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Medical connector with internal valve member movable within male luer projection

  • US 9,913,945 B2
  • Filed: 07/12/2017
  • Issued: 03/13/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A medical connector configured to receive a male luer end of a medical article, the medical connector comprising:

  • a housing having a proximal housing portion and a distal housing portion;

    an external radially outwardly protruding engagement surface configured to engage the medical article, the engagement surface comprising a proximal end and a distal end;

    a threaded sheath surrounding at least a portion of a male luer projection;

    a valve member that is longitudinally movable between a closed position and an open position, the valve member comprising a valve channel that is formed of a single piece of material, the valve channel comprising a hollow interior with a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the hollow interior being more proximal than the distal end of the engagement surface in the closed position, and the distal end of the hollow interior being positioned in the male luer projection in the closed position, the valve member further comprising;

    at least one distal opening; and

    a plug portion located in a distal direction from the at least one distal opening, the plug portion configured to obstruct fluid communication between the male luer projection and the hollow interior of the valve member when in the closed position,wherein the valve member when in the closed position is configured to inhibit fluid flow through the hollow interior of the valve member to or from the male luer projection, wherein the valve member when in the open position is configured to allow fluid flow through the hollow interior to or from the male luer projection, andwherein at least a portion of the valve member is positioned outside of the male luer projection when in both the open position and the closed position;

    a biasing member that contacts a proximal half of the valve member, the biasing member being configured to assert a restoring force on the valve member to move the valve member longitudinally within the housing to the closed position; and

    a seal that contacts a portion of the valve member within the distal housing portion, the seal being located distal from where the biasing member contacts the valve member, the seal contacting the valve member in both the open position and the closed position, a distal-most portion of the seal being located in a proximal direction from a distal-most portion of the plug portion when the valve member is in the closed position,wherein the valve member is biased toward the closed position.

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