Vacuum luer lock connector and method of use thereof

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure describe a vacuum luer lock connector and methods of use thereof, the vacuum luer lock connector comprising: a male luer configured to couple to a female luer defining a fluid passageway; a vacuum chamber between the male luer and the female luer, the vacuum chamber retaining air when the male luer is pushed into the female luer; a solid cylinder surrounding the male luer and serving as a piston, a cylindrical member surrounding the female luer and serving as a wall of the vacuum chamber; and a vent channel in the female luer, the vent channel allowing air to escape when the male luer is pushed into the female luer. The male luer and the female luer remain connected by a force created in a vacuum chamber surrounding the luers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a medical infusion fluid line connector, and more particularly to a vacuum Luer lock connector. The vacuum Luer lock connection is maintained by a vacuum force generated in a vacuum chamber that surrounds the male and female Luer pieces of the connector. The connection can be easily disconnected by allowing external air to flow into the vacuum chamber through a designed vent channel. Background Art

[0002] Patients are usually injected with IV solutions that are initially provided in an IV reservoir (bottle or bag) and drip into the patient's vein through an IV line. Typically, an injection port is provided along the IV line and is adapted to work with a syringe to allow injections to be added to the IV solution. Medical infusion fluid line connectors provide a dedicated, secure path for fluid aspiration, medication, or blood extraction via a peripheral, arterial, or central venous catheter.

[0003] Traditional Luer lock connectors rely on friction between two tapered Luers that push against each other through the mechanical advantage of the tapered shape as well as the screw mechanism (Luer nut). This results in high contact forces over a large area of ​​contact for sealing purposes, which also makes it difficult for the user to disconnect the Luer. On the other hand, some fluids (such as blood, alcohol, and some medications) may dry between the two connections and cause the two contact surfaces to stick. This makes the disconnection process more complicated. This type of connection is easy to connect, but difficult to disconnect because there is no control over the forces involved. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to a luer connector and, more particularly, to a vacuum luer lock connector.

[0005] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a vacuum Luer lock connector includes: a male Luer configured to be connected to a female Luer defining a fluid passage; a vacuum chamber located between the male Luer and the female Luer, the vacuum chamber trapping air when the male Luer is pushed into the female Luer; a solid cylinder surrounding the male Luer and acting as a piston; a cylindrical member surrounding the female Luer and acting as a wall of the vacuum chamber; and a vent channel in the female Luer, the vent channel allowing air to escape when the male Luer is pushed into the female Luer. The male and female Luer are kept connected by a force formed in the vacuum chamber surrounding the Luer.

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a vacuum Luer lock connector, comprising: a male Luer piece configured to be connected to a female Luer piece defining a fluid passage; a vacuum chamber located between the male Luer piece and the female Luer piece, the vacuum chamber trapping air when the male Luer piece is pushed into the female Luer piece, wherein the male Luer piece and the female Luer piece remain connected by a force formed in the vacuum chamber surrounding the male Luer piece and the female Luer piece.

[0007] In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector also includes a vent channel in the female Luer piece that allows air to escape when the male Luer piece is pushed into the female Luer piece. In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector also includes a piston, wherein the piston is a solid cylinder surrounding the male Luer piece. In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector also includes a cylindrical member that surrounds the female Luer piece and serves as a wall of the vacuum chamber. In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector also includes an O-ring installed inside the female Luer piece that prevents the infusion fluid from leaking into the vacuum chamber. In some embodiments, multiple O-rings are installed in the female Luer piece.

