# US 7,611,502 B2 · Connector for enteral fluid delivery set > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,502 B2 - Document ID: US7611502B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/254,520 - Filed: 2005-10-20 - Published: 2007-04-26 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2005-10-20 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Inventors: Paul J. Daly - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611502B2 ## CPC - A61J 1/1418: {Threaded type} - A61J 1/1481: {with connection retaining means, e.g. thread or snap-fit} - A61J 1/1406: {Septums, pierceable membranes} - A61J 1/145: {using air filters} - A61J 1/1468: {Containers characterised by specific material properties} - A61J 2200/10: Coring prevention means, e.g. for plug or septum piecing members - A61M 5/162: Needle sets, i.e. connections by puncture between reservoir and tube - A61M 2005/1623: {Details of air intake} - A61M 2202/0482: Enteral feeding product - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE - 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)} ## Abstract A connector for use in connecting a container of liquid nutrients to an enteral feeding tube to supply the liquid nutrients to a patient includes an integrally formed spike projecting into a cavity defined by an interior surface of a body of the connector. An air passage in communication with the cavity extends through the spike to outside the connector. A filter is secured to the end of the passage outside the connector. The body of the connector is free of structure that both defines any portion of the liquid passage and is formed for penetrating the puncturable seal of the container. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector for use in connecting a container of liquid nutrients to an enteral feeding tube to supply the liquid nutrients to a patient, the connector comprising: a body having an interior surface defining a cavity for receiving an outlet of the container, and an exterior surface; a liquid passage defined in the body having a first end in fluid communication with the cavity and a second end for connection to the enteral feeding tube to fluidly connect the container and the enteral feeding tube when the connector is received on the container; a spike formed integrally with the body and having a free end projecting into the cavity for piercing a puncturable seal covering the outlet of the container as the outlet of the container is being received in the cavity, the spike further comprising a generally flat bottom surface and having a knife edge substantially along its length; an air passage extending through the spike to the exterior surface of the body, the air passage opens at the flat bottom surface of the spike for introducing air from outside the connector into the container when the connector is attached to the container; and the cavity being free of structure that defines any portion of the liquid passage and the spike is formed for penetrating the puncturable seal of the container. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein no portion of the liquid passage extends into the cavity. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A connector as set forth in claim 2 wherein the interior surface of the body includes an upper surface section, the liquid passage having an opening generally flush with the upper surface section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein the spike projects from the interior surface of the body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A connector as set forth in claim 4 wherein the spike is spaced from the liquid passage opening on the interior surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) A connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein the upper surface section is substantially flat. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A connector as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an air filter and a filter mount disposed on the exterior surface of the body in fluid communication with the air passage for connecting the air filter to the body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body has a cylindrical lower portion and a cylindrical upper portion projecting from the lower portion, the interior surface at the lower portion having internally projecting threads for threadably attaching to a container with a threaded, larger diameter outlet, the interior surface at the upper portion being adapted for snap fitting to a container with a smaller diameter outlet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A connector as set forth in claim 8 wherein the liquid passage is partially defined by a tubular conduit projecting outward from the exterior surface of the upper portion of the body and having threads on its exterior surface for threadable attachment to the enteral feeding tube. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bottom surface of the spike lies generally in a plane intersecting a central axis of the body at an angle thereby to form a tip at a lower end of the knife edge. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body has a central axis, the spike being spaced from the central axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A connector as set forth in claim 11 wherein the liquid passage has an opening in its first end having a longitudinal axis spaced from the central axis of the body. ### Claim 13 A connector for use in connecting a container of liquid nutrients to an enteral feeding tube to supply the liquid nutrients to a patient, the connector comprising: a body having an interior surface defining a cavity for receiving an outlet of the container, and an exterior surface; a liquid passage defined in the body having a first end in fluid communication with the cavity and a second end for connection to the enteral feeding tube to fluidly connect the container and the enteral feeding tube when the connector is received on the container; a spike formed integrally with the body and having a free end projecting into the cavity for piercing a puncturable seal covering the outlet of the container as the outlet of the container is being received in the cavity; an air passage extending through the spike to the exterior surface of the body for introducing air from outside the connector into the container when the connector is attached to the container; and the cavity being free of structure that defines any portion of the liquid passage and the spike is formed for penetrating the puncturable seal of the container, wherein the spike comprises first and second opposite broad sides, and first and second opposite narrow sides, the second narrow side being beveled from the second broad side to the first broad side, so that a cutting edge is formed where the second narrow side meets the first broad side, the second narrow side tapering toward the free end of the spike such that a folding edge is formed where the second narrow side meets the second broad side. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A connector as set forth in claim 13 wherein the first broad side is generally arcuate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A connector as set forth in claim 13 wherein a folding edge of the spike folds an edge of the seal away from opening of the liquid passageway for preventing the seal from blocking the flow of fluid from container.