Needleless connector with in-line filter
Needleless connectors are described herein. A needleless connector includes a housing comprising a cavity and a proximal fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity. The connector further includes a filter support disposed at least partially within the cavity. The filter support can include a distal fluid port in fluid communication with the proximal fluid port. The connector further includes a filter disposed circumferentially around the filter support and between the proximal fluid port and the distal fluid port.
1. A needleless connector, comprising:
a housing comprising a cavity and a proximal fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity;
a filter support disposed at least partially within the cavity, the filter support comprising a distal fluid port in fluid communication with the proximal fluid port; and
a filter disposed circumferentially around the filter support and between the proximal fluid port and the distal fluid port, wherein a proximal end of the filter radially expands away from the filter support to prevent fluid flow through a filter medium to the proximal fluid port.
2. The needleless connector of claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a conical shape.
3. The needleless connector of claim 2 , wherein a distal end of the filter comprises a first radius and the proximal end of the filter comprises a second radius, and the first radius is greater than the second radius.
4. The needleless connector of claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises an average filter opening of 0.2 microns.
5. The needleless connector of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the filter is in contact with a circumferential rib of the filter support.
6. The needleless connector of claim 1 , wherein the filter support comprises a rigid material.
7. The needleless connector of claim 1 , wherein the filter support comprises a plurality of axial ribs to support the filter.
8. The needleless connector of claim 1 , further comprising a flexible valve element disposed within the cavity to selectively permit flow between the proximal fluid port and the distal fluid port.
9. The needleless connector of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the filter comprises an expandable radius to prevent fluid flow through the filter medium to the proximal fluid port.
10. A needleless connector, comprising:
a housing comprising a cavity and a proximal fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity;
a filter support disposed at least partially within the cavity, the filter support comprising a distal fluid port in fluid communication with the proximal fluid port, the housing and the filter support defining a flow path between the proximal fluid port and the distal fluid port; and
a filter disposed around the filter support, wherein the filter is expandable to be removed from the flow path.
11. The needleless connector of claim 10 , wherein a distal end of the filter comprises a first radius and a proximal end of the filter comprises a second radius, and the first radius is greater than the second radius.
12. The needleless connector of claim 10 , wherein the filter comprises a conical shape.
13. The needleless connector of claim 10 , wherein a proximal end of the filter comprises an expandable radius to remove the filter from the flow path.
14. The needleless connector of claim 13 , wherein the proximal end of the filter radially expands away from the filter support.
15. A method to selectively filter a fluid flow, the method comprising:
introducing a first fluid flow from a first fluid port into a needleless connector;
directing the first fluid flow through a filter disposed within the needleless connector;
directing the first fluid flow to a second fluid port out of the needleless connector;
imparting a force against an inner surface of the filter via a second fluid flow to radially expand the filter; and
expanding the filter to prevent fluid flow through a filter medium to the second fluid port.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
introducing the second fluid flow from the second fluid port into the needleless connector;
bypassing the filter disposed within the needleless connector; and
directing the second fluid flow to the first fluid port out of the needleless connector.
17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
expanding a radius of the proximal end of the filter to prevent fluid flow through the filter medium to the second fluid port.
18. A method to selectively filter a fluid flow, the method comprising:
introducing a first fluid flow from a first fluid port into a needleless connector;
directing the first fluid flow through a filter disposed within the needleless connector;
selectively permitting the first fluid flow through a filter medium of the filter;
directing the first fluid flow to a second fluid port out of the needleless connector;
imparting a force against an inner surface of the filter via a second fluid flow to radially expand the filter;
introducing the second fluid flow from the second fluid port into the needleless connector;
bypassing the filter disposed within the needleless connector; and
directing the second fluid flow to the first fluid port out of the needleless connector.