[0008] In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector further comprises a check valve on an outer surface of the vent channel that prevents air from flowing back into the vacuum chamber. In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector further comprises a second vent channel in the piston of the male Luer, the second vent channel connecting the compression area of ​​the male Luer to a surface of the male Luer that mates with the female Luer, the surface being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the male Luer; and a slot formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical member, the slot extending from an edge of the cylindrical member that mates with the male Luer in a direction away from the male Luer along the longitudinal axis of the solid cylinder, wherein the vacuum seal is maintained when the second vent channel and the slot are not aligned with each other along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum Luer lock connector. In some embodiments, when the male Luer and the female Luer are rotated to a position where the second vent channel is aligned with the slot along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum Luer lock connector, air rushes into the vacuum chamber and the vacuum seal is dissipated, thereby allowing the male Luer and the female Luer to be easily disconnected. In some embodiments, the end of the male Luer piece separates the vacuum chamber from the fluid path. In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector also includes a mark "LOCK" to inform the user whether the second ventilation channel and the narrow slot are misaligned, and whether the vacuum Luer lock connector remains connected. In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector also includes a mark "UNLOCK" to inform the user whether the second ventilation channel and the narrow slot are aligned, and whether the vacuum Luer lock connector does not remain connected. In some embodiments, the male Luer piece includes a ventilation channel. In some embodiments, the female Luer piece also includes a second cylindrical member, which separates the fluid path from the vacuum chamber when the male Luer piece is matched with the female Luer piece.

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of using a vacuum Luer lock connector, comprising: connecting a male Luer and a female Luer to form a vacuum seal and defining a fluid passage, the vacuum Luer lock connector including a vacuum chamber between the male Luer and the female Luer, the vacuum chamber trapping air when the male Luer is pushed into the female Luer, wherein the male Luer and the female Luer are maintained connected by a force formed in the vacuum chamber around the male Luer and the female Luer. In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector also includes a solid cylinder surrounding the male Luer and serving as a piston, a cylindrical member surrounding the female Luer and serving as a wall of the vacuum chamber, and a vent channel in the female Luer, the vent channel allowing air to escape when the male Luer is pushed into the female Luer. In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector also includes a second vent channel in the piston of the male Luer, the second vent channel connecting the compression area of ​​the male Luer to a surface of the male Luer that mates with the female Luer, the surface being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the male Luer. In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector further comprises a slot formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical member, the slot extending from the edge of the cylindrical member that mates with the male Luer along the longitudinal axis of the solid cylinder in a direction away from the male Luer. In some embodiments, the method further comprises rotating the male Luer relative to the female Luer such that the second vent channel and the slot are not aligned with each other along the longitudinal axis of the Luer lock connector to maintain an adequate vacuum seal. In some embodiments, the method further comprises rotating the male Luer relative to the female Luer to a position where the second vent channel is aligned with the slot along the longitudinal axis of the connector to allow air to rush into the vacuum chamber and dissipate the vacuum seal; and disconnecting the male Luer and the female Luer.

[0010] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and illustrative, and are intended to provide further explanation of the subject technology claimed. It should also be understood that other aspects can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the subject technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The detailed description set forth below describes various configurations of the subject technology, and is not intended to represent the only configurations that can practice the subject technology. Specific embodiments include specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the subject technology. Therefore, dimensions about certain aspects can be provided as non-limiting examples. However, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the subject technology can be implemented without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid blurring the concept of the subject technology.

[0012] Figure 1 An IV administration set coupled to a patient is shown according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum Luer lock connector according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3A-3B is a perspective view of a vacuum Luer lock connector according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum Luer lock connector according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The detailed description set forth below describes various configurations of the subject technology, and is not intended to represent the only configurations that can practice the subject technology. Specific embodiments include specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the subject technology. Therefore, dimensions about certain aspects can be provided as non-limiting examples. However, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the subject technology can be implemented without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid blurring the concept of the subject technology.

[0017] It should be understood that the present disclosure includes examples of subject technology and does not limit the scope of the appended claims. The following will illustrate various aspects of the subject technology according to specific but non-limiting examples. The various embodiments described in this disclosure can be performed in different ways and variations and according to the intended application and implementation.

[0018] The present specification generally relates to infusion fluid tubing connectors, and more particularly, for example but not limited to, to vacuum Luer lock connectors held together with vacuum seals. According to some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector can be a two-piece assembly including a male Luer and a female Luer.

[0019] In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector is used in an IV dosing kit having a structure for coupling with an IV bag and / or a drip chamber. The structure of the IV bag can be formed as an arm, a hook, a clamp, or another mechanism configured to hang an IV bag.

