Medical connectors
AssigneeICU Medical, Inc.
InventorsDavid Nelson, Christopher James Hughes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adapter for connecting a first connector to a second connector can include a proximal portion configured to linearly engage the first connector with a snap-fit engagement. The adapter can include a distal portion configured to rotationally engage the second connector. Rotation of the adapter relative to the second connector can advance a male luer of the first connector into substantially sealing engagement with a female luer on the second connector. The adapter can be configured to displace a collar on the first connector when coupled to the first connector. The second connector can include a proximal portion that is configured to engage the first connector, such as with a snap-fit engagement.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- accessing a first medical connector that comprises:
- a proximal end with a proximal opening;
- a distal end with a distal opening,
- a fluid pathway between the proximal end and the distal end;
- a body portion;
- a projection extending distally from the body portion, wherein the projection comprises a step, and wherein the projection comprises a male luer with a tapered outer surface configured to engage a tapered inner surface of a female luer;
- and
- a collar substantially surrounding the projection, the collar having internal threading;
- accessing an adapter that comprises:
- a proximal portion having one or more protrusions that extend inward;
- and
- a distal portion having internal threading;
- coupling the adapter to the first medical connector by:
- inserting the projection into the proximal portion of the adapter;
- and
- advancing the adapter axially in a proximal direction until the one or more protrusions engage the step on the projection;
- and
- accessing a second medical connector that comprises:
- a distal end with a distal opening,
- a proximal end with a proximal opening, wherein the proximal end includes a female luer and external threading;
- and
- a fluid pathway between the proximal end and the distal end;
- and
- coupling the second medical connector to the adapter by:
- inserting the proximal end of the second medical connector into the distal portion of the adapter;
- and
- rotating the second medical connector relative to the adapter so that the external threading on the proximal end of the second medical connector engages the internal threading on the distal portion of the adapter so that the male luer of first medical connector sealingly engages the female luer of the second medical connector.
A method comprising:
- accessing a first medical connector that comprises:
- a distal end with a distal opening,
- a proximal end with a proximal opening, wherein the proximal end includes a female luer and external threading;
- a fluid pathway between the proximal end and the distal end;
- and
- an adapter comprising:
- a distal portion having internal threading that engages the external threading of the proximal end;
- and
- a proximal portion having one or more protrusions;
- accessing a second medical connector that comprises:
- a proximal end with a proximal opening;
- a distal end with a distal opening,
- a fluid pathway between the proximal end and the distal end;
- a body portion;
- a projection extending distally from the body portion, wherein the projection comprises a step, and wherein the projection comprises a male luer with a tapered outer surface;
- and
- a collar substantially surrounding the projection, the collar having internal threading;
- coupling the second medical connector to the adapter by:
- inserting the projection into the proximal portion of the adapter;
- and
- advancing the adapter axially in a proximal direction with respect to the second connector until the one or more protrusions engage the step on the projection, and so that the male luer of second medical connector sealingly engages the female luer of the first medical connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.