Unitary medical connector with a rigid and a resilient portion
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11524149-B2
Publication Date
2022-12-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
A one-piece medical connector has a unitary body. The unitary body includes a rigid portion that forms a housing. The unitary body also includes a resilient portion located at least partially within the housing. At least a movable portion of the resilient portion is configured to move relative to the rigid portion. Movement of the resilient portion selectively permits fluid flow through the connector. The rigid portion and the resilient portion form a one-piece unitary connector.
Core Innovation
A one-piece medical connector is described as having a unitary body construction in which a rigid portion forms a housing and is formed from at least a first material. A resilient portion is formed from at least a second material and is located at least partially within the housing, where at least a movable portion of the resilient portion is configured to move relative to the rigid portion to selectively permit fluid flow through the medical connector.
A transition zone between the rigid portion and the resilient portion is formed from a material blend of at least the first and second material, with material properties distinct from both the rigid and resilient portions. The rigid portion and the resilient portion are formed as part of a single piece, such that the transition zone is integral to the unitary body.
The connector is described as configured for activation via a medical instrument insertion interface, including a luer-activated connector, and/or pressure activation through pressure cracking. The resilient portion movement or deformation selectively opens a normally closed resealable aperture to permit fluid flow, and the document further describes inlet housing, outlet housing, and a resilient gland, sleeve, or aperture arrangement.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set includes 1 independent claim. The claim coverage centers on a unitary one-piece medical connector with a rigid housing portion, a movable resilient portion for selective fluid flow, and an integral transition zone formed from a material blend having distinct properties, with dependent claim refinements that add additive manufacturing, luer-activated behavior, normally closed resealable aperture opening, and cracking-pressure directional characteristics.
Unitary rigid and resilient connector with integral transition-zone material blend
A one-piece medical connector having a unitary body construction comprising a rigid portion forming a housing and formed from at least a first material; a resilient portion formed from at least a second material and located at least partially within the housing, wherein at least a movable portion of the resilient portion is configured to move relative to the rigid portion to selectively permit fluid flow; and a transition zone between the rigid portion and the resilient portion formed of a material blend of at least the first and second material and having material properties distinct from both the rigid and the resilient portions, such that the rigid portion and the resilient portion are formed as part of a single piece.
Additive manufacturing for rigid and resilient portions in a one-piece connector
The one-piece medical connector wherein the rigid portion and the resilient portion are formed by additive manufacturing.
Luer-activated one-piece medical connector
The one-piece medical connector wherein the connector is a luer-activated connector.
Homogeneous transition-zone material blend
The one-piece medical connector wherein the transition zone is formed as a homogeneous material blend.
Movable resilient portion shifts responsive to cracking pressure to open the connector
A one-piece medical connector wherein the movable portion of a resilient portion is configured to shift to place the connector into an open mode when subjected to a cracking pressure.
Distally directed cracking pressure for opening behavior
The one-piece medical connector wherein the cracking pressure is distally directed.
Overall, the claim coverage requires a unitary one-piece medical connector that uses a rigid housing portion and an internal movable resilient portion to selectively permit fluid flow, with an integral transition zone formed from a blended material having distinct properties. Dependent features specify additive manufacturing, luer-activated activation, homogeneous transition-zone blending, and open-mode triggering by cracking pressure with optional specification of proximally vs distally directed cracking pressure.
Stated Advantages
Selectively permits fluid flow through a normally closed resealable aperture by movement or deformation of a resilient portion relative to a rigid housing portion.
Provides an integral unitary body construction in which rigid and resilient portions are formed as part of a single piece with a transition zone having distinct material properties.
Enables tailoring of cracking behavior using different material blend transitions, including characterization of cracking pressure direction.
Documented Applications
Use as a one-piece medical connector configured for activation by a medical instrument insertion interface, including a luer-activated connector, with applications involving catheters and other medical instruments.
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