# US 12,213,946 B2 · Dosing control coupling for enteral fluid transfer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,213,946 B2 - Document ID: US12213946B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/535,924 - Filed: 2019-08-08 - Published: 2020-01-30 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-14 - Assignees: Avent, Inc. - Applicants: Avent, Inc. - Inventors: Benjamin M. Davis; Aaron N. Ingram; Duane Webb; Mariann Cary - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12213946B2 ## CPC - A61J 15/0026: {Parts, details or accessories for feeding-tubes (external tubes from medical containers to a connector outside of the body A61M39/08)} - A61J 7/0053: {Syringes, pipettes or oral dispensers} - A61M 5/3134: {characterised by constructional features of the distal end, i.e. end closest to the tip of the needle cannula} - A61M 5/345: {Adaptors positioned between needle hub and syringe nozzle} - A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)} - A61M 39/12: for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment - A61M 2039/1077: {Adapters, e.g. couplings adapting a connector to one or several other connectors} - A61M 2039/1094: {at least partly incompatible with standard connectors, e.g. to prevent fatal mistakes in connection} - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE - 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 An enteral dosing control coupling comprising a cylindrical collar defining a hollow internal chamber and a lumen extension tip projecting axially into the internal chamber, the lumen extension tip defining an internal lumen extending through the lumen extension tip. In example forms, the lumen extension tip is integrally formed with the cylindrical collar. In other example forms, the lumen extension tip is a separate piece and is removably engageable within the cylindrical collar. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An enteral dosing control coupling comprising: a cylindrical collar defining a hollow internal chamber, a smooth interior surface, a collar axial length, and a collar free end; and a lumen extension tip projecting axially into the hollow internal chamber and defining an internal lumen extending axially through the lumen extension tip, a tip axial length that is shorter than the collar axial length, a tip free end recessed below the collar free end, and a contained volume of 0.005 milliliters to about 0.03 milliliters. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical collar includes external coupling members. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical collar and the external coupling members are configured to engage a male ENFit coupling including a centrally positioned hub and defining an internal conduit extending through the centrally positioned hub. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 3, wherein the lumen extension tip is sized, shaped and positioned within the cylindrical collar for compatible fitting engagement within the internal conduit of the hub of the male ENFit coupling. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 1, wherein the contained volume is about 0.01 milliliters. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 1, wherein the lumen extension tip is integrally formed with the cylindrical collar. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 1, wherein the lumen extension tip is a separate piece from the cylindrical collar and coupled to the cylindrical collar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 1, wherein the tip free end is recessed 0.45 millimeters to 0.65 millimeters below the collar free end. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 1, wherein a base portion of the lumen extension tip has an outer diameter of about 2.85 millimeters. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 1, wherein a combined tip volume comprises the contained volume of the lumen extension tip and a volume of space between the lumen extension tip and the collar free end, the combined tip volume being about 0.017 milliliters. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An enteral fluid device comprising the enteral dosing control coupling of claim 1. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The enteral fluid device of claim 9, further comprising: An enteral syringe, an enteral fluid collection device, an enteral fluid storage device, and an enteral fluid delivery tube or an enteral fluid delivery conduit. ### Claim 13 An enteral syringe comprising: a hollow cylindrical barrel including a cylindrical collar defining a hollow internal chamber, a smooth interior surface, a collar free end, and a collar axial length, the cylindrical collar including external coupling members; and a dosing control coupling including a lumen extension tip projecting axially into the hollow internal chamber of the cylindrical collar, the lumen extension tip defining a tip axial length that is shorter than the collar axial length, a tip free end recessed below the collar free end, and an internal lumen extending through the lumen extension tip, wherein the enteral syringe defines a syringe volume of 0.5 milliliters to 6 milliliters, and wherein a contained volume of the lumen extension tip is 0.005 milliliters to 0.03 milliliters. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The enteral syringe of claim 13, wherein the cylindrical collar is shaped and sized according to the ISO 80369-3 standard. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The enteral syringe of claim 13, wherein the lumen extension tip is integrally formed with the cylindrical collar. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The enteral syringe of claim 13, wherein the lumen extension tip is a separate piece from the cylindrical collar and removably coupled to a portion of the enteral syringe. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The enteral syringe of claim 13, wherein the lumen extension tip further defines a generally elongate body for coupling engagement within the hollow cylindrical barrel of the enteral syringe. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The enteral syringe of claim 17, wherein a base portion of the lumen extension tip defines an outer peripheral surface for engagement with a surface defined by the hollow cylindrical barrel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The enteral syringe of claim 18, further comprising a sealing member for providing a seal between the hollow cylindrical barrel and the base portion of the lumen extension tip. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The enteral syringe of claim 18, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the base portion comprises one or more engagement features for cooperating engagement with an engagement feature provided within the hollow cylindrical barrel. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The enteral syringe of claim 13, further comprising a plunger axially movable within the hollow cylindrical barrel to fill and dispense fluid into and from the enteral syringe, the plunger comprising an elongate body comprising a forward end having a spear-like tip insertable within the internal lumen of the lumen extension tip such that the contained volume within the internal lumen of the lumen extension tip is substantially zero. ### Claim 22 An enteral fluid delivery device comprising: a lumen extension tip defining a fluid delivery conduit extending through the lumen extension tip, a tip axial length, a tip free end, and a contained volume of 0.005 milliliters to 0.03 milliliters; and an outer coupling collar configured to engage a compatible coupling element, the outer coupling collar at least partially surrounding the lumen extension tip and defining a smooth interior surface, a collar axial length that is longer than the tip axial length, and a collar free end, wherein the tip free end is recessed below the collar free end. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The enteral fluid delivery device of claim 22, further comprising: an enteral fluid delivery syringe having a barrel, and a plunger for advancement and retraction within the barrel, the enteral fluid delivery syringe defining a variable-volume fluid reservoir within the barrel, wherein the fluid delivery conduit extending through the lumen extension tip is in fluid communication with the variable-volume fluid reservoir of the enteral fluid delivery syringe. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The enteral fluid delivery device of claim 22, wherein the compatible coupling element comprises an ISO 80369-3 compatible ENFit coupling, and wherein the lumen extension tip and the outer coupling collar are configured for compatible engagement with corresponding portions of the ISO 80369-3 compatible ENFit coupling.