This invention concerns improved single use caps or covers for vascular access devices such as needlefree connectors that are used, for example, in intravenous administration sets and extension sets. Removal of a single use cap or cover according to the invention from a vascular access device destroys the cap such that it cannot be reused. Such single use caps and covers will help ensure compliance with infection prevention protocols in healthcare settings, which will assist in reducing the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), particularly catheter-related blood stream infections. Assemblies and kits its including such caps and covers, for example, IV administration and extension sets that include one or more needlefree connectors, as well as methods for using such caps and covers, are also described.

A disinfecting cap is described including a housing, a protrusion and a cap cover, the housing including a top wall, an essentially cylindrical sidewall forming a first cavity, and an open bottom end opposite the top wall formed by the cylindrical sidewall with an opening to the first cavity within the housing for receiving a hub of a female needleless connector or a male needleless connector, wherein the protrusion is positioned within the first cavity and includes an inner surface, an outer surface and an end distal the top wall of the housing, the inner surface of the protrusion defining a second cavity, and wherein the outer surface of the protrusion and an inner surface of the essentially cylindrical sidewall define a gap therebetween, and the cap cover is dimensioned and positioned to cover at least a portion of the gap between the outer surface of the protrusion and the inner surface of the housing.

A disinfection tip is described for disinfecting a threaded connector of a syringe. The disinfection tip includes a cylindrical outer housing, a substantially cylindrical inner housing extending from a distal wall of the outer housing, a distal chamber defined by the outer sidewall of the inner housing, the inner wall of the outer housing and the distal wall of the outer housing, the distal chamber being in fluid communication with the cavity, the distal chamber retaining a disinfectant or antimicrobial agent when the disinfection tip is disposed within an outer wall of the luer connector of the syringe and, at least one jet orifice radially disposed on the inner rim in fluid communication with the distal chamber allowing for fluid to pass from the distal chamber through the jet orifice directing the disinfectant or antimicrobial agent towards a center of the outer housing when the disinfection tip is further inserted into the luer connector of the syringe, the insertion of the disinfection tip causing the volume of the distal chamber to reduce and expel disinfectant or antimicrobial agent through the at least one jet orifice.

A disinfection cap is described for connection to a medical connector, the disinfection cap including a housing having a top wall and sidewall forming a cavity, a blockage feature disposed on the top wall of the cavity, the blockage feature for fluidly blocking a hub of a luer connector, disinfectant or antimicrobial agent disposed within an open cell foam structure within the cavity. The open cell foam structure releasing the disinfectant or antimicrobial agent as the open cell foam structure is depressed by the hub of the luer connector.

An antiseptic dead-end cap includes a base having first and second sides, a first annular wall extending from the first side of the base, a cylindrical center plug extending from the first side of the base, and a second annular wall extending from the second side of the base. The first annular wall has an outer and an inner surface. The cylindrical center plug has an outer and an inner surface, and is positioned within the first annular wall to form an annular chamber. The second annular wall has an outer and an inner surface, and defines a second chamber having an open end. The second chamber is further defined by the inner surface of the cylindrical center plug. An antiseptic material is on at least one of the first annular wall inner surface, second annular wall inner surface, second annular wall outer surface, and cylindrical center plug outer surface.

Methods and apparatus for cleaning a central venous catheter port are disclosed. An apparatus includes a body, a coupling configured to connect the body to the hub, a cleaning cap coupled to the body, and an actuator disposed within the body for rotating and translating the cap relative to the hub. The cleaning cap includes a cap body defining a cavity and a cleaning member disposed within the cavity, the cleaning member having threads that engage with the threads on the hub.

A capping device for disinfecting a medical implement includes a first portion having a bottom opening and a first inner surface, a second portion having a medial opening, a second inner surface, and a disinfecting member attached to the second inner surface, and a connector coupling the first and second portions in a manner which permits movement of the second portion between a closed position wherein the second portion is in contact with the first portion so as to form a hollow defined by the first inner surface and the second inner surface, and an open position wherein the second portion is apart from the first portion. The capping device is configured for attachment to the medical implement through the bottom opening to bring an access portion of the medical implement in contact with the disinfecting member when the capping device is in the closed position.

This invention concerns improved single use caps or covers for vascular access devices such as needlefree connectors that are used, for example, in intravenous administration sets and extension sets. Removal of a single use cap or cover according to the invention from a vascular access device destroys the cap such that it cannot be reused. Such single use caps and covers will help ensure compliance with infection prevention protocols in healthcare settings, which will assist in reducing the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), particularly catheter-related blood stream infections. Assemblies and kits its including such caps and covers, for example, IV administration and extension sets that include one or more needlefree connectors, as well as methods for using such caps and covers, are also described.

A disinfection cap is described for connection to a medical connector, the disinfection cap includes a housing having a top wall and sidewall forming a cavity, disinfectant or antimicrobial agent and a ball disposed within the cavity. An outer surface of the housing includes a thread sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of a threaded connector, or more specifically a male luer connector. The cap may also include a peelable seal to prevent the disinfectant or the antimicrobial agent from exiting the cavity. The cavity of the cap may also include one or more ribs disposed on the inner surface of the cavity to retain the ball in the cavity, forming a flow channel as the ball is depressed further into the cavity. An exterior sidewall surface of the housing may include a plurality of grip members.

A syringe assembly including: (1) a syringe barrel defining a chamber; (2) a plunger mounted in the chamber and moveable with respect to the barrel; and (3) a cap holder assembly containing a cap and an absorbent material removably attached to the syringe.