Device for aseptically connecting large bore tubing
OwnerJerry Shevitzinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A connector for facilitating the connection of one piece of tubing to another so that fluid can flow from one piece to the other in a sterile manner. Characteristics of the connector include, but are not limited to, a flange at one of the connector, the flange comprising a recess for storage of at least part of a protective shield which Is removable after the flange is connected to the flange of a second connector.
Claims16
A connector for facilitating a connection of one piece of tubing to another so that fluid can flow from one to the other in a sterile manner, said connector comprising a proximal end and a distal end,
- such that said connector comprises (1) a connector tube, (2) a flange at a proximal end of the connector tube and the proximal end of the connector, (3) a circular collar and (4) an O-gasket, said circular collar at the proximal end of the connector tube, said circular collar separating said flange from said connector tube so that there is a groove between said tube and said flange, the circular collar providing a distal end of the groove, said groove being an O-gasket groove capable of receiving an O-gasket, said O-gasket inserted into said groove at the proximal end of said connector, said O-gasket encircling the proximal end of the connector tube, and thereby possessing an outer perimeter, a portion of said O-gasket protruding from the flange so as to be capable of contact with an O-gasket of an identical connector when the two connectors are joined at their proximal ends,
- wherein the flange comprises a proximal surface, such that said proximal surface comprises a forward flange surface and a recessed flange surface, said recessed flange surface containing at least part of a removable protective shield attached to the recessed flange surface,
- said recessed flange surface comprising a central opening of diameter greater than an opening at the proximal end of the connector tube.
A pair of connectors, wherein each connector in the pair is a connector for facilitating the connection of one piece of tubing to another so that fluid can flow from one to the other in a sterile manner, each said connector comprising a proximal end and a distal end,
- wherein each said connector comprises (1) a connector tube, (2) a flange at a proximal end of the connector tube and the proximal end of the connector, (3) a circular collar and (4) an O-gasket, said circular collar at the proximal end of the connector tube, the circular collar of each connector separating its flange from its connector tube so that there is a groove between said tube and said flange, the circular collar providing a distal end of the groove, said groove being an O-gasket groove capable of receiving an O-gasket, said O-gasket inserted into said groove at the proximal end of said connector, said O-gasket encircling the proximal end of the connector tube, and thereby possessing an outer perimeter, a portion of said O-gasket protruding from the flange so as to be in contact with the O-gasket of the other connector of the pair,
- wherein the flange of each connector comprises a proximal surface, such that said proximal surface comprises a forward flange surface and a recessed flange surface, where the recessed flange surface comprises a removable protective shield attached to the recessed flange surface, said recessed flange surface also comprising a central opening of diameter greater than an opening at the proximal end of the connector tube,
- wherein the connectors in the pair are joined to each other at their proximal ends.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.