Medical connectors and methods of use
A medical connector for use in a fluid pathway includes a substantially transparent housing having a proximal end with a proximal opening and a distal end with a distal opening, and a cavity extending therebetween. The connector provides a substantially visible fluid flow path extending through a substantial portion of the connector.
1. A method of using a medical connector in conjunction with a first medical implement, the method comprising:
providing the medical connector having:
a hollow housing having a female end and a male end;
a rigid hollow support fixedly positioned within the hollow housing and having a closed end adjacent the female end of the hollow housing, and an open end opposite the closed end; and
an elongate elastomeric member positioned at least partially between the hollow housing and the rigid hollow support, the elongate elastomeric member having a first end and a second end;
wherein:
the elongate elastomeric member is configured to transition between a closed position wherein the first end is closed over the closed end of the rigid hollow support and an opened position wherein the first end is opened and positioned between the closed end of the rigid hollow support and the open end of the rigid hollow support; and
at least a portion of an interior passage of the rigid hollow support is visible through the hollow housing, through the rigid hollow support, and through the elongate elastomeric member when the elongate elastomeric member is in the closed position and when the elongate elastomeric member is in the opened position; and
coupling the male end of the housing to the first medical implement.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transitioning the elongate elastomeric member from the closed position to the opened position.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising transitioning the elongate elastomeric member from the opened position to the closed position.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a valve member positioned between the open end of the rigid hollow support and the male end of the housing.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising stopping fluid flow from the male end of the housing to the open end of the rigid hollow support as the elongate elastomeric member is transitioned from the opened position to the closed position.
6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising collapsing an annular wall of the valve member as the elongate elastomeric member is transitioned from the opened position to the closed position.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising venting air to an ambient atmosphere from between the annular wall of the valve member and the housing.
8. The method of claim 4 , further comprising maintaining a slit in the valve member in a closed configuration as the elongate elastomeric member is transitioned from the opened position to the closed position.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising coupling the female end of the housing to a second medical implement, wherein a distal end of the second medical implement enters the female end of the housing.
10. A method of using a medical connector in conjunction with a first medical implement, the method comprising:
providing the medical connector having:
a hollow housing having a proximal end and a distal end;
a hollow support fixedly positioned within the hollow housing and having a closed end adjacent the proximal end of the hollow housing, and an open end opposite the closed end; and
an elongate elastomeric member positioned at least partially between the hollow housing and the hollow support, the elongate elastomeric member having a first end and a second end;
wherein:
the elongate elastomeric member is configured to transition between a closed position wherein the first end is closed over the closed end of the hollow support and an opened position wherein the first end is opened and positioned between the closed end of the hollow support and the open end of the hollow support;
at least a portion of an interior passage of the hollow support is visible through the hollow housing, through the hollow support, and through the elongate elastomeric member when the elongate elastomeric member is in the closed position and when the elongate elastomeric member is in the opened position; and
the closed end of the hollow support is in fluid communication with the distal end of the housing when the elongate elastomeric member is in the closed position; and
coupling the distal end of the housing to the first medical implement.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising aligning the first end of the elongate elastomeric member with the proximal end of the housing.
12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising swabbing the first end of the elongate elastomeric member and the proximal end of the housing.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the second end of the elongate elastomeric member is not fixed to the housing.
14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising limiting a distance in which the first end of the elongate elastomeric member travels away from the distal end of the housing as the elongate elastomeric member is transitioned from the opened position to the closed position.
15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising coupling the proximal end of the housing to a second medical implement, wherein a distal end of the second medical implement enters the proximal end of the housing.