Medical connectors and methods of use
AssigneeICU Medical, Inc.
InventorThomas F. Fangrow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a medical connector having a backflow resistance module configured to prevent fluid from being drawn into the connector when a backflow inducing event occurs. In some embodiments, the backflow resistance module can include a variable-volume chamber configured to change in volume in response to a backflow-inducing event and a check valve configured to resist backflow. In some embodiments, the medical connector can include a fluid diverter configured to direct fluid flowing through the medical connector into the variable volume chamber to prevent fluid stagnation therein. In some embodiments, the medical connector includes a body member, a base member, a seal member, a support member, and a valve member.
Claims18
A neutral-flow medical connector for use in a fluid pathway, the connector comprising:
- a housing comprising a proximal female end with a proximal opening and a distal male end with a distal opening;
- a first valve member positioned substantially or entirely within the housing, the first valve member being configured to selectively seal the proximal opening;
- a second valve member positioned within the housing, the second valve member being configured to selectively seal within the housing in a distal direction from the first valve member, wherein the second valve member is capable of both automatically opening and automatically closing while the first valve member is open;
- a proximal internal volume inside of the housing extending between and within the first valve member and the second valve member;
- and
- a dynamic regulator configured to buckle, flex, or move in response to a pressure changing event so as to change the proximal internal volume when the first valve member is open and the second valve member is closed, thereby diminishing or eliminating a pressure change within a proximal region of the connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.