Abstract:
An improved sterile docking apparatus for a medical-liquid, male connectors includes a holding member having an opening for matably receiving a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector therethrough, and a film member disposed across the opening, wherein the film member is stretchable to envelope and thereby isolate a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector that is inserted into the opening of the holding member. The film member may be elastic, wherein it substantially returns to an initial configuration after removal of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector from the opening of the holding member. An interconnection surface may be provided on the holding member of the docking apparatus to interface with a complimentary interconnection surface of a medical-liquid, male connector so as to maintain the nozzle end of the medical-liquid, male connector in an enveloped position during docking.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to the field of medical liquid administration, and more particularly, to an improved docking apparatus and method for enhancing the maintenance of sterility of a nozzle end of a male connector fluidly interconnected or interconnectable to a medical liquid source during one or repeated periods of non-use (e.g. between successive administrations of a medical liquid through a vascular catheter over an extended time period).  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Numerous techniques are employed for the administration of “medical liquids” (e.g. liquid medication and flush solutions) to a patient. In particular, where repeated medication infusions are required, medical liquids are often administered via the use of a vascular access catheter that is fluidly interconnected or interconnectable to one or more medical liquid sources via an associated tubing line set. Typically, the catheter is inserted into the vein of a patient and left there for multiple intravenous (IV) infusions during an extended course of medication therapy. By way of example, the time period between IV drug infusions may be between about 4 to 24 hours, wherein the IV liquid medication source is typically replaced after each dose infusion.  
         [0003]     In conjunction with extended therapy applications, a desirable practice is to disconnect a vascular catheter from a medical liquid source(s) between infusions. In this regard, most patients receiving IV medication therapy are ambulatory to some degree and benefit from not being continuously connected to a medical liquid source(s).  
         [0004]     To facilitate the ready and repeated connection/disconnection of a vascular catheter and medical liquid source(s), while avoiding the use of needle-type arrangements (e.g. arrangements where sharp/blunt needle ends are inserted into specialized vascular catheter connection ports having a piercable/slit stopper), complimentary female and male connectors are often utilized (e.g. male and female luer connectors). For purposes hereof, a “male connector” generally refers to any fluid connector having a nozzle end that projects into a “female connector” upon interconnection therewith, wherein fluid transfer between the male and female connector may be realized. In this regard, for example, a female connector may be fluidly interconnected as an access port to the vascular catheter and a complimentary male connector may be fluidly interconnected or readily interconnectable to a medical liquid source(s).  
         [0005]     In order to maintain sterility, the medical-liquid, male connector is typically covered with a new cap after each disconnection from the female connector, and a depressible member of the medical-liquid, female connector is contacted with an antibacterial material (e.g. an alcohol solution) before each interconnection with the male connector. Such an approach entails the unpackaging, use and disposal of multiple caps over an extended medication therapy. For example, where liquid medication is administered at least every four hours over a three-day period at least 18 caps would be required to maintain the sterility of the medical-liquid, male connector. As may be appreciated, cap-related costs, medical personnel time expenditures and inventory management implications associated with this approach can become quite significant.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In view of the foregoing, a broad objective of the present invention is to facilitate both the sterile and cost-effective handling of medical-liquid, male connectors that are interconnected/disconnected from complimentary female connectors more than once in the course of medical-liquid delivery, and particularly in applications where multiple vascular catheter connections/disconnections with a medical liquid source(s) are entailed in the course of IV medication therapy.  
         [0007]     Further, a related objective of the present invention is to address the broad objective in a manner that reduces medical accessory costs, inventory management requirements and medical personnel time expenditures.  
         [0008]     Another objective of the present invention is to provide for enhanced sterile handling of medical-liquid, male connectors during periods of non-use in a manner that is both convenient and space-efficient at a patient care site.  
