42 results about "Needleless connector" patented technology

Needleless connector disinfecting devices are provided that include a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, a cavity in the body, the cavity configured to receive a needleless connector, an activation arm disposed on the body, a cartridge housing disposed on the activation arm, a swab cartridge disposed in the cartridge housing, and a disposal chamber disposed in the body, the disposal chamber configured to receive used cleaning swabs. The activation arm is configured to slidably move the cartridge housing on the top surface of the body between a non-biased position in which a bottommost cleaning swab in the swab cartridge is in contact with an end portion of a needleless connector and a biased position in which the cartridge housing is disposed over the disposal chamber. Additional needleless connector disinfecting devices and methods of using needleless connector disinfecting devices are also provided.

The present invention provides a needleless connector comprising: a housing having an upper portion comprising an inlet port, a lower portion comprising an opening, and an inner surface forming an interior cavity extending from the inlet port to the opening, the upper portion having a first section of opposing walls inclined radially inwardly; and a compressible valve having a head portion and a compressible body portion extending distally from the head portion, the compressible valve located within the interior cavity and compressible between a closed state in which the compressible body portion is closed and an open state in which the compressible body portion extends distally from the head portion. In an open state, a top section of the head portion engages against the inner surface to impede flow of fluid between the inlet port and the interior cavity, and in an open state, the top section of the head portion engages against a first segment of opposing wall that is radially inwardly inclined, the top section of the head portion is biased and a fluid flow path is formed between the top section of the head portion and the inner surface.

Flow path control devices and a method for delivering a medical fluid by flow path control device are disclosed. A flow path control device includes an inner housing and an outer housing. The inner housing includes a knob that rotates the inner housing relative to the outer housing. Rotating the knob activates different flow paths by aligning the flow paths with flow channels on the outer housing. Flow indicators on the inner housing are visible through windows in the outer housing and show a user of the flow path control device which flow channels are open. Additionally, at least one of the flow channels is an access port for a needleless fluid connector. When the flow channels are open, medical fluid can be transported through the flow channels.

The needleless connector may include a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, and an inner surface defining an internal cavity extending between the inlet and outlet ports, and a compressible valve reciprocally disposed within the internal cavity. In a closed state, an upper portion of a head of the compressible valve may have a planar shape configured to contact and seal against the inner surface of the housing. In an open state, in which the compressible valve is subjected to an axial force, the upper portion of the head may be clamped between two pinch points between opposing walls of an inwardly sloping portion of the inner surface. Furthermore, in the open state, the upper portion of the head may have a non-planar shape defining a fluid path at least partially extending between opposing walls of the outwardly sloping portion of the inner surface.

A catheter assembly is provided that includes a catheter having a catheter distal end and a catheter proximal end, a catheter adapter coupled to the catheter proximal end and including a lumen in fluid communication with the catheter and an adapter port in fluid communication with the lumen, a near-patient adapter connected to the adapter port via an extension tube and including a distal end and a proximal end, and a needle-free connector coupled to the proximal end of the near-patient adapter. The needle-free connector includes a main body defining an inner lumen and including a distal port and a proximal port, a split septum valve retained within the proximal port and extending into the inner lumen, and a pressure resistance-increasing feature incorporated into or provided adjacent to the split septum valve configured, to increase a pressure capability of the needle-free connector.

Seals for medical fluid connectors are disclosed. A seal as molded may have an elliptical cross-sectional shape, an aperture on the top face of the seal, a well inside the seal, and a divet on the bottom face of the seal. The seal as molded becomes assembled when it is constrained by a housing. When constrained by the housing, the seal has a circular cross-sectional shape, and the aperture becomes an elongate insertion area. The elongate insertion area is closed such that fluid cannot permeate the seal as assembled. However, the seal as assembled is penetrable by a center post through the elongate insertion area, and the center post creates a fluid path through the seal when the center post penetrates the seal.

Needleless connectors are described that can include a housing and a flexible valve element, the flexible valve element positioned within a cavity of the needleless connector to selectively permit flow between proximal and distal fluid ports of the housing, and the flexible valve element including a valve head, a valve stem, and a valve diaphragm, the flexible valve element further including features to resist obstruction of fluid flow between the valve head and the valve diaphragm, including a fluid flow pathway along any of a shoulder of the valve head and the valve diaphragm, where the fluid flow pathway can be formed by any of a channel and a rib. The flexible valve element can further include a diaphragm formed as a bellows to resist or reduce strain on the flexible valve element when the needleless connector is activated.

