Patent ID: 8444628
Filing Date: 2013-05-21
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A needleless medical connector having a downstream end for receiving a first medical device and an upstream end for receiving a second medical device, the medical connector comprising: a housing having an interface configured to receive a connector portion of the first medical device and an axial opening opposite the interface, the housing comprising an upstream end, a downstream end, and a cavity extending from the upstream end of the housing to a lower inner surface of the housing, wherein at least a portion of the housing defines a first side opening and a second side opening; and a seal having a downstream end in fluid communication with the interface, an upstream end configured to receive the second medical device, and a normally substantially closed passage, the seal comprising a body and a transverse flange, the body made of flexible material and having a downstream end and an upstream end opposite the downstream end wherein the body has first and second lateral portions each having an upper surface, and the transverse flange disposed proximal to the upstream end of the seal and having a lower surface; wherein the seal is disposed within the housing such that the transverse flange extends across the axial opening, and the first lateral portion of the body extends into the first side opening and the second lateral portion of the body extends into the second side opening; wherein the first and second side openings have top edges that define the portions of the side openings nearest the axial opening, and the first and second lateral portions of the seal body have shoulders configured to engage the top edges of the first and second side openings, and the top edges of the side openings are sufficiently remote from the axial opening to impart a tensile force to the seal between the transverse flange and the shoulders.