US4432755A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterile coupling
Assignee: Baxter International Inc
•
Filing: 1983-05-25
•
Granted: 1984-02-21
•
Expires: 2003-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two separate receptacles. A preferably injection molded plastic junction is made about at least the end portions of access means to each of the separate receptacles. The junction provides a sterile coupling so as to selectively bring the access means into pathway communication and thereby establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles through the access means. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing a sterile coupling and methods for establishing a sterile pathway between the receptacles, as well as a method for low pressure injection molding.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Pearson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J1/00; A61J1/14; A61J1/20; A61J1/2089; A61J1/05; A61J1/10; A61J1/2003; A61J1/2006; A61J1/201; A61J1/2017; A61J1/2068; A61J1/2072; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for establishing and maintaining a sterile relation between the access means of each of two separate receptacles, each access means having an end portion, wherein at least one of the access means includes a piercing element, to provide for the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between the two receptacles, the steps comprising: (a) maintaining the end portions in predetermined, spaced relation; (b) injection molding molten material about at least the end portions of both access means; (c) simultaneously sterilizing the end portions of both access means by heat transfer from the injection molded molten material; and (d) cooling the molten material into a unitary junction means enclosing the end portions, the junction means maintaining the end portions in sterile relation, wherein the piercing element may be urged through the junction means so as to selectively establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles through both access means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for establishing and maintaining a sterile relation between the access means of each of two separate receptacles, each access means having an end portion, wherein at least one of the access means includes a piercing element, to provide for the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between the two receptacles, the steps comprising: (a) maintaining the end portions in predetermined, spaced relation; (b) injection molding molten material about at least the end portions of both access means; (c) simultaneously sterilizing the end portions of both access means by heat transfer from the injection molded molten material; and (d) cooling the molten material into a unitary junction means enclosing the end portions, the junction means maintaining the end portions in sterile relation, wherein the piercing element may be urged through the junction means so as to selectively establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles through both access means.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for establishing and maintaining a sterile relation between the access means of each of two separate receptacles, each access means having an end portion, wherein at least one of the access means includes a piercing element, to provide for the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between the receptacles, the steps comprising: (a) biasing the end portions of the access means into abutting relation; (b) injection molding molten material about at least the end portions of both access means, said injection molding step overcoming said bias and separating the end portions into spaced relation; (c) simultaneously sterilizing the end portions of both access means by heat transfer from the injection molded molten material; and (d) cooling the molten material into a unitary junction means enclosing the end portions, the junction means maintaining the end portions in sterile relation, wherein the piercing element may be urged through the junction means so as to selectively establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles through both access means.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for establishing and maintaining a sterile relation between the access means of each of two separate receptacles, each access means having an end portion, wherein at least one of the access means includes a piercing element, to provide for the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between the receptacles, the steps comprising: (a) biasing the end portions of the access means into abutting relation; (b) injection molding molten material about at least the end portions of both access means, said injection molding step overcoming said bias and separating the end portions into spaced relation; (c) simultaneously sterilizing the end portions of both access means by heat transfer from the injection molded molten material; and (d) cooling the molten material into a unitary junction means enclosing the end portions, the junction means maintaining the end portions in sterile relation, wherein the piercing element may be urged through the junction means so as to selectively establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles through both access means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for selectively establishing a sterile pathway between the access means of each of two separate receptacles, each access means having an end portion, wherein one of the access means includes a piercing element, the steps comprising: (a) maintaining the end portions in predetermined, spaced relation; (b) injection molding material about at least the end portions of both access means; (c) simultaneously sterilizing the end portions of both access means by heat transfer from the injection molded molten material; (d) cooling the molten material into a unitary junction means enclosing the end portions, the junction means maintaining the end portions in sterile relation; and (e) selectively urging the piercing element through the junction means and the other of the access means thereby establishing a sterile pathway through both access means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for selectively establishing a sterile pathway between the access means of each of two separate receptacles, each access means having an end portion, wherein one of the access means includes a piercing element, the steps comprising: (a) maintaining the end portions in predetermined, spaced relation; (b) injection molding material about at least the end portions of both access means; (c) simultaneously sterilizing the end portions of both access means by heat transfer from the injection molded molten material; (d) cooling the molten material into a unitary junction means enclosing the end portions, the junction means maintaining the end portions in sterile relation; and (e) selectively urging the piercing element through the junction means and the other of the access means thereby establishing a sterile pathway through both access means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for selectively establishing a sterile pathway between access means of each of two separate receptacles, each access means having an end portion, wherein one of the access means includes a piercing element, the steps comprising: (a) biasing the end portions of the access means into abutting relation; (b) injection molding molten material about at least the end portions of both access means, said injection molding step overcoming said bias and separating the end portions into spaced relation; (c) simultaneously sterilizing the end portions of both access means by heat transfer from the injection molded molten material; (d) cooling the molten material into a unitary junction means enclosing the end portions, the junction means maintaining the end portions in sterile relation; and (e) selectively urging the piercing element through the junction means and other of the access means, thereby establishing a sterile pathway through both access means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for selectively establishing a sterile pathway between access means of each of two separate receptacles, each access means having an end portion, wherein one of the access means includes a piercing element, the steps comprising: (a) biasing the end portions of the access means into abutting relation; (b) injection molding molten material about at least the end portions of both access means, said injection molding step overcoming said bias and separating the end portions into spaced relation; (c) simultaneously sterilizing the end portions of both access means by heat transfer from the injection molded molten material; (d) cooling the molten material into a unitary junction means enclosing the end portions, the junction means maintaining the end portions in sterile relation; and (e) selectively urging the piercing element through the junction means and other of the access means, thereby establishing a sterile pathway through both access means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-02-20 | 1987-08-22 | 1988-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-20 | 1991-08-22 | 1992-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-20 | 1995-08-22 | 1996-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |