Patent Description:
Generally, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the fields of threaded fittings, including medical caps and medical disinfection caps, and in particular caps and/or disinfection caps for uses with male, female, female stopcock, and female hemodialysis threaded fittings.

In the example of medical applications, various conventional caps for closing off a needleless connector while not in use have been known for some time. In order to decrease Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) cases disinfection caps were originally disclosed in <CIT> which <CIT>, and introduced on the market. Disinfection caps such as those disclosed in the <CIT> are illustrated in <FIG> herein, where cap <NUM> includes a disinfecting pad <NUM> and a lid <NUM>, and cap <NUM> includes a disinfecting pad <NUM> and lid <NUM>, as well as threads <NUM> on its inner circumference <NUM> to interlock with needleless connector hub. On the other hand, other conventional caps may have similar features but exclude the disinfecting pad. Further improved designs for disinfection caps are disclosed in related <CIT> and <CIT>. Yet further modifications to cap designs adding further safety considerations are disclosed in related <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

Currently, there are male disinfecting cap devices for disinfecting ISO594-<NUM> type of female threaded fluid luer connectors and there are female disinfecting cap devices for disinfecting ISO594-<NUM> type of male threaded fluid luer connectors. While there are dual purpose caps that may be capable of capping a certain male and/or female threaded luer connector, such caps are not capable of capping an entire spectrum of connectors in a single cap.

Current cap spectrum encompasses the following types: cap or disinfecting cap devices for disinfecting ISO594-<NUM> type of male threaded connectors; cap or disinfecting cap devices for disinfecting ISO594-<NUM> type of female threaded connectors; cap or disinfecting cap devices for disinfecting ISO594-<NUM> type of female threaded hemodialysis connectors; and cap or disinfecting cap devices for disinfecting ISO594-<NUM> type of open-female connection threaded connectors on stopcocks, designed to maintain pressure in the stopcock.

However, there is not a singular universal cap, or disinfecting cap, designed to interface with male, female, female stopcock, and female hemodialysis threaded fittings, therefore encompassing the entire spectrum of connectors including all four male or female types of ISO594-<NUM> connectors.

A cap according to the invention is defined by the features of claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are defined within by the features of the dependent claims.

The matters exemplified in this description are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

As would be readily appreciated by skilled artisans in the relevant art, while descriptive terms such as "lock", "hole", "tip", "hub", "thread", "sponge", "protrusion", "tab", "slope", "wall", "top", "side", "bottom," "lower," "upper," "fitting," "stopcock" and others are used throughout this specification to facilitate understanding, it is not intended to limit any components that can be used in combinations or individually to implement various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a structure for a single universal disinfecting connector, connector or cap which can interface with male, female, female stopcock, and female hemodialysis threaded fittings, therefore encompassing an entire spectrum of disinfecting connectors. For example, from a clinical perspective, a disinfecting connector or cap according to the present disclosure advantageously reduces the number of device types and logistics that is currently needed in the hospital setting from <NUM> to <NUM>.

In an exemplary implementation of the embodiments of present disclosure, a connector, a cap, a connector cap, or a disinfecting cap may have applications for use in medical applications such as fittings, for example pertaining to ISO594-<NUM> fluid luer connectors, as well as general non-medical related threaded fittings applications.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, configuration of structural elements provide a universal rotary cap that incorporates a rotary-activated interfaces and design features allowing the cap to be configured to selectively present any one of a plurality of connection types, or interfaces, for engaging, coupling, or capping, a corresponding type of a male or a female connector or luer.

According to exemplary implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a connector or cap structure comprises a combination of features including a rotary base, or a bottom casing, a housing, or top casing, axially fixed with respect to the rotary base and having an open end designed to interface or connect with female threaded connectors, female threaded hemodialysis connectors, and/or female open connection threaded connectors, and a slide disposed within the housing with respect to the rotary base and designed to facilitate connection or interface of the cap with female and/or male threaded connectors.

According to exemplary implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rotary base of the connector or cap can be configure to be rotatable with respect to the housing to activate the cap design features that facilitate male or female-type connection of the cap, for example by allowing the slide to move axially with respect to the housing. In an exemplary implementation, the rotary base includes a protrusion, for example a threaded protrusion, designed to interface with the slide to facilitate or cause movement of the slide with respect to the housing, for example to ride up and down the protrusion, due to a relative rotation of the rotary base with respect to the housing. In an exemplary implementation, the slide is rotationally fixed with respect to the housing, but can move axially with respect to the housing.

According to another exemplary implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a connector or cap comprises an additional design feature, such as a rod, or a pressure rod, to facilitate an open-female type connection.

