Sterile docking apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention provides an inventive apparatus and method for docking of a male luer connector fluidly interconnected or interconnectable to a medical liquid source during one or repeated periods. As such, the invention has particular application to multiple-dose medication therapy procedures. The docking apparatus comprises a holding receptacle having a single access opening and a depressible member disposed in the holding receptacle. The holding receptacle is adapted for retentive engagement with a male luer connector (e.g. via complementary threading), wherein upon docking a nozzle of the male luer connector is isolated within the holding receptacle. An anti-bacterial material may be readily applied to a top surface of the depressible member prior to docking so that the forward edge of the nozzle of the male luer connector contacts the anti-bacterial material when docked. The docking apparatus may be provided with lateral and rearward handling members to facilitate docking procedures. Additionally, slots may be provided for interconnecting the docking apparatus to a tubing line at a patient site.

1 - 39 . (canceled)  
     
     
         40 . A method for docking a male luer connector fluidly interconnected to a medical liquid source, comprising: 
 administering medical liquid to a patient from said medical liquid source; and,    docking said male luer connector to a docking apparatus after said dispensing step, including:    contacting a nozzle of said male luer connector with a top surface of a depressible member disposed within a single access opening of a holding receptacle comprising the docking apparatus; and,    interconnecting said male luer connector with said holding receptacle of the docking apparatus, wherein said nozzle depresses said depressible member receptacle and is isolated within said holding receptacle of the docking apparatus.    
     
     
         41 . A method as recited in  claim 40 , wherein after said docking step the method further comprises: 
 disconnecting said male luer connector from said holding receptacle of the docking apparatus.    
     
     
         42 . A method as recited in  claim 41 , further comprising: 
 successively repeating said administering, docking and disconnecting steps.    
     
     
         43 . A method as recited in  claim 42 , said administering step including: 
 attaching said male luer connector to an access port fluidly interconnected to a patient's vascular system; and,    detaching said male luer connector from said port.    
     
     
         44 . A method as recited in  claim 42 , said docking step further including: 
 applying an anti-bacterial material to the top surface of the depressible member prior to the contacting substep.    
     
     
         45 . A method as recited in  claim 44 , said contacting substep of said docking step including: 
 engaging a leading edge of nozzle of said male luer connector with said top surface of the depressible member across the entirety thereof.    
     
     
         46 . A method as recited in  claim 42 , wherein after each said disconnecting step said depressible member returns to a non-depressed state to substantially fill said single access opening.  
     
     
         47 . A method as recited in  claim 41 , wherein at least one of said interconnecting and disconnecting steps includes: 
 grasping a handling member that is interconnected to and extends away from said holding receptacle of the docking apparatus.    
     
     
         48 . A method are recited in  claim 47 , wherein said grasping step includes: 
 gripping said handling member of the docking apparatus between a user's fingers.    
     
     
         49 . A method as recited in  claim 47 , said interconnecting substep of said docking step including: 
 engaging said male luer connector with an outer surface of said holding receptacle of the docking apparatus.    
     
     
         50 . A method as recited in  claim 49 , said engaging substep including: 
 advancing at least one of said holding receptacle of the docking apparatus and said male luer connector relative to the other.    
     
     
         51 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , said advancing substep including: 
 rotating at least one of said male luer connector and said holding receptacle of the docking apparatus relative to the other to obtain a threadable interconnection therebetween.    
     
     
         52 . A method as recited in  claim 47 , further comprising: 
 attaching said handling member of the docking apparatus to a tubing line present at a patient care site.    
     
     
         53 . A method as recited in  claim 52 , said attaching step including: 
 positioning said tubing line within a plurality of slots provided on the docking apparatus, wherein said tubing line follows a tortuous path between said plurality of slots.    
     
     
         54 . A method as recited in  claim 40 , said interconnecting substep of said docking step further including one of the following: 
 compressing said depressible member; and,    defecting said depressible member.    
     
     
         55 . A method as recited in  claim 40 , said docking step further including: sealably engaging an outer tapered surface of said nozzle at said single access opening of the holding receptacle.