         [0009]     One or more of the above objectives and additional advantages are realized by the inventive docking apparatus and method disclosed herein. In particular, a dedicated apparatus is provided for docking a medical-liquid, male connector that is fluidly interconnected or connectable to a medical liquid source during one or repeated periods of non-use. The docking apparatus comprises a holding member having an opening for matably receiving a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector therethrough, and a film member disposed across the opening. Of note, the film member is stretchable so as to isolate a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector that engages the film member upon insertion through the opening of the holding member. That is, the film member is provided to stretch upon engagement by the nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector and thereby envelop the nozzle end in a tent-like manner so as to maintain the sterility of the nozzle end during docking use of the inventive apparatus.  
         [0010]     In this regard, it is preferable for the film member to be capable of at least about 400% elongation, and more preferably at least about 700% elongation (e.g. elongation per unit length while maintaining at least a degree of elasticity sufficient to maintain contact between the film member and nozzle end of a male connector during docking use). Even more preferably, the film member may be elastic so that it is able to elastically deform during docking use and substantially return to its initial configuration after removal of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector from the holding member opening, thereby enhancing repeated docking use of the docking apparatus. More particularly, it is preferable that the film member be provided to have a modulus of elasticity of at least about 1000 psi, and even more preferably of at least about 3000 psi. By way of example, an elastic film member may comprise a polymer-based material, such as a material selected from a group comprising: thermoset rubbers and thermoplastic polyurethanes.  
         [0011]     In certain arrangements, the stretchable film member may comprise an antimicrobial material. For example, the film member may comprise metal ions that provide an antibacterial effect (e.g. silver salts such as sulfadiazine).  
         [0012]     In one aspect of the invention, the film member may be disposed to extend across an opening at one end of the holding member, thereby facilitating ready access to the film member for cleaning and contact with an antibacterial material prior to docking use. In one arrangement, the film member may be disposed over an opening at the top end of a tubular portion of the holding member. In another arrangement, the film member may be fixedly interconnected about the periphery of an opening of a ring-shaped portion of a holding member. In yet another arrangement, the film member may be disposed to extend across an opening of a tubular portion of the holding member in recessed relation to a top end of the tubular portion.  
         [0013]     In another aspect of the invention, the film member may be provided to define a continuous, substantially planar or convex, outer surface portion across the opening at one end of the holding member prior to insertion of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector. As may be appreciated, the provision of such an outer surface portion on the film member further facilitates cleaning and the application of an anti-bacterial material thereto prior to engagement with the nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector. Additionally, such outer surface portion facilitates contact engagement across an entire distal edge of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector during docking use.  
         [0014]     In another aspect of the present invention, an interconnection surface may be provided on the holding member (e.g. on an outside or inside surface of a tubular portion of the holding member), wherein the interconnection surface is adapted for selective interconnection/disconnection with a complimentary interconnection surface provided on a medical-liquid, male connector. As may be appreciated, in some arrangements the a medical-liquid, male connector. As may be appreciated, in some arrangements the complimentary interconnection surface may be the same means that is utilized for fluidly interconnecting the medical-liquid, male connector to a patient (e.g. via a vascular catheter interface for medical-liquid administration).  
         [0015]     In one approach, the interconnection surface may comprise a threaded surface provided on an outside surface or on an inside surface of a tubular portion of the holding member that is sized/shaped to threadably interface with a complimentary threaded surface provided on an inside surface of a collar or on an outside surface of a nozzle end, respectively, of a medical-liquid, male connector. For example, an outside surface of a tubular portion of the holding member may be threaded to interface with an internally threaded, rotatable collar of a medical liquid, male luer connector that is utilized for selective interconnection/disconnection from a female connector fluidly interconnected with a vascular catheter.  
         [0016]     In another approach, the interconnection surfaces on the docking apparatus and medical-liquid male connector may comprise one or more projections that are sized/shaped to allow for relative passage past each other upon linear advancement and then to interfere upon relative rotation so as to maintain the medical liquid, male connector in a docked position. In yet another approach, one or both of the interconnection surfaces on the docking apparatus and medical-liquid, male connector may be tapered to facilitate a friction-fit interface therebetween. For example, the interconnection surface of the docking apparatus may define the periphery of the holding member opening and be of a size/shape to slidably receive a tapered nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector that is of complimentary size/shape to yield a friction-fit interface.  
         [0017]     In a further aspect of the invention, the film member may be disposed relative to an interconnection surface on the docking apparatus so that the film member is interposed in contact engagement between such interconnection surface and a complimentary interconnection surface of a medical-liquid male connector during docking use. As such, an antibacterial material applied to an outer surface of the film member may contact the complimentary interconnection surface during docking. In turn, the maintenance of sterility of a complimentary interconnection surface of a medical-liquid, male connector may be enhanced.  
         [0018]     In yet another aspect, the film member may be provided to extend over and laterally and outwardly away from an opening at one end of the holding member. In turn, the film member may be interconnected to the docking apparatus about a ring, wherein an operative area is defined within the ring that is greater than the area of the opening. In certain arrangements, the film member may stretch across such operative area during docking use. That is, in such arrangements the film member may advantageously stretch across an area larger than the holding member opening during a first stage of docking (e.g. until the film member is restrainably engaged between at least a portion of the interconnection surfaces of the docking apparatus and a medical-liquid, male connector), wherein further stretching during a second stage of docking is substantially limited to a smaller area of the film member. To facilitate stretching of the film member across a surface area larger than the opening of the holding member, an interconnection surface may be provided on the holding member that yields a predetermined clearance relative to a complimentary interconnection surface of a medical-liquid, male connector. For example, in arrangements where a threaded interconnection surface is provided on the outside of a tubular portion of the holding member, it may be preferable to provide a clearance between such interconnection surface and a complimentary internally threaded surface of a collar of a medical-liquid, male connector of at least 2 times and most preferably between about 2 to 4 times the thickness of the film member. Further, in such arrangements it may be preferable to provide a holding member opening whose periphery provides a predetermined clearance relative to a docked nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector of at least 2 times the material thickness of the film member.  
         [0019]     In one embodiment, the film member may extend across and angle downwardly and away from a top end of a tubular portion of the holding member to define a continuous, outer surface that includes a continuous, substantially planar or convex, outer surface portion and a surrounding (e.g. ring-shaped), conical, outer surface portion. When an interconnection surface is provided on an outside surface of a tubular portion of the holding member, the conical, outer surface portion of the film member may be provided to extend over and about the interconnection surface, wherein the film member is interposed in contact engagement with and between the interconnection surface of the holding member and a complimentary interconnection surface on the inside of a collar of a medical-liquid, male connector during docking use of the docking apparatus. As may be appreciated, such an arrangement facilitates the application of an anti-bacterial material to the outer surface of the film member and contact engagement thereof with an interconnection surface of a medical-liquid, male connector (e.g. internal threads of a collar) during docking use.  
         [0020]     In another embodiment, the docking apparatus may further include a flange member interconnected to the holding member and extending laterally away from a tubular portion of the holding member, wherein at least a portion of the tubular portion of the holding member and at least a portion of a conical, outer surface portion of the film member each at least partially project through an aperture that is provided through the flange member. In turn, an interconnection surface may be provided on the outside surface of the tubular portion to interface with a complimentary interconnection surface of a collar of a medical-liquid, male connector. In such embodiments, it is preferable for the aperture to be sized to receive a range of outside collar widths utilized on medical-liquid, male connectors, including male luer type connectors.  
         [0021]     In certain embodiments the holding member may include a laterally-extending portion that extends away from a tubular portion thereof, wherein the laterally-extending portion and a flange member may be adapted for ready interconnection with a peripheral ring portion of the film member captured therebetween. By way of example, a plurality of clip extensions may be provided about a periphery of the flange member for snap-on interconnection of the flange member to a laterally-extending portion of the holding member. As may be appreciated, the inclusion of a flange member and/or a laterally-extending portion of a holding member also facilitates grasping and manipulation of the docking apparatus by a user.  
