# US 8,540,682 B2 · Plunger activated capping system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,682 B2 - Document ID: US8540682B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/409,133 - Filed: 2009-03-23 - Published: 2009-10-01 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2008-03-31 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: James L. Carlyon - Inventors: James L. Carlyon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540682B2 ## CPC - A61M 5/3134: {characterised by constructional features of the distal end, i.e. end closest to the tip of the needle cannula} - A61M 5/3293: {characterised by features of the needle hub} - A61M 5/345: {Adaptors positioned between needle hub and syringe nozzle} - A61M 2005/3104: {Caps for syringes without needle} - A61M 2005/3279: {Breaking syringe nozzles or needle hubs} - A61M 2005/5046: {automatically, e.g. plug actuated by the piston head, one-way valve} - 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 plunger activated capping system is disclosed which includes a syringe body defining a fluid reservoir, a plunger assembly including a plunger rod and a sealing member supported on the plunger rod, and a luer cap releasably secured to a distal end of the syringe body. The luer cap includes a luer-type connector member and a fluid outlet. A luer cap plug is releasably supported on a distal end of the plunger rod at a location distally of the sealing member. The luer cap plug is movable into engagement with the luer cap to seal the fluid outlet of the luer cap upon advancement of the plunger assembly from a retracted position to an advanced position. The plunger assembly is configured to effect disengagement of the luer cap from the distal end of the syringe body when the plunger assembly is moved to the advanced position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A plunger activated capping system comprising: a syringe body defining a fluid reservoir; a plunger assembly including a plunger rod and a sealing member supported on the plunger rod; a luer cap releasably secured to a distal end of the syringe body, the luer cap including a luer-type connector member and defining a fluid outlet; and a luer cap plug releasably supported on a distal end of the plunger rod at a location distally of the sealing member, the luer cap plug being movable into the fluid outlet of the luer cap upon advancement of the plunger assembly from a retracted position to an advanced position to establish a substantial seal within the fluid outlet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The plunger activated capping system according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the plunger rod includes a distal extension, the luer cap plug being releasably supported on the distal extension. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The plunger activated capping system according to claim 2, further including a finger extending distally from the distal extension of the plunger rod, the luer cap plug being releasably supported on the finger. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The plunger activated capping system according to claim 3, wherein the luer cap plug is formed from an elastomeric material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The plunger activated capping system according to claim 4, wherein the luer cap plug is retained on the finger by friction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The plunger activated capping system according to claim 1, wherein the syringe body includes a hub portion defining a recess dimensioned to receive the luer cap. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The plunger activated capping system according to claim 6, wherein the luer cap is frictionally retained in the recess of the hub portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The plunger activated capping system according to claim 7, wherein an outer surface of the luer cap includes a first plurality of spaced longitudinally extending ribs. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The plunger activated capping system according to claim 8, wherein the inner surface of the hub portion of the syringe body includes a second plurality of spaced longitudinally extending ribs which define channels dimensioned to slidably receive the first plurality of spaced longitudinally extending ribs to frictionally retain the luer cap within the hub portion of the syringe body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The plunger activated capping system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid outlet of the luer cap defines a channel having an engagement member formed therein. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The plunger activated capping system assembly according to claim 10, wherein the luer cap plug is configured to engage the engagement member defined in the channel of the fluid outlet of the luer cap to retain the luer cap plug within the channel when the plunger assembly is moved to the advanced position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The plunger activated capping system according to claim 11, wherein the engagement member includes an annular rib formed about the channel to engage the luer cap plug. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The plunger activated capping system according to claim 12, wherein the luer cap plug defines an annular recess dimensioned to receive the annular rib to secure the luer cap plug within the channel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The plunger activated capping system according to claim 13, wherein the luer cap plug includes a bulbous head positioned distally of the annular recess. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The plunger activated capping system according to claim 1, wherein the plunger assembly is configured to effect disengagement of the luer cap from the distal end of the syringe body when the plunger assembly is moved to the advanced position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The plunger activated capping system according to claim 15, wherein the plunger rod includes a distal extension which is dimensioned to engage the luer cap when the plunger assembly moves towards the advanced position to initiate disengagement of the luer cap from the syringe body. ### Claim 17 A medical system, which comprises: a syringe body defining a fluid reservoir and having an outlet opening; a plunger at least partially disposed within the fluid reservoir of the syringe body, the plunger being movable from a retracted position to an advanced position, the plunger having proximal and distal ends; a luer cap releasably mounted to the syringe body adjacent the outlet opening thereof, the luer cap defining a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the outlet opening of the syringe body; and a luer cap plug releasably supported on the distal end of the plunger, the luer cap plug being movable into the fluid outlet of the luer cap upon advancement of the plunger from the retracted position toward the advanced position to establish a substantial seal within the fluid outlet of the luer cap. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The medical system according to claim 17 wherein the plunger is adapted to move to an intermediate position between the retracted position and the advanced position, the luer cap plug being at least partially disposed within the fluid outlet of the luer cap when the plunger is in the intermediate position to establish the substantial seal within the fluid outlet. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The medical system according to claim 18 wherein the plunger is dimensioned and configured to initiate disengagement of the luer cap from the syringe body upon movement of the plunger to the advanced position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The medical system according to claim 19 wherein the luer cap plug is dimensioned and configured to be retained within the fluid outlet of the luer cap and released from the plunger subsequent to movement of the plunger to the advanced position.