Patent ID: 7758566
Filing Date: 2010-07-20
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A valved male luer medical connector comprising: a male luer projection in a distal side of the connector, the male luer projection comprising interior and exterior surfaces and a bore extending between the interior and exterior surfaces, a female luer end portion in a proximal side of the connector, an exterior housing portion positioned between the male luer projection and the female luer end portion, and a fluid passage for the selective passage of fluids within the male luer projection, a region inside of the exterior housing portion, and the female luer end portion, a valve member movable between a closed position and an open position, the valve member comprising a proximal first portion and a second portion distal from the first portion, the first and second portions of the valve member being configured to move generally longitudinally between the closed and open positions such that a proximal end of the first portion is positioned closer to the female luer end portion in the open position than in the closed position, the first portion of the valve member being positioned within the external housing portion between the male luer projection and the female luer end portion in the closed position, and the first portion being positioned outside of the male luer projection in the closed position, and the second portion being positioned at least partially within the male luer projection in the closed position and generally enclosing inside of the second portion at least a portion of a first generally longitudinal fluid pathway and a second generally transverse fluid pathway, the first and second fluid pathways being in fluid communication, the valve member further comprising a plug portion distal from the second portion, the plug portion having a distal end spaced distally from the generally transverse fluid pathway, the plug portion being closed-ended on the distal end thereof in both the open and closed positions such that fluid is prevented from flowing through the distal end of the plug portion in both the open and closed positions, and the plug portion being configured to engage the interior surface of the male luer projection to form a seal such that the closed end of the plug portion is generally flush with a distal end of the exterior surface of the male luer projection in the closed position, a seal contacting the second portion of the valve member, the seal extending generally around a portion of the second portion of the valve member in both the open and closed positions, a biasing member configured to bias the valve member toward the closed position, at least a portion of the biasing member generally surrounding at least a portion of the proximal first portion of the valve member, wherein the biasing member, the valve member, and the seal are discrete, non-unitary components, and an actuating member extending distally into a region near the exterior surface of the male luer projection in the closed position, the actuating member being fixed to and unitary with the valve member, and the actuating member being configured to actuate the valve member from the closed to the open position when a female luer end portion of a medical accessory is advanced into the distal side of the connector, such that fluid is permitted to flow through the generally transverse fluid pathway, around the closed distal end of the plug portion, and through the bore extending between the interior and exterior surfaces of the male luer projection in the open position, and wherein the actuating member, the proximal first portion of the valve member, and the second portion of the valve member are configured to be non-deformable upon contact between the connector and the female luer end portion of the medical accessory.