Aseptic Connectors Or Couplings (e.g., Frangible, Piercable, Etc.) Patents (Class 604/905)
  • Patent number: 9005181
    Abstract: A connector for providing sterile access to a flexible container is provided that comprises a tubular member having a first portion and a second portion, each of the first portion and the second portion having an open end. The first portion and second portion are joined to each other by a frangible segment, with each of the first portion and the second portion having a gripable surface associated therewith that is configured to facilitate the application of torsional force to the tubular member at the frangible segment. Upon the application of a sufficient amount of torsional force, the frangible segment will break, permitting the first and second portions to be separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lynn, Richard L. West, Bryan Blickhan, Phoung Tran, Shawn Davis
  • Patent number: 8998858
    Abstract: A connecting structure for connecting a first member in fluid flow connection with a second member may include a receptacle structure provided on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber in which a needle and a pierceable member surrounding a piercing end of the needle may be supported. The second member may include a connection portion that has a septum supported in an interior chamber having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially into the opening of the receptacle structure upon moving the first member and the second member together to push the pierceable member toward the piercing end of the needle to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the pierceable member and the septum to come into fluid flow communication with the interior chamber of the connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Rafael Bikovsky, Neil Andre Quitoviera, Arsen Ibranyan, Matthew William Yavorsky, Mona-Lisa Alexander
  • Patent number: 8991876
    Abstract: A connection for the fluid connection of at least one first fluid-conducting, medical-technical system to a second one, a method for connecting at least two fluid-conducting, medical-technical systems, as well as an external medical-technical apparatus and a medical-technical apparatus are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Lauer
  • Patent number: 8973622
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein related to a device for transferring precise amounts of fluid from at least one source container to a at least one target container. In some embodiments, the fluid is first transferred from the source container (e.g., a vial) through a connector to an intermediate measuring container (e.g., a syringe). In some embodiments air can pass through an air inlet and enter the vial to compensate for the volume of fluid withdrawn from the vial. An air check valve or a bag or a filter can prevent the fluid from escaping through the air inlet. The precisely measured amount of fluid can then be transferred from the intermediate measuring container to the target container (e.g., an IV bag). In some embodiments the connector can include a source check valve and a target check valve to direct fluid first from the source container to the intermediate measuring container and then from the intermediate measuring container to the target container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Thomas F. Fangrow, Peter Leissling, Matthias Janssen
  • Patent number: 8974425
    Abstract: A male member (1) includes a tubular member (10) and a cover (20) covering at least a tip (11) of the tubular member. A lateral hole (14) that communicates with a flow path (13) is formed in an outer peripheral surface of the tubular member. The cover includes an outer peripheral wall (21) that can be deformed elastically by compression and a head part (23) that is provided at one end of the outer peripheral wall. The head part includes an interior cavity (24) into which the tubular member is inserted, and a slit (25) is formed in an innermost part (24a) of the interior cavity. In a state where the outer peripheral wall is not deformed by compression, an inner peripheral surface of the interior cavity contacts closely with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member so as to block the lateral hole, and the tip of the tubular member and the innermost part of the interior cavity are spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: JMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Tachizaki, Tadashi Okiyama
  • Patent number: 8968271
    Abstract: A connector for medical infusion lines, transfusion lines, and the like, includes a tubular body having at one end a male connector including an inner tubular element and an outer hollow element, which is internally threaded and can be coupled by screwing to a complementary female connector. The line connector further includes an outer maneuvering sleeve coupled in unidirectional rotation to the body in the direction corresponding to screwing of the male connector with respect to the complementary female connector and free to turn in the opposite direction, formed by two parts coupled together on the body of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Industrie Borla S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianni Guala
  • Patent number: 8961475
    Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and disinfect medical connectors. Some caps can create a seal with the medical connectors to prevent antiseptic from entering a fluid paths defined by a connector. Support members can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Catheter Connections, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, Steven Bandis, James V. Mercer, Michael W. Howlett, Robert Hitchcock, James Paul Kennedy, Richard Lasher
  • Patent number: 8915890