         [0022]     Additional user-friendly features may be included in the inventive docking apparatus. For example, an outer surface portion of the film member may be provided in coaxial alignment with the holding member opening and may be presented in a visually distinct manner to facilitate insertion of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector into the opening. In this regard, such outer surface portion of the film member may be provided to correspond in shape with the opening of a holding member, In one approach, a substantially planar or convex, outer surface portion of the film member, and a surrounding (e.g. ring-shaped), conical, outer surface portion of the film member, may be provided to be visually distinct to a user. Similarly, a top surface of the flange member may be presented to be visually distinct from one or both of the noted surface portions of the film member.  
         [0023]     As may be appreciated, an inventive method for docking a medical-liquid, male connector is also provided. The inventive method includes the steps of engaging a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector with an outer surface of a film member disposed across an opening of a holding member of a docking apparatus (i.e. by advancing at least one of the medical-liquid, male connector and docking apparatus toward the other), and stretching the film member of the docking apparatus to envelop the nozzle end of the medical-liquid, male connector (i.e. by further relative advancement as the nozzle end is inserted through the opening of the holding member of the docking apparatus). In turn, sterility maintenance of the nozzle end of the medical-liquid, male connector is enhanced during docking.  
         [0024]     The inventive method may further comprise the step of contacting the outer surface of the film member of the docking apparatus with an anti-bacterial material prior to the engaging and stretching steps. By way of example, the contacting step may entail passing a swab across the outer surface of the film member, wherein the swab comprises or has otherwise been contacted with an anti-bacterial material.  
         [0025]     In one aspect, the inventive method may further include the step of interconnecting the medical-liquid, male connector with the docking apparatus (e.g. in conjunction with or after said stretching step), wherein the nozzle end of the medical-liquid, male connector is maintained in the enveloped position. In relation to the interconnecting step, a distal edge of the nozzle end of the medical-liquid, male connector may be maintained in contact engagement with the outer surface of the film member of the docking apparatus (i.e. throughout the interconnecting step). In this manner, the maintenance of sterility is further enhanced.  
         [0026]     The interconnecting step may include the substep of interfacing an interconnection surface on the holding member of the docking apparatus in retentive relation with a complimentary interconnection surface of the medical-liquid, male connector. In one approach, the complimentary interconnection surface on the medical-liquid, male connector may be provided on a rotatable collar thereof, and the interfacing step may entail rotatably advancing the collar of the medical-liquid, male connector relative to the holding member of the docking apparatus (e.g. so as to threadably engage compatible threaded surfaces comprising the respective interconnection surfaces).  
         [0027]     In another aspect of the inventive method, the film member of the docking apparatus may be interposed between and in contact relation with both of the interconnection surfaces of the holding member of the docking apparatus and the medical-liquid, male connector throughout the above-noted interconnecting step. In this manner, sterility may also be further enhanced.  
         [0028]     In another aspect, the stretching step of the inventive method may comprise first and second stages. In the first stage, the film member may be stretched across an area that is larger than the area of the opening of the holding member of the docking apparatus. By way of example, this may be achieved by disposing the film member to extend over and laterally away from one end of the holding member as noted above. In a second stage of the stretching step, the film member is restrainably interposed between complimentary interconnection surfaces of the docking apparatus and medical-liquid, male connector, and therefore stretching of the film member is substantially limited to a smaller area than during the first stage. Providing a larger area for first stage stretching facilitates the maintenance of elastic deformation capabilities of the film member.  
         [0029]     In yet a further aspect, the inventive method may include the additional steps of disconnecting the medical-liquid, male connector from the docking apparatus, and disengaging the nozzle end of the medical-liquid, male connector from the surface of the film member, wherein the surface of the film member substantially returns to an initial, pre-docking configuration (i.e. the configuration of the film member prior to the initial engaging step). As may be appreciated, the inventive method may further comprise the step of repeating the above-noted engaging, stretching, interconnecting, disconnecting, and disengaging steps a plurality of times. In this manner, it may be appreciated that the inventive method provides for the repeated use of a docking apparatus to maintain the sterility of one or more nozzle end(s) of medical-liquid, male connector(s) over an extended period of use.  
         [0030]     Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art upon further consideration of the description that follows.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0031]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of a top side and bottom side, respectively, of one docking apparatus embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the docking apparatus embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a side, cross-sectional view of the docking apparatus embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , taken along section line AA of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0034]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate side and end views, respectively, of the docking apparatus embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 .  
         [0035]      FIGS. 7A, 7B ,  7 C,  7 D and  7 E are side, cross-sectional views illustrating the use of the docking apparatus embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6  with an exemplary medical-liquid, male connector.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 8A, 8B ,  8 C,  8 D, and  8 E are side, cross-sectional views illustrating the use of another docking apparatus embodiment with another medical-liquid, male connector. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0037]      FIGS. 1-6  illustrate one embodiment of a medical-liquid, male connector docking apparatus  10  comprising the present invention. As best shown by  FIG. 4 , the docking apparatus  10  includes a holding member  20  having an opening  22  and a stretchable, sheet-like film member  30  disposed across the opening  22 . The stretchable nature of film member  30  facilitates the isolation of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector that is inserted into the opening  22  by responsively stretching to envelop the nozzle end in a tent-like manner. By virtue of such isolation, maintenance of the sterility of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector may be enhanced.  
         [0038]     Preferably the film member  30  is not only stretchable, but is also elastic, wherein the film member  30  is able to elastically deform during use and substantially return to its initial configuration after removal of a nozzle end of medical-liquid, male connector from opening  22 . For example, film member  30  may comprise a polymer-based material such as the material selected from a group comprising: thermoset rubbers and thermoplastic polyurethanes.  
         [0039]     In preferred arrangements, film member  30  may be of a substantially uniform thickness. By way of example, such thickness may be at least about 0.006 in., and preferably between about 0.006 in. and 0.009 in.  
         [0040]     The film member  30  may be provided to define a continuous, substantially planar surface portion  32  that extends across and coincides with the shape of the opening  22 , thereby facilitating the application of an anti-bacterial material thereto prior to being engaged by the distal edge of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector. In turn, contact engagement across the distal edge of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector is enhanced. To yield such an arrangement, film member  30  may extend over the opening  22  in co-planar relation to a periphery of the opening  22 , as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0041]     Of further note, it may be desirable for the film member  30  to comprise an anti-bacterial material such as metal ions (e.g. silver salts such as sulfadiazine). As may be appreciated, the utilization of a film member  30  comprising an anti-bacterial material further enhances the maintenance of sterility upon contact engagement with a nozzle end of a medical, male connector.  
         [0042]     The holding member  20  may include a tubular portion  24 , wherein the opening  22  is located at a top end of the tubular portion  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the holding member  20  further comprises a laterally-extending portion  26  extending away from the tubular portion  24 . Further, the docking apparatus  10  includes a flange member  40  extending away from the tubular portion  26  and interconnected to the laterally-extending portion  26  of the holding member  20 . The provision of laterally-extending portion  26  and/or flange member  40  provides a structure that may be readily grasped by a user for use and manipulation of the docking apparatus  10 .  
         [0043]     The top end of the tubular portion  24  of the holding member  20  projects through and away from an aperture  42  provided through the flange member  40 . Preferably the aperture  42  has a diameter of at least about 0.375 in., and even more preferably between about 0.4375 in. and 0.75 in.  
         [0044]     The film member  30  is disposed over the top end of the tubular portion  24  of the holding member  20  and captured between the laterally-extending portion  26  of the holding member  20  and the flange member  40 , wherein the film member  30  defines a continuous, frusto-conical, outer surface that also projects outward from the flange member  40 . That is, the frusto-conical surface includes the above-noted planar surface portion  32 , and a surrounding, ring-shaped, conical surface portion  34 . As may be appreciated, the frusto-conical, outer surface may be readily contacted with a anti-bacterial material prior to the insertion of a nozzle end of a medical-liquid, a male connector through the opening  22  of the docking apparatus  10 .  
