Antimicrobial stopcock medical connector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10994118-B2
Application number	US-201816184735-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 8, 2018
Priority date	Apr 23, 2014
Publication date	May 4, 2021
Grant date	May 4, 2021

Abstract

Various embodiments of an antimicrobial stopcock medical connector is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stopcock tap having fluid channels provided on portions of the outer surface of the stopcock tap, whereby fluid bypasses the stopcock through the fluid channels by flowing between the outer surface of the stopcock tap and the inner surface of the stopcock housing. Some embodiments further comprise an antimicrobial coating or insert that is provided in the one or more fluid channel, whereby fluid flowing through the fluid channels contacts the antimicrobial coating or an antimicrobial agent that is eluted from the antimicrobial coating. Further still, some embodiments of the present invention comprise an antimicrobial groove that is positioned opposite the fluid channel, whereby when the stopcock is in an “off” position, the antimicrobial groove contacts fluid within a blocked port thereby preventing microbial growth therein.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A stopcock medical connector, comprising:
a housing, comprising:
an upstream port;
a downstream port opposite the upstream port, wherein the housing includes no more than two ports, wherein the two ports include the upstream port and the downstream port; and
a lumen extending between the upstream port and the downstream port; and

a tap seated within the lumen, wherein the tap comprises an annular shaft, wherein an outer surface of the annular shaft comprises a first groove opposite a second groove, wherein the annular shaft is rotatable between a first position and a second position 90° from the first position, wherein in response to the annular shaft being in the first position, the annular shaft forms a fluid tight seal between the upstream port and the downstream port, wherein in response to the annular shaft being in the second position, the annular shaft is configured to allow fluid to flow between the upstream port and the downstream port within the first groove and the second groove, wherein the first groove and the second groove comprise an antimicrobial coating, wherein the annular shaft is seated within the lumen such that the annular shaft contacts a first groove of the housing and a second groove of the housing opposite the first groove of the housing, wherein a depth of the first groove of the annular shaft is greater than a depth of the first groove of the housing and a depth of the second groove of the annular shaft is greater than a depth of the second groove of the housing, such that in response to the annular shaft being in the second position, the annular shaft is configured to allow fluid to flow between the upstream port and the downstream port within the first groove and the second groove.

2. The stopcock medical connector of claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the first groove, excluding an area of the antimicrobial coating of the first groove, combined with a cross-sectional area of the second groove, excluding an area of the antimicrobial coating of the second groove, is equal to a cross-sectional area of the upstream port or the downstream port.

Assignees

• Becton Dickinson Co

Inventors

• Liu Huibin
• Bihlmaier Bryan Fred
• Lin Janice

Classifications

• F16K11/0853

  having all the connecting conduits situated in a single plane perpendicular to the axis of the plug · CPC title

• F16K5/0407

  with particular plug arrangements, e.g. particular shape or built-in means · CPC title

• A61M2039/229

  Stopcocks · CPC title

• A61M39/22 Primary

  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)} · CPC title

• A61M2205/0205

  Materials having antiseptic or antimicrobial properties, e.g. silver compounds, rubber with sterilising agent · CPC title