US 2015/0306370 A1 · ANTIMICROBIAL STOPCOCK MEDICAL CONNECTOR

Abstract

Various embodiments of an antimicrobial stopcock medical connector is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stopcock tap having fluid channels provided on portions of the outer surface of the stopcock tap, whereby fluid bypasses the stopcock through the fluid channels by flowing between the outer surface of the stopcock tap and the inner surface of the stopcock housing. Some embodiments further comprise an antimicrobial coating or insert that is provided in the one or more fluid channel, whereby fluid flowing through the fluid channels contacts the antimicrobial coating or an antimicrobial agent that is eluted from the antimicrobial coating. Further still, some embodiments of the present invention comprise an antimicrobial groove that is positioned opposite the fluid channel, whereby when the stopcock is in an “off” position, the antimicrobial groove contacts fluid within a blocked port thereby preventing microbial growth therein.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A stopcock medical connector device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal opening, a distal end, and an inner lumen extending therebetween;
an upstream port coupled to the housing and having a hollow interior in fluid communication with the inner lumen;
a downstream port coupled to the housing and having a hollow interior in fluid communication with the inner lumen;
a tap rotatably seated in the inner lumen of the housing and comprising a shaft having an outer surface and further comprising a fluid channel formed on the outer surface of the shaft, the fluid channel providing a fluid pathway between the downstream and upstream ports when the tap is rotated to an open position, and the outer surface of tap preventing fluid communication between the downstream and upstream ports when the tap is rotated to a closed position, wherein the closed position results in the fluid channel being in fluid communication with only one of the ports, and the open position results in the fluid channel being in fluid communication with both of the ports.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Antimicrobial stopcock medical connector

Life of this patent

Antimicrobial stopcock medical connector

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20