Patent ID: 11896795
Assignee: ICU MEDICAL, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A  Y | IPC A

Claim 13:
14. A medical connector comprising:
a housing comprising a proximal housing portion coupled to a base portion;
the proximal housing portion comprising a proximal opening, a slanted internal abutment surface, and a distal portion comprising a first plurality of longitudinally extending protrusions on an inner surface;
the base portion comprising:
a distally extending male end;
a proximal portion comprising an outside surface, the outside surface comprising a second plurality of longitudinally extending protrusions, the second plurality of longitudinally extending protrusions of the base portion being interposed between the first plurality of longitudinally extending protrusions of the proximal housing portion in an interposing region, thereby resisting rotation between the proximal housing portion and the base portion; and
a rigid, hollow elongated portion with a distal end in a fixed position with respect to the base portion, the elongated portion comprising a proximal tip positioned within the proximal housing portion, and an internal fluid passageway within the elongated portion; and

an elastomeric seal with a closed position and an open position, the elastomeric seal comprising:
a proximal portion with a proximal end and a distal portion with a distal end, wherein the elastomeric seal is integrally formed of a single piece of material from the proximal end at the proximal opening of the proximal housing portion in the closed position to the distal end adjacent to the base portion of the housing, and a portion of the distal portion of the elastomeric seal being positioned radially inside of the interposing region; and
a collar forming part of the elastomeric seal, a portion of an internal surface of the elastomeric seal within the collar closely surrounding and conforming with an outer surface of the elongated portion within the collar in the closed position;

wherein no guide member surrounds the collar;
wherein in the closed position, the collar of the elastomeric seal contacts the internal abutment surface of the proximal housing portion, thereby limiting proximal axial movement of the elastomeric seal;
wherein in the open position, the collar is separated from the internal abutment surface, and the proximal tip of the elongated portion passes through the proximal end of the elastomeric seal such that the proximal end of the elastomeric seal is distal from the proximal tip of the elongated portion; and
wherein the connector is configured to achieve neutral displacement.