US Patent 7004934 Closed system connector assembly

A male adaptor is provided with a nose for penetrating into a housing of the female connector. A septum is disposed over the nose of the male adaptor to maintain a seal with the female connector during coupling and uncoupling. Upon coupling, the septum dilates to allow the nose to pass through. The female connector may have a septum that also dilates to allow penetration of the nose of the male adaptor. Alternatively, the septum of the female connector may be retractable under the force of the nose of the male adaptor.