A sheath can be used to protect a catheter hub from contamination. The sheath can surround the catheter hub and seal the interface between the catheter hub and a needleless connector. The sheath can be installed onto the catheter hub either before or after the needleless connector has been connected to the catheter hub.

A catheter system comprising: a catheter adapter; a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter; an extension tube extending from the catheter adapter; a needle assembly comprising a needle hub and an introducer needle, wherein a proximal end of the introducer needle is secured within the needle hub; a Y-adapter having a distal end, a first arm, and a second arm, wherein the distal end of the Y-adapter is coupled to the extension tube; a needleless connector coupled to the second arm and comprising a compression seal; and a vent cap coupled to the needleless connector and comprising a vent path and a gas permeable barrier within the vent path, wherein in response to movement of the vent cap from an unactuated position to a depressed position, the compression seal is compressed by the vent cap to allow fluid to pass through the vent path.

Flow path control devices and a method for delivering a medical fluid by flow path control device are disclosed. A flow path control device includes an inner housing and an outer housing. The inner housing includes a knob that rotates the inner housing relative to the outer housing. Rotating the knob activates different flow paths by aligning the flow paths with flow channels on the outer housing. Flow indicators on the inner housing are visible through windows in the outer housing and show a user of the flow path control device which flow channels are open. Additionally, at least one of the flow channels is an access port for a needleless fluid connector. When the flow channels are open, medical fluid can be transported through the flow channels.

A needleless connector includes a housing having a central longitudinal axis, a body portion, and a base portion. The body portion includes an inner surface forming an inner cavity and a first port forming a first fluid passage to the housing cavity. The base portion includes a top end section and a bottom end section. The top end section has a protrusion and the bottom end portion has a second port forming a second fluid passage to the housing cavity. The needleless connector further includes a valve having a wall having an inner surface forming a valve cavity. The valve is coupled with the housing such that the protrusion is positioned in the valve cavity and a proximal end of the protrusion is spaced from a proximal end of the valve cavity.

The utility model discloses a needleless connector. The needleless connector comprises a first part and a second part. The first component includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the housing defining an interior volume. The central column is arranged in the internal volume and extends towards the near side in the internal volume; a valve disposed in the interior volume at the proximal end of the first member to surround at least a portion of the central post; and a lubricant is disposed between the central post and the valve. The lubricant contains an antibacterial component. The second component includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the housing defining a fluid path therein. A stopper is disposed in the fluid path at the distal end of the second member.

A cap is described for connection to a needleless connector having an open lumen, the cap includes a housing having a top wall and sidewall forming a first cavity, an insert, an absorbent reservoir material and a sealing foam. The insert includes an inner thread on an inner surface, the inner thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of a female needleless connector. The inner surface of the insert defines a second cavity. The protrusion / insert includes an outer thread on an outer surface, the outer thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of a male needleless connector. The second cavity configured to define a chamber to contain an absorbent reservoir material, a sealing foam and disinfectant or antimicrobial agent.

Seals for medical fluid connectors are disclosed. A seal as molded may have an elliptical cross-sectional shape, an aperture on the top face of the seal, a well inside the seal, and a divet on the bottom face of the seal. The seal as molded becomes assembled when it is constrained by a housing. When constrained by the housing, the seal has a circular cross-sectional shape, and the aperture becomes an elongate insertion area. The elongate insertion area is closed such that fluid cannot permeate the seal as assembled. However, the seal as assembled is penetrable by a center post through the elongate insertion area, and the center post creates a fluid path through the seal when the center post penetrates the seal.

A cap for disinfecting a needleless connector is described herein. The cap includes a housing having a cavity and an insert disposed within the housing. The insert includes one or more cantilevered prongs disposed on a distal wall of the insert. The one or more cantilevered prongs are configured to flex when the needleless connector is inserted. On an outer lateral wall of the one or more cantilevered prongs are one or more bosses extending substantially at right angles to the one or more cantilevered prongs, the one or more bosses configured to push against a lateral wall of the housing to prevent further flexing of the one or more cantilevered prongs as the needleless connector is advanced.

