Medical connectors configured to receive emitters of therapeutic agents
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12673005-B2
Publication Date
2026-07-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
In some embodiments, a medical fluid connector is configured to receive an emitter of therapeutic agents to be emitted into a fluid pathway within the connector, the medical fluid connector comprising a proximal female end, an intermediate region, a distal male end, and a fluid pathway extending from the proximal female end, through the intermediate region, to the distal male end. A retaining structure is positioned within the intermediate region. The retaining structure is configured to securely receive an emitter of one or more therapeutic agents in a position and orientation where the fluid pathway is configured to convey fluid moving longitudinally through the fluid pathway directly into a proximal region of the emitter, around one or more lateral surfaces of the emitter, and toward the distal male end.
Core Innovation
The medical fluid connector retains an emitter of one or more therapeutic agents in an intermediate region while allowing fluid to flow around the emitter and carry the agents into a fluid line. Longitudinal retaining struts and flow spaces secure the emitter while maintaining fluid passage. The connector supports antimicrobial blocks during infusion-line standby and includes grasping portions with differently configured proximal and distal ends.
The proximal threaded end includes disconnection-resisting structures that contact syringe threading to increase friction and resist decoupling. Its oversized, threadless distal end penetrates to a lesser depth than a standard luer connector, providing temporary coupling to a female connector. The resulting fluid pathway directs fluid from the syringe through the connector to the female connector while grasping portions facilitate threaded assembly.
Claims Coverage
The claims define four inventive features across independent claims covering medical fluid connectors and associated connection methods.
Simultaneous syringe and resealable female connector attachment
A method of enabling attachment of a connector carrying a therapeutic agent emitter to a syringe and a resealable female luer connector at the same time, wherein the proximal screw thread includes disconnection-resistant structures and the threadless distal male protrusion fits tightly within the female opening to provide secure, disconnection-resistant syringe coupling and temporary, non-secured female connector coupling.
Connector with a disconnection-resistant proximal end and oversized threadless distal end
A medical fluid connector configured to receive a therapeutic agent emitter, comprising a threaded proximal end with disconnection-resisting structures contacting syringe threading to increase friction and resist decoupling, an oversized threadless distal end penetrating to a lesser depth within a female connector opening than a standard luer connector, and grasping portions facilitating assembly.
Connector with grasping portions and reduced distal penetration
A medical fluid connector comprising a threaded proximal end with disconnection-resisting structures that contact syringe threading to increase friction and resist decoupling, grasping portions that facilitate threading the proximal end and syringe together, and an oversized distal end that penetrates to a lesser depth within a female connector opening than the distal end of a standard luer connector.
Method of disposing a connector in a fluid infusion line
A method of disposing a medical fluid connector in a fluid infusion line by connecting its proximal end to a syringe via a threaded connection and coupling its oversized threadless distal end to a female connector, wherein grasping portions facilitate threading, disconnection-resisting structures increase friction to resist decoupling, and a fluid pathway extends from the syringe through the connector to the female connector.
Together, the inventive features provide an emitter-retaining connector and methods featuring a disconnection-resistant threaded syringe connection, grasping portions for coupling, and an oversized threadless distal end that couples temporarily to a female connector with reduced penetration depth.
Stated Advantages
The disconnection-resisting structures increase friction between the connector and syringe threading to resist decoupling or disconnection.
The retaining structure secures the emitter while maintaining fluid passage around it into the fluid line.
The syringe connection is secure and resistant to disconnection, while the attachment to the female connector is temporary and non-secured.
The grasping portions facilitate threading the proximal end and syringe together.
The connector may reduce storage and handling of separate antimicrobial liquids.
Documented Applications
Use in a fluid infusion line to retain an emitter of therapeutic agents and carry the agents into the fluid line.
Support for antimicrobial blocks during infusion-line standby.
Simultaneous attachment of the medical connector to a syringe and a resealable female luer connector on a fluid line.
Disposition of an emitter-carrying medical fluid connector in a fluid infusion line to establish a fluid pathway extending from a syringe through the connector to a female connector.
Interested in licensing this patent?