Disinfecting cap for needleless injection sites
Inventors
Solomon, Donald D. • Ferguson, F. Mark
Assignees
HEALTH LINE INTERNATIONAL CORP., DBA HEALTH LINE MEDICAL PRODUCTS • Catheter Connections Inc
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Publication Number
US-11628288-B1
Publication Date
2023-04-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
A female-disinfecting cap and a method for applying the female-disinfecting cap. The cap threadingly accepts a needleless injection site, and applies an antiseptic agent to the needleless injection site. The cap includes a cap body with an opening for accepting the needleless injection site. The cap has an absorbent material that holds an antiseptic agent.
Core Innovation
The invention is a female-disinfecting cap for threadingly accepting a needleless injection site and applying an antiseptic agent. Its inner sidewall defines a chamber with a piloting zone, an initial threading zone, a transition zone, and a main zone. An absorbent material holds the antiseptic agent in the chamber, and threads extend from the initial threading zone through the transition zone and into the main zone.
The cap geometry provides alignment and an interference fit that resists rotation across needleless injection sites of varying dimensions. Other claimed features include an impervious pliable cover over the chamber opening and differently tapered portions that provide thread-locking interference. A separate problem stated in the background is not explicitly described in patent.
Claims Coverage
The three independent claims are claims 1, 24, and 25. They cover three inventive features concerning the cap's multi-zone geometry, thread-locking interference fit across needleless injection sites of varying size, and antiseptic containment.
Multi-zone cap chamber and interference fit
Claim 1 covers a cap body defining a chamber with a piloting zone devoid of threads, an initial threading zone, a transition zone, and a main zone, with an absorbent material holding an antiseptic agent. Threads extend from the initial threading zone through the transition zone into the main zone to engage proximal threads of a needleless injection site. A second diameter smaller than the first diameter provides an interference fit resisting rotation across needleless injection sites of varying size.
Covered antiseptic cap with specified sidewall geometry
Claim 24 covers piloting, initial threading, transition, and main zones with defined diameter, depth, and taper relationships, wherein the main zone tapers relative to the longitudinal axis. The cap includes an antiseptic agent held by absorbent material in the chamber, an impervious pliable cover disposed over the chamber opening, and thread dimensions providing thread-locking interference with threads of needleless injection sites of varying size.
Piloting and two-stage tapered thread engagement
Claim 25 covers a piloting portion configured to align with needleless injection sites and allow entry before rotational engagement, and an adjacent thread engagement portion allowing unresisted rotational threading of proximal threads. A tapering transition portion and an adjacent tapering main bore portion narrow according to different tapers, providing a thread-locking interference fit that resists rotation when coupled to needleless injection sites of varying size.
The independent claims cover a female-disinfecting cap with piloting and threading zones, thread-locking interference for needleless injection sites of varying size, and antiseptic application, with claim 24 specifying dimensional relationships and an impervious pliable cover, and claim 25 emphasizing alignment, unresisted rotational threading, and differently tapered portions.
Stated Advantages
The piloting zone aligns with a needleless injection site and allows entry before rotational engagement to ease alignment and thread starting.
The thread engagement portion allows unresisted rotational threading of proximal threads of the needleless injection site.
The interference fit is configured to provide resistance to rotation when the cap is coupled to needleless injection sites of varying size.
The absorbent pad can deform against and wipe connector surfaces while transferring antiseptic.
Documented Applications
The female-disinfecting cap is for threadingly accepting a needleless injection site and applying an antiseptic agent to the site, including multiple potential needleless injection sites of varying size.
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