         [0045]     To provide for retentive engagement between the docking apparatus  10  and a medical-liquid, male connector, an interconnection surface  28  may be provided on the tubular portion  24  of holding member  20 . More particularly, the interconnection surface  28  may be adapted to interface with a complimentary interconnection surface provided on a medical-liquid, male connector, wherein the film member  30  is interposed between the interconnection surface  28  of the docking apparatus  10  and the interconnection surface of a medical-liquid, male connector during docking use.  
         [0046]     In the illustrated embodiment, interconnection surface  28  comprises a threaded surface on an outer surface of tubular portion  28  that may interface with a complimentary, threaded interconnection surface on the inside of a collar of a medical-liquid, male connector. In turn, the ring-shaped, conical surface  34  of film member  30  may be restrainably engaged between the two interconnection surfaces during docking. As shown, the frusto-conical surface of film member  30  is provided so as to extend over and about the interconnection surface  28  prior to docking use.  
         [0047]     To accommodate stretching of the film member  30  during interconnection of the docking apparatus  10  with a medical-liquid, male connector, the threads of interconnection surface  28  in the illustrated embodiment may be rounded. Further, the distal end of the threads of interconnection surface  28  may be set back a distance from the distal end of the tubular portion  24   
         [0048]     Additionally, it may be preferable to provide for a predetermined clearance between the threaded interconnection surface  28  and complimentary threaded interconnection surface of a medical-liquid, a male connector. In particular, a predetermined clearance of at least 2 times the thickness of film member  30  is preferred. In addition, it may be preferable for the periphery of opening  22  of a holding member  20  to provide a clearance relative to a docked nozzle end of a medical-liquid, male connector of at least 2 times the thickness of film member  30 .  
         [0049]     To facilitate the interconnection of the holding member  20  and flange member  40 , flange member  40  may be provided with a plurality of clip extensions  44  about its periphery. Such clip extensions  44  are sized/shaped to extend around a peripheral edge of the laterally-extending portion  26  of the holding member  20  and retainably engage the underside thereof in a snap-on-like manner. In this regard, it may be appreciated that the assembly of docking apparatus  10  may be completed in a relatively simple manner.  
         [0050]     For example, film member  30  may be sized/shaped slightly larger than the top aspect of holding member  20  and positioned over the holding member  20 . Next, the flange member  40  may be advanced relative to the holding member  20  with the film member  30  captured therebetween. In this regard, the flange member  40  may be provided with an annular, downward-facing ring  44  that may be adjacently located within a concentric, upward-facing annular ring  27  provided on the laterally-extending portion  26  of the holding member  20 , wherein the film member is secured therebetween about a ring-shaped region. As may be appreciated, the film member  30  is operative to stretch across the area that is within the ring-shaped region. Further, the film member may be slightly tensioned upon assembly.  
         [0051]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a number of features may be noted that facilitate docking of a medical-liquid, male connector. First, the planar surface portion  32  of film member  30  and the surrounding, ring-shaped, conical surface portion  34  may be provided to be visually distinct from each other, as well as visually distinct from a top surface  46  of the flange member  40 . That is, all or adjacent ones of the planar surface portion  32 , ring-shaped, conical surface portion  34  and top surface  46  may be of a different hue or color so as to present a target-like appearance to a user. Further, directional indicia  48  may be provided on the top surface  46  of the flange member  40  so as to facilitate interconnection of the docking apparatus  10  and a medical-liquid, male connector. For example, directional arrows may be presented in a visually distinct manner to indicate the rotational direction that a collar of a medical-liquid, male connector should be turned (e.g. clockwise) relative to docking apparatus  10  in order to achieve a threaded interconnection therebetween.  
         [0052]     To further facilitate the use of docking apparatus  10 , holding member  20  may be provided with a reduced passageway  27  at the bottom end of the tubular portion  24 . Such reduced passageway allows air and liquid to exit from within the holding member  20 , yet restricts a user from attempting to dock a medical-liquid, male connector at the wrong end of tubular portion  24 .  