    Abstract: Medical device assemblies having a connection mechanism for securely connecting a hub to fluid storage containers in a luer slip relationship are described. An exemplary medical device includes a hub forming a cavity, a second indicating element disposed within the cavity that engages the hub. Additional features of the medical device include a second indicating element contoured to form a line contact with the hub. In a specific configuration, the hub includes a first indicating element attached to the hub and extending proximally into the cavity having a protrusion. In a more specific configuration, the medical device includes a fluid storage container that has an indication system for visually indicating optimal fluid-tight engagement of the hub and the fluid storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Chee L. Lum, Waheed Abid, Peter Douglas, Ivan Zivkovic
  • Patent number: 8882716
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a capillary tube assembly (100) having a proximal (20) end and a distal (30) end, comprising: a think walled capillary tube shaft (10) disposed with a capillary lumen (12) extending from an open proximal (20) end to an open distal (30) end, and a fluidic adapter (40) at the proximal (20) end in fluid connection the capillary tube lumen (12), wherein the capillary tube shaft (10) is adapted for dismountable insertion into a fluid-carrying lumen (212) of a bodily invasive tube (200), and the adapter (40) provides fluidic access to the capillary tube lumen (12) that is fluidically isolated from access to the invasive tube lumen (212). It further relates to an applicator package comprising the capillary tube assembly (100) and an applicator (510).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Steerable Instruments BVBA
    Inventors: Frank Dewaele, Alain Kalmar, Bart Blanckaert, Cyriel Mabilde
  • Patent number: 8882726
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug delivery device defining a reservoir for containing a product, having a distal end comprising an end-piece defining a channel for the transfer of the product from the reservoir, said drug delivery device comprising means for coupling said end-piece with a connector, said coupling means comprising a collar defined around a portion of the end-piece and extending from the distal end, said coupling means comprising connection means connectable to said collar, said connection means comprising a tubular wall portion having an interface defined thereon for engagement with an internal face of said collar, and a retaining hook having engagement means engageable with at least part of an external face of said collar when said connection means is connected to said collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson France
    Inventors: Catherine Felix-Faure, Benoit Guillard, Michel Bosshardt, Frédéric Perot
  • Patent number: 8870238
    Abstract: A female connector for medical infusion systems has a main body that has two curved wings that extend from the outer circumferential surface of the body. The respective front ends of the wings are joined integrally to a substantially circumferential partition that also extends circumferentially from the outer circumferential surface of the fitting. The connector of the fitting has a non-conventional configuration with at least two protuberances offset at an angle. The non-conventional configuration of the connector allows the fitting to only mate with a counterpart connector that has a complementary non-conventional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Renee Robert, Chad Amborn, Geoff Clark
  • Patent number: 8857470
    Abstract: A connection device for connecting a first reservoir with a second reservoir, includes a first section for arranging the first reservoir closed with a seal; a second section for arranging the second reservoir; and a piercing element which penetrates with a piercing end the seal of the first reservoir when the first reservoir is arranged at the first section. In some embodiments, the piercing element can be moved from a first position into a second position, wherein it blocks in the first position a flow connection between the first and the second section, while in the second position it allows for a flow connection between the first and the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ismael Rahimy, Torsten Brandenburger
  • Patent number: 8858485
    Abstract: The connector for a fluid line of an extracorporeal circuit comprises a tubular body which internally defines a fluid passage, a first connection port predisposed for coupling to the fluid line, a second connection port predisposed for coupling to a male Luer connector borne by an external element, and a closure element of the second connection port. The closure element is formed of a breakable membrane made in a single piece with the tubular body. On coupling, the membrane is broken by the truncoconical projection of the male Luer connector. The connector connects a service line of an extracorporeal circuit to a pressure sensor of a dialysis machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Roberto Neri, Andrea Paltrinieri
  • Patent number: 8828327
    Abstract: A scrubbing cap for sterilizing a tubular medical line port wherein the cap is molded of a pliable plastic and is provided with an open annular cavity therein which is dimensioned and contoured to receive through its mouth a tubular medical line port with a friction fit for scrubbing surfaces of the port with sterilizing liquid contained in the cavity. Flexible scrubber protrusions coaxially extend into the cavity from the floor of the cavity for scrubbing interior portions of the medical line port. The floor is flexibly displaceable whereby the floor will displace or bulge outwardly when the scrubber protrusions engage a valve within the port for thereby scrubbing the exposed surfaces of the valve while preventing inadvertent opening of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: PSI Medical Catheter Care, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony J. Colantonio, Menno D. Jager
