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The present invention provides an inventive apparatus and method for docking of a male luer connector fluidly interconnected or interconnectable to a medical liquid source during one or repeated periods. As such, the invention has particular application to multiple-dose medication therapy procedures

The present invention provides an inventive apparatus and method for docking of a male luer connector fluidly interconnected or interconnectable to a medical liquid source during one or repeated periods. As such, the invention has particular application to multiple-dose medication therapy procedures. The docking apparatus comprises a holding receptacle having a single access opening and a depressible member disposed in the holding receptacle. The holding receptacle is adapted for retentive engagement with a male luer connector (e.g. via complementary threading), wherein upon docking a nozzle of the male luer connector is isolated within the holding receptacle. An anti-bacterial material may be readily applied to a top surface of the depressible member prior to docking so that the forward edge of the nozzle of the male luer connector contacts the anti-bacterial material when docked. The docking apparatus may be provided with lateral and rearward handling members to facilitate docking procedures. Additionally, slots may be provided for interconnecting the docking apparatus to a tubing line at a patient site.

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What is claimed: 1. An apparatus for docking a male luer connector, comprising: a holding receptacle having an internal chamber and only one access opening thereto for receiving and isolating a nozzle of a male luer connector therewithin; and, a depressible member disposed in said internal chamber

What is claimed: 1. An apparatus for docking a male luer connector, comprising: a holding receptacle having an internal chamber and only one access opening thereto for receiving and isolating a nozzle of a male luer connector therewithin; and, a depressible member disposed in said internal chamber of the holding receptacle, wherein a top end of said depressible member is located in said access opening during non-use of the apparatus, and wherein said depressible member is at least one ofbeing deflectable and compressible within said internal chamber upon receipt of a nozzle of a male luer connector. 2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said depressible member comprises a resilient material and substantially fills said access opening of said holding receptacle during non-use of the apparatus. 3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein a top surface of the depressible member is disposed one of substantially coplanar with and convexly bulging outward from a surrounding rim of said holding receptacle at said access opening during non-use of the apparatus. 4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said top surface of the depressible member is sized to engage the entirety of a leading edge of a nozzle of a male luer connector during docking. 5. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said top surface of the depressible member is substantially non-porous. 6. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said depressible member is at least partially defined by an elastomeric material. 7. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said depressible member comprises: a body portion; and, a top layer interconnected to said body portion to define said top surface. 8. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said top layer comprises a polymeric material. 9. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said body portion is integrally defined by an elastomeric foam material. 10. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein a top surfice at said top end of said depressible member is substantially continuous across the lateral extent thereof. 11. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said depressible member comprises a body portion baying an external configuration substantially coincident with a configuration of said internal chamber of the holding receptacle. 12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said compressible body portion of said depressible member substantially fills said internal chamber of the receptacle during non-use. 13. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said internal chamber and the depressible member are sized to permit deflection of said depressible member within the internal chamber upon engagement with a nozzle of a male luer connector. 14. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said depressible member includes at least one surface discontinuity to facilitate deflection upon engagement with a nozzle of a male luer connector. 15. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said holding receptacle is configured to capture said depressible member within said internal chamber. 16. An apparatus for docking a male luer connector, comprising: a bolding receptacle having an internal chamber and only one access opening thereto for receiving and isolating a nozzle of a male luer connector therewithin; and, a depressible member disposed in said internal chamber of the holding receptacle, wherein a top end of said depressible member is located in said access opening during non-use of the apparatus, wherein said depressible member comprises a resilient material and substantially fills said access opening of said holding receptacle during non-use of the apparatus,and wherein the single access opening has a cross dimension that is less than a corresponding cross dimension of the top end of the depressible member so as to capture said depressible member within said internal chamber. 17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the internal chamber and the depressible member are configured to have complimentary portions that are larger than their respective top ends. 18. An apparatus for docking a male luer connector, comprising: a holding receptacle having an internal chamber and only one access opening thereto for receiving and isolating a nozzle of a male luer connector therewithin; and, a depressible member disposed in said internal chamber of the holding receptacle, wherein a top end of said depressible member is located in said access opening during non-use of the apparatus, wherein said holding receptacle includes external threads for threadably receiving complimentary collar threads of the male luer connector, and wherein said single access opening is sized to sealably engage a tapered nozzle portion of a male luer connector when received therein. 19. An apparatus for docking a male luer connector during non-use thereof, comprising: a holding receptacle having an internal chamber and only one opening thereto for receiving and isolating a nozzle of a male luer connector therewithin; a depressible member disposed in said internal chamber of the holding receptacle wherein a top end of the depressible member is located in the access opening during non-use of the apparatus, and wherein said depressible member is at least one of being deflectable and compressible in said internal chamber upon receipt of a nozzle of a male luer connector therewithin; and, a first handling member extending away from the holding receptacle. 