According to still further exemplary implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the open end of the housing can be configured with an inner protrusion, or thread, designed to engage an outer protrusion, or a thread, of a female connector.

In yet further exemplary implementation, the slide can selectively extend out of the housing to facilitate connection or interface of the cap with male threaded connectors. For example, and end portion of the slide extending out of the housing can be configured with an outer protrusion, or thread, designed to engage a protrusion, or a thread, of a male connector such as a protrusion or thread disposed in a collar of the male connector.

According to still further exemplary implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a connector or cap structure includes features designed to disinfect a male of female connection for example by providing a cleaning solution at an open end of the housing of the cap structure.

According to still further exemplary implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure, an open end of a connector or cap structure can be provided with a peel sealing film to maintain sterility of the connection interfaces and/or preserve a cleaning solution if included.

Any combination of such exemplary implementations can be provided in the connector or cap structure of the present disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, embodiments of the present disclosure are described as follows.

This matters exemplified in this description are provided to assist with a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described herein can be made within the scope of appended claims without departing from their full scope and equivalents. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness. Likewise, certain naming conventions, labels and terms as used in the context of the present disclosure are non-limiting and provided only for illustrative purposes to facilitate understanding of exemplary implementations of the exemplary embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure a cap structure <NUM> comprises, a housing <NUM>, a base <NUM>, and a slide <NUM>.

According to an exemplary implementation, housing <NUM> can be configured to include an essentially cylindrical exterior sidewall <NUM> defining opening <NUM> at bottom of housing <NUM> into a major cavity <NUM> configured to accommodate slide <NUM> therein, and an essentially cylindrical interior sidewall <NUM> forming an opening <NUM> at top of housing <NUM> into a cavity <NUM> configured to receive, or interface with, female threaded connectors, female threaded hemodialysis connectors, and/or female open connection threaded connectors, as diagrammatically illustrated in <FIG> showing a connector <NUM>. A shoulder, lip, or top wall <NUM> can connect exterior sidewall <NUM> and interior sidewall <NUM>. In an exemplary implementation, housing <NUM> can be a unitary structure formed by exterior sidewall <NUM>, top wall <NUM>, and interior sidewall <NUM>. In yet another exemplary implementation, interior surface of the interior sidewall <NUM> includes a protrusion, a thread, or a partial thread <NUM> configured to engage a corresponding structure, such as a thread or protrusion <NUM>, on an external surface of a female connector <NUM> received into cavity <NUM> (see <FIG>).

According to an exemplary implementation, base, or rotary base, <NUM> includes a sidewall <NUM> and a bottom wall <NUM>, where, in an exemplary implementation, bottom wall <NUM> forms bottom of cap <NUM>. According to further exemplary implementation, a protrusion <NUM> extends from interior surface of bottom wall <NUM> essentially perpendicular to the bottom wall <NUM>. In an exemplary implementation, protrusion <NUM> is a cantilevered protrusion and can include a thread <NUM>. Base <NUM> and housing <NUM> are rotationally engaged, for example by engagement of exterior sidewall <NUM> of housing <NUM> and sidewall <NUM> of base <NUM>, for example by means of a snap fit connection via complimentary protrusion <NUM> on exterior surface of sidewall <NUM> of base <NUM> and groove <NUM> on interior surface of exterior sidewall <NUM> of housing <NUM>, such that base <NUM> and housing <NUM> are essentially axially fixed with respect to each other and essentially free to rotate with respect to each other.

According to an exemplary implementation, slide, or slide connector interface, <NUM> comprises an essentially cylindrical structure that includes an essentially cylindrical first, or upper, portion <NUM> and an essentially cylindrical second, or lower, portion <NUM>. An essentially cylindrical cavity <NUM> extends coaxially and through the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>. An interior surface of the second portion <NUM> forms a lower portion of cavity <NUM>, and in an exemplary implementation interior surface of the second portion <NUM> includes one or more protrusions or threads <NUM> that cooperate(s) with the thread <NUM> of protrusion <NUM> of base <NUM> allowing slide <NUM> to move axially with respect to protrusion <NUM> due to rotation of slide <NUM> with respect to protrusion <NUM>, for example such that slide <NUM> rides along the protrusion <NUM> of base <NUM> to achieve linear actuation of slide <NUM>.

Exterior circumference of first portion <NUM> is such that first portion <NUM> can slide through cavity <NUM> and extend out of opening <NUM> of housing <NUM>. Interior surface of first portion <NUM> forms an upper portions of cavity <NUM> capable of receiving or accommodating a tip or hub <NUM> of a male connector <NUM> (see <FIG>). An exterior surface of first portion <NUM> can include a protrusion, a thread, or a partial thread <NUM> configured to engage a corresponding structure, such as an inner thread or protrusion <NUM> on collar <NUM>, of connector <NUM>.

