Cleaning device and method for fluid transfer connector

1. A cleaning device for cleaning a connector comprising:

a generally elongate cylindrical swab member comprising a first end and a second end, the first end generally opposite the second end, a lumen defined within the cylindrical swab member and extending from the first end to the second end, and at least one channel formed in the second end of the cylindrical swab member comprising two diametrically opposed cutout portions defining at least two cleaning fingers, the at least two cleaning fingers at least partially comprising a cleaning material to access a void within a connector, wherein the free ends of the fingers are spaced from each other so that a portion of the connector may be received between them.

2. The cleaning device of claim 1 , further comprising a generally elongate plunger comprising an actuating end and a plug end.

3. The cleaning device of claim 2 , wherein the plunger is configured to extend through the lumen of the cylindrical member.

4. The cleaning device of claim 2 , wherein the actuating end is larger than the lumen of the cylindrical member.

5. The cleaning device of claim 2 , wherein the plunger is rod-shaped.

6. The cleaning device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least two cleaning fingers comprises an interior surface, an exterior surface, an intermediate surface and an end surface.

7. The cleaning device of claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of at least one of the interior, exterior, intermediate and end surfaces are at least partially covered with a cleaning material to provide for cleaning and disinfecting at least portions of the connector.

8. The cleaning device of claim 7 , wherein the cleaning material further comprises with a cleaning agent in the form of isopropyl alcohol.

9. A cleaning device for cleaning voids of a vented connector, the cleaning device comprising:

an elongate cylindrical swab member comprising a first end and a second end, the first end generally opposite the second end, a lumen defined within the cylindrical member and extending from the first end to the second end, and at least one channel formed in the second end of the cylindrical swab member to define at least two cleaning fingers configured for passage at least partially into the voids of the vented connector; and

a plunger configured to extend through the lumen of the cylindrical swab member, the plunger comprising an actuating member at a first end and a plug at a second end, the plug capable of extending beyond the second end of the cylindrical swab member for engagement with a portion of the vented connector.

10. The cleaning device of claim 9 , wherein the at least two cleaning fingers comprise interior surfaces, exterior surfaces, intermediate surfaces and end surfaces.

11. The cleaning device of claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of at least one of the interior, exterior, intermediate and end surfaces are at least partially covered with a cleaning material to provide for cleaning the voids of the vented connector.

12. The cleaning device of claim 11 , wherein the cleaning material further comprises an isopropyl alcohol cleaning agent.

13. A cleaning device for cleaning a connector, the connector having a stem with a lumen extending therethrough, an outer housing, threads positioned on an internal portion of the outer housing, the cleaning device comprising a generally elongate tube extending from a first end to a second end and comprising a lumen axially extending therethrough, and a plunger movably mounted within the lumen of the elongate tube, the plunger comprising an actuating end and a plug end, the actuating and plug ends generally extending beyond the ends of the elongate tube, wherein at least one end of the cleaning device is adapted to be inserted between the stem and the threads of the outer housing to clean and disinfect the connector.

14. The cleaning device of claim 13 , wherein the plug end is preferably capable of removably coupling within the lumen of the stem.

15. The cleaning device of claim 14 , wherein the plug end sealingly engages the lumen of the stem such that contamination of the lumen from debris and/or a cleaning agent of the at least one end of the cleaning device is prevented during cleaning the connector.

16. The cleaning device of claim 13 , wherein the connector comprises at least one vent opening.

17. The cleaning device of claim 13 , wherein at least one end of the generally elongate tube comprises a channel formed with a portion thereof to define at least one cleaning finger, the at least one cleaning finger comprising an interior surface, an exterior surface, an intermediate surface and an end surface, wherein one or more of the surfaces are at least partially covered with a cleaning material to provide for cleaning portions of the connector.

18. The cleaning device of claim 17 , wherein the at least one cleaning finger can be inserted through at least one vent opening of the connector.

19. A cleaning device for cleaning and/or disinfecting a connector, the connector comprising a stem having a lumen extending therethrough, an outer housing, threads positioned on an internal portion of the outer housing, the connector further comprising a cap having a generally rib-like body, a seal plug extending from the rib-like body, and a tether connecting the cap to the connector, the seal plug generally provided for sealingly engaging the lumen of the stem, the cleaning device comprising a generally elongate tube extending from a first end to a second end and comprising an opening axially extending therethrough, the cleaning device further comprising a channel formed within a portion of the cylindrical member to define at least two fingers, the channel configured such that two diametrically opposed cutout portions are formed with the cylindrical member, and wherein the at least two fingers can be inserted between the stem and the threads of the outer housing to clean the connector with or without the seal plug sealingly engaging the lumen of the stem, and wherein the free ends of the fingers are spaced from each other so that a portion of the connector may be received between them.

20. A cleaning device for cleaning a connector comprising:

an elongate housing defining a longitudinal central axis;

at least one brush mounted to the housing, the at least one brush being positioned generally parallel and laterally offset from the central axis; and

a plunger translationally mounted within the elongate housing along the central axis, wherein an end thereof is configured for projecting beyond an end of the elongate housing for engagement with a portion of the connector.

21. The cleaning device of claim 20 , wherein the housing is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a pair of flanges formed at an end thereof, and wherein a pair of diametrically opposed channels are defined between the flanges.

22. The cleaning device of claim 21 , wherein the at least one brush is mounted to the housing and is recessed within an orifice defined by the flanges, and wherein the channels defined between the flanges allow for the application of a cleaning agent to the at least one brush when a portion of the plunger is engaged with a portion of the connector.

23. The cleaning device of claim 21 , comprising a pair of brushes positioned on opposite sides of the central axis.