20. An apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said first handling member extends laterally away from the holding member. 21. An apparatus as recited in claim 20, further comprising: a second handling member extending rearwardly from the holding receptacle. 22. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said second handling member is of a fin-like configuration. 23. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein center axes of said holding receptacle and said second handling member are aligned. 24. An apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein said second handling member is wider than said holding receptacle. 25. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said first handling member, second handling member and at least a portion of said holding receptacle are integrally defined. 26. An apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said first handling member and at least a portion of said holding receptacle are integrally defined. 27. An apparatus as recited in claim 19, further comprising: at least one slot sized for selective interconnection to a tubing line. 28. An apparatus as recited in claim 19, further comprising: at least two slots sized for selective interconnection to a tubing line. 29. An apparatus for docking a male luer connector during non-use thereof, comprising: a holding receptacle having an internal chamber and only one opening thereto for receiving and isolating a nozzle of a male luer connector therewithin; a depressible member disposed in said internal chamber of the holding receptacle, wherein a top end of the depressible member is located in the access opening during non-use of the apparatus: a first handling member extending away from the holding receptacle; and at least two slots sized for selective interconnection to a tubing line, wherein a tortuous path is defined between said at least two slots for tubing line interconnection. 30. An apparatus as recited in claim 29, wherein said tortuous path extends in more than one plane. 31. An apparatus for docking a male luer connector during non-use thereof, comprising: a holding receptacle having an internal chamber and only one opening thereto for receiving and isolating a nozzle of a male luer connector therewithin; a depressible member disposed in said internal chamber of the holding receptacle, wherein a top end of the depressible member is located in the access opening during non-use of the apparatus; a first handling member extending away from the holding receptacle, wherein said first handling member extends laterally away from the holding member; and, at least two leg slots, each defined between a different pair of legs extending downward from said first handling member for selective interconnection to a tubing line. 32. An apparatus as recited in claim 31, wherein said at least two leg slots are defined at opposing ends of the first handling member. 33. An apparatus as recited in claim 31, further comprising: a lateral slot defined below said first handling member. 34. An apparatus as recited in claim 33, further comprising: at least one retention tab located adjacent to said lateral slot. 35. An apparatus as recited in claim 31, further comprising: at least one pair of edge slots defined on a common side of first lateral member. 36. An apparatus as recited in claim 31, two pairs of edge slots defined opposing sides of the first lateral member. 37. An apparatus as recited in claim 31, wherein said at least two leg slots each extend through said first handling member. 38. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said holding receptacle comprises a plurality of interconnected members. 39. An apparatus as recited in claim 38, wherein said plurality of interconnected members comprise: a top member; and, a bottom member interconnected to said top member. 40. An apparatus as recited in claim 39, wherein said top and bottom members are interconnected via at least one of a snap-fit engagement, hinged interconnection, and complimentary, threaded interconnection. 41. An apparatus as recited in claim 38, wherein said holding receptacle is of a one-piece construction. 42. An apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said holding receptacle comprises a plurality of interconnected members. 43. An apparatus as recited in claim 42, wherein said plurality of interconnected members comprise: a top member; and, a bottom member interconnected to said top member. 44. An apparatus as recited in claim 43, wherein said top and bottom members are interconnected via at least one of a snap-fit engagement, hinged interconnection, and complimentary, threaded interconnection. 45. An apparatus as recited in claim 42, wherein said holding receptacle is of a one-piece construction. 46. An apparatus for docking a male luer connector during non-use thereof, comprising: a holding receptacle having an internal chamber and a single access opening thereto for receiving and isolating a nozzle of a male luer connector therewithin; a depressible member disposed in said internal chamber of the holding receptacle, wherein a top end of the depressible member is located in the single access opening during non-use of the apparatus; a first handling member extending away from the holding receptacle; and, at least two slots sized for selective interconnection to a tubing line, wherein a tortuous path is defined between said at least two slots for tubing line interconnection, and wherein said tortuous path extends in more than one plane. 47. An apparatus as recited in claim 46, wherein said depressible member comprises a resilient material and substantially fills said access opening of said holding receptacle during non-use of the apparatus. 48. An apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein said depressible member is at least one of being deflectable and compressible within said internal chamber upon receipt of a nozzle of a male luer connector. 49. An apparatus as recited in claim 48, wherein said depressible member comprises a body portion having an external configuration substantially coincident with a configuration of said internal chamber of the holding receptacle. 50. An apparatus as recited in claim 48, wherein said internal chamber and the depressible member are sized to permit deflection of said depressible member within the internal chamber upon engagement with a nozzle of a male luer connector. 51. An apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein said holding receptacle is configured to capture said depressible member within said internal chamber. 52. An apparatus as recited in claim 46, wherein said first handling member extends laterally away from the holding member.