ANTISEPTIC CONNECTOR COVER AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A fluid-containing cap that fits onto corresponding tubing connectors comprised of a housing and rigid, non-compressible internal fluid reservoir. Fluid is retained within the cap by means of a high surface area internal structure providing sufficient surface tension to prevent fluid from exiting the reservoir until a corresponding tubing connector is inserted therein causing the fluid to disperse out of the cap reservoir and onto the inserted tubing connector.

Claims

1. A medical connector cover comprising, an extended body having an open end and a closed end; an internal reservoir in the extended body at the open end, the internal reservoir including at least one fluid retention structure, a connector receiver; and the connector receiver including a mechanical interlock.

2. The connector cover of claim 1, wherein the fluid retention structure is an integral part of the connector cover.

3. The connector cover of claim 1, wherein the fluid retention structure is formed as a removable insert.

4. The connector cover of claim 3, wherein the fluid retention structure includes a plurality of fins formed in a radial pattern.

5. The connector cover of claim 3, wherein the fluid retention structure is compressible in a longitudinal direction of the extended body.

6. The connector cover of claim 1, wherein the fluid retention structure is non-compressible.

7. The connector cover of claim 1, wherein the fluid retention structure includes a plurality of fluid retention elements.

8. The connector cover of claim 7, wherein at least one fluid retention element is a fin.

9. The connector cover of claim 7, wherein at least one fluid retention element is a rod.

10. The connector cover of claim 1, wherein the fluid retention elements retain IPA therebetween when the connector cover is inverted with the open end downward.

11. The connector cover of claim 1, wherein the mechanical interlock includes internal threads.

12. The connector cover of claim 1, further including a sealing component that seals the open end of the extended body.

13. The connector cover of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the sealing component protrudes into the internal reservoir.

14. The connector cover of claim 12, wherein the sealing component is coupled to the open end of the extended body by a compression fit.

15. The connector cover of claim 12, wherein the sealing component is coupled to the open end of the extended body by engagement with the mechanical interlock.

16. A system of protecting a medical connector, the system comprising: a medical connector including a protruding end with a first mechanical interlock; a connector cover including a second mechanical interlock, the connector cover coupled to the medical connector by the first mechanical interlock engaged with the second mechanical interlock, the connector cover including: an extended body having an open end and a closed end, an internal reservoir in the extended body at the open end, the internal reservoir including at least one fluid retention structure, a connector receiver, and, the connector receiver including the second mechanical interlock; and an antiseptic fluid contained in the internal reservoir.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the antiseptic fluid is IPA.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the first mechanical interlock and second mechanical interlock are a Luer lock.

19. A method of filling an antiseptic medical connector cover, the method comprising: positioning an antiseptic fluid in a connector cover, the connector cover including: an extended body having an open end and a closed end, an internal reservoir in the extended body at the open end, the internal reservoir including at least one fluid retention structure, a connector receiver, and, the connector receiver including a mechanical interlock, wherein positioning the antiseptic fluid in the connector cover includes filling the internal reservoir from a bottom up to cover the at least one fluid retention structure.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: vibrating the connector cover to release at least one vapor bubble from the antiseptic fluid; and filling a remaining volume of the internal reservoir with additional antiseptic fluid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The following description of the embodiments can be understood in light of the Figures, which illustrate specific aspects of the embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 1 A front perspective view of an antiseptic medical connector cover,

[0033] FIG. 2 a top end view of a connector cover,

[0034] FIG. 3 a top end view of a connector cover having a fluid retention screen,

[0035] FIG. 4 a bottom end view of an open rigid reservoir,

[0036] FIG. 5 a front perspective view of a connector cover with rod retention elements,

[0037] FIG. 6 a front perspective view of a connector cover with cross retention elements,

[0038] FIG. 7 a front perspective view of a connector cover with vane retention elements,

[0039] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C is one embodiment of a fluid retention element with folded fins,

[0040] FIG. 9 is one embodiment of the concave cap, and,

[0041] FIGS. 10A and 10B are yet another embodiment where the fluid retention element is a textured rolled film.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The following description of the embodiments can be understood in light of the Figures which illustrate specific aspects of the embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the embodiments. In the Figures the physical dimensions of the embodiment may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals or word descriptions in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions may be omitted.

