# US 10,864,361 B2 · Friction fit medical caps

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- Number: US 10,864,361 B2
- Document ID: US10864361B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/753,296
- Filed: 2016-08-18
- Published: 2018-08-30
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2015-08-19
- Assignees: Hyprotek, Inc.
- Applicants: Hyprotek, Inc.
- Inventors: Patrick O. Tennican
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864361B2

## CPC

- A61M 39/0247: {Transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body}
- A61M 5/001: {Apparatus specially adapted for cleaning or sterilising syringes or needles}
- A61M 39/162: {with antiseptic agent incorporated within the connector}
- A61M 39/20: Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes
- A61B 5/15003: {for venous or arterial blood}
- A61M 2005/3104: {Caps for syringes without needle}
- A61M 2039/0258: {for vascular access, e.g. blood stream access}
- A61M 2039/0285: {with sterilisation means, e.g. antibacterial coatings, disinfecting pads, UV radiation LEDs or heating means in the port}
- A61M 2039/0288: {protectors, caps or covers therefor}
- A61M 2205/0205: Materials having antiseptic or antimicrobial properties, e.g. silver compounds, rubber with sterilising agent
- A61M 2205/0216: Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
- A61M 2205/0238: the material being a coating or protective layer
- A61M 2205/584: having a color code
- A61M 2209/06: Packaging for specific medical equipment
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A port cap has a closed end, an open end, and a conical body made of a flexible material. An inside of the port cap may have a textured or uneven surface. The textured or uneven surface may be formed by one or more annular rings. An annular ring may be asymmetrical having different slopes on the two different sides of the annular ring. The port cap may be made of an elastomeric polymer or elastomeric copolymer. An insert inside the port cap may be made of a sponge or similar material and may contain a cleaning agent or microbiocidal. The port cap may be sealed with a lid. Methods of using the port cap are also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A port cap for an intravascular port, the port cap comprising:
a closed end;
an open end having a larger diameter than a diameter of the closed end; and
a conical body including a flexible material, an inside of the conical body having a plurality of annular ridges, the annular ridges being asymmetrical, whether engaged with a port or not, and having a slope facing the open end that is less than a slope facing the closed end,
the port cap configured to be stretched over the intravascular port so that one or more of the plurality of annular ridges forms a fluid-tight seal over an opening of the intravascular port.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The port cap of claim 1, wherein the flexible material comprises a thermoplastic polymer, an elastomeric material, or both.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The port cap of claim 1, wherein the annular ridges are uniformly spaced on the inside of the conical body.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The port cap of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the port cap is colored with a dye that shields the port cap from ultraviolet light.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The port cap of claim 1, wherein a wall thickness of the conical body is from 0.25 mm to 2.5 mm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The port cap of claim 1, wherein a draft angle of the conical body is from 0° to 30°.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The port cap of claim 1, wherein a wall thickness of the conical body is 1.0 mm and a draft angle of the conical body is 12°.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The port cap of claim 1, wherein the port cap includes an insert.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The port cap of claim 8, wherein the insert contains a cleaning agent, a microbiocidal agent, or both.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The port cap of claim 8, wherein the insert comprises cellulose, polyethylene felt sponge, polyethylene foam sponge, plastic foam sponge, silicon foam sponge, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The port cap of claim 1, further comprising a lid attached to the open end and configured to maintain sterility inside the port cap.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A method of engaging the port cap of claim 1 with a port to form a fluid-tight seal by applying direct longitudinal force to push a portion of the port cap over an external surface of the port.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

A method of disengaging the port cap of claim 1 from a port comprising:
applying force to angle the port cap away from a longitudinal axis of the port; and
withdrawing the port cap away from the port.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the port comprises a port having internal threads.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the port comprises a port having internal threads.