Sterility retaining medical connector assembly and method

1. A medical connector assembly, comprising:

a multi-use connector comprising a proximal end opposite a distal end along a longitudinal length thereof and defining a first fluid flow path therethrough;

a plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors connected in series to form a second fluid path therethrough permitting fluid to pass through each of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors, each of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors comprising a proximal end opposite a distal end along a longitudinal length thereof; and

a first removable cap adapted to cover the distal end of the multi-use connector,

wherein the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors are identical,

wherein a most proximal single-use connector of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors is coupled at its proximal end to the distal end of the multi-use connector to connect the first fluid flow path of the multi-use connector to the second fluid path through the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors,

wherein, when a most distal single-use connector of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors is disconnected from a next most distal single-use connector of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors, the next most distal single-use connector remains connected to the multi-use connector as a sterility retaining cover, and

wherein the first removable cap is configured for removal from the distal end of the multi-use connector prior to connecting the most proximal single-use connector with the multi-use connector.

2. The medical connector assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a second removable cap adapted to cover the proximal end of the most proximal single-use connector, the second removable cap configured for removal from the proximal end of the most proximal single-use connector prior to connecting the most proximal single-use connector with the multi-use connector.

3. The medical connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a catheter is connected to the distal end of the most distal single-use connector.

4. The medical connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the most proximal single-use connector is in threaded engagement with the multi-use connector, and wherein the medical connector assembly further comprises:

a threaded sheath in threaded engagement with the most proximal single-use connector, wherein the threaded engagement between the sheath and the most proximal single-use connector is oppositely operated from the threaded engagement between the most proximal single-use connector and the multi-use connector.

5. The medical connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors is integrally formed and adapted to break into two elements along a circumferential notch.

6. The medical connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors has an internal flow control element.

7. The medical connector assembly according to claim 6 , wherein each internal flow control element prevents fluid flow through the second fluid path until a predetermined fluid pressure is reached when the most distal single-use connector of the serially-connected single-use connectors is separated from the next most distal single-use connector.

8. A medical connector assembly, comprising:

a multi-use connector comprising a proximal end opposite a distal end along a longitudinal length thereof and defining a first fluid flow path therethrough;

a plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors connected in series to form a second fluid path therethrough permitting fluid to pass through each of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors, each of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors comprising a proximal end opposite a distal end along a longitudinal length thereof; and

a sheath disposed about the medical connector assembly over an exterior of the medical connector assembly extending from the multi-use connector and continuing along the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors, the sheath comprising a first sheath element having a frangible connection to a second sheath element,

wherein the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors are identical,

wherein a most proximal single-use connector of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors is coupled at its proximal end to the distal end of the multi-use connector to connect the first fluid flow path of the multi-use connector to the second fluid path through the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors, and

wherein, when a most distal single-use connector of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors is disconnected from a next most distal single-use connector of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors, the next most distal single-use connector remains connected to the multi-use connector as a sterility retaining cover.

9. The medical connector assembly according to claim 8 , wherein, when the most distal single-use connector is disconnected from the next most distal single-use connector, the first sheath element remains disposed about the next most distal single-use connector and a portion of the multi-use medical connector and the second sheath element remains disposed about the disconnected most distal single-use connector.

10. A medical connector assembly, comprising:

a multi-use connector comprising a proximal end opposite a distal end along a longitudinal length thereof and defining a first fluid flow path therethrough;

a plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors connected in series to form a second fluid path therethrough permitting fluid to pass through each of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors, each of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors comprising a proximal end opposite a distal end along a longitudinal length thereof; and

a sheath disposed about the medical connector assembly and comprising a first sheath element having a frangible connection to a second sheath element,

wherein the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors are identical,

wherein a most proximal single-use connector of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors is coupled at its proximal end to the distal end of the multi-use connector to connect the first fluid flow path of the multi-use connector to the second fluid path through the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors, and

wherein, when a most distal single-use connector of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors is disconnected from a next most distal single-use connector of the plurality of serially-connected single-use connectors, the next most distal single-use connector remains connected to the multi-use connector as a sterility retaining cover.

11. The medical connector assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the sheath extends over an exterior of the medical connector assembly to extend from the multi-use connector and continue along the serially-connected single-use connectors.

12. The medical connector assembly according to claim 11 , wherein, when the most distal single-use connector is disconnected from the next most distal single-use connector, the first sheath element remains disposed about the next most distal single-use connector and a portion of the multi-use medical connector and the second sheath element remains disposed about the disconnected most distal single-use connector.