[0020] refer to Figure 1 , an embodiment of an IV administration kit 2 is coupled to a patient 1. The IV administration kit 2 may include a vacuum Luer lock connector 100. The IV administration kit includes an IV bag 12 and a drip chamber 14, which are fluidly coupled together by an IV tubing 16 extending therebetween. The IV tubing 16 is coupled intravenously to the patient 1 via a catheter 18, and the catheter preferably includes one or more adapters 10 or connectors 20.

[0021] Reference Figure 2-3B , shows an embodiment of a vacuum Luer lock connector 100, which includes: a male Luer 102, which is configured to be connected to a female Luer 101 that defines a fluid passage 106; a vacuum chamber 105, which is located between the male Luer 102 and the female Luer 101, and when the male Luer 102 is pushed into the female Luer 101, the vacuum chamber 105 traps air; a solid cylinder 108, which surrounds the male Luer 102 and acts as a piston; a cylindrical member 107, which surrounds the female Luer 101 and acts as a wall of the vacuum chamber 105; and a vent channel 109 in the female Luer 101, when the male Luer 102 is pushed into the female Luer 101, the vent channel allows air to escape. The male luer 102 and the female luer 101 are maintained connected by the force generated in the vacuum chamber 105 surrounding the luer. In some embodiments, the vacuum luer lock connector 100 includes an O-ring 103 or multiple O-rings 103 installed inside the female luer 101, which prevents the infusion fluid from leaking into the vacuum chamber 105. In some embodiments, the vacuum luer lock connector 100 includes a check valve 104 on the outer surface of the vent channel 109, which prevents air from flowing back into the vacuum chamber 105. When the male luer 102 and the female luer 101 are connected, the check valve 104 allows air or gas to be exhausted from the vacuum chamber 105. In some embodiments, the check valve 104 can function as a one-way valve to allow air to be exhausted from the vacuum chamber 105 and limit or prevent air from entering the vacuum chamber 105 after the luers 102, 101 are connected.

[0022] In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector 100 includes a second vent channel 110 in the solid cylinder 108 of the male Luer 102, which connects the compression area 111 of the male Luer 102 to a surface 112 of the male Luer 102 that mates with the female Luer 101, which surface 112 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the male Luer 102. In some embodiments, a slot 113 is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical member 107. In some embodiments, the slot 113 extends from an edge of the cylindrical member 107 of the female Luer 101 that mates with the male Luer 102 in a direction away from the male Luer 102 along the longitudinal axis X of the cylindrical member 107. In some embodiments, the second vent channel 110 and the slot 113 should not be aligned with each other along the longitudinal axis of the connector to maintain an adequate vacuum seal. In some embodiments, when the male Luer 102 and the female Luer 101 are rotated to a position where the second vent channel 110 is aligned with the slot 113 along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum Luer lock connector 100, air rushes into the vacuum chamber 105 and the vacuum seal disappears, allowing the male Luer 102 and the female Luer 101 to be easily disconnected. In some embodiments, the end 114 of the male Luer 102 separates the vacuum chamber 105 from the fluid passage 106. In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector 100 includes a mark "LOCK" to inform the user if the second vent channel 110 and the slot 113 are not aligned, and whether the vacuum Luer lock connector 100 remains connected. In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector 100 includes a mark "UNLOCK" to inform the user if the second vent channel 110 and the slot 113 are aligned, and whether the vacuum Luer lock connector 100 does not remain connected. The vacuum force is strong and controllable, and it does not rely on high contact force to maintain and seal the connection. Furthermore, the use of O-rings 103 prevents the contact surfaces from being exposed to the liquid and generates sufficient sealing pressure over a significantly smaller surface area. This combination allows for a safe and secure connection while being easy to disconnect.

[0023] refer to Figure 4, an embodiment of a vacuum Luer lock connector 200 is shown. The vacuum Luer lock connector includes: a male Luer 202 configured to be connected to a female Luer 201 defining a fluid passage 206; a vacuum chamber 205 located between the male Luer 202 and the female Luer 201, which traps air when the male Luer 202 is pushed into the female Luer 201; a solid cylinder 208 that surrounds the male Luer 202 and acts as a piston; a cylindrical member 207 that surrounds the female Luer 201 and acts as a wall of the vacuum chamber 205; a second cylindrical member 215 that separates the fluid passage 206 from the vacuum chamber 205 to prevent fluid exposure and contamination; and a vent channel 209 in the female Luer 201 that allows air to escape when the male Luer 202 is pushed into the female Luer 201. In some embodiments, the male Luer 202 further comprises a vent channel 216. The male Luer 202 and the female Luer 201 remain connected by a force formed in the vacuum chamber 205 surrounding the Luer. In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector 200 comprises an O-ring 203 or multiple O-rings 203 mounted inside the female Luer 201, which prevents the infusion fluid from leaking into the vacuum chamber 205. In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector 200 comprises a check valve 204 on the outer surface of the vent channel 109, which prevents air from flowing back into the vacuum chamber 205.