  • Patent number: 8801678
    Abstract: A piston for a needleless valve system comprising a head portion configured to be disposed in the needleless valve system and controlling fluid flow through the needleless valve system. The head portion comprising a continuous top surface, and an opening disposed proximate the continuous top surface, wherein the continuous top surface is non-planar when the opening is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Carefusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Devin Panian, Jonathan Yeh
  • Patent number: 8790313
    Abstract: A syringe adapter mountable to a syringe, particularly a retractable syringe having a retractable needle, comprises a sealing member and an adapter body that comprises two or more body members that co-operate to retain the sealing member in the adapter. One or the other body members is removably mountable to a barrel of the syringe and one or the other body members comprises a mounting member. A filter member may be removably mounted to, or formed integrally with, the mounting member to filters fluid when filling the syringe to thereby remove particular material, impurities or the like. Alternatively, a filter material may be provided in the syringe adapter. In addition, or alternatively, a filling needle is provided which is removably mountable to the syringe adapter and may prevent bending or burring of the retractable needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Unitract Syringe Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Craig Stephen Thorley
  • Patent number: 8746745
    Abstract: Luer connector including a primary Luer male connector, having a secondary female section extending from a top distal part of the primary Luer male connector back towards a proximal part thereof, the primary Luer male connector including a first inner fluid flow channel extending from a proximal end thereof to the secondary female section, the primary Luer male connector being configured to mate with a primary Luer female connector having a secondary male section including a second inner fluid flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Oridion Medical 1987 Ltd.
    Inventor: Joshua Lewis Colman
  • Patent number: 8728056
    Abstract: A docking station for maintaining sterilization of temporarily disconnected male medical line connectors. The docking station has a plurality of docking bays, each of which retain an ampule therein containing a sterilization fluid and has an access mouth exteriorly exposed when the ampule is secured in its respective bay. The mouth of the ampule is provided with a female medical line connection for temporarily receiving and securing one of the male medical line connector temporarily disconnected from a patient. A tubular tip and a concentric connection collar of the one of the male medical line connector is thereby immersed in the sterilization fluid for sterilization while docked. Each of the ampules is secured against rotation in a clockwise direction in their respective docking bay to facilitate threadable connection of one of the male medical line connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: PSI MedicaL Catheter Care, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony J. Colantonio, Menno D. Jager
  • Patent number: 8721619
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a safety device and methods of using a safety device for use with a medical implement having a body with an inlet end portion, the safety device comprises a bracket for mounting on the body of the medical implement; a cap supported by the bracket and sized to fit over and seal the inlet end portion of the medical implement in a safety position wherein the cap covers the medical implement; an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis, the shaft being secured to the cap and being slidably and pivotally supported by the bracket so that the cap can be raised away from the inlet end portion of the medical implement and be pivoted about the longitudinal axis of the shaft away from the inlet end portion; and a biasing means for biasing the cap to the safety position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Nellin Medical Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Hooman Mobassery, Kim Dick Man
  • Patent number: 8652109
    Abstract: Syringe (1) including a cylinder (2) and a piston (4), in which the outlet end (6) of the cylinder (2) is integrated with a valve male luer lock connector (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Industrie Borla S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianni Guala
  • Patent number: 8617134
    Abstract: A connector for connecting a container with a fluid preparation device for preparing a fluid, in particular a container with a concentrate for the preparation of dialysis fluid, as well as the combination of the connector, the corresponding container and the fluid preparation device. In order to simplify the handling during both the manufacturing process of such containers and the connection of such containers to the fluid preparation devices, the connector connects a first and second fluid line of the container with a third and fourth fluid line of the fluid preparation device with two laterally spaced-apart mounting elements which each incorporate one of two orifices terminating the first and second fluid lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Brehm, Thierry Dupin, Ilona Eggert, Thomas Faulhaber, Thomas Graf, Philippe Laffay
  • Patent number: 8613367