         [0053]     As illustrated by  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  4 - 6 , docking apparatus  10  may include a number of slots  70  that are sized and located to selectively receive a medical liquid tubing line, (shown in phantom). For example, slots  70  may be provided between legs  72 ,  74  that extend away from the laterally-extending portion  26  at opposing ends of the docking apparatus  10 . In this regard, each pair of legs  72 ,  74  may be spaced a distance that is slightly less than the diameter of a typical medical liquid tubing line used in a patient care facility (e.g. about 1/16- 3/16″) so as to facilitate, retentive engagement of the docking apparatus  10  relative to such tubing line. Further, by routing a tubing line between slots  70  and about the outside of the tubular portion  24  of the holding member  20 , a tortuous path is defined, thereby further enhancing retentive placement. Retentive engagement of docking apparatus  10  with a tubular line is even further enhanced by the provision of sideward extending tabs  29  at a bottom end of tubular member  24  of the holding member  20 .  
         [0054]      FIGS. 7A-7E  illustrate an exemplary use of docking apparatus  10 . As shown in each of the figures, the docking apparatus  10  may be interconnected to an exemplary tubing line (shown in phantom) prior to, during or after use of the docking apparatus. As illustrated by  FIG. 7A , prior to docking an anti-bacterial material may be applied to the frusto-conical surface of the film member  30  using a swab  110 . Then, as shown  FIG. 7B , an exemplary medical-liquid, male connector  120 , that is interconnected or interconnectable via a tubing line  130  with a medical liquid source, may be located in an aligned position with the opening  20  of docking apparatus  10 . In this regard, and as noted above, a nozzle end  122  of the medical-liquid, male connector  120  may be visually aligned with the visibly distinct, planar surface portion  32  of film member  30 . To initiate docking, the medical-liquid, male-connector  120  and/or docking apparatus  10  may be advanced so that the distal of nozzle end  122  of the medical-liquid, male connector  120  engages the planar surface portion  32  and the anti-bacterial material applied thereto.  
         [0055]     In  FIG. 7C , as the nozzle end  122  of the medical-liquid, male connector  120  has engaged the planar surface portion  32  of the film member  30  and begun to stretch the film member  30  into the top end of the tubular portion  24  of the holding member  20 . In this regard, it should be noted that during this first stage of stretching, the film member  30  advantageously stretches across an area whose periphery is defined by the interface of annular ring  27  on holding member  20  and annular ring  44  on flange member  40 . Such an arrangement facilitates repeated use of the docking apparatus  10  by reducing the likelihood of elastic deformation of film member  30 .  
         [0056]     In  FIG. 7D , the docking apparatus  10  and/or medical-liquid, male connector  120  has been further advanced, wherein film member  30  has been further stretched inward into the tubular member  20 . Of note, threaded interconnection surface  124  on the inside surface of collar  126  of the medical-liquid, male connector  120  has interfaced with the threaded interconnection surface  28  provided on tubular portion  24  of the holding member  20 . As such, upon relative rotation the two interconnection surfaces will restrainably engage the film member  30  therebetween. In turn, further stretching of film member  30  during a second stage will be substantially limited to the area of film member  30  that is located within the restricted region.  
         [0057]     As shown in  FIG. 7E , the collar  126  of the medical liquid, male-connector  120  has been rotated relative to the docking apparatus  10  so as to yield threaded engagement and relative advancement. Concomitantly, the nozzle end  122  of the medical liquid, male-connector  120  has been further advanced into the tubular portion  24  of the holding member  20 , thereby further stretching film member  30 . As may be appreciated, the medical-liquid, male connector  120  may be maintained in the docking position shown in  FIG. 7E , wherein maintenance of the sterility of nozzle end  122  and the inside surface of collar  126  is enhanced. Subsequently, the medical-liquid male connector  120  may be disconnected from docking apparatus  10  by rotating collar  126 , wherein film member may elastically return to substantially the same configuration shown in  FIG. 7A . Thereafter, the docking apparatus  10  may be repeatedly used as described in relation to  FIGS. 7A-7E  over an extended period of patient treatment.  
