# US 9,278,206 B2 · Medical connectors and methods of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,278,206 B2 - Document ID: US9278206B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/857,019 - Filed: 2013-04-04 - Published: 2013-08-29 - Granted: 2016-03-08 - Earliest claimed: 2009-03-25 - Assignees: ICU Medical, Inc. - Applicants: ICU Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas F. Fangrow - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9278206B2 ## CPC - A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)} - A61M 39/02: Access sites - A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings - A61M 39/22: Valves or arrangement of valves {(A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405)} - A61M 39/221: {Frangible or pierceable closures within tubing (A61M39/14 takes precedence; frangible closures for containers A61J1/14)} - A61M 39/24: Check- or non-return valves - A61M 39/26: Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof {(check valves A61M39/24)} - A61M 39/1033: {Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors or bayonet-connectors} - A61M 2039/2406: {designed to quickly shut upon the presence of back-pressure} - A61M 2039/2433: {Valve comprising a resilient or deformable element, e.g. flap valve, deformable disc} - A61M 2039/262: {having a fluid space within the valve remaining the same upon connection and disconnection, i.e. neutral-drawback valve} - A61M 2039/263: {where the fluid space within the valve is decreasing upon disconnection} - A61M 2039/266: {where the valve comprises venting channels, e.g. to insure better connection, to help decreasing the fluid space upon disconnection, or to help the fluid space to remain the same during disconnection} - A61M 2039/267: {having a sealing sleeve around a tubular or solid stem portion of the connector} - A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production - A61M 2230/005: Parameter used as control input for the apparatus - A61M 2230/30: Blood pressure (A61M2230/04 takes precedence) - A61M 2230/40: Respiratory characteristics - Y10T 29/494: Fluidic or fluid actuated device making - Y10T 137/87917: Flow path with serial valves and/or closures - 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)} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a medical connector having a backflow resistance module configured to prevent fluid from being drawn into the connector when a backflow inducing event occurs. In some embodiments, the backflow resistance module can include a variable-volume chamber configured to change in volume in response to a backflow-inducing event and a check valve configured to resist backflow. In some embodiments, the medical connector can include a fluid diverter configured to direct fluid flowing through the medical connector into the variable volume chamber to prevent fluid stagnation therein. In some embodiments, the medical connector includes a body member, a base member, a seal member, a support member, and a valve member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A retrograde-flow-resistant needleless medical connector comprising: a housing comprising a body member and a base member permanently coupled together, and a female luer-receiving proximal region and a male luer distal end, and an internal fluid volume configured to receive medicinal fluid during use; the proximal region of the housing comprising a proximal closure system with a first stage at which a proximal end of the housing is closed and a second stage at which the proximal end of the housing is open, the proximal closure system being configured to move between the first and second stages such that a proximal surface of the proximal closure system is configured to be displaced in a distal direction when a medical implement is inserted into the proximal end of the housing; a volume adjuster positioned within the housing that is capable of operating independently of the proximal closure system, the volume adjuster being configured to change the internal fluid volume in the proximal region of the connector automatically in response to changes in fluid pressure within the medical connector; and an internal closure system positioned in a distal direction from the volume adjuster, the internal closure system being capable of operating independently of the proximal closure system and spaced from the distal male end of the housing, the internal closure system comprising a first stage at which the internal closure system is closed and a second stage at which the internal closure system is open, the internal closure system being capable of being closed when a male luer of the medical implement is seated within the female luer-receiving proximal end, and the proximal closure system is open, to resist retrograde flow of fluid through the distal end of the housing when the proximal end is open. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A fluid administration system comprising the retrograde-flow-resistant needleless medical connector of claim 1 and the medical implement. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the proximal closure system comprises a resilient or elastomeric seal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The medical connector of claim 3, wherein the seal changes from the first stage to the second stage by moving between different states of compression. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The medical connector of claim 3, wherein a support member is positioned within an interior of the resilient or elastomeric seal of the proximal closure system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The medical connector of claim 5, wherein the support member comprises an elongate member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The medical connector of claim 6, wherein the elongate member comprises a tapered proximal end. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The medical connector of claim 6, wherein the elongate member is configured to penetrate through a portion of the resilient or elastomeric seal in the open stage of the proximal closure system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The medical connector of claim 8, wherein the elongate member comprises one or more fluid openings near a proximal end of the elongate member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The medical connector of claim 5, wherein the support member is stationary. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein retrograde flow of fluid is entirely prevented through the distal end of the housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the medical connector is a neutral flow connector. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the volume adjuster is made of the same material as a seal in the proximal closure system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The medical connector of claim 13, wherein the volume adjuster is positioned between the proximal closure system and the internal closure system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The medical connector of claim 14, wherein the volume adjuster is formed as a single unit unitary with the internal closure system. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The medical connector of claim 15, wherein the volume adjuster operates independently of the internal closure system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The medical connector of claim 14, wherein the volume adjuster operates independently of the internal closure system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The medical connector of claim 13, wherein the volume adjuster is generally cylindrical. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The medical connector of claim 18, wherein the volume adjuster comprises a flexible material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the internal closure system comprises a generally dome-shaped valve. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the proximal closure system comprises a slit in a septum in a normally closed state. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the proximal closure system comprises a slit biased to an open state. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the proximal region extends from a proximal end of the housing to a distal end of an interior of the internal closure system. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The medical connector of claim 23, wherein the distal end of the interior of the internal closure system is closer to the distal end of the housing than to the proximal end of the housing.