US 11,986,618 B1
Medical connector having elongated portion within seal collar
Thomas F. Fangrow, Mission Viejo, CA (US)
Assigned to ICU Medical, Inc., San Clemente, CA (US)
Filed by ICU Medical, Inc., San Clemente, CA (US)
Filed on Jan. 29, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/426,229.
Application 18/426,229 is a continuation of application No. 18/123,181, filed on Mar. 17, 2023, granted, now 11,896,795.
Application 18/123,181 is a continuation of application No. 17/121,226, filed on Dec. 14, 2020, granted, now 11,931,539.
Application 17/121,226 is a continuation of application No. 16/412,326, filed on May 14, 2019, granted, now 11,376,411, issued on Jul. 5, 2022.
Application 16/412,326 is a continuation of application No. 15/828,317, filed on Nov. 30, 2017, granted, now 10,391,293, issued on Aug. 27, 2019.
Application 15/828,317 is a continuation of application No. 14/977,550, filed on Dec. 21, 2015, granted, now 10,086,188, issued on Oct. 2, 2018.
Application 14/977,550 is a continuation of application No. 13/857,019, filed on Apr. 4, 2013, granted, now 9,278,206, issued on Mar. 8, 2016.
Application 13/857,019 is a continuation of application No. 12/730,074, filed on Mar. 23, 2010, granted, now 8,454,579, issued on Jun. 4, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/251,232, filed on Oct. 13, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/163,367, filed on Mar. 25, 2009.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61M 39/10 (2006.01); A61M 39/02 (2006.01); A61M 39/22 (2006.01); A61M 39/24 (2006.01); A61M 39/26 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 39/1011 (2013.01) [A61M 39/02 (2013.01); A61M 39/10 (2013.01); A61M 39/22 (2013.01); A61M 39/221 (2013.01); A61M 39/24 (2013.01); A61M 39/26 (2013.01); A61M 2039/1033 (2013.01); A61M 2039/2406 (2013.01); A61M 2039/2433 (2013.01); A61M 2039/262 (2013.01); A61M 2039/263 (2013.01); A61M 2039/266 (2013.01); A61M 2039/267 (2013.01); A61M 2207/00 (2013.01); A61M 2230/005 (2013.01); A61M 2230/30 (2013.01); A61M 2230/40 (2013.01); Y10T 29/494 (2015.01); Y10T 137/87917 (2015.04)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A medical connector comprising:
a housing comprising a proximal region and a base region;
the proximal region comprising:
a proximal opening, a slanted internal abutment surface, and a distal portion comprising a first plurality of longitudinally extending protrusions; and
the base region comprising:
a proximal portion with a second plurality of longitudinally extending protrusions, the second plurality of longitudinally extending protrusions of the base region being interposed between the first plurality of longitudinally extending protrusions of the proximal region;
a rigid, hollow elongated portion that is stationary with respect to the housing, the elongated portion comprising a proximal tip positioned within the proximal region, and an internal fluid passageway within the elongated portion; and
an elastomeric seal with a closed position and an open position, the seal comprising: a proximal end that is located in a position to permit effective antiseptic wiping, a collar, and a distal end;
wherein the seal is integrally formed of a single piece of material from the proximal end of the seal to the distal end of the seal adjacent to the base region of the housing, a portion of an internal surface of the seal within the collar contacting an outer surface of the elongated portion in the closed position; and
wherein no guide member surrounds the collar;
wherein in the closed position, the collar contacts the internal abutment surface of the proximal region, thereby stopping proximal axial movement of the seal; and
wherein in the open position, the collar is separated from the internal abutment surface, and the proximal tip of the elongated portion passes through the proximal end of the seal such that the proximal end of the seal is distal from the proximal tip of the elongated portion.