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes a cap having a top surface and a bottom surface, an adhesive layer adjacent the bottom surface of the cap, and a septum adjacent to the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer includes a self-bonding silicone composition and the septum includes at least one fluoropolymer layer. The disclosure is further directed to methods for making the aforementioned sealing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Duan Li Ou, Scott R Johnson, Charles D. Klann, Leland E Moll
  • Patent number: 8613739
    Abstract: A medical tubing connector pair includes a female tubing connector, and a male tubing connector. The female tubing connector has an external thread and the male tubing connector has an internal thread, the external and internal threads threadingly engaged to secure the female and male tubing connectors together. The internal thread is made from a flexible material to permit the female and male tubing connectors to be connected to or disconnected from each other without rotation of the tubing connectors relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare SA
    Inventor: Katsuyoshi Sobue
  • Patent number: 8596326
    Abstract: A device is provided for ensuring the sterile integrity of two separate fluid pathways during interconnection of the two pathways with a two-part connector assembly. The two-part connector assembly is of the type which comprises a male portion and a female portion, each portion initially having a port covered and protected by a peel-away strip. The device comprises a base assembly, a connector clamp assembly mounted to the base assembly and configured for securing the two-part connector assembly in position for interconnection of the male and female portions, and a strip withdrawal assembly mounted to the base assembly and configured for simultaneous withdrawal of the peel-away strips from the ports of the male and female portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Grifols Therapeutics Inc.
    Inventor: Larry H. Loy
  • Patent number: 8585096
    Abstract: A restraining device for a tubing connector assembly can include a resilient member having a generally U-shape with forked ends that curve toward each other. Each forked end can have a recess between tines thereof. Each recess can have a blind end. The resilient member can have a bend provided with an engagement bump. The engagement bump and forked ends can be aligned such that the engagement bump coincides with a line joining the blind ends. When a cylindrical connector assembly tube is placed in the recesses, the engagement bump is urged against a side of the connector assembly to thereby prevent inadvertent disconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Schnell, James M. Brugger
  • Patent number: 8545479
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention include a male luer connector having a valve arrangement for keeping a passage that extends through the male luer connector closed when the male luer connector is not attached to a corresponding female luer connector. This passage of the male luer connector may be opened by connecting the male luer connector to a female luer connector. The valve arrangement of the male luer connector may include a movable sealing element arranged around a central fluid conduit. In some embodiments, the male luer connector may include a filter that is permeable to gas, but substantially impermeable to liquid, thus allowing gas to be purged from the male luer connector while substantially preventing liquid from leaking from the connector at least when the male luer connector is not connected to a female luer connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ichiro Kitani, Shigeaki Funamura, Kazuhiro Abe
  • Patent number: 8523831
    Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and disinfect medical connectors. Some caps can create a seal with the medical connectors to prevent antiseptic from entering a fluid paths defined by a connector. Support members can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Catheter Connections, Inc., The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Robert Hitchcock, James Kennedy, Richard Lasher
  • Patent number: 8522832
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein related to a device for transferring precise amounts of fluid from at least one source container to a at least one target container. In some embodiments, the fluid is first transferred from the source container (e.g., a vial) through a connector to an intermediate measuring container (e.g., a syringe). In some embodiments air can pass through an air inlet and enter the vial to compensate for the volume of fluid withdrawn from the vial. An air check valve or a bag or a filter can prevent the fluid from escaping through the air inlet. The precisely measured amount of fluid can then be transferred from the intermediate measuring container to the target container (e.g., an IV bag). In some embodiments the connector can include a source check valve and a target check valve to direct fluid first from the source container to the intermediate measuring container and then from the intermediate measuring container to the target container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Thomas F. Fangrow, Jr., Peter Leissling, Matthias Janssen
  • Patent number: 8523830
    Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and disinfect a male protrusion portion of a medical connector. Some caps can create a seal with the male protrusion to prevent antiseptic from entering a lumen the protrusion. A biasing element can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Catheter Connections
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael W. Howlett
  • Patent number: 8506533
