Claims for Patent: 8,118,802

Summary for Patent: 8,118,802

Title:	Connector for packaging containing medical fluids and packaging for medical fluids
Abstract:	The disclosure relates to a connector for packaging containing medical fluids, in particular infusion or transfusion bags, including a tubular connection part for receiving a spike for the withdrawal of fluid, and having a lower opening on the packaging side and an upper opening on the connection side. A self-sealing membrane, which is pierced by the spike, is located in the connection part. The membrane has an upper, annular section leading into a lower, plate-shaped section, said annular section of the membrane surrounding the spike in a sealing manner, when the latter pierces the plate-shaped section. The membrane acts as a guide for the spike and also reseals the connector, once the spike has been removed.
Inventor(s):	Brandenburger; Torsten (Niddatal, DE), Rahimy; Ismael (Friedberg, DE)
Assignee:	Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH (Bad Homburg, DE)
Application Number:	12/858,627
Patent Litigation and PTAB cases:	See patent lawsuits and PTAB cases for patent 8,118,802
Patent Claims:	1. A self-sealing membrane disposed within a connector of a medical fluid container, the self-sealing membrane comprising: a penetrable section; and a flange configured to be clamped between a lower section of the connector and an upper section of the connector, the flange having a generally T-shaped cross-sectional profile formed by an inner segment that extends from a boundary of the penetrable section, and an outer segment that extends from a boundary of the inner segment. 2. The self-sealing membrane of claim 1, wherein the flange is configured to be clamped with elastic deformation between the lower section of the connector and the upper section of the connector. 3. The self-sealing membrane of claim 1, wherein the penetrable section and the flange together have a generally H-shaped cross-sectional profile when the penetrable section is disposed across a fluid passageway defined by the connector. 4. The self-sealing membrane of claim 1, wherein the penetrable section is generally dish-shaped. 5. The self-sealing membrane of claim 1, wherein: the inner segment of the flange is defined by an upper surface area and a lower surface area separated no more than a first distance d.sub.inner; and the outer segment of the flange is defined by an upper surface area and a lower outer surface area separated no more than a second distance d.sub.outer, wherein the second distance d.sub.outer is greater than the first distance d.sub.inner. 6. The self-sealing membrane of claim 5, wherein the upper surface area of the inner segment and the lower surface area of the inner segment are separated by the first distance d.sub.inner. 7. The self-sealing membrane of claim 5, wherein the upper surface area of the outer segment and the lower surface area of the outer segment are separated by the first distance d.sub.outer. 8. The self-sealing membrane of claim 1, wherein: the inner segment of the flange is defined by a first annular volume; and the outer segment of the flange is defined by a second annular volume. 9. A connector for a medical fluid container, the connector comprising: a first section having a peripheral groove on a portion of an internal wall; and a second section having a peripheral projection on a portion of an external wall, wherein each of the first section of the connector and the second section of the connector is sized and dimensioned to: achieve a snap-in effect when the peripheral projection of the second section is disposed within the peripheral groove of the first section, and accommodate a self-sealing membrane having a generally H-shaped cross-sectional profile. 10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the self-sealing membrane includes a flange that has a generally T-shaped cross-sectional profile. 11. The connector of claim 9, wherein the self-sealing membrane includes a flange that is formed by: an inner segment that is defined by an upper surface area and a lower surface area separated no more than a first distance d.sub.inner; and an outer segment that is defined by an upper surface area and a lower outer surface area separated no more than a second distance d.sub.outer, wherein the second distance d.sub.outer is greater than the first distance d.sub.inner. 12. The connector of claim 9, wherein the self-sealing membrane includes a flange that is formed by and inner annular volume and an outer annular volume. 13. The connector of claim 9, wherein the self-sealing membrane includes a penetrable section that is disposed at an intersection of the first section of the connector and the second section of the connector. 14. The connector of claim 13, wherein the penetrable section is generally dish-shaped. 15. The connector of claim 9, wherein the self-sealing membrane includes a penetrable section that is disposed across a fluid passageway defined by the connector. 16. The connector of claim 15, wherein the penetrable section is generally dish-shaped. 17. The connector of claim 9, wherein the self-sealing membrane is held clamped with elastic deformation between the first section of the connector and the second section of the connector.