Soft-grip medical connector

Abstract

A soft grip medical connector comprises a housing with an upstream end, a downstream end and a lumen extending through a central portion thereof. A flexible member comprises a valve portion integrally formed with a sleeve portion. The valve portion is positioned within a section of the housing and is configured to control a flow of fluid through the housing lumen. The sleeve is inverted to envelope at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing. In some embodiments the gripping portion is integrally formed with the valve portion. In some embodiments, the connector is also generally configured to create a positive pressure in a catheter lumen upon removal of a syringe or other medical device from the upstream end of the connector. Methods of making a medical fluid connector generally comprise forming a valve member with a sleeve extending there from, and assembling the valve, sleeve and housing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 267,822, filed Nov. 4, 2005, pending, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 625,644, filed on Nov. 5, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 654,250, filed on Feb. 18, 2005, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The inventions disclosed herein relate in general to the field of medical connectors, and in particular to needle-less medical connectors. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] The manipulation of fluids for parenteral administration in hospitals and medical settings routinely involves the use of connectors for selectively facilitating the movement of fluids to or from patients. For example, a connector may be attached to a catheter that leads to a tip positioned within a patient, and various connectors may be attached to o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a soft-grip medical connector with a valve portion and a flexible member that can be easily gripped and used with standard rubber gloves. The connector has a smooth and seamless outer surface that is less likely to collect bacteria or debris. The valve member can expand and contract to control the flow of fluid, and the flexible member helps to ensure a positive flow effect and minimize regression of fluid back into the valve. The connector is small and easily manufacturable."

Problems solved by technology

Many existing medical connectors can be relatively difficult to grasp by health care professionals during use.

Additionally, the existing hard-surface medical connectors can be uncomfortable against a patient's skin.

This discomfort can become especially pronounced when a patient requires frequent medical attention involving the use of medical connectors, such as hemodialysis.

Additionally, many existing medical connectors at least partially obstruct fluid flow with complex flow passageways including various turns, bends, and corners.

These obstructions can result in a fairly low flow rate.

The obstructions can also damage blood platelets.

The blood thus drawn into the catheter may, over time, result in a clog in the catheter near its tip, potentially limiting the effectiveness of the catheter tip.

The likelihood of blood clogging the tip of a catheter is heightened when the inner diameter of the catheter is small.

Further, in some existing medical connectors, there are gaps between an internal sealing member and the outer housing of the connector.

These gaps may allow bacteria, debris, or disinfectant solution to enter through the opening into the interior of the connector and potentially reach the flow of fluid to or from the patient.

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