The disclosed principles provide for single use caps that may be applied to any of a number of receptacles, containers, vessels, needless connectors, or other device. A single use cap as disclosed herein includes a component that, when the cap is threaded onto a receptacle or device, is moved from an “unused” to a “used” position by the twisting force applied to the cap when secured onto the receptacle or device. Specifically, once the threads of the receptacle or device are received into the cap and a twisting or tightening force is continued to be applied to the cap, the continued twisting force causes this component to rotate laterally so that once the cap is removed from the receptacle or device, the threads of the cap are no longer reachable by the threads on the receptacle or device.

To solve the problem in existing needle-free valves where fluid accumulates on the valve head surface when medical devices are removed. [Solution] According to the present invention, a needleless connector comprises a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, and an inner surface defining an internal cavity extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, and a compressible valve reciprocally disposed within the internal cavity. In the closed state, the upper portion of the head of the compressible valve may have a planar shape configured to contact and seal against the inner surface of the housing. In the open state, when the compressible valve is subjected to axial force, the upper portion of the head may be held in place between two clamping points between opposing walls of an inwardly inclined portion of the inner surface. Furthermore, in the open state, the upper portion of the head may have a non-planar shape that defines a fluid path extending at least partially between opposing walls of an outwardly inclined portion of the inner surface.

This utility model relates to a tubing extraction device and a system for blood collection. The tubing extraction device is for use with a peripheral venous catheter and includes: a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and sidewalls defining an internal volume between the proximal and distal ends; a flow tube defining an internal lumen, wherein the flow tube has a retracted position and an extended position, in which the distal end of the flow tube is received within the housing, and in the extended position, the distal end of the flow tube extends beyond the distal end of the housing; a support tube connected to and movable with the flow tube; and a collapsible support positioned within the housing, wherein a portion of the flow tube extends through the collapsible support. When the flow tube is in the retracted position, the collapsible support has a first length, and when the flow tube is in the extended position, the collapsible support has a second length, the first length being greater than the second length. The distal end of the support tube is configured such that when the tubing extraction device is connected to a needleless connector, the distal end is positioned proximal to the distal end of the needleless connector.

An assembly comprising one or more of a male luer connector, a female luer connector, a needleless connector, a stopcock, or a hemodialysis connector; a device for connecting to a medical connector comprising a cap comprising: a unitary body; a first end comprising a first annular wall having a length defining a first chamber having a first open end; a second end comprising a second annular wall having a length defining a second chamber having a second open end, the first and second chambers each containing: an absorbent material; and a disinfectant or antimicrobial agent, the absorbent material in the first chamber comprising one or more concentric cylindrical slots corresponding to an end face of a stopcock or an accommodating cavity of a stopcock; the device connected to one or more of the male luer connector, the female luer connector, the needleless connector, the stopcock, and the hemodialysis connector.

A connector safety shield configured to engage a needle free connector comprises a push cap slidably mounted on an external enclosure cap that encloses a spray chamber containing disinfectant that can be pushed multiple times out of perforations in the bottom of the spray chamber and onto the distal end of the needle free connector by action of a stopper mounted in the spray chamber and operably connected to the push cap. The connector safety shield also comprises a bottom enclosure cap that can engage the needle free connector and thus lock the connector safety shield onto the needle free connector. A hinge connecting the bottom enclosure cap and the assembly of the external closure cap, spray chamber, and push cap allows the assembly of the external closure cap, spray chamber, and push cap to be rotated out of connection with the needle free connector such that the needle free connector can be connected to another device or object such as a syringe or other vascular access device. The assembly of the external closure cap, spray chamber, and push cap can be rotated back into connection with the needle free connector and used to spray the distal end of the needle free connector with disinfectant once the other device or object such as a syringe or other vascular access device is removed.

A seal for a medical fluid connector is disclosed. The molded seal may have an elliptical cross-sectional shape, an aperture on a top face of the seal, a pocket within the seal, and a notch on a bottom face of the seal. The molded seal is assembled when constrained by the housing. When constrained by the housing, the seal has a circular cross-sectional shape and the aperture becomes an elongated insertion region. The elongated insertion region is closed such that fluid cannot permeate the assembled seal. However, the assembled seal may be penetrated by the central strut through the elongated insertion region, and when the central strut penetrates the seal, the central strut forms a fluid path through the seal.