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a hub, a closure valve, an internal seal member, and a spring. The hub defines an internal chamber. The closure valve is disposed within the internal chamber and defines an internal bore extending therethrough. The closure valve is movable relative to the hub between a first position, substantially sealing the internal chamber, and a second position, establishing a fluid passage extending completely through the hub. The internal seal member is disposed within the internal bore of the closure valve and is movable relative to the closure valve between a closed position, substantially sealing the internal bore, and an open position, establishing an internal passage, different from the fluid passage, extending completely through the closure valve. The spring is disposed within the internal chamber and is configured to bias the internal seal member towards the closed position, thereby biasing the closure valve towards the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James L Carlyon, David J. Salto, Eugene Schrader
  • Patent number: 8496645
    Abstract: Drainage catheters for use in a variety of medical procedures are presented herein. The drainage catheter features an improved tension member locking mechanism. In use, once the drainage catheter is placed as desired, a second connector piece is rotated relative to a first connector piece to wind the tension member around a spooling region and pull the distal end of the catheter tube into a locked configuration. Once the tension member is tensioned, the first and second connector pieces are pulled into a locking engagement thereby securing the catheter tube in the locked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Eells, Scott E. Eells
  • Patent number: 8485231
    Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a medicine container with a flexible flap covering the opening of the container. The opening is closed by the flexible flap when the flexible flap is in a resting position and the opening is opened when the flexible flap is in a flexed position. A hand-operated plunger is equipped with an end configured to mate with the opening such that a seal is established between the plunger and the opening. The plunger is shaped to apply a force to the flexible flap, thereby operating the flexible flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Tessy Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: David Young
  • Patent number: 8448992
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a sealed communication between conduits or conduit subassemblies, each of which has a wall with an exterior surface, and at least one of the walls includes an electrically conductive portion. The exterior surfaces may be brought into a facing relationship, and each conductive portion is heated sufficiently to sterilize the exterior surfaces of the walls by generating electrical current in the conductive portion, such as by application of a voltage or by induction. An aperture is then provided, as by an aperture-forming member, through the facing walls to provide communication between the conduits or conduit subassemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, William H. Cork
  • Patent number: 8444628
    Abstract: A valve for selectively permitting a fluid flow between first and second medical implements is disclosed. The valve has a housing with an interface suitable for receiving a connector portion of a first medical device such as a catheter, and a seal made of a flexible material. The seal has a first end in fluid communication with the interface, a second end suitable for receiving the second medical device, and at least one slit in fluid communication with the first end and the second end. The slit defines a restricted fluid flow path and a relatively small interior volume when in an undisturbed state, defines an expanded fluid flow path and a larger interior volume upon the introduction of the second medical instrument into the slit, and retracts to define a restricted flow path and a small interior volume upon the withdrawal of the second medical device from the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Fangrow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8419075
    Abstract: An end fitting (31) is formed at the patient end of an inner cannula (3) for a tracheostomy tube (1) by punching small holes (33) close to one end (34) of an ePTFE shaft (30). The end is then swaged to form an expanded region (30?) and a preformed tubular insert (40) of a thermoplastic material is inserted to cover the holes (33) on the inside. An outer part (46) of the same thermoplastic material is then overmolded on the outside of the shaft 30 so that its material (47) flows through the holes (33) and bonds with the inner insert (40), thereby securing the inner and outer parts together around the end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Smiths Group PLC
    Inventor: Simon Neame
  • Patent number: 8388894
    Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing a tubular medical line port, having a cap with an open distal end and a cavity therein which is dimensioned to receive an outer scrubbing member and the medical line port. Outer disinfected-impregnated scrubbing member is coaxially received in the cavity and has a socket therein dimensioned for engaging exterior side surfaces of the tubular medical line port when inserted into the socket for thereby scrubbing exterior surfaces of the port with the scrubbing member by rotating the cap. The outer scrubbing member is axially displacable downwardly in the cavity by insertion of the medical line port therein from an upper position prior to use to a lower position where it is retained to thereby indicate that the apparatus has been used and should not therefore be reused. A reuse prevention insert is also provided in the cavity of the cap and is displacable with the outer scrubbing member from the upper position prior to use to the lower position during and after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: PSI Medical Catheter Care, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony J. Colantonio, Menno D. Jager
