Patent US5971950A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5971950A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Medical connector
Assignee: ICU Medical Inc
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Filing: 1997-10-06
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Granted: 1999-10-26
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Expires: 2017-10-06
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
2026-11-07 22:25
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: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of repeatedly connecting and disconnecting an end of a first conduit to an end of a second conduit to permit the flow of fluid between said first and second conduits in a medical environment, said end of said first conduit being sealed by a nonremovable septum, said method comprising the steps of: connecting a hollow tube to said end of said second conduit, said tube having a diameter which is small enough in comparison with the diameter of said septum that said septum is capable of repeatedly resealing said end of said first conduit through resilient closure after said tube has penetrated said septum and been removed therefrom, said tube having sufficient rigidity to penetrate said septum when said end of said first conduit is advanced toward said end of said second conduit; connecting said first conduit to said second conduit by engaging a first latching member on said end of said first conduit to a second latching member on said end of said second conduit, said first and second latching members cooperating to hold said tube in a position penetrating said septum and defining a fluid path therethrough, thereby preventing unintentional disconnection of said ends of said ends of said first and second conduits and preventing the disruption of fluid traveling between said first and second conduits when said first conduit is engaged with said second conduit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of repeatedly connecting and disconnecting an end of a first conduit to an end of a second conduit to permit the flow of fluid between said first and second conduits in a medical environment, said end of said first conduit being sealed by a nonremovable septum, said method comprising the steps of: connecting a hollow tube to said end of said second conduit, said tube having a diameter which is small enough in comparison with the diameter of said septum that said septum is capable of repeatedly resealing said end of said first conduit through resilient closure after said tube has penetrated said septum and been removed therefrom, said tube having sufficient rigidity to penetrate said septum when said end of said first conduit is advanced toward said end of said second conduit; connecting said first conduit to said second conduit by engaging a first latching member on said end of said first conduit to a second latching member on said end of said second conduit, said first and second latching members cooperating to hold said tube in a position penetrating said septum and defining a fluid path therethrough, thereby preventing unintentional disconnection of said ends of said ends of said first and second conduits and preventing the disruption of fluid traveling between said first and second conduits when said first conduit is engaged with said second conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of engaging said first and second latching members further comprises the step of generating an audible sound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of engaging said first latching member to said second latching member further comprises the step of engaging a first plurality of threads on said first latching member to a second plurality of threads on said second latching member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of engaging said first latching member to said second latching member further comprises the step of engaging said second latching member having at least one latch adapted to engage a groove to said first latching member having a groove.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of engaging said first latching member to said second latching member further comprises the step of sliding a lever arm that comprises said second latching member over a lip that comprises said first latching member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of engaging said first latching member to said second latching member further comprises the step of urging at least one pin mounted on said first latching member into at least one J-type slot for receiving said pin on said second latching member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of locating said hollow tube within a housing which substantially surrounds said hollow tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of connecting a hollow tube to said end of said second conduit further comprises the step of connecting a needle to said end of said second conduit.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of transferring medication between a first conduit and a second conduit in a medical environment comprising the steps of: penetrating with a penetrating element located at an end of said second conduit a resealable resilient septum located at an end of said first conduit; engaging a first locking mechanism at an end of said first conduit to a second locking mechanism on said second conduit, said engagement of said first and second conduits defining a fluid path therethrough; transferring fluid between said first conduit and said second conduit; disengaging said first locking mechanism on said first conduit from said second locking mechanism on said second conduit; withdrawing said penetrating element on said second conduit from said resilient resealable septum on said first conduit; and resealing said resealable resilient septum upon withdrawal of said penetrating element, said resealable resilient septum being capable of repeatedly accepting said penetrating element and resealing after withdrawal of said penetrating element.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of transferring medication between a first conduit and a second conduit in a medical environment comprising the steps of: penetrating with a penetrating element located at an end of said second conduit a resealable resilient septum located at an end of said first conduit; engaging a first locking mechanism at an end of said first conduit to a second locking mechanism on said second conduit, said engagement of said first and second conduits defining a fluid path therethrough; transferring fluid between said first conduit and said second conduit; disengaging said first locking mechanism on said first conduit from said second locking mechanism on said second conduit; withdrawing said penetrating element on said second conduit from said resilient resealable septum on said first conduit; and resealing said resealable resilient septum upon withdrawal of said penetrating element, said resealable resilient septum being capable of repeatedly accepting said penetrating element and resealing after withdrawal of said penetrating element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the step of penetrating said septum at said end of said first conduit further comprises the step of penetrating said septum at said end of a branch port on a piggyback connector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-10-25 | 2003-04-26 | 2003-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-25 | 2007-04-26 | 2007-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-25 | 2011-04-26 | 2011-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |