# US 7,922,701 B2 · Catheter cleaning devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,922,701 B2 - Document ID: US7922701B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/706,517 - Filed: 2007-02-14 - Published: 2008-06-05 - Granted: 2011-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2006-02-17 - Inventors: Alan L. Buchman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7922701B2 ## CPC - A61M 25/00: Catheters; Hollow probes (dilators A61M29/00; {peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00} ; for measuring or testing A61B; {materials for catheters A61L29/00}) - A61M 39/162: {with antiseptic agent incorporated within the connector} - A61M 39/165: {Shrouds or protectors for aseptically enclosing the connector} - A61M 2025/0019: {Cleaning catheters or the like, e.g. for reuse of the device, for avoiding replacement} - Y10S 604/905: Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable - 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)} - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract The present invention provides catheter cleaning devices that are effective at reducing microbial contamination of a catheter port entry. For example, the invention provides a catheter, a catheter cleaning device and a catheter cleaning injection port cap, each of which reduces potential microbial contamination at a catheter port entry. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cleaning injection port cap, comprising: a substantially cylindrical body comprising a passageway extending from a proximate end to a distal end, the proximate end being configured to open for receiving an end portion of a tube to be capped and to close for holding the end portion; an actuating member disposed on a middle portion of the body and configured to open only the proximate end of the body by squeezing the actuating member and to close the proximate end of the body by releasing the squeezed actuating member; a plurality of separable absorbent elements located within the passageway adjacent the proximal end; and a flexible fluid impermeable sheath covering and layered on at least a portion of an exterior of the body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cleaning injection port cap of claim 1, wherein the absorbent elements are impregnated with an antimicrobial solution. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cleaning injection port cap of claim 1, wherein the absorbent elements form a substantially closed surface when the proximate end is closed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cleaning injection port cap of claim 1, wherein the absorbent elements are spatially separated from one another when the proximate end is opened. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cleaning injection port cap of claim 1, wherein the proximate end is configured to accommodate a luer fitting disposed at the end portion of the tube when the proximate end is opened. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cleaning injection port cap of claim 1, wherein one or more of the absorbent elements are configured to scrub an exterior of the end portion of the tube as the end portion of the tube is inserted in the proximate end. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cleaning injection port cap of claim 1, wherein the plurality of separable absorbent elements include two substantially half cylindrical sponges, wherein the sponges are adjacent one another when the proximate end is closed and separate from one another when the proximate end is opened. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The cleaning injection port cap of claim 1, wherein the body is constructed of a deformable material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cleaning injection port cap of claim 1, wherein the actuating member comprises at least one squeezing portion protruding radially outward from a major axis of the passageway. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The cleaning injection port cap of claim 9, wherein: said at least one squeezing portion has a concave portion for fingers to squeeze the actuating member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The cleaning injection port cap of claim 1, wherein the cleaning injection cap further comprises a needleless valve connector for a needleless valve to be attached to the distal end. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The cleaning injection port cap of claim 11, wherein a bottom surface of the absorbent element is configured to contact an opening of the needleless valve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The cleaning injection port cap of claim 11, wherein the needleless valve have a luer fitting connector configured to accommodate a luer fitting disposed at the end portion of the tube. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The cleaning injection port cap of claim 1, further comprising a luer fitting element, wherein: the luer fitting element has a first end and a second end, the first end is disposed in the body of the cleaning injection port cap and is configured to accommodate the end portion of the tube, and the second end is disposed outside the body of the cleaning injection port cap and is configured to accommodate an end portion of a catheter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The cleaning injection port cap of claim 14, wherein the first end of the luer fitting element has a female screw and the second end of the luer fitting element has a male screw. ### Claim 16 A cleaning device, comprising: a substantially cylindrical body having a cavity and a squeezing position disposed on a middle of the cylindrical body and configured to open only one end of the cleaning device from a closed state when compressed and to close said one end when released; and a scrubbing foam disposed in said cavity, the scrubbing foam comprising substantially half cylindrical shaped foams; wherein each of said half cylindrical shaped foams has a semicircle fluid impermeable member which prevents a solution from evaporating from said scrubbing foam and faces outward from said cavity when the cleaning device is in the closed state. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The cleaning device of claim 16, further comprising an antimicrobial solution dispersed in said scrubbing foam. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The cleaning device of claim 16, wherein the scrubbing foam is configured to scrub an exterior of an end portion of a tube as the end portion of the tube is inserted in the cleaning device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The cleaning device of claim 16, further comprising a luer fitting element, wherein: the luer fitting element has a first end and a second end, the first end is disposed in the body of the cleaning device and is configured to accommodate an end portion of a tube, and the second end is disposed outside the body of the cleaning device and is configured to accommodate an end portion of a catheter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The cleaning device of claim 19, wherein the first end of the luer fitting element has a female screw and the second end of the luer fitting element has a male screw. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The cleaning device of claim 16, wherein an end portion of the cylindrical body covers a circumference area of the semicircle fluid impermeable member.