# US 11,305,050 B2 · Connector with valve for negative pressure wound therapy system

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- Number: US 11,305,050 B2
- Document ID: US11305050B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/575,921
- Filed: 2019-09-19
- Published: 2020-03-19
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2018-09-19
- Assignees: DeRoyal Industries, Inc.
- Applicants: DeRoyal Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: Vincent Denis Jardret; Jonathan Matthew Cayce; Walter Cleveland Cowart; Scott Douglas Barnes; Gregory S. Hodge
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305050B2

## CPC

- A61M 39/105: {Multi-channel connectors or couplings, e.g. for connecting multi-lumen tubes (multi-channel connectors in general F16L37/56)}
- A61F 13/05: specially adapted for use with sub-pressure or over-pressure therapy, wound drainage or wound irrigation, e.g. for use with negative-pressure wound therapy [NPWT]
- A61M 1/60: {Containers for suction drainage, adapted to be used with an external suction source (containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69)}
- A61M 1/743: {by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves (A61M1/7413 takes precedence)}
- A61M 1/86: {Connectors between drainage tube and handpiece, e.g. drainage tubes detachable from handpiece}
- A61M 1/912: {Connectors between dressing and drainage tube}
- A61M 1/966: {having a pressure sensor on or near the dressing}
- A61M 1/98: {Containers specifically adapted for negative pressure wound therapy}
- A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)}
- A61M 39/22: Valves or arrangement of valves {(A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405)}
- A61M 39/28: Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps {(tube strippers A61M1/83)}
- A61M 39/284: {Lever clamps}
- A61M 2039/082: {Multi-lumen tubes}
- A61M 2205/3331: Pressure; Flow
- A61M 2205/3344: Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## Abstract

A negative pressure wound therapy device that includes a first tubing connectable in flow communication with a source of negative pressure configured for application of negative pressure to a wound site, a second tubing in flow communication with the wound site, and a valve.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A connector assembly directly connecting between a first tubing having a pair of flow paths from a source of negative pressure configured for application of negative pressure to a wound site and a second tubing having a pair of flow paths from the wound site, the connector assembly comprising:
a valve having (1) a valve body, a pair of proximal lumens connected to one side of the valve body and a pair of distal lumens connected to another side of the valve body opposite the proximal lumens to create first and second valve flow paths across a width of the valve body; and (2) an elongate valve shaft rotatably positioned within the valve body, the valve shaft having a pair of slots spaced apart along the length of the shaft and each extending through a width of the valve shaft, one of the slots located along the first valve flow path and the other one of the slots located across the second valve flow path, and a valve handle connected to an exterior portion of the valve shaft for selectively rotating the shaft within the valve body; and
an elongate connector having a pair of internal connector flow paths, each connector flow path terminating at one end of the connector directly connecting with the pair of flow paths of the first tubing, and terminating at the other end of the connector directly connecting with the proximal lumens of the valve,
wherein the slots are configured so that in one rotational orientation of the valve shaft the slots are oriented to open the first and second valve flow paths across the width of the valve body to provide an open position of the valve, and in other rotational orientations of the valve shaft the slots are rotationally located so as to block the first and second flow paths across the width of the valve body and provide a closed position of the valve having positive closure of the valve against flow therethrough.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the second tubing has an overall exterior thickness, and the connector assembly with the valve in the open position is no more than about 150% of the overall exterior thickness of the second tubing to avoid the presence of an increased thickness object underneath a patient.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the second tubing has an overall exterior width, and the valve has a width that is no more than about 150% of the overall exterior width of the second tubing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein when the valve is in the open position the valve handle is parallel to the length of the elongate connector.

### Claim 5

A connector assembly directly connecting between a first tubing from a source of negative pressure configured for application of negative pressure to a wound site and a second tubing from the wound site, the connector assembly comprising:
a valve having (1) a valve body, a proximal lumen connected to one side of the valve body and a distal lumen connected to another side of the valve body opposite the proximal lumen to create a valve flow path across a width of the valve body; and (2) an elongate valve shaft rotatably positioned within the valve body, the valve shaft having a shaft flow passage therethrough, and a valve handle connected to an exterior portion of the valve shaft for selectively rotating the shaft within the valve body; and
an elongate connector having an internal connector flow path terminating at one end of the connector directly connecting with the first tubing, and terminating at the other end of the connector directly connecting with the proximal lumen of the valve,
wherein the shaft flow path is configured so that in one rotational orientation of the valve shaft the shaft flow path is oriented to open the flow path across the width of the valve body to provide an open position of the valve, and in other rotational orientations of the valve shaft the shaft flow path is rotationally located so as to block the flow path across the width of the valve body and provide a closed position of the valve having positive closure of the valve against flow therethrough.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The connector assembly of claim 5, wherein the second tubing has an overall exterior thickness, and the connector assembly with the valve in the open position is no more than about 150% of the overall exterior thickness of the second tubing to avoid the presence of an increased thickness object underneath a patient.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The connector assembly of claim 5, wherein the second tubing has an overall exterior width, and the valve has a width that is no more than about 150% of the overall exterior width of the second tubing.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The connector assembly of claim 5, wherein when the valve is in the open position the valve handle is parallel to the length of the elongate connector.

