Carrier assembly with caps for medical connectors
Inventors
Solomon, Donald D. • Kennedy, James Paul
Assignees
HEALTH LINE INTERNATIONAL CORP., DBA HEALTH LINE MEDICAL PRODUCTS
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Publication Number
US-9415202-B2
Publication Date
2016-08-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
An assembly for mounting medical connector caps includes a carrier formed from a sheet of material and having an array of holes. The assembly also includes a plurality of medical connector caps. Each cap is inserted into one of the holes of the array. The assembly also includes a plurality of sealing tabs. The tabs may be retained on the carrier by friction fit into the holes of the carrier. The carrier may also include a mounting hole to hang on a pole of an IV line.
Core Innovation
The invention describes an assembly of medical connector caps retained in an array of holes in a sheet-shaped carrier. Each cap has an openable end configured to cover a medical connector and a closed graspable end. The holes secure the caps by friction fit, mechanically stabilizing them in relation to the carrier. Individual sealing tabs cover cap openings and are tethered to the carrier.
A user can remove a cap while its sealing tab remains tethered to the carrier, or break the tether and keep the cap sealed for later use. The carrier may be a flexible polymeric film and may include a mounting hole, while the caps may contain disinfectant. The supplied partial content does not include the background section, so the problem identified there is not explicitly described.
Claims Coverage
The provided claims include two independent claims, claims 1 and 11, covering an assembly of medical connector caps in a sheet-shaped carrier with friction-fit holes that mechanically stabilize the caps, with claim 11 additionally reciting retention means.
Caps retained by friction fit in carrier holes
Independent claim 1 recites a sheet-shaped carrier with an array of holes and medical connector caps inserted into and retained in the holes. Each hole is sized to secure a cap with a friction fit, mechanically stabilizing the cap in relation to the carrier.
Means for retaining caps in carrier holes
Independent claim 11 recites a sheet-shaped carrier with an array of holes, caps inserted into the holes, and means for retaining each cap in its respective hole. Each hole is sized to secure a cap with a friction fit, mechanically stabilizing the cap in relation to the carrier.
The two independent claims cover carrier-and-cap assemblies wherein friction-fit holes stabilize the caps, with claim 11 further reciting means for retaining each cap in its respective hole.
Stated Advantages
Friction-fit retention provides more stable cap retention in relation to the carrier.
The sealing tabs and tethers reduce the risk of accidental seal disruption or contamination.
The assembly supports one-handed cap preparation.
Documented Applications
The assembly mounts medical connector caps for use; the caps are configured to cover medical connectors, including male or female connector ends.
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