[0024] In some embodiments, the vacuum Luer lock connector 200 includes a second vent channel 216 in the male Luer piece 202, which connects the vacuum chamber to the outside of the connector. In some embodiments, the second vent channel 216 includes a check valve. The vacuum force is strong and controllable, and it does not rely on high contact forces to maintain and seal the connection. In addition, the use of O-rings 203 prevents the contact surface from being exposed to liquids and forms sufficient sealing pressure on a significantly smaller surface area. This combination allows a safe and secure connection while being easy to disconnect.

[0025] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of using a vacuum Luer lock according to any of the above embodiments. In some embodiments, the method includes connecting a male Luer and a female Luer to form a vacuum seal and define a fluid passage. In some embodiments, the method includes rotating the male Luer relative to the female Luer so that the second vent channel and the slot are not aligned with each other along the longitudinal axis of the connector to maintain a sufficient vacuum. In some embodiments, the method includes rotating the male Luer relative to the female Luer to a position where the second vent channel is aligned with the slot along the longitudinal axis of the connector to allow air to flow into the vacuum chamber and allow the vacuum seal to dissipate; and disconnecting the connector.

[0026] In some embodiments, the method includes controlling a check valve from the outside of the vacuum Luer lock connector using a user's finger to allow air to rush in, thereby disconnecting. In some embodiments, the method includes controlling air inlet and outlet through a single vent line equipped with a controllable check valve.

[0027] Description of this subject technology

[0028] For example, the subject technology is illustrated according to the various aspects described below. For convenience, various examples of various aspects of the subject technology are described according to numbered clauses (1, 2, 3, etc.). These are provided only as examples and do not limit the subject technology. It should be noted that any dependent clauses can be combined in any combination and placed in corresponding independent clauses, such as clause 1 or clause 9. Other clauses can be presented in a similar manner.

[0029] Item 1. A vacuum Luer lock connector comprising a male Luer member configured to couple to a female Luer member defining a fluid pathway; a vacuum chamber located between the male Luer member and the female Luer member, the vacuum chamber trapping air when the male Luer member is pushed into the female Luer member; wherein the male Luer member and the female Luer member are maintained connected by a force formed in the vacuum chamber surrounding the male Luer member and the female Luer member.

[0030] Clause 2. The vacuum Luer lock connector of Clause 1, further comprising a vent channel in the female Luer piece that allows air to escape when the male Luer piece is pushed into the female Luer piece.

[0031] Clause 3. The vacuum Luer lock connector of Clause 1, further comprising a piston, wherein the piston is a solid cylinder surrounding the male Luer piece.

[0032] Clause 4. The vacuum Luer lock connector of Clause 3, further comprising a cylindrical member surrounding the female Luer piece and serving as a wall of the vacuum chamber.

[0033] Clause 5. The vacuum Luer lock connector of Clause 1 , further comprising an O-ring mounted inside the female Luer piece, the O-ring preventing infusion fluid from leaking into the vacuum chamber.

[0034] Clause 6. The vacuum Luer lock connector of Clause 5, wherein a plurality of O-rings are mounted inside the female Luer piece.

[0035] Clause 7. The vacuum Luer lock connector of Clause 2, further comprising a check valve on an outer surface of the vent channel for preventing air from flowing back into the vacuum chamber.

