Soft-grip medical connector
A soft grip medical connector comprises a housing with an upstream end, a downstream end and a lumen extending through a central portion thereof. A flexible member comprises a valve portion integrally formed with a sleeve portion. The valve portion is positioned within a section of the housing and is configured to control a flow of fluid through the housing lumen. The sleeve is inverted to envelope at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing. In some embodiments the gripping portion is integrally formed with the valve portion. In some embodiments, the connector is also generally configured to create a positive pressure in a catheter lumen upon removal of a syringe or other medical device from the upstream end of the connector. Methods of making a medical fluid connector generally comprise forming a valve member with a sleeve extending there from, and assembling the valve, sleeve and housing.
1 . A medical connector for selectively permitting fluid to flow between a first medical device and a second medical device, the connector comprising:
a housing, the housing having an upstream end, a downstream end, an outer surface, and a lumen extending through a central portion thereof; and
a flexible member, the flexible member comprising:
a valve portion, at least a substantial portion of the valve portion being positioned within the housing, the valve portion configured to receive the second medical device and to control a flow of fluid through the housing lumen; and
a gripping portion, the gripping portion disposed over at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing, and
wherein the gripping portion is integrally formed with the valve portion, and wherein the valve portion is configured to force the flow of fluid towards the downstream end of the housing upon withdrawal of the second medical device from the valve portion.