Mechanical multi-stage connection and disconnection maintaining sterile barrier

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12220495-B2
Application number	US-202017440231-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 28, 2020
Priority date	Mar 19, 2019
Publication date	Feb 11, 2025
Grant date	Feb 11, 2025

Abstract

A multistage connector assembly for a lumen decontamination system is provided. The assembly includes a main body, a multistage body, a multistage barrier, a connector, and one or more biasing members. The assembly includes a multistage barrier movable in the fluid passageway between a fully closed position in which each stage of the multistage barrier is in a closed position to each independently block flow in the fluid passageway and a fully open position in which each stage is in an open position to allow flow within the fluid passageway. The connector is configured to engage the multistage barrier when coupled to the main body to sequentially open each stage of the multistage barrier to enable flow through the fluid passageway. The biasing member(s) are configured to urge each stage of the multistage barrier towards a closed position that blocks flow in the fluid passageway.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A decontamination system for a lumen device, the decontamination system comprising:
(i) a decontamination chamber defining a lumen device receiving area;
(ii) a terminal package dimensioned to be received within the lumen device receiving area, wherein the terminal package is configured to establish a sterile barrier for an interior of the terminal package; and
(iii) a connector assembly operably associated with the terminal package, wherein the connector assembly comprises:
(a) a main body defining a fluid passageway to establish fluid communication with the interior of the terminal package;
(b) a multistage barrier movable in the fluid passageway between a fully closed position in which each stage of the multistage barrier is in a closed position in which each stage independently blocks flow in the fluid passageway and a fully open position in which each stage is in an open position to allow flow within the fluid passageway;
(c) a connector configured to be coupled with the main body, wherein the connector is configured to engage the multistage barrier when coupled to the main body to sequentially open each stage of the multistage barrier to enable fluid communication between the connector and the interior of the terminal package; and
(d) one or more biasing members configured to urge each stage of the multistage barrier towards a closed position that blocks flow in the fluid passageway.

2. The decontamination system of claim 1 , wherein the multistage barrier is configured to move to a partially closed position between the fully closed and fully open positions, wherein in the partially closed position, one or more stages of the multistage barrier are in the closed position and one or more stages are in the open position.

3. The decontamination system of claim 1 , wherein the multistage barrier includes a first barrier engageable by the connector when the connector is coupled with the main body, wherein the first barrier is movable from a closed position in which the first barrier prevents flow in the fluid passageway to an open position in which the first barrier allows flow in the fluid passageway upon engagement by the connector.

4. The decontamination system of claim 3 , wherein the multistage barrier further comprises a second barrier engageable by the first barrier to move the second barrier from a closed position in which the second barrier prevents flow in the fluid passageway to an open position in which the second barrier allows flow in the fluid passageway.

5. The decontamination system of claim 4 , wherein the first barrier and the second barrier are spaced-apart in their respective closed positions.

6. The decontamination system of claim 4 , wherein the first barrier is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein a second stage engagement point is positioned between the first position and the second position, wherein the first barrier travels independently between the first position and the second stage engagement point, and wherein the first barrier engages the second barrier between the second stage engagement point and the second position so the first barrier and the second barrier travel in unison between the second stage engagement point and the second position.

7. The decontamination system of claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a plurality of body segments connected together.

8. The decontamination system of claim 7 , wherein each body segment of the plurality of body segments includes a stage of the multistage barrier.

9. The decontamination system of claim 8 , wherein each segment includes a seal engageable by a respective stage of the multistage barrier to block fluid flow within that respective body segment.

10. The decontamination system of claim 9 , wherein each segment includes a biasing member to move the respective stage within the body segment towards a closed position that blocks flow within that respective body segment.

11. The decontamination system of claim 10 , wherein each body segment includes a shoulder to retain the biasing member with that respective body segment.

12. The decontamination system of claim 1 , wherein the main body is integral with the terminal package.

13. The decontamination system of claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a tip that engages a portion of the multistage barrier when the connector is coupled with the main body to move at least one stage of the multistage barrier from a closed position to an open position.

14. The decontamination system of claim 13 , wherein the tip extends into the fluid passageway when the connector is coupled with the main body.

15. The decontamination system of claim 1 , wherein the multistage barrier comprises a plurality of shuttles movable within the fluid passageway, wherein each shuttle is configured to independently block flow in the fluid passageway.

16. The decontamination system of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of shuttles are longitudinally spaced apart in their respective closed positions.

17. The decontamination system of claim 16 , wherein the shuttles are arranged to be sequentially movable to an open position as the connector couples with the main body.

18. A multistage connector assembly comprising:
a main body defining a fluid passageway therethrough;
a multistage barrier movable in the fluid passageway between a fully closed position in which each stage of the multistage barrier is in a closed position to each independently block flow in the fluid passageway and a fully open position in which each stage is in an open position to allow flow within the fluid passageway;
a connector configured to be coupled with the main body, wherein the connector is configured to engage the multistage barrier when coupled to the main body to sequentially open each stage of the multistage barrier to enable flow through the fluid passageway; and
one or more biasing members configured to urge each stage of the multistage barrier towards a closed position that blocks flow in the fluid passageway.

19. The multistage connector assembly of claim 18 , wherein the multistage barrier comprises a plurality of spaced-part shuttles movable within the fluid passageway, wherein each shuttle is configured to independently block flow in the fluid passageway in a closed position.

20. The multistage connector assembly of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of shuttles are arranged to be sequentially movable to an open position as the connector couples with the main body to enable flow through the fluid passageway.

Assignees

• Medivators Inc

Inventors

• Phungula Lindani
• Oxford Colin
• Spencer Gary

Classifications

• A61L2103/15

  Laboratory, medical or dentistry appliances, e.g. catheters or sharps · CPC title

• A61L2202/18

  Aseptic storing means · CPC title

• A61L2202/14

  Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs · CPC title

• A61L2202/123

  Connecting means · CPC title

• A61L2202/122

  Chambers for sterilisation · CPC title