Granted Patent B2

US 12,697,477 · App. 18/989,722 · Granted Aug 4, 2026

Inventors: Robert J. Ziebol (Shoreview, MN); Keith J. Modert (Vadnais Heights, MN)

Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.

A61M39/16A61M1/169A61M25/00A61M39/162A61M39/18A61M39/20B21D39/00A61M25/0017A61M2025/0019A61M2025/0056

Abstract

Claims (46)

1 . An antimicrobial cap that is configured to disinfect a medical connector or catheter when the antimicrobial cap is inserted into a channel containing a liquid in the medical connector or catheter, the antimicrobial cap comprising:

an outer shroud having a threaded portion positioned on an interior surface thereof; and

an elongate portion integral with a sealing portion of the antimicrobial cap, the sealing portion is coupled to the outer shroud, the elongate portion being entirely distal to the outer shroud and having a length extending along a longitudinal axis of the antimicrobial cap that is greater than a length of the sealing portion of the antimicrobial cap measured along the longitudinal axis, the elongate portion having a solid cross-section at a distal tip of the elongate portion; and

a water-soluble dry antimicrobial agent on at least an outside surface of the elongate portion;

wherein:

the antimicrobial cap is configured so that, as the elongate portion is inserted into the channel in the medical connector or catheter, at least some of the water-soluble dry antimicrobial agent is transferred from the elongate portion of the antimicrobial cap into the liquid in the medical connector or catheter, and at least some of the liquid in the medical connector or catheter is displaced to flow out of a proximal opening of the medical connector or catheter and onto an exterior surface of the medical connector or catheter; and

the threaded portion is configured to attach to an outside surface of the medical connector or catheter.

2 . The antimicrobial cap of claim 1 , wherein the sealing portion includes a tapered region.

3 . The antimicrobial cap of claim 1 , wherein the water-soluble dry antimicrobial agent comprises chlorhexidine.

4 . The antimicrobial cap of claim 1 , further comprising a shoulder integrally formed with and proximal to the sealing portion.

5 . The antimicrobial cap of claim 1 , wherein the outer shroud has retaining fingers that engage with a retaining flange attached to the sealing portion.

6 . The antimicrobial cap of claim 1 , wherein the elongate portion has a solid cross-sectional region at a proximal end.

7 . The antimicrobial cap of claim 1 , wherein the entire elongate portion has a solid cross section.

8 . A combination, comprising:

the antimicrobial cap of claim 1 ; and

the medical connector or catheter.

9 . An antimicrobial cap that is configured to disinfect a medical connector or catheter when the antimicrobial cap is inserted into a channel containing a liquid in the medical connector or catheter, the antimicrobial cap comprising:

an outer shroud having a threaded portion positioned on an interior surface thereof;

an elongate portion integrally formed with a first portion of the antimicrobial cap, the first portion is coupled to the outer shroud, the elongate portion extending along a longitudinal axis and being entirely distal to the outer shroud, wherein a length of the elongate portion is greater than a length of the first portion of the antimicrobial cap taken along the longitudinal axis, wherein the elongate portion has a solid cross-sectional region at a distal end; and

a water-soluble dry antimicrobial agent applied along a portion of the elongate portion in a location that is configured to contact the liquid when the antimicrobial cap is inserted into the medical connector or catheter;

wherein:

the antimicrobial cap is configured so that, as the elongate portion is inserted into the channel in the medical connector or catheter, at least some of the water-soluble dry antimicrobial agent is transferred from the elongate portion of the antimicrobial cap into the liquid in the medical connector or catheter, and at least some of the liquid in the medical connector or catheter is displaced to flow out of a proximal opening of the medical connector or catheter and onto an exterior surface of the medical connector or catheter; and

the threaded portion is configured to attach to an outside surface of the medical connector or catheter.

10 . The antimicrobial cap of claim 9 , wherein the first portion of the antimicrobial cap includes a tapered region.

11 . The antimicrobial cap of claim 9 , wherein the elongate portion has a solid cross-sectional region at a proximal end.

12 . The antimicrobial cap of claim 9 , wherein the first portion of the antimicrobial cap includes a tapered male luer extending along the longitudinal axis from a proximal portion of the antimicrobial cap, wherein the tapered male luer is shorter than the elongate portion.

13 . The antimicrobial cap of claim 9 , wherein the outer shroud comprises a shoulder configured to secure the elongate portion.

14 . The antimicrobial cap of claim 9 , wherein the first portion of the antimicrobial cap includes a shoulder extending along the longitudinal axis from a proximal portion of the antimicrobial cap.

15 . The antimicrobial cap of claim 9 , wherein the outer shroud has retaining fingers that engage with a flange attached to the first portion of the antimicrobial cap.

16 . The antimicrobial cap of claim 9 , wherein the entire elongate portion has a solid cross section.

17 . A combination, comprising:

the antimicrobial cap of claim 9 ; and

the medical connector or catheter.

18 . An antimicrobial cap that is configured to disinfect a medical connector or catheter when the antimicrobial cap is inserted into a channel containing a liquid in the medical connector or catheter, the antimicrobial cap comprising:

an outer shroud having a threaded portion along an interior surface thereof, the outer shroud having a proximal opening and a distal opening;

a proximal plate coupled to a tapered male luer base, the proximal plate formed separately from the outer shroud, the proximal plate covering the proximal opening;

an elongate rod sized to fit into the medical connector or catheter, the elongate rod extending from the tapered male luer base, the elongate rod having a solid cross-section at a distal tip; and

a water-soluble dry antimicrobial agent on at least an outside surface of the elongate rod;

wherein:

the antimicrobial cap is configured so that at least a portion of the elongate rod extends beyond the distal opening of the outer shroud;

the antimicrobial cap is configured so that, as the elongate rod is inserted into the channel in the medical connector or catheter, at least some of the water-soluble dry antimicrobial agent is transferred from the elongate rod of the antimicrobial cap into the liquid in the medical connector or catheter, and the tapered male luer base is configured to create a fluid tight seal with an inner wall of the medical connector or catheter, and at least some of the liquid in the medical connector or catheter is displaced to flow out of a proximal opening of the medical connector or catheter and onto an exterior surface of the medical connector or catheter; and

the threaded portion of the outer shroud is configured to attach to an outside surface of the medical connector or catheter.

19 . The antimicrobial cap of claim 18 , wherein the elongate rod has a solid cross-sectional region at a proximal end.

20 . A combination, comprising:

the antimicrobial cap of claim 18 ; and

the medical connector or catheter.

Assignments (3)

Continuity (6)

References Cited (400)