Catheter Locking Cap Prevents Vent Plug Loss

The cap is divided into multiple functional components: a cap body with a male luer, arms extending from the cap body, slots formed in the arms, and protrusions on the female luer adapter. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while working together to secure the vent plug during transport.

The cap with male luer is inserted into the female luer adapter, creating a nested structure. The protrusions on the female luer adapter extend into the slots in the cap arms, forming an interlocking nested arrangement that prevents the cap from detaching during shipping while maintaining sterile integrity.

The cap serves multiple functions: it protects the female luer adapter, provides a locking mechanism through its arms and slots, and maintains sterile environment. The female luer adapter also serves dual purposes as both a connector and a locking component with its protrusions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated locking components.

The locking mechanism is passive and self-contained. The protrusions on the female luer adapter automatically engage with the slots in the cap arms when the cap is installed, providing automatic locking without requiring additional actuators, springs, or complex mechanisms. The structure locks itself through its geometric configuration.