Patent ID: 7722575
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: A61J,A61M,F21K,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A medical connector for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, the connector comprising: a housing member comprising an opening adapted at its proximal end to receive a first medical implement and a wall structure defining an internal cavity, the cavity comprising a neck portion in fluid communication with the opening and a main portion distal the neck portion with a larger internal diameter than the neck portion; a flexible element positioned in the cavity, the flexible element movable between a first position in which the flexible element obstructs fluid flow through the housing member and a second position in which fluid flow is facilitated through the housing member, the flexible element comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, the flexible element in the first position being positioned to facilitate antiseptic swabbing of an outer surface of the proximal end thereof and comprising a first external diameter near the opening, a second external diameter in the neck portion, and a third external diameter in the main portion, the second external diameter being smaller than the first external diameter and the third external diameter, the flexible element in the first position further comprising a first internal diameter in the main portion, a second internal diameter in the main portion distal the first internal diameter, and a third internal diameter in the main portion distal the second internal diameter, the second internal diameter in the main portion being smaller than the first and third internal diameters in the main portion; and a rigid element positioned inside the cavity and configured to act as a fluid conduit through at least a portion of the housing member.