[0036] Item 8. The vacuum Luer lock connector of Item 4, further comprising a second ventilation channel located in the piston of the male Luer component and connecting the compression area of ​​the male Luer component to a surface of the male Luer component that cooperates with the female Luer component, the surface being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the male Luer component; and a narrow groove formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical member, the narrow groove extending from an edge of the cylindrical member that cooperates with the male Luer component along the longitudinal axis of the solid cylinder in a direction away from the male Luer component, wherein a vacuum seal is maintained when the second ventilation channel and the narrow groove are not aligned with each other along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum Luer lock connector.

[0037] Item 9. A vacuum Luer lock connector according to Item 8, wherein when the male Luer and female Luer are rotated to a position where the second ventilation channel is aligned with the narrow groove along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum Luer lock connector, air rushes into the vacuum chamber and the vacuum seal is dissipated, thereby allowing the male Luer and female Luer to be easily disconnected.

[0038] Clause 10. The vacuum Luer lock connector of Clause 1, wherein a tip of the male Luer separates the vacuum chamber from the fluid pathway.

[0039] Clause 11. The vacuum Luer lock connector of Clause 8, further comprising a mark "LOCK" to inform a user if the second ventilation channel and the narrow groove are misaligned and whether the vacuum Luer lock connector remains connected.

[0040] Clause 12. The vacuum Luer lock connector of Clause 8, further comprising a mark "UNLOCK" to inform a user whether the second ventilation channel and the narrow groove are aligned and whether the vacuum Luer lock connector remains connected.

[0041] Clause 13. The vacuum Luer lock connector of Clause 1, wherein the male Luer piece comprises a vent channel.

[0042] Clause 14. The vacuum Luer lock connector of Clause 1, wherein the female Luer component further comprises a second cylindrical member that separates the fluid passageway from the vacuum chamber when the male Luer component is mated with the female Luer component.

[0043] Item 15. A method of using a vacuum Luer lock connector, comprising connecting a male Luer member and a female Luer member to form a vacuum seal and define a fluid pathway, the vacuum Luer lock connector including a vacuum chamber located between the male Luer member and the female Luer member, the vacuum chamber trapping air when the male Luer member is pushed into the female Luer member; wherein the male Luer member and the female Luer member are maintained connected by a force formed in the vacuum chamber surrounding the male Luer member and the female Luer member.

[0044] Item 16. A method for using a vacuum Luer lock connector according to Item 15, wherein the vacuum Luer lock connector also includes a solid cylinder that surrounds the male Luer piece and acts as a piston; a cylindrical member that surrounds the female Luer piece and acts as a wall of the vacuum chamber; and a vent channel located in the female Luer piece, which allows air to escape when the male Luer piece is pushed into the female Luer piece.

[0045] Item 17. A method for using a vacuum Luer lock connector according to Item 16, wherein the vacuum Luer lock connector also includes a second ventilation channel in the piston of the male Luer component, and the second ventilation channel connects the compression area of ​​the male Luer component to the surface of the male Luer component that mates with the female Luer component, and the surface is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the male Luer component.

[0046] Item 18. A method for using a vacuum Luer lock connector according to Item 17, wherein the vacuum Luer lock connector also includes a narrow groove formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical member, and the narrow groove extends from the edge of the cylindrical member that cooperates with the male Luer piece along the longitudinal axis of the solid cylinder in a direction away from the male Luer piece.

[0047] Item 19. The method of using a vacuum Luer lock connector according to Item 18, further comprising rotating the male Luer component relative to the female Luer component so that the second ventilation channel and the narrow groove are not aligned with each other along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum Luer lock connector to maintain an adequate vacuum seal.

[0048] Item 20. The method of using a vacuum Luer lock connector according to Item 18, further comprising rotating the male Luer member relative to the female Luer member to a position where the second vent channel is aligned with the narrow groove along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum Luer lock connector to allow air to flow into the vacuum chamber and dissipate the vacuum seal; and disconnecting the male Luer member and the female Luer member.

[0049] Additional considerations:

[0050] In some embodiments, any of the clauses herein can be dependent on any of the independent clauses or any of the dependent clauses. In one aspect, any of the clauses (e.g., dependent clauses or independent clauses) can be combined with any other one or more clauses (e.g., dependent clauses or independent clauses). In one aspect, the claim may include some or all of the words (e.g., steps, operations, means, or parts) narrated in a clause, sentence, phrase, or paragraph. In one aspect, the claim may include some or all of the words narrated in one or more clauses, sentences, phrases, or paragraphs. In one aspect, some of the words in each of the clauses, sentences, phrases, or paragraphs can be removed. In one aspect, additional words or elements can be added to clauses, sentences, phrases, or paragraphs. In one aspect, the subject technology can be implemented without utilizing some of the parts, elements, functions, or operations described herein. In one aspect, the subject technology can be implemented utilizing additional parts, elements, functions, or operations.