In a further exemplary implementation, slide <NUM> includes one or more guide rails <NUM> along exterior surface of slide <NUM>, for example exterior of the second portion <NUM>, which interface(s) with the interior, for example one or more rails or protrusion <NUM>, of the housing <NUM> to facilitate the linear actuation of slide <NUM>, as well as keep the slide, or slide connector interface, <NUM> stable when interfacing with a male luer tip, such as tip or hub <NUM> of a male connector <NUM>.

An example of operation of cap <NUM> according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described with reference to Figured 6B, 6C and 6D, where base or bottom casing <NUM> can twist or rotate with respect to housing <NUM> to activate each connection. For example, twisting the base <NUM> to the right with respect to housing <NUM> activates male tip connection by axially moving first portion <NUM> of slide <NUM> out of top of housing <NUM> via opening <NUM> of and locking slide <NUM> into place as illustrated in the example of <FIG>. On the other hand, twisting the base <NUM> to the left with respect to housing <NUM> activates female connection by axially moving slide <NUM> further into housing <NUM> to open female port formed by cavity <NUM> by moving first portion <NUM> of slide <NUM> out of cavity <NUM>, as illustrated in the example of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure a cap structure <NUM> comprises, a housing <NUM>, a base <NUM>, a slide <NUM>, and a rod <NUM>. According to an exemplary implementation, housing <NUM> and base <NUM> of cap <NUM> can have the same configuration as that of cap <NUM> described above with reference to examples of <FIG>.

An additional feature of an exemplary implementation of embodiment of cap <NUM> incudes a rod, or pressure rod, <NUM> configured with respect to slide <NUM>.

The pressure rod <NUM> can sit in the assembly, for example within cavity <NUM> of slide <NUM>, when the open-female connection is activated in order to maintain pressure, for example in a stopcock. When a general female connection is required, additional twisting of the rotary base <NUM> can allow the male slide <NUM> to connect with the pressure rod <NUM> to pull the pressure rod <NUM> further into the assembly, thus creating the necessary space within cavity <NUM> of housing <NUM> for the general female or hemodialysis female connection.

In an exemplary implementation, rod <NUM> includes an essentially cylindrical sidewall <NUM>, top wall <NUM> and cavity <NUM>. Cavity <NUM> is essentially cylindrical and formed by interior surface of sidewall <NUM> and interior surface of top wall <NUM>. Cavity <NUM> is of sufficient diameter and depth to coaxially accommodate therein at least a portion of protrusion <NUM> of base <NUM>.

According to an exemplary implementation, slide, or slide connector interface, <NUM> comprises an essentially cylindrical structure that includes an essentially cylindrical first, or upper, portion <NUM> and an essentially cylindrical second, or lower, portion <NUM>. An essentially cylindrical cavity <NUM> extends coaxially and through the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>. An interior surface of second portion <NUM> forms a lower portion of cavity <NUM>, and in an exemplary implementation interior surface of second portion <NUM> includes one or more protrusions or threads <NUM> that cooperate(s) with the thread <NUM> of protrusion <NUM> of base <NUM> allowing slide <NUM> to move axially with respect to protrusion <NUM> due to rotation of slide <NUM> with respect to protrusion <NUM>, for example such that slide <NUM> rides long the protrusion <NUM> of base <NUM> to achieve linear actuation of slide <NUM>.

In an exemplary implementation, exterior circumference of first portion <NUM> is such that first portion <NUM> can slide through cavity <NUM> and extend out of opening <NUM> of housing <NUM>. Interior surface of first portion <NUM> forms an upper portions of cavity <NUM> capable of receiving or accommodating a tip or hub <NUM> of a male connector <NUM> (see <FIG>). In addition, interior circumference of first portion <NUM> forms cavity <NUM> capable of accommodating therein rod <NUM>, such that sidewall <NUM> of rod <NUM> can move axially with respect to interior surface of first portion <NUM>. An exterior surface of first portion <NUM> can include a protrusion, a thread, or a partial thread <NUM> configured to engage a corresponding structure, such as an inner thread or protrusion <NUM> on collar <NUM>, of connector <NUM> (<FIG>).

In an exemplary implementation, exterior surface of sidewall <NUM> includes a protrusion <NUM> and interior surface of first portion <NUM> includes a corresponding protrusion <NUM>. For example, protrusion <NUM> can be configured near the opening into first portion <NUM> at the upper portions of cavity <NUM> and protrusion <NUM> can be configured at a distance with respect to top wall <NUM> such that when slide <NUM> slides axially to open cavity <NUM> for female connection of cap <NUM>, protrusion <NUM> abuts protrusion <NUM> to cause rod <NUM> to slide with slide <NUM> to fully open cavity <NUM>.

