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 comprising:
a housing having an outer surface, the housing comprising an interface suitable for receiving a connector portion of a first medical device and an interior cannula extending from the interface; 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 having a passage therethrough, the valve portion configured to receive a second medical device and to control a flow of fluid through the passage; and
a gripping portion, the gripping portion disposed over at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing, the gripping portion being integrally formed with the valve portion, and
wherein in an initial state, a majority of a length of the interior cannula is positioned outside of the passage, and upon insertion of the second medical device into the upstream end of the passage, the valve portion is moved downward onto the interior cannula such that at least a portion of the lead cannula extends into the passage.