FLUID COUPLINGS
Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems for purposes of providing a sterile connection for drug delivery. In some embodiments, the fluid coupling devices can be implemented as multi-use, sterile fluid coupling devices that are configured to reduce the likelihood of fluid spillage when being disconnected.
1 . A method of using a fluid coupling system, the method comprising:
advancing a male coupling device into a female coupling device, wherein the male coupling device comprises:
a housing defining an internal space;
a valve member slidably disposed within the internal space of the housing, the valve member comprising a projection;
a seal member attached to the housing and defining a bore, wherein a portion of the seal member and a portion of the projection each protrude outside of the internal space; and
a spring disposed within the internal space of the housing and arranged to bias the valve member against the seal member; and
engaging the male coupling device with the female coupling device to releasably latch the male and female coupling devices.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the valve member comprises two or more lobes that are spaced apart from each other and that extend radially outward beyond the projection.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein engaging the male coupling device with the female coupling device comprises abutting the spring against the two or more lobes to bias the valve member against the seal member.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein engaging the male coupling device with the female coupling device comprises positioning the spring to bias the valve member against the seal member such that the projection seals within a smallest inner diameter portion of the bore of the seal member.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising depressing a latch member of the female coupling device to unlatch the male and female coupling devices.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a fluid-tight seal between the housing and a termination member configured to be coupled to the housing.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising retaining the spring within the internal space of the housing.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a front face of the valve member is planar with a forward-facing surface of the seal member prior to advancing the male coupling device into the female coupling device.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein engaging the male coupling device with the female coupling device comprises engaging an exterior of the housing of the male coupling device with a latch member of the female coupling device.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the exterior of the housing of the male coupling device defines a groove configured to engage with the latch member of the female coupling device.
11 . A method of using a fluid coupling system, the method comprising:
advancing a male coupling device into a female coupling device, wherein the female coupling device comprises:
a housing defining an internal space;
a valve stem extending within the internal space of the housing, the valve stem defining a central lumen;
a seal member slidably disposed within the internal space of the housing, the seal member defining a bore in which the valve stem is slidably received; and
a spring disposed within the internal space of the housing around the valve stem, the spring arranged to bias the seal member to a closed position in which the bore of the seal member surrounds part of the valve stem to thereby exclusively seal the central lumen closed; and
engaging the female coupling device with the male coupling device to releasably latch the female and male coupling devices.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the valve stem defines two lateral openings in fluid communication with the central lumen, wherein the part of the valve stem that the bore of the seal member surrounds comprises an area of the valve stem defining the two lateral openings.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein a forward-facing surface of the seal member is planar with a front face of the valve stem prior to advancing the male coupling device into the female coupling device.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein engaging the female coupling device with the male coupling device comprises positioning the spring outside of a fluid flow path defined through the female coupling device.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein engaging the female coupling device with the male coupling device comprises engaging a latch member of the female coupling device with a front portion of the male coupling device.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising depressing the latch member of the female coupling device to unlatch the male and female coupling devices.
17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein advancing the male coupling device into the female coupling device comprises abutting the seal member of the female coupling device with a seal member of the male coupling device.
18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the central lumen of the valve stem is tapered.
19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the central lumen of the valve stem comprises:
a first portion extending between a first end and a second end, the first end defining a first diameter and the second end defining a second diameter; and
a second portion extending between a third end and a fourth end, the third end defining the second diameter and the fourth end defining a third diameter,
wherein the third diameter is greater than the second diameter and the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.
20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the male coupling device comprises:
a housing defining an internal space;
a valve member slidably disposed within the internal space of the housing, the valve member comprising a projection;
a seal member attached to the housing and defining a bore, wherein a portion of the seal member and a portion of the projection protrude outside of the internal space; and
a spring disposed within the internal space of the housing and arranged to bias the valve member against the seal member.