Assembly of medical connector caps
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-9809355-B2
Publication Date
2017-11-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed herein are disinfecting caps that can be used to cover and disinfect both a male medical connector and needleless injection site when not in use or when disconnected from each other. The caps contain a disinfecting agent.
Core Innovation
The invention is an assembly of medical connector-disinfecting caps configured to protect and disinfect disconnected medical connectors. One arrangement includes a male-disinfecting cap configured to receive a male luer connector and a female-disinfecting cap configured to receive a needleless injection site. Each cap includes an interior receiving portion containing an antiseptic agent. A seal contacts the exterior circumferential surfaces of both caps, seals their receiving portions, and holds their openings facing each other.
Another arrangement includes two medical connector-disinfecting caps held by a seal with their openings facing each other without direct contact between the caps. Disclosed configurations optionally incorporate absorbent pads in the receiving portions to release antiseptic and wipe connector surfaces during attachment, as well as threading, separation assists that convert cap rotation into axial release, and resilient support and sealing members.
Claims Coverage
The patent claims cover two assembly configurations of medical connector-disinfecting caps, presenting two inventive features.
Assembly of male and female disinfecting caps
Claim 1 recites a male-disinfecting cap with external protrusions for engaging a male luer connector and a female-disinfecting cap with internal protrusions for engaging a needleless injection site, wherein each cap has a single receiving portion containing an antiseptic agent. A seal around and in contact with the exterior circumferential surfaces seals both receiving portions and holds the caps with their openings facing each other such that the external and internal protrusions do not engage.
Assembly of two medical connector-disinfecting caps
Claim 5 recites two medical connector-disinfecting caps, each having a single receiving portion containing an antiseptic agent and an exterior circumferential surface. A seal around and in contact with the exterior circumferential surface of each cap seals each receiving portion and holds the caps with their openings facing each other so that the caps do not directly contact one another.
The independent claims cover two sealed cap assemblies: one pairing male and female disinfecting caps with non-engaging protrusions, and another holding two medical connector-disinfecting caps apart without direct contact, with dependent claim elements adding absorbent pads and connector threading.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Protecting and disinfecting disconnected medical connectors, including a male luer connector and a needleless injection site, using medical connector-disinfecting cap assemblies containing an antiseptic agent.
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