Force-controlled release connector with built-in safety features

Abstract

The connector includes an outer housing defining a lumen, a first male coupler matable with the needleless valve and disposed at a first end of the outer housing, a second male coupler disposed at a second end of the outer housing, a valve system for controlling fluid flow through the lumen, and an actuator movable within the outer housing between a first position and a second position. A pinch clamp of the connector operates to selectively bias a locking finger of the actuator from a locked position to a displaced position, selectively enabling or preventing movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position. The actuator places the valve system in a closed or open state, preventing or allowing coupling of the first coupler with the needleless valve, based on its position in the first or second position.

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