         [0058]      FIGS. 8A-8E  illustrate another embodiment of a docking apparatus  100 , as employed in conjunction with another medical-liquid, male connector  220 . The docking apparatus  100  is of the same configuration as docking apparatus  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6  and  7 A- 7 E, with the exception that it comprises an interconnection surface  102  that is located on the inside of tubular portion  24 , as opposed to an interconnection surface on the outside of the tubular portion  24  as per the prior embodiment. Relatedly, the medical-liquid, male connector  220  is of the same configuration as the medical-liquid, male connector  120  illustrated in  FIGS. 7B-7E , with the exception that medical-liquid, male connector  220  does not include an outer collar as per the prior embodiment. Further, the nozzle end  122  of the medical-liquid, male connector  220  includes an outer interconnection surface  224 .  
         [0059]     As will be appreciated, the interconnection surface  102  of docking apparatus  100  and interconnection surface  224  of medical-liquid, male connector  220  are sized and shaped for retentive interconnection. More particularly, in the illustrated arrangement, the interconnection surfaces  102  and  224  comprise complimentary threaded surfaces. In other arrangements, interconnection surface  224  could be modified to be a tapered outer surface on nozzle end  122  and interconnection surface  102  could be modified to be of a size/shape to slidably receive the tapered outer surface on nozzle end  122  so as to yield a friction-fit interface with film member  30  interposed therebetween.  
         [0060]     As illustrated by  FIG. 8A , prior to docking an anti-bacterial material may be applied to the frusto-conical surface of the film member  30  using a swab  10 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 8B , a medical-liquid, male connector  220 , interconnected or interconnectable via tubing line  130  with a medical liquid source, may be located in an aligned position with the opening  22  of docking apparatus  100 . Again, nozzle end  122  of the medical-liquid, male connector  220  may be visually aligned in co-axial relation with the visibly distinct, planar surface portion  32  of the film member  30 . To initiate docking, the medical-liquid, male connector  220  and/or docking apparatus  100  may be advanced so that the distal edge of the nozzle end  122  of the medical-liquid, male connector  220  engages the planar surface portion  32  and the anti-bacterial material applied thereto.  
         [0061]     In  FIG. 8C , the nozzle end  122  of the medical-liquid, male connector  220  has engaged the planar surface portion  32  of the film member  30  and begun to stretch the film member  30  into the top end of the tubular portion  24  of the holding member  20 . Again, it should be noted that during this first stage of stretching the film member  30  advantageously stretches across an area that is greater than the size of the opening  22  of the tubular portion  24  of the holding member  20 .  
         [0062]     In  FIG. 8D , the docking apparatus  100  and/or medical-liquid, male connector  220  has been further advanced. As shown, the threaded interconnection surface  224  on the outside of the nozzle end  122  of the medical-liquid, male connector  220  has begun to interface with the threaded interconnection surface  102  provided on the inside of tubular portion  24  of the holding member  20 . As such, upon rotation of the docking apparatus  100  relative to medical-liquid, male connector  220 , further stretching of the film member  30  during a second stage will be substantially limited to the area of the film member  30  that is located within the restrained region.  
         [0063]     As shown in  FIG. 8E , the docking apparatus  100  has been rotated relative to the medical-liquid, male connector  220  so as to yield threaded, retentive engagement. Concomitantly, the nozzle end  122  of the medical-liquid, male connector  220  has been further advanced into the tubular portion  24  of the holding member  20 , thereby further stretching film member  30 . The medical-liquid, male connector  220  may be maintained in the docking position shown in  8 E, wherein maintenance of the sterility of nozzle end  122  and the interconnection surface  224  of nozzle end  122  is enhanced. Subsequently, the medical-liquid, male connector may be disconnected from docking apparatus  100  by rotating during apparatus  100 , wherein film member  30  may elastically return to substantially the same configuration shown in  FIG. 8A . Thereafter, the docking apparatus  100  may be repeatedly used as described in relation to  FIGS. 8A-8E .  
         [0064]     The embodiments discussed above are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention and various modifications, adaptations, and extensions of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such further embodiments are all intended to be encompassed by the scope of the present invention as characterized by the claims that follow.