Needleless connector
In medicine, a needleless connector connects to the end of vascular catheters and enable catheter access for infusion and aspiration.{{Cite journal|last=Curran|first=Evonne|date=September 2016|title=Needleless connectors: the vascular access catheter's microbial gatekeeper|journal=Journal of Infection Prevention|volume=17|issue=5|pages=234–240|doi=10.1177/1757177416657164|issn=1757-1774|pmc=5102078|pmid=28989484}} Needleless connectors (also known as NC's) were developed to reduce needlestick injuries, which occurs when the skin is accidentally punctured by a used needle.{{Cite web|title=Needlestick injury {{!}} betterhealth.vic.gov.au|url=http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/needlestick-injury|access-date=2021-03-16|website=www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au|language=en}} Needlestick injuries can be very serious and potentially expose a healthcare professional to bloodborne infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.{{Cite web|date=2013-11-19|title=Bloodborne Infectious Diseases: HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C|url=http://www.medmngmt.online|access-date=2020-07-24|website=Medical Management|language=en-us}}{{Cite web|date=2018-11-21|title=CDC - Bloodborne Infectious Diseases - Emergency Needlestick Information - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/bbp/emergnedl.html|access-date=2021-03-16|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us}}
The needless connector should provide safe access to the catheter without the use of needles and enable the following:{{cn|date=April 2021}}
- Minimize catheter occlusion risk.
- Allow for easy and effective decontamination between each use to prohibit microbial entry e.g. via a flat surface which is flush with the housing.
Before utilizing a needleless connector, it is important to properly disinfect the device to help prevent central line{{Cite web|title=Central line infections - hospitals: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia|url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000474.htm|access-date=2021-03-16|website=medlineplus.gov|language=en}}–associated bloodstream infection.{{Cite journal|last1=Moureau|first1=Nancy L.|last2=Dawson|first2=Robert B.|date=December 2010|title=Needleless connector know-how|url=https://dx.doi.org/10.1097%2F01.NUMA.0000390461.26871.25|journal=Nursing Management|language=en-US|volume=41|issue=12|pages=40–41|doi=10.1097/01.NUMA.0000390461.26871.25|pmid=21116154|issn=0744-6314|doi-access=free}}
Various designs for the needless connector and its components have been developed over the years. This includes a patent developed by Karl Leinsing for "needleless connector" which relates generally to connectors of the type used in the handling and administration of parenteral fluids, and more particularly, to a valve mechanism incorporated within such connector for~~enabling a fluid interconnection to be made therewith without the use of a sharp cannula.{{cite web |title=Needleless connector |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/CA2175021C/en |website=Patents.Google |access-date=1 April 2021 |language=en |date=25 April 1996}}