[0043] A first embodiment of the present invention or Antiseptic Medical Connector Cover 100, as described in FIGS. 1 and 2, including an extended body portion 110 comprising a rigid reservoir 120 having fluid retention structure 121. The reservoir formed in the bottom portion of the body 110 with a connector receiver 130 formed in the top portion, the connector receiver having an internal thread 131 configured to fit onto a typical medical fitting such as NIS or a Luer type fitting. The extended body portion 110 may be cylindrical having a round cross-section or may be described as columnar having a polygonal cross-section which may be one of square, triangular, or another polygon. The outside surface 111 including such formed facets in order to provide a secure gripping surface.

[0044] In one embodiment the fluid retention structure 121 includes a plurality of fins formed in a radial pattern, a first of the plurality of fins being longer, extending from the inside reservoir surface 124 to proximate the center line 124 of the extended body portion 111. A second plurality of short fins dispersed between the plurality of long fins. In yet another embodiment, a central spacing rod 122 is attached at the end of one of the plurality of long fins.

[0045] FIG. 3 describes an embodiment of the present invention where a fluid retention screen 140 is formed at the free end of the rigid reservoir 120. The fluid retention screen 140 may include a plurality of openings or slits 141 designed to control the release of IPA onto a reciprocal medical connector. While the present disclosure will refer to the use of IPA in the reservoir, it should be understood that other sterile fluids (such as sterile water) and/or antiseptic fluids may be used.

[0046] The embodiment of FIG. 4 of the present invention may include a rigid reservoir 120 having an open bottom 150 as well as the open threaded end or connecting end. In one embodiment of FIG. 4, a recess 151 may be formed where a bottom adhesive film is attached.

[0047] In yet other embodiment of the present invention or Antiseptic Medical Connector Cover 100, the rigid reservoir 120 may be formed using alternate fluid retention structures 121, such as the plurality of curved vanes shown in FIG. 7 or the interlocking cross shaped fins of FIG. 6. Whereas FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment where the fluid retention structure 121 is formed using a plurality of rods formed as a bundle and attached at one end. In some embodiments, spacing the fluid retention elements within the fluid retention structure 121 at such distances in order to increase IPA capacity while having the fixtures close enough to one another where the surface tension within the IPA will secure the IPA within the fluid retention structure 121 even when the connection cover is inverted and moved about may be beneficial.

[0048] In the embodiment of FIGS. 8A through 8C the connection cover 100 is formed where the body portion 110 includes an empty central void and a threaded opening which are configured to receive a reservoir insert 120. The fluid retention structure 120 may include a plurality folded fins 121 formed in a radial pattern that can be compressed when the cover 100 is placed on a reciprocal fitting. FIG. 8B shows the fluid retention structure 120 extending proximate the bottom of the threaded portion 130, whereas, as shown in FIG. 8C the fluid retention structure 120 is compressed longitudinally further into the body portion 110 by a distance D. The plurality of folded fins 121 will compress in an accordion fashion and release the retained IPA when displaced by a fitting such as a NIS, IV or Luer.

[0049] FIG. 9 is an embodiment of the present invention or antiseptic connector cover 100 having a concave protective cap 200. The connector cover 100 comprises an extended body portion 110 including an internal reservoir having a threaded opening 130. The cap 200 has a concave portion or nipple 210 that extends down and is configured to form a secure interference fit within the threaded opening 130. The concave portion 210 is configured to force antiseptic fluid to stay within the fluid retention structure. A pull tab 220 may be used for easy removal of the concave protective cap 200.

[0050] The embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 10A and 10B includes a thin film material used to form a fluid retention structure 121 having surface texturing or a plurality of fluid retention elements including a repeating pattern of ridges and grooves. The thin film may be rolled into a small cylinder in order to form a reservoir insert 120, which may be placed into the void formed body portion or housing 110 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0051] It is to be understood that the above-mentioned arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications or alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.