US4411662A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterile coupling
Assignee: Baxter International Inc
•
Filing: 1982-04-06
•
Granted: 1983-10-25
•
Expires: 2002-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two separate receptacles. A preferably injection molded plastic junction is made about at least the end portions of access means to each of the separate receptacles. The junction provides a sterile coupling so as to selectively bring the access means into pathway communication and thereby establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles through the access means. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing a sterile coupling and methods for establishing a sterile pathway between the receptacles, as well as a method for low pressure injection molding.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Pearson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J1/00; A61J1/14; A61J1/20; A61J1/2089; A61J1/05; A61J1/10; A61J1/2003; A61J1/2006; A61J1/201; A61J1/2017; A61J1/2068; A61J1/2072; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two separate receptacles, said coupling comprising: (a) first means to access one of the receptacles, said first access means including an end portion; (b) second means to access the other of the rceptacles, said second access means including an end portion; (c) a junction means permanently affixed about at least said end portions of both of said first and second access means, said junction means maintaining said end portions in sterile, relation; (d) one of said first and second access means including a piercing element capable of piercing said junction means between said end portions so as to selectively bring the access means into pathway communication and thereby establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles, through said first and second access means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two separate receptacles, said coupling comprising: (a) first means to access one of the receptacles, said first access means including an end portion; (b) second means to access the other of the rceptacles, said second access means including an end portion; (c) a junction means permanently affixed about at least said end portions of both of said first and second access means, said junction means maintaining said end portions in sterile, relation; (d) one of said first and second access means including a piercing element capable of piercing said junction means between said end portions so as to selectively bring the access means into pathway communication and thereby establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles, through said first and second access means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
144 words
A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two receptacles, said coupling comprising: (a) first means to access one of the receptacles, said first access means including an end portion; (b) second means to access the other of the receptacles, said second access means including an end portion; (c) junction means permanently affixed about at least said end portions of each of said first and second access means, said junction means maintaining said end portions in sterile, relation; (d) one of said first and second access means including a piercing element capable of piercing said junction means from said end portion of the corresponding access means, through said junction means, at least to said end portion of the other of said first and second access means, so as to establish a sterile pathway through said first and second access means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
144 words
A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two receptacles, said coupling comprising: (a) first means to access one of the receptacles, said first access means including an end portion; (b) second means to access the other of the receptacles, said second access means including an end portion; (c) junction means permanently affixed about at least said end portions of each of said first and second access means, said junction means maintaining said end portions in sterile, relation; (d) one of said first and second access means including a piercing element capable of piercing said junction means from said end portion of the corresponding access means, through said junction means, at least to said end portion of the other of said first and second access means, so as to establish a sterile pathway through said first and second access means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
140 words
A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two receptacles, said coupling comprising: (a) first means to access one of the receptacles, said first access means including an end portion; (b) second means to access the other of the receptacles, said second access means including an end portion; (c) junction means permanently affixed about at least said end portions of each of said first and second access means, said junction means maintaining said end portions in sterile, relation; (d) a conduit in one of said first and second access means; (e) one of said first and second access means including a piercing element capable of piercing said junction means between said end portions so as to selectively bring the access means into pathway communication and thereby establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles, through said conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
140 words
A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two receptacles, said coupling comprising: (a) first means to access one of the receptacles, said first access means including an end portion; (b) second means to access the other of the receptacles, said second access means including an end portion; (c) junction means permanently affixed about at least said end portions of each of said first and second access means, said junction means maintaining said end portions in sterile, relation; (d) a conduit in one of said first and second access means; (e) one of said first and second access means including a piercing element capable of piercing said junction means between said end portions so as to selectively bring the access means into pathway communication and thereby establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles, through said conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A sterile coupling as in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said junction means is molded from heated, molten material about said end portions so as to sterilize said end portions by heat transfer to said end portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sterile coupling as in claim 4, wherein said junction means is molded from molten material having a temperature of at least about 500° F.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sterile coupling as in claim 4, wherein said junction means is formed by injection molding.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sterile coupling as in claim 4, wherein said junction means is a plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A sterile coupling as in claim 7, wherein said plastic is a thermoplastic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sterile coupling as in claim 8, wherein said junction means is comprised at least principally of Kraton.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sterile coupling as in claim 9, wherein said junction means is molded from molten material having a temperature of at least about 500° F.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sterile coupling as in claim 3, wherein said piercing element includes said conduit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A sterile coupling as in claim 3, wherein said conduit and said piercing element are included in the same one of said first and second access means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A sterile coupling as in claim 3, wherein said conduit is included in one of said first and second access means and said piercing element is included in the other of said first and second access means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sterile coupling as in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said second access means includes a rubber stopper in the other of the receptacles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A sterile coupling as in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said first access means includes a needle mounted to and communicating with one of the receptacles, wherein said piercing element includes said needle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sterile coupling as in claims 1 or 2, wherein one of the receptacles is a drug vial.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sterile coupling as in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said junction means maintains the said end portions in spaced relation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-24 | 1987-04-25 | 1987-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-24 | 1991-04-25 | 1991-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-24 | 1995-04-25 | 1995-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |