Dual ended disinfecting cap for stopcock valves
AssigneeBecton, Dickinson and Company
InventorSean Coyle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A universal cap for both male and female connections includes configuration of structural elements allowing the cap to be opened at either end. Optionally, an inner wall feature allows each end of a cap structure to function as its own cap, or perform a separate capping function. For example, should one end of the cap structure be in use, and the other end of the cap structure be open to air, the end of the cap structure in use, or performing the capping function, is not compromised. Optionally, dual ended cap structure includes features designed to maintain the pressure in a closed system, for both the male and female luer lock ends.
Claims20
A cap comprising:
- an housing comprising
- a sidewall,
- an open first end formed by said sidewall with a first opening to a first cavity within said housing for receiving a hub of a male needleless connector,
- an open second end formed opposite said first end by said sidewall with a second opening to a second cavity within said housing for receiving a hub of a female needleless connector, and
- a separation wall disposed within said sidewall, said separation wall comprising
- a first surface essentially perpendicular to a first portion of said sidewall extending from said separation wall to said first open end of said housing, said first surface forming a closed first end of said first cavity, and
- a second surface opposite said first surface and essentially perpendicular to a second portion of said sidewall extending from said separation wall to said second open end of said housing, said second surface forming a closed second end of said second cavity;
- and
- a protrusion within said first cavity, said protrusion comprising
- an inner surface defining an inner portion of said first cavity,
- an outer surface defining an outer portion of said first cavity, and
- an outer thread on said outer surface, said outer thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of said male needleless connector forming a leak proof seal.
A capping method including interfacing with one or more connectors, wherein a cap includes
- a housing comprising
- a sidewall,
- an open first end formed by said sidewall with a first opening to a first cavity within said housing for receiving a hub of a male needleless connector,
- an open second end formed opposite said first end by said sidewall with a second opening to a second cavity within said housing for receiving a hub of a female needleless connector, and
- a separation wall disposed within said sidewall, said separation wall comprising
- a first surface essentially perpendicular to a first portion of said sidewall extending from said separation wall to said first open end of said housing, said first surface forming a closed first end of said first cavity, and
- a second surface opposite said first surface and essentially perpendicular to a second portion of said sidewall extending from said separation wall to said second open end of said housing, said second surface forming a closed second end of said second cavity, and
- a protrusion within said first cavity comprising
- an inner surface defining an inner portion of said first cavity,
- an outer surface defining an outer portion of said first cavity, and
- an outer thread on said outer surface, said outer thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of said male needleless connector forming a leak proof seal,
- said method comprising at least one of:
- receiving a male needleless connector within said first cavity, and securing said hub of said male needleless connector within said inner portion of said first cavity by interlocking at least a portion of said outer thread of said protrusion with said mating feature disposed on a collar of said male needleless connector when said collar is received within said outer portion of said first cavity;
- and
- receiving a hub of a female needleless connector within said second cavity, and securing said hub of said female needleless connector within said second cavity by interlocking at least a portion of said inner thread with a mating feature on said hub of said female needleless connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.