Connector for Fluid Conduit with Integrated Luer Access Port

Abstract

A connector ( 900 ) for fluid conduit includes a connector body ( 901 ) having a lumen ( 902 ) passing along a longitudinal axis ( 903 ), and a luer access port ( 800 ) extending distally along a transverse axis ( 905 ). The luer access port ( 800 ) is made from a thermoplastic elastomer ( 500 ) having a domed interior portion ( 501 ) and a stair-stepped perimeter ( 502 ) that is coupled to a cylindrical wall ( 600 ). The thermoplastic elastomer ( 500 ) and cylindrical wall ( 600 ) can be integrally coupled in an insert molding process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a luer access port with an insert molding process, comprising:
 forming a first portion of the luer access port in a mold by injecting a first material into a cavity of the mold;   the first portion comprising one of a stair-stepped elastomer membrane or a luer access port body;   removing at least one tooling component from the cavity, thereby creating additional cavity space; and   forming a second portion of the luer access port by injecting a second material into the cavity about the stair-stepped elastomer membrane to form the luer access port;   the second portion comprising another of the stair-stepped elastomer membrane or the luer access port body; and   the first material comprising one of an elastomer or a thermoplastic, and the second material comprising another of the elastomer or the thermoplastic.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a connector body having a first lumen extending along a longitudinal axis and a second lumen extending along a transverse axis and intersecting the first lumen; and   coupling the luer access port to the connector body about the transverse axis.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising cutting an incision in the elastomer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , the providing further comprising providing a tubular connection member having the first lumen passing therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , the tubular connection member further comprising a male conduit connector and a female conduit receiver, the luer access port coupled to a waist of the tubular connection member disposed between two side portions, the two side portions each having a height greater than the waist. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , the height of a highest of the two side portions greater or equal to a waist height of the waist, plus a port height of the luer access port. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , one or more of the waist and the two side portions having a cross-sectional shape that is non-cylindrical. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , the waist having a waist width that is greater than the waist height. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the waist width less than or equal to 0.250 inches, the waist height less than or equal to 0.200 inches, and the port height less than or equal to 0.200 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , a surface area spanning the waist and the two side portions is smooth. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , the waist and two side portions defining a port support region having an hourglass appearance.