Medical connectors and methods of use
AssigneeICU Medical, Inc.
InventorThomas F. Fangrow, JR.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a medical connector having a backflow resistance module configured to prevent fluid from being drawn into the connector when a backflow inducing event occurs. In some embodiments, the backflow resistance module can include a variable-volume chamber configured to change in volume in response to a backflow-inducing event and a check valve configured to resist backflow. In some embodiments, the medical connector can include a fluid diverter configured to direct fluid flowing through the medical connector into the variable volume chamber to prevent fluid stagnation therein. In some embodiments, the medical connector includes a body member, a base member, a seal member, a support member, and a valve member.
Claims20
A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway, the connector comprising:
- a housing having a proximal end with a proximal opening and a distal end with a distal opening;
- a first valve member positioned substantially within the housing, the first valve member being configured to selectively seal the proximal opening;
- and
- a second valve member positioned within the housing, the second valve member being configured to selectively seal at least a portion of the housing in a distal direction from the first valve member, wherein:
- the second valve member opens or remains open so as to permit fluid flow in a first direction when the pressure in a proximal region within the connector is greater than the pressure in a distal region within the connector by a first threshold value, the first direction being from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion;
- the second valve member opens or remains open so as to permit fluid flow in a second direction when the pressure in a distal region within the connector is greater than the pressure in a proximal region within the connector by a second threshold value, the second direction being from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion, and the second threshold value being greater than the first threshold value;
- and
- a dynamic regulator comprising a side wall formed from a flexible material, the side wall being configured to buckle or flex so as to reduce the internal volume from a first internal volume to a second internal volume when a pressure change occurs at the proximal end, thereby diminishing the pressure change within the proximal region of the connector.
A method of manufacturing a medical connector, comprising:
- providing a housing with an internal cavity;
- providing a first internal closure system in the internal cavity;
- providing a second internal closure system in the internal cavity;
- and
- providing a volume adjuster positioned between the first and second internal closure systems, the volume adjuster being capable of adjusting a fluid volume within the connector independent of movement of the first internal closure system.
A method of using a medical connector, comprising:
- providing a medical connector;
- attaching the medical connector to a fluid line on a distal end thereof;
- attaching the medical connector to a medical implement on a proximal end thereof;
- moving a seal member within the medical connector from a first position to a second position to open a fluid passageway within the medical connector;
- introducing fluid into the medical connector;
- producing a change in volume within the medical connector;
- and
- causing a variable-volume chamber within the connector that is spaced from and disconnected from the seal member to move from a first position containing a first fluid volume to a second position containing a second fluid volume that is less than the first fluid volume to thereby impede a negative flow of fluid into the connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.