  • Patent number: 8372058
    Abstract: A connector for enclosed, drip-free, and safe transfer of fluids, comprising an opening and a closure means adapted to close the opening and to establish a tight joint with another connector for transferring fluid between the connectors, further comprising a tube section arranged inside the connector and adapted to be advanced through the opening and out of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Isotopen Technologien Munchen AG
    Inventors: Michael Schilp, Oliver Buck
  • Patent number: 8353538
    Abstract: A male-female connection device, wherein the male connection device includes a sleeve and a slide that is adapted to occupy, relative to the sleeve, a position in which the slide is advanced in the sleeve, the device also including a tubular film folded back on itself and pressed between the slide and the sleeve. The female connection device includes a sleeve and a slide that is adapted to occupy, relative to the sleeve, a position in which the slide is set back in the sleeve, the device also including a tubular film folded back on itself and pressed between the slide and the sleeve. The male and female connection devices can be engaged within each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventor: Stephane Olivier
  • Patent number: 8353537
    Abstract: A male-female connection device, wherein the male connection device includes a sleeve and a slide that is adapted to occupy, relative to the sleeve, a position in which the slide is advanced in the sleeve, the device also including a tubular film folded back on itself and pressed between the slide and the sleeve. The female connection device includes a sleeve and a slide that is adapted to occupy, relative to the sleeve, a position in which the slide is set back in the sleeve, the device also including a tubular film folded back on itself and pressed between the slide and the sleeve. The male and female connection devices can be engaged within each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventor: Stephane Olivier
  • Patent number: 8343112
    Abstract: Some assemblies can include a male cap and a female cap, each of which can be used to cover separated medical connectors. In certain arrangements, a male cap can include a movable carriage that transitions from a retracted position when an assembly with which the male cap is associated is in a closed state to an extended position when the assembly is in an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignees: Catheter Connections, Inc., The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett, Robert Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 8322756
    Abstract: A disconnectable connector assembly is provided, including a first fitting having a movable stem therein, the stem being movable from one end toward the other end of the first fitting; a valve releasably attached to the stem, the valve including legs engageable with a lip; a second fitting connected to the first fitting, the second fitting including the lip, the second fitting being in fluid communication with the stem and the first fitting when the stem is in a first position, and wherein fluid flow between the second fitting and the stem and the first fitting is blocked when the stem is in a second position; the first fitting being disconnectable from the second fitting after the stem has been moved and the valve is released from the stem with the legs engaged with the lip when the first and second fittings are disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Darren Elton, Richard Martin
  • Patent number: 8292875
    Abstract: A fluid delivery device and system is operable to fluidly couple a pair of fluid delivery conduits. One embodiment includes a fluid delivery device sized to meet ANSI/AAMI ID54:1996(R) 2005 and not mate with ANSI/HIMA MD70.1 or ISO 594/1 and ISO 594/2 standards for intravenous ports and connectors to prevent accidental intravenous delivery of fluids intended for enteral delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Clay Kennard
  • Patent number: 8273303
    Abstract: A contoured sterilizing element is configured to conform to the outer and inner surfaces of a working end-site of a medical device such as a catheter hub, luer connector, luer component, needleless access site, and/or access port The sterilizing element is made from absorbent material and can be pre-moistened or impregnated with an anti-pathogenic agent The sterilizing element can be contained within a housing that is easily griped and opened in one hand by the user The sterilizing element is configured to wipe debris from and to sterilize and/or dry a working end-site of medical device, using a wiping, twisting, dabbing, push/pull, and/or screwing motion around all of the surface aspects of the device to be sterilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventors: Michael J. Ferlic, Charlotte P. Ferlic, Mason J. Ferlic, Nicholas Powley
  • Patent number: 8267127
    Abstract: A method for contamination-free transfer of liquid from one container to another, and devices to carry out the method are disclosed. Contamination-free transfer means that during the transfer process there is no (1) leakage of (a) the liquid, (b) air contaminated by the liquid, and (c) vapor from the liquid to the surroundings, and (2) surrounding contaminants from outside the containers that contact the liquid. The method's advantages include its simplicity, and the contamination-free transfer as defined above. The devices are adapted to effect contamination-free transfer of a hazardous drug to and from any container equipped with a standard connector port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Plastmed, Ltd.
