Snap-over port cap

Abstract

A single-use, snap-over cap for use primarily in healthcare settings in order to maintain the integrity of a medication solution. The cap has a tapered cylindrical skirt, a puncture resistant lid portion, and one or more latch tabs. When placed onto a flanged injection port such as is found on a conventional fluid container, the latch tabs engage and flex about the port flange. After the cap is placed, the latch tabs engage the port flange to prevent upward axial movement relative to the port, thereby preventing removal of the cap and thus deterring unwanted or erroneous drug administrations or withdrawals.

1 . A snap-over cap for a port having a flange, comprising:
 a tapered cylindrical skirt having a base; and   a lid portion at the end of said skirt opposite said base;   wherein said skirt has a latch tab situated about said base, said latch tab being adapted to engage an annular flange about a port, and wherein said latch tab further comprises a first projection extending upward and inward from said base toward said lid portion, said first projection being substantially conical in shape.   
   
   
       2 . The cap of  claim 1  wherein an aperture is provided between said latch tab and said lid portion, said aperture being adapted to receive a segment of said annular flange. 
   
   
       3 . The cap of  claim 1  wherein said latch tab engages said flange so as to prevent axial movement of said cap in a direction away from said port. 
   
   
       4 . The cap of  claim 1  wherein said skirt and said latch tab are substantially rigid. 
   
   
       5 . The cap of  claim 4  wherein said first projection flexes outward when engaged by said flange under pressure greater than ten pounds per square inch. 
   
   
       6 . The cap of  claim 1  wherein the lid portion is puncture resistant. 
   
   
       7 . The cap of  claim 1  wherein the diameter of said lid portion is greater than the diameter of an access site on said port. 
   
   
       8 . The cap of  claim 1  wherein the surface area of said lid portion is greater than the surface area of an access site on said port. 
   
   
       9 . The cap of  claim 1  wherein the cap is color coded to denote a specific class of substances. 
   
   
       10 . The cap of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of latch tabs that are axisymmetric about said cap. 
   
   
       11 . The cap of  claim 1  wherein said latch tab further comprises a second projection extending upward toward said lid portion. 
   
   
       12 . The cap of  claim 11  wherein said second projection defines a plane perpendicular to said lid portion. 
   
   
       13 . A snap-over cap for a port having a flange, comprising:
 a tapered cylindrical skirt having a base;   a puncture resistant lid portion at an end of said skirt opposite said base, said lid portion fully having a diameter covering an access site on a port;   a plurality of axisymmetric latch tabs situated about said base, said latch tabs being adapted to engage an annular flange about said port, and wherein said latch tabs further comprise a first projection extending angularly upward and inward toward said lid portion, said first projection being substantially conical in shape; and   an aperture provided between each of said latch tabs and said lid portion, each aperture being adapted to receive a segment of said annular flange; and defining a portion of said diameter fully covering said access site.   
   
   
       14 . The cap of  claim 13  wherein said latch tabs further comprise a second projection extending upward toward and roughly perpendicular to said lid portion.