[0051] The present disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The present disclosure provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Multiple modifications to these aspects are very clear to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other aspects.

[0052] Unless expressly specified otherwise, elements referred to in the singular are not intended to mean "one and only one," but rather "one or more." Unless expressly specified otherwise, the term "some" refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter genders (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention.

[0053] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example or illustration." Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. In one aspect, the various alternative configurations and operations described herein may be considered to be at least equivalent.

[0054] As used herein, the phrase "at least one" preceding a list of items (with the term "or" separating any items) modifies the list as a whole rather than each item in the list. The phrase "at least one" does not require selection of at least one of the items; rather, the phrase allows for a meaning that includes at least one of any one item, and / or at least one of any combination of items, and / or at least one of each item. For example, the phrase "at least one of A, B, or C" may mean: only A, only B, or only C; or any combination of A, B, and C.

[0055] Phrases such as "aspects" do not mean that such aspects are essential to the subject technology, or that such aspects apply to all configurations of the subject technology. The disclosures related to one aspect may apply to all configurations or one or more configurations. One aspect may provide one or more examples. Phrases such as "an aspect" may refer to one or more aspects, and vice versa. Phrases such as "embodiments" do not mean that such embodiments are essential to the subject technology, or that such embodiments apply to all configurations of the subject technology. The disclosures related to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. Phrases such as "embodiments" may refer to one or more embodiments, and vice versa. Phrases such as "constructions" do not mean that such constructions are essential to the subject technology, or that such constructions apply to all configurations of the subject technology. The disclosures related to a construction may apply to all configurations or one or more constructions. A construction may provide one or more examples. Phrases such as "constructions" may refer to one or more constructions, and vice versa.

[0056] In one aspect, unless otherwise indicated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, sizes, dimensions, and other specifications in this specification, including those set forth in the appended claims, are approximate and not exact. In one aspect, they are intended to have a reasonable range consistent with the functions to which they are related and with the customary practices in the art to which they belong.

[0057] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps or operations in the disclosed process or method is an illustration of an exemplary method. Based on implementation preferences or scenarios, it should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations or processes can be rearranged. Some steps, operations or processes can be performed simultaneously. In some implementation preferences or scenarios, certain operations may or may not be performed. Some or all of the steps, operations or processes can be performed automatically without user intervention. The attached method claims present the elements of various steps, operations or processes in an exemplary order and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0058] All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described throughout the present disclosure are known or will be known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the claims. In addition, regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly stated in the claims, the content disclosed herein is not intended to be committed to the public. No claim element can be interpreted according to the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) unless the element is explicitly stated using the phrase "means for...", or in the case of a method claim, the element is stated using the phrase "for..." step. In addition, for the scope of the terms "including", "having", etc. used, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising", as explained when "comprising" is used as a transitional word in the claims.

[0059] The title, background technology, content of the invention, description of the drawings and abstract of the present disclosure are incorporated into the present disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the present disclosure rather than as restrictive descriptions. The submission of this application is based on the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the specific embodiments, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples, and in order to simplify the present disclosure, various features are combined together in various embodiments. This disclosure method should not be interpreted as reflecting the intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than those explicitly stated in each claim. On the contrary, as reflected in the attached claims, the subject matter of the invention lies in less than all the features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The attached claims are thus incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim independently serving as a subject matter claimed separately.

[0060] The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims and including all legal equivalents. Nevertheless, all claims are not intended to include subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirements of 35 U.S.C. §101, 102, or 103 and should not be interpreted in such a manner.

Claims

1. A vacuum Luer lock connector, comprising: a male Luer configured to couple to a female Luer defining a fluid pathway; a vacuum chamber located between the male and female Luer pieces, the vacuum chamber trapping air when the male Luer piece is pushed into the female Luer piece; Wherein, the male Luer component and the female Luer component are maintained connected by a force formed in the vacuum chamber surrounding the male Luer component and the female Luer component.

