# US 11,433,227 B2 · Medical connector contamination prevention systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,433,227 B2 - Document ID: US11433227B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/971,091 - Filed: 2018-05-04 - Published: 2019-01-24 - Granted: 2022-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-13 - Applicants: Joseph P. Schultz - Inventors: Joseph P. Schultz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11433227B2 ## CPC - A61M 39/165: {Shrouds or protectors for aseptically enclosing the connector} - A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)} - A61M 39/162: {with antiseptic agent incorporated within the connector} - A61M 39/1033: {Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors or bayonet-connectors} - A61M 2039/1066: {having protection means, e.g. sliding sleeve to protect connector itself, shrouds to protect a needle present in the connector, protective housing, isolating sheath} - 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)} ## Abstract A system relating to improved medical-connector contamination prevention. More particularly, this invention relates to a reduced-touch contamination system for small-bore fluid connectors, including male and female Luer-type connectors. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus configured to receive a female Luer connector, the apparatus comprising: a male Luer connector comprising a conical connector and a circumferential collar oriented about a longitudinal axis, the conical connector comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the circumferential collar comprising a distal end and an inner surface, wherein: the inner surface of the circumferential collar surrounds the proximal portion of the conical connector and does not surround the distal portion of the conical connector, and the inner surface of the circumferential collar is threaded and defined by a plurality of peaks and valleys; and a shield comprising a distal terminating periphery substantially surrounding the longitudinal axis at a distal end of the shield, the shield oriented about the longitudinal axis and surrounding the distal portion of the conical connector, wherein: the shield extends beyond the distal portion of the conical connector; the shield comprises an inner bore extending from the distal portion of the conical connector to the distal end of the shield, the inner bore of the shield having a diameter larger than a diameter of an inner bore of the circumferential collar; the shield is positionally fixed relative to the circumferential collar; and the shield comprises a continuous inner surface, wherein the shield extends beyond the circumferential collar a distance of between 2.1 mm and 3.6 mm. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shield consists of tubing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shield is frangible. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a wall of the shield is frangible. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shield is an adhered film. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, having a unitary construction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shield is fixed to the circumferential collar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the continuous inner surface is distal to the distal portion of the male Luer connector conical connector. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shield comprises an absorbent material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the inner bore of the shield closely matches an outer diameter of the circumferential collar. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the shield is threadless. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the inner surface of the shield is ridgeless. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a syringe. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is an adapter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal terminating periphery surrounds the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner bore comprises a cylindrical portion, a frustoconical portion, or both. ### Claim 17 An apparatus configured to receive a female Luer connector, the apparatus comprising: a male Luer connector comprising a conical connector and a circumferential collar oriented about a longitudinal axis, the conical connector comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein: the circumferential collar comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the circumferential collar, the inner surface of the circumferential collar surrounds the proximal portion of the conical connector and does not surround the distal portion of the conical connector, and the inner surface of the circumferential collar is threaded and defined by a plurality of peaks and valleys; and a shield comprising a distal terminating periphery substantially surrounding the longitudinal axis at a distal end of the shield, the shield oriented about the longitudinal axis and surrounding the distal portion of the conical connector; wherein: the shield comprises an inner bore extending from the distal portion of the conical connector to the distal end of the shield a distance of between 2.1 mm and 3.6 mm, the inner bore having a diameter greater than 8.1 mm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the circumferential collar has an inner bore diameter matching the ISO 594 standard. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the shield and the circumferential collar are cylindrical. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the shield is a fixed shield. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the diameter of the inner bore of the shield closely matches an outer diameter of the circumferential collar. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the circumferential collar comprises an outer surface comprising a cross-sectional clearance greater than a cross-sectional clearance of an inner surface of the shield. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the inner bore of the shield is cylindrical. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the shield further comprises a funnel-like guide, wherein the funnel-like guide does not extend beyond the distal end of the circumferential collar. ### Claim 25 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the shield further comprises a guide adjacent the inner bore. ### Claim 26 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is a syringe. ### Claim 27 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is an adapter. ### Claim 28 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the inner bore of the shield is ridgeless. ### Claim 29 An apparatus configured to receive a female Luer connector, the apparatus comprising: a male Luer connector comprising a conical connector and a circumferential collar oriented about a longitudinal axis; and a shield comprising an inner bore extending from the distal portion of the conical connector to a distal end of the shield and a distal terminating periphery at the distal end of the shield, the shield oriented about the longitudinal axis and surrounding a distal portion of the conical connector, and the distal terminating periphery extending beyond a distal end of the conical connector wherein: an inner diameter of the shield is greater than 8.1 mm, the inner bore of the shield is cylindrical, the inner bore of the shield comprises a continuous and threadless inner surface and the shield is frangible. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus is a syringe. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein a wall of the shield is frangible. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus is a syringe and a wall of the shield is frangible.