Disinfecting caps for medical male luer connectors
Inventors
Solomon, Donald D. • Ferguson, F. Mark • HITCHCOCK, ROBERT • Bandis, Steven • Mercer, James V. • Howlett, Michael W.
Assignees
HEALTH LINE INTERNATIONAL CORP., DBA HEALTH LINE MEDICAL PRODUCTS
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Publication Number
US-8641681-B2
Publication Date
2014-02-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed herein are disinfecting caps that can be used to cover and disinfect a male luer post of a medical connector when not in use or when disconnected from its female connector counterpart. The caps are configured to engage threads of the connector. The caps contain a disinfecting agent disposed in a chamber of the cap.
Core Innovation
The patent claims a male-disinfecting cap for applying an antiseptic agent to a medical male luer-lock connector. A receiving portion defines a chamber containing the antiseptic agent, having a single opening and configured to fit within the connector skirt. A movable member enters the connector lumen and engages an interior edge of its opening, diminishing antiseptic flow into the lumen while permitting flow past the member to the connector post.
The disclosure describes chamber covers, biasing structures, fixed chamber volumes, and a movable member that retains antiseptic before insertion of the post. Additionally, the disclosure describes paired-cap or dual-cap assemblies coupled by a sleeve for pre-use storage to protect disconnected connectors, including separation assists that convert cap rotation into axial release. Independent claim 1 and independent claim 18 define this cap arrangement, with claim 1 additionally including a gripping portion.
Claims Coverage
The claims include two independent claims, claim 1 and claim 18, which encompass four inventive features directed to a male-disinfecting cap for applying an antiseptic agent to a medical male luer-lock connector.
Receiving portion defining a chamber
Independent claims 1 and 18 recite a receiving portion defining a chamber with a single opening for receiving the connector post. The receiving portion has an external surface configured to engage helical threads of the connector skirt and fits within the skirt when the post is received.
Antiseptic agent disposed in the chamber
Independent claims 1 and 18 recite an antiseptic agent disposed within the chamber.
Movable member engaging the lumen opening
Independent claims 1 and 18 recite a member movably disposed within the chamber and shaped to enter the lumen so as to engage against an interior edge of an opening of the lumen when the post is received, diminishing flow of the antiseptic agent into the lumen while permitting flow of the antiseptic agent past the member to the connector post.
Gripping portion
Independent claim 1 additionally recites a gripping portion, which is omitted from independent claim 18.
Both independent claims cover a threaded receiving chamber containing antiseptic and a movable member that diminishes antiseptic flow into the connector lumen while permitting flow to the post, with claim 1 further reciting a gripping portion.
Stated Advantages
The movable member diminishes flow of the antiseptic agent into the connector lumen while permitting the antiseptic agent to flow past the member to the connector post.
Documented Applications
Applying an antiseptic agent to a medical male luer-lock connector.
Protecting disconnected connectors using paired-cap assemblies.
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