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

Claim 20:
21. A medical connector comprising:
a housing comprising a proximal region and a base region;
the proximal region 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; and

the base region comprising:
a proximal portion comprising an outside surface comprising a second plurality of longitudinally extending protrusions, the second plurality of longitudinally extending protrusions of the base region being interposed between the first plurality of longitudinally extending protrusions of the proximal region;

a rigid, hollow elongated portion that is stationary with respect to the housing, the elongated portion comprising a proximal tip positioned within the proximal region, 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 end, a collar, and a distal end, the elastomeric seal being integrally formed of a single piece of material from the proximal end at the proximal opening of the proximal region of the housing in the closed position to the distal end adjacent to the base region of the housing, 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; and
wherein no guide member surrounds the collar;
wherein in the closed position, the collar contacts the internal abutment surface of the proximal region, thereby stopping proximal axial movement of the elastomeric seal; and
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.