Needleless connector with in-line filter
AssigneeCareFusion 303, Inc.
InventorsGeorge Mansour, James Paloyan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Needleless connectors are described herein. A needleless connector includes a housing comprising a cavity and a proximal fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity. The connector further includes a filter support disposed at least partially within the cavity. The filter support can include a distal fluid port in fluid communication with the proximal fluid port. The connector further includes a filter disposed circumferentially around the filter support and between the proximal fluid port and the distal fluid port.
Claims18
A needleless connector, comprising:
- a housing comprising a cavity and a proximal fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity;
- a filter support disposed at least partially within the cavity, the filter support comprising a distal fluid port in fluid communication with the proximal fluid port;
- and
- a filter disposed circumferentially around the filter support and between the proximal fluid port and the distal fluid port, wherein a proximal end of the filter radially expands away from the filter support to prevent fluid flow through a filter medium to the proximal fluid port.
A needleless connector, comprising:
- a housing comprising a cavity and a proximal fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity;
- a filter support disposed at least partially within the cavity, the filter support comprising a distal fluid port in fluid communication with the proximal fluid port, the housing and the filter support defining a flow path between the proximal fluid port and the distal fluid port;
- and
- a filter disposed around the filter support, wherein the filter is expandable to be removed from the flow path.
A method to selectively filter a fluid flow, the method comprising:
- introducing a first fluid flow from a first fluid port into a needleless connector;
- directing the first fluid flow through a filter disposed within the needleless connector;
- directing the first fluid flow to a second fluid port out of the needleless connector;
- imparting a force against an inner surface of the filter via a second fluid flow to radially expand the filter;
- and
- expanding the filter to prevent fluid flow through a filter medium to the second fluid port.
A method to selectively filter a fluid flow, the method comprising:
- introducing a first fluid flow from a first fluid port into a needleless connector;
- directing the first fluid flow through a filter disposed within the needleless connector;
- selectively permitting the first fluid flow through a filter medium of the filter;
- directing the first fluid flow to a second fluid port out of the needleless connector;
- imparting a force against an inner surface of the filter via a second fluid flow to radially expand the filter;
- introducing the second fluid flow from the second fluid port into the needleless connector;
- bypassing the filter disposed within the needleless connector;
- and
- directing the second fluid flow to the first fluid port out of the needleless connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.