Fluid delivery system, fluid path set, sterile connector and improved drip chamber and pressure isolation mechanism

A fluid path set for use in a fluid delivery system comprising a pressurizing device and fluid source, the fluid path set comprising:

• a first section adapted for connection to the pressuring device and to the fluid source, the first section comprising an intervening drip chamber between the fluid source and the pressurizing device;
• a second section adapted for removable fluid communication with the first section, the second section comprising a pressure isolation mechanism comprising a lumen having an inlet in fluid connection with the first section and an outlet, a pressure isolation port in fluid communication with the lumen, and a valve member comprising a biasing portion adapted to bias the valve member to a normally open position permitting fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet of the lumen and between the lumen and the pressure isolation port, the biasing portion also adapted to move the valve member to a closed position when fluid pressure in the lumen reaches a predetermined pressure level sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the biasing portion of the valve member, wherein in the closed position the valve member is adapted to allow fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet of the lumen while preventing fluid communication between the lumen and the pressure isolation port;
• and
• a connector providing the removable fluid communication between the first section and the second section, the connector comprising:
• a first connector member associated with one of the first section and the second section and comprising an outer housing and a first externally-threaded female luer member coaxially disposed in and recessed within the outer housing and separated therefrom by an annular cavity;
• and
• a second connector member associated with the other of the first section and the second section and comprising a male luer disposed in and recessed within an internally-threaded second member, the internally-threaded second member comprising at least one circumferentially-extending raised structure on an external surface thereof, the at least one raised structure extending into a liquid-trapping chamber defined by an inner wall of the outer housing and the first externally-threaded female luer member and further defining a tortuous path with the inner wall of the outer housing for inhibiting liquid flow from the liquid-trapping chamber between the outer housing and the internally-threaded second member when the first connector member is connected to the second connector member;
• wherein the first externally-threaded female luer member and the internally-threaded second member cooperate to securely and releasably connect the first connector member to the second connector member to establish the removable fluid communication between the first section and the second section, and wherein the internally-threaded second member is received in the outer housing of the first connector member when the first connector member is connected to the second connector member.