    Inventor: Marino Kriheli
  • Patent number: 8231584
    Abstract: A disposable set (5) for establishing a fluid connection between a fluid dispensing unit (17) and a dosing device adapted to dispense a fluid into a patient's vein. The disposable set comprises a length of tubing (15) having a first (1) and a second (10) tubing part. The first tubing part (1) having a one-way valve (3) which permits a fluid flow from the dispensing unit (17) towards the dosing device and to prevent a backward fluid flow from the dosing device towards the dispensing unit. The first and second tubing part are in fluid connection with each other by means of a releasable connection device (11, 12), which is adapted to permit a back flow from a patient in a released position of the releasable connection device and to prevent a back flow from the patient in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Peters
  • Patent number: 8231587
    Abstract: Caps can be used to cover and disinfect a male protrusion portion of a medical connector. Some caps can create a seal with the male protrusion to prevent antiseptic from entering a lumen the protrusion. A biasing element can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignees: Catheter Connections, The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, F. Mark Ferguson, Robert Hitchcock, Steven Bandis, James Mercer, Michael Howlett
  • Patent number: 8225949
    Abstract: The closure device (500) comprises a stopper (501) made of elastomer and a cover (502) suitable for covering both the neck (12) of a container and stopper (501) in place in said neck (12). The cover (502) is made of plastics material and comprises a ring (503) and a drive member (504). The ring (503) may surround the stopper (501) and the neck (12) in the mounted configuration, the ring being provided with locking means (503G) for locking on the neck (12). The drive member (504) may be mounted on the ring (503) in arbitrary angular orientation about a central axis (X503) of the ring. The drive member is provided with an annular edge (505D) suitable for being engaged between an outer skirt (503A) of the ring (503) and at least one tab (503G) forming locking means and extending radially towards the central axis (X503) of the ring from the skirt (503A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Biocorp Recherche Et Developpement
    Inventor: Antoine Aneas
  • Patent number: 8197749
    Abstract: Illustrative pairs of caps are disclosed, each of the caps being sized and shaped to provide a protective union about a separated medical connector. A pair of caps can include a male cap and a female cap, each of which is configured to be coupled to the other cap in an assembly. The assembly is sealed until the caps are separated for use, thereby maintaining sterility of the internal surfaces of the caps. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Michael W. Howlett, James V. Mercer
  • Patent number: 8197452
    Abstract: A vascular access device may include a body and a layer of the body that communicates with a pathogenic environment to discourage adhesion of a pathogen to the layer and thus repress pathogenic activity. A method of repressing pathogenic activity in a vascular access device includes providing the device with a body, and coating the body with a layer that discourages adhesion of a pathogen to the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Weston F. Harding, Austin Jason McKinnon, Mark A. Crawford, Lantao Guo, Glade H. Howell, David Ou-Yang
  • Patent number: 8182744
    Abstract: Systems and methods to reduce bioburden on at least a portion of a fluid transfer port include supplying a dose of radiation to the portion in optical communication with at least one source of radiation. In an illustrative example, a medical container, such as a vial or IV bag, receives a dose of ultraviolet (UV) energy substantially at a predetermined region of a fluid transfer site. In some examples, such a sanitization process may precede a fluid transfer operation in which a fluid is transferred into or out of the medical container by passing through the sanitized region. Such fluid transfers may be used in automated or semi-automated pharmaceutical processes, such as drug reconstitution. Various embodiments may further include one or more seal assemblies, each seal assembly having an aperture through which the radiation dose is supplied from the source to a controlled region on the fluid transfer port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Intelligent Hospital Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Lance R. Mlodzinski, Walter W. Eliuk, Alex H. Reinhardt, Ronald H. Rob, Robert Keith Davidson