IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0125774
(2005-05-10)
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등록번호 |
US-7611505
(2009-11-16)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Ranalletta, Joseph V.
- Brereton, Robert S.
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Marsh Fischmann & Breyfogle LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
37 |
초록
▼
An improved sterile docking apparatus for a medical-liquid, male connectors includes a holding member having an opening for matably receiving a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector therethrough, and a film member disposed across the opening, wherein the film member is stretchable to envelo
An improved sterile docking apparatus for a medical-liquid, male connectors includes a holding member having an opening for matably receiving a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector therethrough, and a film member disposed across the opening, wherein the film member is stretchable to envelope and thereby isolate a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector that is inserted into the opening of the holding member. The film member may be elastic, wherein it substantially returns to an initial configuration after removal of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector from the opening of the holding member. An interconnection surface may be provided on the holding member of the docking apparatus to interface with a complimentary interconnection surface of a medical-liquid, male connector so as to maintain the nozzle end of the medical-liquid, male connector in an enveloped position during docking.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus, comprising: a holding member having an opening for matably receiving a nozzle end of a male connector therethrough and a tubular portion, wherein a threaded surface is located on the outside of the tubular portion for receiv
What is claimed is: 1. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus, comprising: a holding member having an opening for matably receiving a nozzle end of a male connector therethrough and a tubular portion, wherein a threaded surface is located on the outside of the tubular portion for receiving a complimentary threaded surface of a collar of a medical-liquid, male connector having a nozzle end insertable through said opening; and, a film member disposed across said opening, wherein said film member defines a continuous, outer surface portion across said opening prior to insertion of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector through said opening of the holding member, and wherein said film member is stretchable so that upon engagement by and relative advancement of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector inserted through said opening of the holding member the film member stretches to envelop in a tent-like manner and thereby isolate and maintain sterility of the nozzle end of the male connector. 2. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said film member is elongatable at least about 400%. 3. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said film member extends over said opening in co-planar relation to a periphery of said opening prior to insertion of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector through said opening. 4. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said film member is elastic. 5. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said elastic film member has a modulus of elasticity of at least about 1000 psi. 6. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said elastic film member comprises a polymer-based material. 7. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said tubular portion of said holding member comprises: an interconnection surface adapted for selective interconnection with a complimentary interconnection surface provided on a medical-liquid, male connector. 8. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said opening is located at a top end of said tubular portion. 9. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said film member extends outwardly from and about said top end of said tubular portion. 10. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said film member defines a continuous, ring-shaped surface portion surrounding said outer surface portion. 11. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 10, further comprising: a flange member interconnected to said holding member and extending laterally away from said tubular portion, wherein at least a portion of said tubular portion and at least a portion of said ring-shaped surface portion of the film member each project through and away from an aperture provided through said flange member. 12. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said holding member further includes: a laterally-extending portion interconnected to and extending laterally away from tubular portion, wherein said laterally-extending portion and said flange member are adapted for interconnection with a peripheral ring portion of said film member captured therebetween. 13. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said surface portion and said surrounding, ring-shaped surface portion are visually distinct. 14. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of an outer surface of said film member is coaxially aligned with said opening and presented in a visually distinct manner. 15. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said portion of said outer surface of said film member corresponds in shape with said opening of said holding member. 16. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said film member comprises an anti-microbial material. 17. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said film member is disposed so that it is locatable in contact engagement with and between the threaded surface and a complimenting threaded surface of a medical-liquid, male connector upon said selective interconnection. 18. A medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said film member extends across and laterally away from said opening. 19. A method for docking a medical-liquid, male connector, comprising: engaging a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector with a surface of an outer film member disposed across an opening of a holding member comprising a docking apparatus by advancing at least one of said medical-liquid, male connector and said docking apparatus toward the other; stretching said film member of said docking apparatus to envelop in a tent-like manner and thereby isolate and maintain sterility of said nozzle end of said medical-liquid, male connector by advancing at least one of said medical-liquid, male connector and said docking apparatus toward the other so that said nozzle end engages and stretches the film member as the nozzle end is inserted through said opening of the holding member of the docking apparatus; and, interconnecting said medical-liquid, male connector with said docking apparatus by rotatably advancing a threaded interconnection surface on a collar of the medical-liquid, male connector relative to a threaded interconnection surface on a tubular portion of said holding member of the docking apparatus, wherein said nozzle end of the medical-liquid, male connector is maintained in said enveloped position. 20. A method as recited in claim 19, further comprising: contacting said outer surface of said film member of the docking apparatus with an anti-bacterial material prior to said engaging and stretching steps. 21. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein a distal aspect of said nozzle end of the medical-liquid, male connector is maintained in contact engagement with said outer surface of the film member of the docking apparatus throughout said interconnecting step. 22. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein said film member is interposed between and in contact relation with said interconnection surface of the holding member of the docking apparatus and the complimentary interconnection surface of the medical-liquid, male connector throughout said interfacing step. 23. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein said stretching step includes: first stretching said film member across a first area thereof that is larger than an area of said opening; and, second stretching said film member across second area that is smaller than said first area. 24. A method as recited in claim 19, further comprising: disconnecting said medical-liquid, male connector from said docking apparatus; and, disengaging said nozzle end of the medical-liquid, male connector from said surface of the film member of the docking apparatus, wherein said surface of said film member elastically returns to an initial position. 25. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising: repeating said engaging, stretching, interconnecting, disconnecting, and disengaging steps in plurality of times. 26. A method as recited in claim 19, further comprising: providing a portion of said outer surface of said film member in coaxial alignment with said opening of the holding member, wherein said portion is presented in a visually distinct manner. 27. A method as recited in claim 26, wherein said visually distinct portion of said outer surface of the film member corresponds in shape with said opening of the holding member comprising the docking apparatus.
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