Safety drug delivery connectors

摘要

Drug delivery connectors are provided for permitting and blocking fluid flow between a container and a catheter connector or other drug delivery site. Embodiments of the drug delivery connectors include a ball valve for forming a releasable seal within the drug delivery connectors. In one or more embodiments, the ball valve prevents fluid flow between an open proximal end and an open distal end of the drug delivery connector and is movable in a proximal direction to release the releasable seal to permit fluid flow from the open proximal direction to the open distal direction. Methods of delivering medication to a catheter connector that includes an actuator are also provided.

主权项

1. A drug delivery connector comprising:
a housing including an open distal end, an open proximal end and a chamber within the housing in fluid communication with the open distal end and the open proximal end, the housing including a distal connection portion and a proximal connection portion for attaching the housing to a container and the proximal end including a proximal wall having at least one aperture disposed between the chamber and the proximal connection portion; a ball valve enclosed within the chamber so that the ball valve floats between the open distal end and the open proximal end in the chamber, wherein the ball valve is moveable in a distal direction to form a releasable seal with the open distal end to prevent fluid flow from the open proximal end to the open distal end upon application of force in the distal direction on the ball valve applied by fluid upon attachment of a container containing the fluid to the proximal connection portion, the ball valve movable in a proximal direction to release the releasable seal to permit fluid flow from the open proximal end to the open distal end; and an actuator for attachment to the open distal end of the housing, the actuator comprising an open distal end and a projection extending in the proximal direction and including at least one aperture in fluid communication with the open distal end of the actuator and the open distal end of the housing; wherein the proximal wall includes structure which forms an irregular edge or irregular contact points with the ball valve that prevents formation of a seal between the ball valve and the aperture of the proximal wall.