Tamper-resistant enclosures for fluid lines

Abstract

A tamper-resistant device for holding a portion of an access port of a fluid line can include a first housing member that includes a first recess and a first stopping shelf. The device can further include a second housing member that includes a second recess and a second stopping shelf. The second housing member can couple with the first housing member such that the first and second stopping shelves cooperate to retain the portion of the access port within the device. The device can include a locking mechanism configured maintain the first and second housing members in a coupled state when engaged. The device can further include a tamper-evident indicator that, when activated, permits the first and second housing members to transition from the coupled state to a decoupled state to permit access to the access port of the fluid line.

1 . A tamper-resistant device for holding at least a first portion of an access port of a medical fluid line, the first portion of the access port comprising a threaded region that defines a first major diameter, and a distal end of the access port defining a second major diameter smaller than the first major diameter, the device comprising:
 a first housing member comprising a first recess and a first stopping shelf;   a second housing member comprising a second recess and a second stopping shelf, the second housing member being configured to couple with the first housing member such that the first and second recesses cooperate to define a cavity sized to receive the first portion of the access port of the fluid line, such that the first and second stopping shelves cooperate to retain at least the first portion of the access port within the cavity, the opening defining a major diameter that is smaller than at least one of the first and second major diameters of the access port;   a locking mechanism configured to maintain the first and second housing members in a coupled state when engaged; and   a tamper-evident indicator that, when activated, permits the first and second housing members to transition from the coupled state to a decoupled state to permit access to the first portion of the access port of the fluid line.   
     
     
         2 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge coupled to each of the first and second housing members. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 2 , wherein the first housing member, the second housing member, and the hinge are integrally formed of a unitary piece of material. 
     
     
         5 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 4 , wherein the material comprises a plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge is configured to be removed from each of the first and second housing members. 
     
     
         7 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 6 , wherein removal of the hinge from the first and second housing members permits the first and second housing members to transition from the coupled state to the decoupled state. 
     
     
         8 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 6 , wherein the tamper-evident indicator comprises the hinge. 
     
     
         9 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 6 , wherein the hinge is coupled to the first housing member via a first breakaway mechanism and is coupled to the second housing member via a second breakaway mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 6 , wherein the hinge is coupled to the first housing member via a first frangible connection and is coupled to the second housing member via a second frangible connection. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises the tamper-evident indicator. 
     
     
         13 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 12 , wherein the tamper-evident indicator comprises a deformable locking arm. 
     
     
         14 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 12 , wherein the tamper-evident indicator comprises a fastener configured to contact the first and second housing members. 
     
     
         15 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 14 , wherein the tamper-evident indicator comprises a zip tie. 
     
     
         16 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is configured to engage automatically when the first and second housing members are transitioned to the coupled state. 
     
     
         17 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is configured to be inaccessible once engaged to prevent disengagement of the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 1 , wherein the tamper-evident indicator comprises a sticker configured to contact both of the first and second housing members when the first and second housing members are in the coupled state. 
     
     
         19 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 18 , wherein activation of the sticker comprises removing at least a portion of the sticker from the first and second housing members. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing member comprises a first closed end opposite the first stopping shelf and the second housing member comprises a second closed end opposite the second stopping shelf. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The tamper-resistant device of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the access port comprises threads that define a separation distance between adjacent threading portions, and wherein at least one of the first and second stopping shelves defines a thickness that is larger than the separation distance. 
     
     
         24 . A tamper-resistant device for holding an access portion of a medical fluid line, the device comprising:
 a first housing member comprising a first recess;   a second housing member comprising a second recess, the second housing member being configured to couple with the first housing member such that the first and second recesses cooperate to define a cavity sized to receive the access portion of the fluid line;   a locking mechanism configured maintain the first and second housing members in a coupled state when engaged; and   a hinge coupled to the first housing member via a first breakaway mechanism and coupled to the second housing member via a second breakaway mechanism,   wherein when the first and second housing members are in the coupled state and the locking mechanism is engaged, removal of the hinge from the first and second housing members via the first and second breakaway mechanisms permits the first and second housing members to be transitioned from the coupled state to a decoupled state to permit access to the access portion of the fluid line.   
     
     
         25 - 39 . (canceled)