An example of operation of cap <NUM> according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described with reference to Figured 9A, 9B, and 9C, where base or bottom casing <NUM> can twists or rotate with respect to housing <NUM> to activate each connection. For example, twisting the base <NUM> to the right with respect to housing <NUM> activates male tip connection by axially moving first portion <NUM> of slide <NUM> out of top of housing <NUM> via opening <NUM> and locking slide <NUM> into place as illustrated in the example of <FIG>. Rod <NUM> can be configured within cavity <NUM> such that top wall <NUM> does not prevent upper portions of cavity <NUM> from receiving or accommodating a tip or hub <NUM> of a male connector <NUM> (see <FIG>).

On the other hand, twisting the base <NUM> to the left with respect to housing <NUM> activates female connection by axially moving slide <NUM> further into housing <NUM> to open female port formed by cavity <NUM> by moving first portion <NUM> of slide <NUM> out of cavity <NUM> while maintaining rod <NUM> within cavity <NUM> to provide IV pressure maintenance for open female connections as illustrated in the example of <FIG> (see also a diagrammatic example illustrated in <FIG>).

According to a further exemplary implementation, twisting base <NUM> further to the left with respect to housing <NUM>, for example by <NUM> degrees, activates a general female connection by causing slide <NUM> to axially slide down or further into housing <NUM> and out of cavity <NUM> to further open cavity <NUM>. During this further operation, rod <NUM> connects with slide <NUM> by beans of abutting protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> to open female connection port, cavity <NUM>, fully, as illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, cap <NUM> or cap <NUM> can be configured with a peel sealing film <NUM> sealing cavity <NUM>, for example by attachment to exterior surface of top wall <NUM> of housing <NUM>. In an exemplary implementation, peel sealing film <NUM> can be pierced by deploying slide <NUM>/<NUM> out of housing <NUM> for male connection, or peel sealing film <NUM> can be removed for female connection by pealing it off.

In an exemplary implementation, threads <NUM> or <NUM> can comprise female threads using a PosiFlush™ tip cap design for a male luer end, sufficient to interlock with a mating feature <NUM> of collar <NUM> of a male luer end, or connector, <NUM> to form a leak proof seal of cap <NUM> or <NUM> with connector <NUM>. Such an exemplary implementation is applicable where connector <NUM> comprises a stopcock design to facilitate maintenance of pressure in an IV system when capped by cap <NUM> or <NUM>.

In an exemplary implementation, one or more threads <NUM> can be sufficient to interlock with a mating feature <NUM> (such as one or more protrusions, lugs and/or thread) of a hub or tip <NUM> of needleless connector <NUM>, as described for example in related <CIT> and <CIT>.

According to yet further exemplary implementations of the embodiments of the disclosure, in cap <NUM> or <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>, at least a female lure capping portion, or cavity <NUM>, can be implemented with various venting features and designs described in US patent applications Nos. <CIT> and <CIT>, for example by modifying shape and/or size and/or configuration (such as pitch, spacing, thickness, and/or other structural features) of thread <NUM> and/or configuration of interior surface of interior sidewall <NUM>.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the inner and/or the outer housing of the cap, and/or the base, and/or the slide, and or the rod, can be single shot molded, or made by other suitable process. Furthermore, any of the features or elements of any exemplary implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure as describes above and illustrated in the drawing figures can be implemented individually or in any combination(s) as would be readily appreciated by skilled artisans without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In addition, the included drawing figures further describe non-limiting examples of implementations of certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and aid in the description of technology associated therewith. Any specific or relative dimensions or measurements provided in the drawings other as noted above are exemplary and not intended to limit the scope or content of the inventive design or methodology as understood by artisans skilled in the relevant field of disclosure.

Claim 1:
A cap comprising:
an housing (<NUM>) comprising an open first end with a first opening (<NUM>) to a first cavity (<NUM>) within said housing for receiving a female connector, said open first end having an interior surface configured to engage (<NUM>) said female connector;
a base (<NUM>) axially fixed with respect to said housing and rotatable with respect to said housing; and
a slide (<NUM>) configured within said housing and comprising a second opening into a second cavity (<NUM>) configured to receive an hub of a male connector, and an exterior surface configured to engage (<NUM>) said male connector,
wherein said slide interfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>) with said base such that
a first rotation of said base in a first direction with respect to said housing causes said slide to project out of said housing through said first cavity and via said first opening to receive and engage said male connector, and
a second rotation of said base in a second direction opposite to said first direction with respect to said housing causes said slide to retract into said housing to allow access to said first cavity to receive and engage said female connector.