### Claim 9

A connector assembly directly connecting between a first tubing from a source of negative pressure configured for application of negative pressure to a wound site and a second tubing from the wound site, the connector assembly comprising:
a valve having (1) a valve body, a proximal lumen connected to one side of the valve body and a distal lumen connected to another side of the valve body opposite the proximal lumen to create a valve flow path across a width of the valve body; and (2) an elongate valve shaft movably positioned within the valve body, the valve shaft having a shaft flow passage therethrough; and
an elongate connector having an internal connector flow path terminating at one end of the connector directly connecting with the first tubing, and terminating at the other end of the connector directly connecting with the proximal lumen of the valve,
wherein the shaft flow path is configured so that in one positional orientation of the valve shaft the shaft flow path is moved to open the flow path across the width of the valve body to provide an open position of the valve, and in other positional orientations of the valve shaft the shaft flow path is moved so as to block the flow path across the width of the valve body and provide a closed position of the valve having positive closure of the valve against flow therethrough.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the second tubing has an overall exterior thickness, and the connector assembly with the valve in the open position is no more than about 150% of the overall exterior thickness of the second tubing to avoid the presence of an increased thickness object underneath a patient.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the second tubing has an overall exterior width, and the valve has a width that is no more than about 150% of the overall exterior width of the second tubing.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein when the valve includes a valve handle connected to an exterior portion of the valve shaft for selectively rotating the shaft within the valve body to movably position the valve shaft between the open position and the closed position, and when the valve is in the open position the valve handle is parallel to the length of the elongate connector.

### Claim 13

A negative pressure wound therapy device, comprising:
a first tubing connectable in flow communication with a source of negative pressure configured for application of negative pressure to a wound site;
a second tubing in flow communication with the wound site;
a valve, comprising a valve body in flow communication with the first tubing and the second tubing, and an elongate valve shaft movably positioned within the valve body, the valve shaft having a shaft flow passage therethrough; and
an elongate connector having a pair of parallel internal connector flow paths, at least one of the internal connector flow paths terminating at one end of the connector directly connecting with the first tubing, the same internal connector flow path terminating at the other end of the connector directly connecting with the valve
the shaft flow path being configured so that in one positional orientation of the valve shaft the shaft flow path is moved to open the flow path across the width of the valve body to provide an open position of the valve, and in other positional orientations of the valve shaft the shaft flow path is moved so as to block the flow path across the width of the valve body and provide a closed position of the valve having positive closure of the valve against flow therethrough; and
a valve handle connected to an exterior portion of the valve shaft for selectively rotating the shaft within the valve body to movably position the valve shaft between the open position and the closed position, and when the valve is in the open position the valve handle is parallel to a length axis of the first tubing and a length axis of the second tubing.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The negative pressure wound therapy device of claim 13, wherein the second tubing has an overall exterior thickness, and the valve in the open position is no more than about 150% of the overall exterior thickness of the second tubing to avoid the presence of an increased thickness object underneath a patient.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The negative pressure wound therapy device of claim 13, wherein the second tubing has an overall exterior width, and the valve has a width that is no more than about 150% of the overall exterior width of the second tubing.

### Claim 16

A connector assembly directly connecting between a first tubing having a pair of flow paths from a source of negative pressure applying negative pressure to a wound site and a second tubing having a pair of flow paths from the wound site, the connector assembly comprising:
a valve having (1) a valve body, a pair of proximal lumens connected to one side of the valve body and a pair of distal lumens connected to another side of the valve body opposite the proximal lumens to create first and second valve flow paths across a width of the valve body; and (2) an elongate valve shaft rotatably positioned within the valve body, the valve shaft having a pair of slots spaced apart along the length of the shaft and each extending through a width of the valve shaft, one of the slots located along the first valve flow path and the other one of the slots located across the second valve flow path, and a valve handle connected to an exterior portion of the valve shaft for selectively rotating the shaft within the valve body; and
an elongated connector positioned between the valve and the first tubing, the elongated connector having a pair of internal flow paths, each connector flow path terminating at one end of the connector and connecting with the pair of flow paths of the first tubing, and terminating at the other end of the connector and connecting with the proximal lumens of the valve,
wherein the slots are configured so that in one rotational orientation of the valve shaft the slots are oriented to open the first and second valve flow paths across the width of the valve body to provide an open position of the valve, and in other rotational orientations of the valve shaft the slots are rotationally located so as to block the first and second flow paths across the width of the valve body and provide a closed position of the valve having positive closure of the valve against flow therethrough.