2. The vacuum Luer lock connector of claim 1 further comprising a vent channel in the female Luer piece, the vent channel allowing air to escape when the male Luer piece is pushed into the female Luer piece.

3. The vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 1, further comprising a piston, wherein: The piston is a solid cylinder surrounding the male luer.

4. The vacuum Luer lock connector of claim 3, further comprising a cylindrical member surrounding the female Luer piece and serving as a wall of the vacuum chamber.

5. The vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 1, further comprising an O-ring installed inside the female Luer piece, the O-ring preventing the infusion fluid from leaking into the vacuum chamber.

6. The vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 5, wherein: A plurality of O-rings are mounted inside the female Luer fitting.

7. The vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 2, further comprising a check valve on an outer surface of the vent channel for preventing air from flowing back into the vacuum chamber.

8. The vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 4, further comprising: a second vent channel located in the piston of the male luer and connecting the compression area of ​​the male luer to a surface of the male luer that mates with the female luer, the surface being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the male luer; as well as a narrow groove formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical member, the narrow groove extending from an edge of the cylindrical member that cooperates with the male Luer component in a direction away from the male Luer component along the longitudinal axis of the solid cylinder, wherein a vacuum seal is maintained when the second vent channel and the slot are not aligned with each other along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum Luer lock connector.

9. The vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 8, wherein: When the male and female Luer components are rotated to a position where the second vent channel is aligned with the narrow groove along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum Luer lock connector, air rushes into the vacuum chamber and the vacuum seal is dissipated, thereby allowing the male and female Luer components to be easily disconnected.

10. The vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 1, wherein: The end of the male luer separates the vacuum chamber from the fluid pathway.

11. The vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 8, further comprising a mark "LOCK" to inform a user if the second ventilation channel and the narrow groove are misaligned and whether the vacuum Luer lock connector remains connected.

12. The vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 8, further comprising a mark "UNLOCK" to inform a user whether the second ventilation channel and the narrow groove are aligned and whether the vacuum Luer lock connector remains connected.

13. The vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 1, wherein: The male luer includes a vent channel.

14. The vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 1, wherein: The female Luer also includes a second cylindrical member that separates the fluid passageway from the vacuum chamber when the male Luer is mated with the female Luer.

15. A method of using a vacuum Luer lock connector, comprising: The male Luer and the female Luer are connected to form a vacuum seal and define a fluid passage, the vacuum Luer lock connector comprising: a vacuum chamber located between the male and female Luer pieces, the vacuum chamber trapping air when the male Luer piece is pushed into the female Luer piece; Wherein, the male and female Luer components are maintained connected by a force formed in a vacuum chamber surrounding the male and female Luer components.

16. The method of using a vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 15, wherein: The vacuum Luer lock connector also includes a solid cylinder that surrounds the male Luer piece and acts as a piston; a cylindrical member surrounding the female Luer and serving as a wall of the vacuum chamber; as well as and a vent channel in the female luer that allows air to escape when the male luer is pushed into the female luer.

17. The method of using a vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 16, wherein: The vacuum Luer lock connector also includes a second vent channel in the piston of the male Luer component, which connects the compression area of ​​the male Luer component to a surface of the male Luer component that mates with the female Luer component, and the surface is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the male Luer component.

18. The method of using a vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 17, wherein: The vacuum Luer lock connector further includes a narrow groove formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical member, the narrow groove extending from an edge of the cylindrical member mating with the male Luer piece along the longitudinal axis of the solid cylinder in a direction away from the male Luer piece.

19. The method of using a vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 18, further comprising: The male luer is rotated relative to the female luer such that the second vent channel and the slot are misaligned with each other along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum luer lock connector to maintain an adequate vacuum seal.

20. The method of using a vacuum Luer lock connector according to claim 18, further comprising: rotating the male luer relative to the female luer to a position where the second vent channel is aligned with the slot along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum luer lock connector to allow air to flow into the vacuum chamber and dissipate the vacuum seal; and Disconnect the male Luer and the female Luer.

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