# US 9,750,926 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 9,750,926 B2 - Document ID: US9750926B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/961,163 - Filed: 2015-12-07 - Published: 2016-11-03 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2010-05-17 - Assignees: ICU Medical, Inc. - Applicants: ICU Medical, Inc. - Inventors: George A. Lopez; Thomas F. Fangrow; Bob Foret - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750926B2 ## CPC - A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings - A61M 39/0613: {with means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure (A61M39/0693 takes precedence)} - A61M 39/16: having provision for disinfection or sterilisation {(A61M39/143 takes precedence)} - A61M 39/26: Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof {(check valves A61M39/24)} - F16L 37/38: with fluid cut-off means in only one of two pipe-end fittings - A61M 2005/1588: {having means for monitoring, controlling or visual inspection, e.g. for patency check or for avoiding extravasation} - A61M 2039/0063: {Means for alignment of the septum, e.g. septum rim with alignment holes} - A61M 2039/0633: {the seal being a passive seal made of a resilient material with or without an opening} - A61M 2039/0686: {comprising more than one seal} - A61M 2039/1072: {with a septum present in the connector} - A61M 2039/267: {having a sealing sleeve around a tubular or solid stem portion of the connector} - A61M 2205/02: characterised by a particular materials - A61M 2206/20: having means for promoting or enhancing the flow, actively or passively - Y10T 137/9029: With coupling - 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)} - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway includes a substantially transparent housing having a proximal end with a proximal opening and a distal end with a distal opening, and a cavity extending therebetween. The connector provides a substantially visible fluid flow path extending through a substantial portion of the connector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway, the connector comprising: a housing having: a base having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the base including a male luer opening; a transparent housing body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a proximal opening at the proximal end, the distal end of the housing body connected to the proximal end of the base; and an internal cavity extending within the housing body from the proximal end of the housing body to the proximal end of the base; a transparent valve member disposed within the internal cavity of the housing body and including: an interior cavity; a proximal end that substantially fills the proximal opening of the housing body; and a proximal opening in the proximal end of the valve member; wherein the valve member is configured to selectively seal the proximal opening of the housing body and to obstruct fluid communication between the proximal end of the housing body and the distal end of the base when the valve member is in a first position and to permit fluid communication between the proximal end of the housing body and the distal end of the base when the valve member is in a second position; and a transparent support member configured to be received within the valve member, said support member having: a proximal tip portion in a proximal region; a distal end; an inner conduit that extends from the proximal region to the distal end of the support member; and at least one opening in the proximal region, the at least one opening providing fluid access between an exterior of the support member and the inner conduit; wherein the inner conduit is configured to permit fluid communication between the proximal end of the housing body and the distal end of the base when the tip portion and support member opening protrude through the valve proximal opening, and the valve member is in the second position, and at least a portion of the support member opening is positioned proximal from the valve member proximal opening; wherein: a fluid flow path permitting the fluid communication between the proximal end of the housing body and the distal end of the housing body is visible through at least a portion of each of the transparent housing body, the transparent valve member, and the transparent support member; and the valve member is not secured between the housing body and the base when the valve member is in the second position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein an inner width of the internal cavity of the housing body decreases in the proximal direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein an external width of the support member decreases from the distal end toward the proximal tip portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the valve member includes a collar extending radially outwardly from the valve member with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing body, the collar being positioned adjacent the proximal end of the valve member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the valve member includes a flange extending radially outward from the distal end of the valve member with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the housing body includes an inwardly-projecting shoulder at the proximal end of the housing body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the valve member is on the same plane as the proximal end of the housing body when the valve member is in the first position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the housing base overlaps the housing body in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the valve member is configured to transition toward the distal end of the valve member when the valve member is transitioned from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 10 A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway, the connector comprising: a housing having: a base having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the base including a male luer opening; a transparent housing body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a proximal opening at the proximal end, the distal end of the housing body connected to the proximal end of the base; and an internal cavity extending within the housing body from the proximal end of the housing body to the proximal end of the base; a transparent valve member disposed within the internal cavity of the housing body and including: an interior cavity; a region of maximum width having a proximal surface, a distal surface, and a lateral surface; a proximal end that substantially fills the proximal opening of the housing body; and a proximal opening in the proximal end of the valve member; wherein the valve member is configured to obstruct fluid communication between the proximal opening of the housing body and the distal end of the base when the valve member is in a first position and to permit fluid communication between the proximal opening of the housing body and the distal end of the base when the valve member is in a second position; and a transparent support member configured to be received at least partially within the interior cavity of the valve member, said support member having: a proximal tip portion in a proximal region; a distal end fixed to the base of the housing; an inner conduit that extends from the proximal region to the distal end of the support member; and at least one opening in the proximal region, the at least one opening providing fluid access between an exterior of the support member and the inner conduit; wherein the inner conduit is configured to permit fluid communication between the proximal end of the housing body and the distal end of the base when the valve member is in the second position; wherein: a fluid flow path permitting the fluid communication between the proximal end of the housing body and the distal end of the housing body is visible through at least a portion of each of the transparent housing body, the transparent valve member, and the transparent support member; and the proximal surface of the region of maximum width of the valve member does not contact the housing body when the valve member is in the second position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The medical connector of claim 10, wherein the at least one opening of the support member is an aperture in a lateral portion of the support member distal of the proximal tip portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The medical connector of claim 10, wherein the proximal end of the housing body is configured to receive a male luer tip of a medical instrument and proximal end of the valve member is configured to move distally when pushed by the male luer tip of the medical instrument. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The medical connector of claim 10, wherein the housing base includes an outer annular wall that cooperates with the proximal end of the base to form an annular channel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The medical connector of claim 13, wherein the distal end of the valve member is positioned at least partially within the annular channel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The medical connector of claim 10, wherein the distal end of the valve member is encompassed between portions of the housing base and the housing body to prevent translation of the distal end of the valve member in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The medical connector of claim 10, wherein the valve member is axially compressed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis in both the first position and the second position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The medical connector of claim 10, wherein the distal end of the valve member contacts the housing base in both the first position and the second position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The medical connector of claim 10, wherein the proximal end of the housing body includes external threading.