System for cleaning luer connectors

• US 8,647,326 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Catheter Connections Incorporated (Merit Medical Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Solomon, Donald D., Ferguson, F. Mark, Hitchcock, Robert, Bandis, Steven, Mercer, James, Howlett, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): CONLEY, SEAN EVERETT
• Application Number:
  US12/610,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20100047123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,565 Days
• Field of Search: 422/28, 422/292, 604/29, 604/256, 604/265, 604/533, 604/539, 604/905
• US Class Current: 604/533
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1038 Union screw connectors, e.g. hollow screw or sleeve having external threads
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1077 Adapters, e.g. couplings adapting a connector to one or several other connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/162 with antiseptic agent incorporated within the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/165 Shrouds or protectors for aseptically enclosing the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/20 Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes

Abstract

One or more caps can be used to cover and sterilize one or more separated medical connectors. A pair of caps can be connected to each other and sealed when in a pre-use state. The paired caps can be unsealed so as to permit connection to the medical connectors.

Claims

1. A system of medical luer connector caps comprising:

at least two disinfecting caps, each including a receiving portion having (i) a chamber defining an opening in which a medical tubing connector can be received, (ii) an exterior surface extending around the opening for receiving a cover, (iii) a means for engaging threads of luer connectors; and

a cover extending over and solely in contact with the exterior surface of each of the at least two disinfecting caps, so as to seal the chambers of the at least two disinfecting caps.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the means for engaging threads of at least one of the disinfecting caps is disposed on an exterior wall of the cap so as to engage a male luer connector.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the means for engaging threads includes a helical thread.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the means for engaging threads of at least one of the disinfecting caps is disposed in the chamber of the cap so as to engage a female luer connector.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the means for engaging threads includes a helical thread.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein the cover comprises an adhesive.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the cover comprises an impervious pliable material.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein the material is a foil or a plastic.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein each of the at least two caps further comprises a connection interface.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein the at least two caps are connected to one-another by an interlocking means.

11. A system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the cap comprises a slot for engaging a protrusion of another of the at least two caps.

12. A system according to claim 1 wherein each of the caps further comprise a gripping portion.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein each of the caps are connected to one-another at their respective gripping portion.

14. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system further comprise an antiseptic agent.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein the system further comprise an absorbent pad.

16. A system of medical luer connector caps comprising:

a first disinfecting cap, including a first receiving portion having (i) a first chamber defining a first opening in which a medical tubing connector can be received, (ii) a first exterior surface extending around the first opening for receiving a cover, (iii) first means for engaging threads of luer connectors;

a second disinfecting cap, including a second receiving portion having (i) a second chamber defining a second opening in which a medical tubing connector can be received, (ii) a second exterior surface extending around the second opening for receiving a cover, (iii) second means for engaging threads of luer connectors;

and

a cover extending over and solely in contact with the first and second exterior surfaces, so as to seal the first and second chambers.