# US 12,178,984 B2 · Infusion tube system and method for manufacture > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,178,984 B2 - Document ID: US12178984B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/342,443 - Filed: 2023-06-27 - Published: 2023-10-26 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2011-10-19 - Assignees: Unomedical A/S - Applicants: UnoMedical A/S - Inventors: Peter Fruerlund; Jacob Andersen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178984B2 ## CPC - A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings - A61M 5/385: {using hydrophobic filters} - A61M 2039/205: {comprising air venting means} - A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production - Y10T 156/10: Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor - 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)} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An infusion tube system and a method for manufacture are provided. An infusion tube system including an infusion tube and a connector attached to the infusion tube at an end of the infusion tube is disclosed. The connector has a proximal end and includes a connector body extending from a distal end to a proximal end along a center axis and defining a cavity. The connector body includes an end wall with an inner surface, and at least one vent opening, and a sidewall extending from the end wall along the center axis with an inner and outer surface. The connector includes a membrane covering the at least one vent opening, the membrane being welded to the inner surface of the end wall along at least one welding seam including a first welding seam such that the membrane covers and seals the at least one vent opening. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of using an infusion tube system to provide infusion liquid, the method comprising: forming a first vent opening that extends through a connector body of a connector of the infusion tube system; forming a first protrusion that extends toward a distal end of the connector body, wherein forming the first protrusion comprises defining, only by the first protrusion, a curve that completely surrounds the first vent opening; fluidly coupling the connector to an infusion tube of the infusion tube system, wherein fluidly coupling the connector to the infusion tube comprises establishing a fluid path to permit communication of infusion liquid along a center axis of the connector between the infusion tube and a cavity at least partially surrounded by the connector body; sealing the first vent opening at the first protrusion with a membrane such that the membrane extends outside of the curve to the center axis; fluidly coupling the infusion tube system to an infusion device configured to supply the infusion liquid; and conducting the infusion liquid through the tube and the connector, wherein conducting the infusion liquid through the tube and the connector comprises conducting the infusion liquid through a needle that lies on the center axis of the connector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein sealing the first vent opening at the first protrusion with the membrane comprises welding the membrane along a first welding seam at the first protrusion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein sealing the first vent opening at the first protrusion with the membrane comprises covering the first vent opening with the membrane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the fluid path comprises arranging the fluid path outside of the curve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first vent opening is the only vent opening formed in the connector body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming the first protrusion comprises defining, only by the first protrusion, the curve such that the curve extends only partway around the center axis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein sealing the first vent opening at the first protrusion with the membrane comprises forming a closed curve by a first welding seam that surrounds at least the first vent opening. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning at least a part of the infusion tube in a support structure of the connector. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the curve defines an oval shape. ### Claim 10 A method of making an infusion tube system, the method comprising: forming a first vent opening that extends through a connector body of a connector of the infusion tube system; forming a first protrusion that extends toward a distal end of the connector body, wherein forming the first protrusion comprises defining, only by the first protrusion, a curve that completely surrounds the first vent opening; establishing a fluid path to permit communication of infusion liquid along a center axis of the connector between an infusion tube of the infusion tube system and a cavity at least partially surrounded by the connector body; and sealing the first vent opening at the first protrusion with a membrane such that the membrane extends outside of the curve to the center axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein establishing the fluid path comprises providing a needle that lies on the center axis of the connector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein establishing the fluid path comprises arranging the fluid path outside of the curve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein sealing the first vent opening at the first protrusion with the membrane comprises welding the membrane along a first welding seam at the first protrusion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein sealing the first vent opening at the first protrusion with the membrane comprises covering the first vent opening with the membrane. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the first vent opening is the only vent opening formed in the connector body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein forming the first protrusion comprises defining, only by the first protrusion, the curve such that the curve extends only partway around the center axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein sealing the first vent opening at the first protrusion with the membrane comprises forming a closed curve by a first welding seam that surrounds at least the first vent opening. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the curve defines an oval shape.