Dialysis connector and cap having an integral disinfectant

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for providing sterile connection during, for example, dialysis therapy. The present invention provides a connector and a cap therefore that easily and readily attaches to a dialysate container and a catheter inserted into a patient's peritoneal cavity. The connector and the cap enable the dialysate to readily transport between the container and the peritoneal cavity while minimizing the potential of contamination therein due to, for example, handling during use. The connector includes a shell that encloses a cap. The cap houses a slit septum and also includes a sealed disinfectant within an interior receptacle. When the catheter or catheter set attaches to the cap, the seal breaks and the disinfectant spreads over the threads between the catheter set and the cap.

1 . A cap for use in a connector making a resealable fluid path comprising: 
 a body defining a fluid flow passage and a disinfectant receptacle;    a disinfectant maintained within the disinfectant receptacle; and    a seal disposed within the body that seals the disinfectant between the seal and the disinfectant receptacle.    
   
   
       2 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines an opening that receives a fluid communication member capable of displacing the seal when received by the body.  
   
   
       3 . The cap of  claim 2 , wherein the disinfectant disperses between an outer wall of the fluid communication member and an inner wall of the body when the seal is displaced.  
   
   
       4 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a plurality of outer threads.  
   
   
       5 . The cap of  claim 4 , wherein the outer threads engage a plurality of mating threads of a shell and enable the shell to translate with respect to the body so that the shell causes a sealed end of the body to be pierced.  
   
   
       6 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a plurality of inner threads.  
   
   
       7 . The cap of  claim 6 , wherein the inner threads engage a plurality of mating threads of a fluid communication member and enable the fluid communication member to translate with respect to the body so that the fluid communication member causes the seal to be displaced.  
   
   
       8 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is moveable.  
   
   
       9 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a tube portion that defines the fluid flow passage and the disinfectant receptacle is disposed about the tube portion.  
   
   
       10 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the fluid flow passage is sized to house a member that deforms to seal about a tube.  
   
   
       11 . The cap of  claim 10 , wherein the member automatically closes when the tube is removed from the member.  
   
   
       12 . A method for providing a sterile connection of a dialysate line comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cap that has a passage and maintains a seal that houses a disinfectant;    connecting a first member to a first end of the cap wherein the first member is in fluid communication with a first dialysate line; and    connecting a second member to a second end of the cap so as to displace the seal and the disinfectant wherein the second member is in fluid communication with a second dialysate line.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein connecting the first member includes moving the first member so as to pierce a sealed end of the cap, placing the first member in fluid communication with the second member.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the sealed end of the cap seals about the first member when the first member pierces the sealed end.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the sealed end of the cap reseals when the first member is removed from the cap.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein rupturing the seal includes threading the second member into the cap and exerting pressure on the seal.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein connecting the second member includes displacing the disinfectant between the cap and the second member.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , which includes maintaining the disinfectant between the cap and the second member after the seal is displaced.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , which includes removing the first member from the cap such that the sterile connection between the cap and the second member is maintained.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12 , which includes removing a tip protector and connecting the second member in place of the tip protector.