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, and an outer surface, the housing comprising an interface configured to receive the first medical device; 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 comprising a passage therethrough fluidly coupled to the interface, the passage configured to receive the second medical device, and the passage configured to selectively permit a substantially unobstructed flow of fluid therethrough at a flow rate of at least approximately 600 cubic centimeters per minute; 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.