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the base including a male luer opening;

    a transparent housing body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a proximal opening at the proximal end, the distal end of the housing body connected to the proximal end of the base; and

    an internal cavity extending within the housing body from the proximal end of the housing body to the proximal end of the base;

    a transparent valve member disposed within the internal cavity of the housing body and including;

    an interior cavity;

    a proximal end that substantially fills the proximal opening of the housing body; and

    a proximal opening in the proximal end of the valve member;

    wherein the valve member is configured to selectively seal the proximal opening of the housing body and to obstruct fluid communication between the proximal end of the housing body and the distal end of the base when the valve member is in a first position and to permit fluid communication between the proximal end of the housing body and the distal end of the base when the valve member is in a second position; and

    a transparent support member configured to be received within the valve member, said support member having;

    a proximal tip portion in a proximal region;

    a distal end;

    an inner conduit that extends from the proximal region to the distal end of the support member; and

    at least one opening in the proximal region, the at least one opening providing fluid access between an exterior of the support member and the inner conduit;

    wherein the inner conduit is configured to permit fluid communication between the proximal end of the housing body and the distal end of the base when the tip portion and support member opening protrude through the valve proximal opening, and the valve member is in the second position, and at least a portion of the support member opening is positioned proximal from the valve member proximal opening;

    wherein;

    a fluid flow path permitting the fluid communication between the proximal end of the housing body and the distal end of the housing body is visible through at least a portion of each of the transparent housing body, the transparent valve member, and the transparent support member; and

    the valve member is not secured between the housing body and the base when the valve member is in the second position.

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