Needleless connectors are described that can include a housing and a flexible valve element, the flexible valve element positioned within a cavity of the needleless connector to selectively permit flow between proximal and distal fluid ports of the housing, and the flexible valve element including a valve head, a valve stem, and a valve diaphragm, the flexible valve element further including features to resist obstruction of fluid flow between the valve head and the valve diaphragm, including a fluid flow pathway along any of a shoulder of the valve head and the valve diaphragm, where the fluid flow pathway can be formed by any of a channel and a rib. The flexible valve element can further include a diaphragm formed as a bellows to resist or reduce strain on the flexible valve element when the needleless connector is activated.

An intravenous line component having a body adapted to function as a component (such as a needleless connector) of an intravenous line configured for providing intravenous access, and an interval timer integrated into the body. The interval timer is configured to provide a change in state, such as a visible change in color, after a defined period of time. The defined period of time is selected to correspond to a duration of time after a start time matched to a prescribed time for replacement of the intravenous line component to mitigate a bacterial infection risk, e.g., at 72, 96 and / or 168 hours after use in an active IV line. The interval timer may be configured to change state as a function of a photosensitive, vapor-sensitive, thermosensitive, or other reaction upon exposure to the environment, by mixing of substances, or by contact with fluid passing through the intravenous line.

A needleless connector may include a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, and an inner surface defining an internal cavity extending between the inlet and outlet ports, and a compressible valve reciprocally disposed within the internal cavity. In a closed state, a top section of a head portion of the compressible valve may have a planar shape configured to contact and seal against the inner surface of the housing. In an open state, where the compressible valve is subject to an axial force, the top section of the head portion may be lodged between two pinch points between opposing walls of an inwardly angled portion of the internal surface. Additionally, in the open state, the top section of the head portion may have a non-planar shape defining a fluid path extending at least partially between opposing walls on an outwardly angled portion of the internal surface.

Fluid connectors assemblies that provide neutral fluid displacement are disclosed. A fluid connector assembly may include first member and a second member. A deformable sleeve is located on a post of the second member. A septum is located on an opening of the first member. The first member and the second member each include an opening. The sleeve can seal off the opening of the post from fluid entry. However, when the post of the second member is inserted into the first member, a septum of the first member displaces a sleeve of the second member, causing the sleeve to uncover the opening. Further, the septum seals each of the first member and the second member and the displaced sleeve forms a fluid path through the first and second member, with the sleeve regulating fluid flow.

To enable the creation of needleless connectors that are useful for improving sealing, suppressing cracks, and reducing the risk of leakage. [Solution] The needleless connector 100 comprises a housing 103 and a bottomed cylindrical plunger valve 101. The housing 103 has an insertion port housing 153 that constitutes an insertion port 151 and covers the outside of the plunger valve 101, and an outlet port housing 154 that constitutes an outlet port 152. The inter-port flow path has an outer flow path formed on the outside of the plunger valve 101, an inner flow path 196 formed on the inside of the plunger valve 101, and a valve through passage 127 that penetrates the plunger valve and connects the outer flow path and the inner flow path 196. The plunger valve 101 has a sealing portion 114 that liquid-tightly seals the housing 103 on the second side of the valve through passage 127.

Needleless connector disinfecting devices are provided that include a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, a cavity in the body, the cavity configured to receive a needleless connector, a cartridge housing pivotably disposed on the top surface of the body, an activation arm disposed on the cartridge housing, a swab cartridge disposed in the cartridge housing and a disposal chamber disposed in the body, the disposal chamber configured to receive used cleaning swabs. Methods of using needleless connector disinfecting devices are also provided.

The invention provides a valve member for a connector, a needleless connector and a method of providing the same. The valve member includes a head portion including a top section and an outer side surface, the outer side surface including a notch and a circumferential lip seal, the top section defining a first sealing portion extending radially outward from the outer side surface, and the circumferential lip seal extending radially outward from the outer side surface; and a body portion having a proximal end forming a second sealing portion and extending longitudinally from the head portion to a distal end of the body portion, with a circumferential lip seal disposed between the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion.