# US 11,077,293 B2 · Antimicrobial inserts for stopcock medical connectors

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- Number: US 11,077,293 B2
- Document ID: US11077293B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/986,352
- Filed: 2018-05-22
- Published: 2018-09-20
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2015-01-27
- Assignees: Becton, Dickinson and Company
- Applicants: Becton, Dickinson and Company
- Inventors: Huibin Liu; Bryan Fred Bihlmaier; Janice Lin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077293B2

## CPC

- A61M 39/162: {with antiseptic agent incorporated within the connector}
- A61M 39/16: having provision for disinfection or sterilisation {(A61M39/143 takes precedence)}
- A61M 39/22: Valves or arrangement of valves {(A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405)}
- A61M 39/223: {Multiway valves}
- F16K 11/072: with pivoted closure members
- F16K 25/005: {Particular materials for seats or closure elements}
- F16K 31/502: {actuating pivotable valve members}
- A61M 39/1033: {Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors or bayonet-connectors}
- A61M 39/229: {Single-way cut-off valves}
- 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)}
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}

## Abstract

Various embodiments of an antimicrobial insert for a stopcock medical connector are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial insert that is seated within at least a portion of the annular bore of the connector's tap, wherein fluid within the annular bore contacts the antimicrobial insert, thereby preventing microbial proliferation within the stopcock medical connector.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A stopcock medical connector device, comprising:
a housing, comprising an upstream port and a downstream port;
a tap rotatably seated in the housing, wherein the tap comprises an annular bore configured to align with the upstream port and the downstream port; and
an elongated structure disposed within the annular bore, wherein a diameter of the elongated structure is equal to a diameter of the annular bore, wherein the downstream port is configured to receive fluid from the upstream port through the annular bore and the elongated structure, wherein
the elongated structure comprises an antimicrobial material, wherein the elongated structure comprises a central axis portion and a plurality of segments extending outwardly from the central axis portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The stopcock medical connector device of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial material comprises an antimicrobial coating.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The stopcock medical connector device of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial material is selected from the group consisting of chlorhexidine diacetate, chlorhexidine gluconate, alexidine, silver sulfadiazine, silver acetate, silver citrate hydrate, cetrimide, cetyl pyridium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, o-phthalaldehyde, and silver element.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The stopcock medical connector device of claim 1, wherein a first pair of opposing segments of the plurality of segments are joined at an enlarged node, wherein a second pair of opposing segments of the plurality of segments are joined at the enlarged node.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The stopcock medical connector device of claim 1, wherein prior to insertion of the elongated structure into the annular bore, the diameter of the elongated structure is equal to the diameter of the annular bore.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The stopcock medical connector device of claim 1, wherein the elongated structure comprises a resilient polymer material, the elongated structure is deformed and fitted within the annular bore.