US5776116A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Medical connector
Assignee: ICU Medical Inc
•
Filing: 1995-06-07
•
Granted: 1998-07-07
•
Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a connector for introducing medication into a patient in a safe, convenient way. It comprises a pair of plastic tubular members adapted to be manually pushed together to engage in a male-female relationship, and a locking mechanism that detachably secures the members together. The male member has a sealed entry port at its end, and the female member safely houses within it a needle which centrally pierces the seal of the port upon engagement of the members. Preferably, the locking mechanism provides a "click" sound when it locks the members together.
Inventors
- 👤 George A. Lopez
- 👤 Virgil R. Laul
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M39/00; A61M39/10; A61M39/1011; A61M39/14; A61M2039/1027; A61M2039/1072; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/19; A61M2205/192; A61M2205/195; A61M2205/197; A61M39/1033; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of transferring a fluid from a first conduit to a second conduit, said first conduit having a hollow tube at an end thereof, said second conduit having a resilient, resealable septum at an end thereof, comprising the steps of: presenting a generally flat outer surface at the end of said second conduit; penetrating said septum with said hollow tube; locking said first conduit to said second conduit; transferring a fluid between said conduits; disengaging said first and second conduits; and removing said tube from said septum thereby causing said septum to reseal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of transferring a fluid from a first conduit to a second conduit, said first conduit having a hollow tube at an end thereof, said second conduit having a resilient, resealable septum at an end thereof, comprising the steps of: presenting a generally flat outer surface at the end of said second conduit; penetrating said septum with said hollow tube; locking said first conduit to said second conduit; transferring a fluid between said conduits; disengaging said first and second conduits; and removing said tube from said septum thereby causing said septum to reseal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said penetrating, locking, transferring, disengaging and removing steps are repeated at least two times.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said locking step comprises engaging complementary threads on said first and second conduits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said locking step comprises engaging at least one lever arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said locking step is accomplished without relative rotation of said first conduit with respect to said second conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said locking step comprises inserting a pin on said first conduit into a slot in said second conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said hollow tube is disposed within a guard housing which substantially surrounds said hollow tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said penetrating step comprises guiding said end of said second conduit inside said guard housing of said first conduit such that said hollow tube penetrates said septum.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for safely administering medication intravenously to a patient comprising the steps of: inserting a port element having a first end and a second end, said first end having a seal extending thereacross and presenting a generally flat outer surface into a cap member having a cavity therein, said cavity containing a piercing element; pressing said piercing element against said generally flat outer surface of said seal; penetrating said seal extending across said first end of said port element with said piercing element of said cap member; engaging a first locking element of said cap member with a second locking element of said port element for removably securing said port element to said cap member; and removing said piercing element from said seal thereby resealing said first end of said port element.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for safely administering medication intravenously to a patient comprising the steps of: inserting a port element having a first end and a second end, said first end having a seal extending thereacross and presenting a generally flat outer surface into a cap member having a cavity therein, said cavity containing a piercing element; pressing said piercing element against said generally flat outer surface of said seal; penetrating said seal extending across said first end of said port element with said piercing element of said cap member; engaging a first locking element of said cap member with a second locking element of said port element for removably securing said port element to said cap member; and removing said piercing element from said seal thereby resealing said first end of said port element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said second locking element comprises a lip, and wherein said engaging step comprises locking said first locking element of the cap member with respect to said lip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said engaging step comprises removably securing said port element and said cap member without relative rotation of said cap member with respect to said port element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said engaging step comprises rotation of said cap member with respect to said port element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said cap member further comprises a J-type slot having an entryway and a base.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said second locking element of said port element comprises a pin, wherein said engaging step comprises engaging said pin with said entryway of said J-type slot, and sliding said pin along said slot until said pin reaches said base, and rotating said port element relative to said cap member.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of administering medication intravenously to a patient, comprising: inserting a first end of a port element having a first end and a second end, said port element having a seal located at the first end and having a generally flat outer surface, said second end being in fluid communication with the patient, into a cavity of a cap member having a locking element thereon for locking and engaging with said port element; penetrating the seal of said first end of said port element such that said first end of said port element is placed in fluid communication with said cap member; detachably locking said cap member and said port element by engaging said locking element on said cap member such that said first end of said port element is secured within said cavity of said cap member; and sealing said first end of said port with said seal upon disengagement of said cap member and port element.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of administering medication intravenously to a patient, comprising: inserting a first end of a port element having a first end and a second end, said port element having a seal located at the first end and having a generally flat outer surface, said second end being in fluid communication with the patient, into a cavity of a cap member having a locking element thereon for locking and engaging with said port element; penetrating the seal of said first end of said port element such that said first end of said port element is placed in fluid communication with said cap member; detachably locking said cap member and said port element by engaging said locking element on said cap member such that said first end of said port element is secured within said cavity of said cap member; and sealing said first end of said port with said seal upon disengagement of said cap member and port element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said port element comprises a lip, and wherein said engaging step comprises locking said locking element of said cap member with respect to said lip.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said engaging step comprises locking without relative rotation of said cap member with respect to said port element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said engaging step comprises rotation of said cap member with respect to said port element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 18, wherein said locking element of said cap member comprises a J-type slot having an entryway and a base.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said port element comprises a pin, wherein said engaging step comprises engaging said pin with said entryway of said J-type slot, and sliding said pin along said slot until said pin reaches said base, and rotating said port element relative to said cap member.
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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) | 2001-07-06 | 2002-01-05 | 2002-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-06 | 2006-01-05 | 2006-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-06 | 2010-01-05 | 2010-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |