Medical connector
First Claim
1. A method of transferring a fluid from a first conduit to a second conduit, said first conduit having a hollow tube at an end thereof, said second conduit having a resilient, resealable septum at an end thereof, comprising the steps of:
- presenting a generally flat outer surface at the end of said second conduit;
penetrating said septum with said hollow tube;
locking said first conduit to said second conduit;
transferring a fluid between said conduits;
disengaging said first and second conduits; and
removing said tube from said septum thereby causing said septum to reseal.
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Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a connector for introducing medication into a patient in a safe, convenient way. It comprises a pair of plastic tubular members adapted to be manually pushed together to engage in a male-female relationship, and a locking mechanism that detachably secures the members together. The male member has a sealed entry port at its end, and the female member safely houses within it a needle which centrally pierces the seal of the port upon engagement of the members. Preferably, the locking mechanism provides a "click" sound when it locks the members together.
281 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of transferring a fluid from a first conduit to a second conduit, said first conduit having a hollow tube at an end thereof, said second conduit having a resilient, resealable septum at an end thereof, comprising the steps of:
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presenting a generally flat outer surface at the end of said second conduit; penetrating said septum with said hollow tube; locking said first conduit to said second conduit; transferring a fluid between said conduits; disengaging said first and second conduits; and removing said tube from said septum thereby causing said septum to reseal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for safely administering medication intravenously to a patient comprising the steps of:
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inserting a port element having a first end and a second end, said first end having a seal extending thereacross and presenting a generally flat outer surface into a cap member having a cavity therein, said cavity containing a piercing element; pressing said piercing element against said generally flat outer surface of said seal; penetrating said seal extending across said first end of said port element with said piercing element of said cap member; engaging a first locking element of said cap member with a second locking element of said port element for removably securing said port element to said cap member; and removing said piercing element from said seal thereby resealing said first end of said port element. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of administering medication intravenously to a patient, comprising:
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inserting a first end of a port element having a first end and a second end, said port element having a seal located at the first end and having a generally flat outer surface, said second end being in fluid communication with the patient, into a cavity of a cap member having a locking element thereon for locking and engaging with said port element; penetrating the seal of said first end of said port element such that said first end of said port element is placed in fluid communication with said cap member; detachably locking said cap member and said port element by engaging said locking element on said cap member such that said first end of said port element is secured within said cavity of said cap member; and sealing said first end of said port with said seal upon disengagement of said cap member and port element. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification