Universal Single-Use Cap For Male And Female Connectors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021138223-A1
Application number	US-201917045840-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 9, 2019
Priority date	Apr 10, 2018
Publication date	May 13, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A device for connection to a medical connector, the device includes a cap having an annular wall having an exterior wall surface and an interior wall surface including a plurality of inwardly extending protrusions sized and shaped to frictionally engage a male luer, and a peelable seal. The cap configured to define a chamber to contain an absorbent material and disinfectant or antimicrobial agent. The cap includes one or more threads adapted to engage with a female luer connector. The cap is adapted to engage a male luer connector in a press-fit connection. The peelable seal prevents the disinfectant or the antimicrobial agent from exiting the chamber. Also described are methods of disinfecting a medical connector, and apparatuses comprising a device for disinfecting a medical connector.

First claim

1 . A device for connection to a medical connector, the device comprising:
a cap comprising an integral body, a closed end, an annular wall having a length L B extending from the closed end to an open end and defining a chamber containing an absorbent material and disinfectant or antimicrobial agent, the open end defining an end face, the open end defining an engagement surface; the annular wall having an exterior wall surface and an interior wall surface; the interior wall surface comprising a plurality of inwardly extending protrusions sized and shaped to frictionally engage a male luer connector or a female luer connector; the interior wall surface comprising internal threads adjacent the closed end, the internal threads adapted and sized to engage a female luer connector; and a peelable seal on the end face to prevent the disinfectant or the antimicrobial agent from exiting the chamber.

2 . (canceled)

3 . (canceled)

4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inwardly extending protrusions are sized to define an opening having a diameter that is dilatable from an initial diameter of from about 7-9 mm to a dilated diameter of about 9-12 mm to accept a collar of a male connectors.

5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the internal threads adjacent the closed end partially extend along a length of the interior wall surface.

6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the male luer connector frictionally engages the inwardly extending protrusions via a press-fit connection upon insertion into the chamber.

7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises a polypropylene or polyethylene material.

8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the chamber comprises a first portion adjacent the closed end having a first portion diameter D 1 and a second portion adjacent the open end having a second portion diameter D 2 , the first portion and second portion in fluid communication with each other and the first portion diameter being less than the second portion diameter.

9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the annular wall of the cap is frusto-conically shaped.

10 . (canceled)

11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material is a foam.

12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the foam is a polyurethane foam.

13 . (canceled)

14 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material compresses toward the closed end of the chamber upon connection to the female luer connector or the male luer connector.

15 . The device of claim 14 , wherein compression of the absorbent material disinfects the female luer connector or the male luer connector.

16 . (canceled)

17 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material is under radial compression by the internal threads to retain the absorbent material in the chamber.

18 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the disinfectant or antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, 2-propanol, butanol, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, propyl gallate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene, t-butyl-hydroquinone, chloroxylenol, chlorohexidine, chlorhexidine diacetate, chlorohexidine gluconate, povidone iodine, alcohol, dichlorobenzyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid, hexetidine, triclosan, hydrogen peroxide, colloidal silver, benzethonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, octenidine, antibiotic, and mixtures thereof.

19 . The device of claim 18 , wherein the disinfectant or antimicrobial agent comprises at least one of chlorhexidine gluconate and chlorhexidine diacetate.

20 . (canceled)

21 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the peelable seal comprises an aluminum or multi-layer polymer film peel back top.

22 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the peelable seal is heat-sealed or induction sealed to the engagement surface.

23 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises a peripheral ledge extending radially inward from the annular wall.

24 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inwardly extending protrusions are deformable.

25 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inwardly extending protrusions extend along an entire length of the interior wall surface of the cap.

26 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inwardly extending protrusions partially extend along a length of the interior wall surface of the cap.

27 - 31 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Becton Dickinson Co

Inventors

• Jiang Chang
• Charles Nichola

Classifications

• A61L2103/15

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

• A61M2205/02

  characterised by a particular materials · CPC title

• A61M39/162 Primary

  with antiseptic agent incorporated within the connector · CPC title

• A61M39/20

  Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes · CPC title

• A61M39/18 Primary

  Methods or apparatus for making the connection under sterile conditions, i.e. sterile docking · CPC title