# US 2014/0155838 A1 · Closed male luer device for use with needleless access devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155838 A1 - Document ID: US20140155838A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/172,756 - Filed: 2014-02-04 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2009-04-06 - Assignees: CareFusion 303, Inc. - Applicants: Carefusion 303, Inc. - Inventors: George M. MANSOUR; Matthew P. FRIED - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155838A1 ## CPC - A61M 39/26: Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof {(check valves A61M39/24)} - A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings - A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)} - A61M 2039/261: {where the fluid space within the valve is increasing upon disconnection} - A61M 2039/266: {where the valve comprises venting channels, e.g. to insure better connection, to help decreasing the fluid space upon disconnection, or to help the fluid space to remain the same during disconnection} - A61M 2039/267: {having a sealing sleeve around a tubular or solid stem portion of the connector} - A61M 2039/268: {wherein the stem portion is moved for opening and closing the valve, e.g. by translation, rotation} - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - 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 A medical connector is described which is formed by a body having an inlet port, an outlet port through a male luer portion of the body, and a fluid path between the inlet port and the at least one outlet ports. A retractable post extends through the fluid path in the male luer sealing a tip of the male luer thereby closing the fluid path when the connector in not activated. There is a seal between the retractable post and the body that forms a fluid volume within a portion of the cavity. The fluid path passes through the fluid volume. When actuated, the retractable post is forced away from the tip of the male luer, thereby opening the fluid path through the medical connector and decreasing the fluid volume. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A medical connector comprising: a body having an inlet port, an outlet port through a male luer portion of the body, and a fluid path from the inlet port to the outlet port; a post extending through the fluid path in the male luer sealing a tip of the male luer thereby closing the fluid path when the connector is not activated; a channel formed in the male luer from the outlet port to a periphery of the tip; and a first seal disposed between the post and the body, the first seal configured to form a fluid volume within a portion of the cavity, the fluid path passing through the fluid volume; wherein the post is urged away from the tip of the male luer when the connector is engaged with a mating female luer connector, thereby opening the fluid path through the medical connector and decreasing the fluid volume, and wherein fluid in the male luer is drawn into the outlet port through the channel during disengagement from a mating female luer connector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the channel is formed in the tip of the male luer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The medical connector of claim 2, wherein fluid around the tip of the male luer is drawn into the outlet port through the channel in the tip as the fluid volume increases during the disengagement. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the post is retractable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, further comprising a spring element disposed within the body and configured to urge the post toward the tip of the male luer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The medical connector of claim 5, wherein the spring element comprises a bellows valve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The medical connector of claim 6, wherein the bellows valve comprises a slit configured to allow fluid to pass through the bellows valve and into the outlet port. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the post comprises a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The medical connector of claim 8, wherein the first seal is disposed on the first portion of the post. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The medical connector of claim 9, wherein the medical connector further comprises a second seal disposed between the second portion of the post and the body. ### Claim 11 A method for activating a medical connector, the method comprising the step of: inserting a male luer of the medical connector into a female luer connector of a secondary device, the female luer connector comprising a elongate member configured to displace a post that seals an inlet of the male luer when the connector is not activated, thereby opening a fluid path from the inlet through a fluid volume formed within a body of the medical connector by a first seal disposed between the post and the body to an outlet; and removing the male luer of the medical connector from the female luer connector of the secondary device, thereby allowing the post to seal the inlet of the male luer while increasing the fluid volume, thereby drawing a fluid into the medical connector through a channel formed in the male luer as the medical connector is disengaged from the female luer connector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the channel is formed in a tip of the male luer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the post is retractable. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the medical connector comprises a bellows disposed within the body and configured to urge the post toward a tip of the male luer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the bellows comprises a slit configured to allow fluid to pass through the bellows and into the outlet port. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the post comprises a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the first seal is disposed on the first portion of the post. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the medical connector further comprises a second seal disposed between the second portion of the post and the body. ### Claim 19 A medical connector comprising: a body having an inlet port, an outlet port through a male luer portion of the body, and a fluid path from the inlet port to the outlet port; a post extending through the fluid path in the male luer sealing the male luer and thereby closing the fluid path; a channel formed in a tip of the male luer that extends from the outlet port to a periphery of the tip; and a valve disposed between the post and the body, the valve configured to form a fluid volume within a portion of the cavity, the fluid path passing through the fluid volume; wherein the post is urged away from the tip of the male luer when the connector is engaged with a mating female luer connector, thereby opening the fluid path, and the valve is collapsed, thereby decreasing the fluid volume; and wherein fluid around the tip of the male luer is drawn into the outlet port through the channel as the fluid volume increases during disengagement from a mating female luer connector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The medical connector of claim 19, wherein valve is a bellows valve that comprises an open end that is sealed to the body so as to direct fluid over and around the bellows valve and into the outlet port.