US6595964B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Luer activated thread coupler
Assignee: Baxter International Inc
•
Filing: 2000-12-22
•
Granted: 2003-07-22
•
Expires: 2020-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A coupler for receiving a threaded male luer fitting in sealed relationship includes a housing having an attachment end, a conduit end opposite the attachment end and defining a central passageway for providing fluid communication between the luer fitting and a conduit. An arrangement is attached to the housing for establishing a sealed connection between a luer tip and the central passageway. The conduit end has a relatively larger diameter than the attachment end and defines a shoulder at a junction of the attachment end and the conduit end. A resilient member is disposed on the attachment end adjacent the shoulder for exerting an axially directed compressive force upon the male luer fitting as it is threadably engaged upon the attachment end.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Finley
- 👤 Mark Williamson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M39/00; A61M39/02; A61M39/04; A61M39/045; A61M39/10; A61M2039/0036; A61M2039/1072; A61M39/1033; A61M39/22; A61M39/26; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A coupler for receiving a threaded male luer fitting in sealed relationship, comprising: a housing having an attachment end, a conduit end opposite said attachment end and defining a central passageway for providing fluid communication between the luer fitting and a conduit, said attachment end being provided with threads, having a base forming a recess and configured as an externally threaded nipple; an arrangement attached to said housing for establishing a sealed connection between a luer tip and said central passageway; said conduit end being of relatively larger diameter than said attachment end and defining a shoulder at a junction of said attachment end and said conduit end; and a resilient member disposed on said attachment end adjacent said shoulder being retained upon said housing by at least one of said threads and engagement with said recess, said resilient member exerting an axially directed compressive force upon the male luer fitting as it is threadably engaged upon said attachment end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A coupler for receiving a threaded male luer fitting in sealed relationship, comprising: a housing having an attachment end, a conduit end opposite said attachment end and defining a central passageway for providing fluid communication between the luer fitting and a conduit, said attachment end being provided with threads, having a base forming a recess and configured as an externally threaded nipple; an arrangement attached to said housing for establishing a sealed connection between a luer tip and said central passageway; said conduit end being of relatively larger diameter than said attachment end and defining a shoulder at a junction of said attachment end and said conduit end; and a resilient member disposed on said attachment end adjacent said shoulder being retained upon said housing by at least one of said threads and engagement with said recess, said resilient member exerting an axially directed compressive force upon the male luer fitting as it is threadably engaged upon said attachment end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The coupler as defined in claim 1 wherein said resilient member is a washer which circumscribes said attachment end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The coupler as defined in claim 1 wherein said resilient member is a leaf spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The coupler as defined in claim 1 wherein said resilient member exerts sufficient compressive force on the male luer fitting to create a back pressure and resulting thread interference on engaged threads of the male fitting and said attachment end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The coupler as defined in claim 1 wherein said conduit end is configured for releasable connection of said passageway to a conduit in fluid communication with the human body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The coupler as defined in claim 5 wherein said passageway is tubular and said conduit end has an annular skirt extending from said shoulder and defining an annular space between an inside surface of said skirt and a tubular portion of said passageway.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The coupler as defined in claim 6 wherein said inside surface of said skirt is threaded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The coupler as defined in claim 6 wherein said skirt has an exterior surface having textured positive gripping formations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The coupler as defined in claim 1 wherein said arrangement is a resealable preslit septum valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The coupler as defined in claim 9 wherein said septum valve has a generally disk-shaped upper portion and a lower portion extending axially downward within said passageway, and a slit extending through both said upper portion and said lower portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The coupler as defined in claim 10 wherein said slit is configured for sealingly receiving the male luer fitting.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
159 words
A coupler for receiving a threaded male luer fitting in sealed relationship, comprising: a housing having an attachment end being provided with threads, a base forming a recess, and a conduit end opposite said attachment end and defining a central passageway for providing fluid communication between the luer fitting and a conduit; said attachment end configured as an externally threaded nipple and having a resilient resealable penetrable valve member sealingly secured therein; said conduit end being of relatively larger diameter than said attachment end and defining a shoulder at a junction of said attachment end and said conduit end; a resilient member disposed on said attachment end adjacent said shoulder being retained upon said housing by at least one of said threads and engagement with said recess, said member being attached to an outer surface of said housing having said threads, said resilient member creating thread interference between said threads of said attachment end and the male luer fitting.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
159 words
A coupler for receiving a threaded male luer fitting in sealed relationship, comprising: a housing having an attachment end being provided with threads, a base forming a recess, and a conduit end opposite said attachment end and defining a central passageway for providing fluid communication between the luer fitting and a conduit; said attachment end configured as an externally threaded nipple and having a resilient resealable penetrable valve member sealingly secured therein; said conduit end being of relatively larger diameter than said attachment end and defining a shoulder at a junction of said attachment end and said conduit end; a resilient member disposed on said attachment end adjacent said shoulder being retained upon said housing by at least one of said threads and engagement with said recess, said member being attached to an outer surface of said housing having said threads, said resilient member creating thread interference between said threads of said attachment end and the male luer fitting.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The coupler as defined in claim 12 wherein said resilient member is a washer which circumscribes said attachment end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The coupler as defined in claim 12 wherein said resilient member is a leaf spring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coupler as defined in claim 1 wherein said resilient member is fixed to said attachment end and to said shoulder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The coupler as defined in claim 1 wherein said resilient member is retained in position on said attachment end between said threads and said shoulder and is thus prevented from axial movement relative to said housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The coupler as defined in claim 15 wherein said resilient member has a Durometer value selected to be sufficiently resilient for preventing movement of threads of the male luer fitting and said attachment end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coupler as defined in claim 1 wherein said diameters are configured so that said shoulder is externally located on said housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The coupler as defined in claim 17 wherein said Durometer value is approximately 60 Durometers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coupler as defined in claim 12 wherein said resilient member is fixed to said attachment end and to said shoulder.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The coupler as defined in claim 20 wherein said resilient member has a Durometer value selected to be sufficiently resilient for preventing relative movement of threads of the male luer fitting and said threads of said attachment end.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The coupler as defined in claim 12 wherein said resilient member is retained in position on said attachment end between said threads and said shoulder and is thus prevented from axial movement relative to said housing.
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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) | 2006-07-21 | 2007-01-20 | 2007-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-21 | 2011-01-20 | 2011-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-21 | 2015-01-20 | 2015-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |