# US 12,181,088 B2 · Connector for multiple sized connections > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,181,088 B2 - Document ID: US12181088B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/193,040 - Filed: 2023-03-30 - Published: 2023-10-12 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2013-02-20 - Assignees: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited - Applicants: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited - Inventors: Samuel Robertson Frame; Martin Paul Friedrich Kramer; Kevin Peter O'Donnell; Graham Douglas Gourd - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181088B2 ## CPC - F16L 37/08: in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members (F16L37/22 - F16L37/26 take precedence) - A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors} - F16L 33/22: with means not mentioned in the preceding groups for gripping the hose between inner and outer parts - A61M 2039/1077: {Adapters, e.g. couplings adapting a connector to one or several other connectors} - F16L 2201/44: sterile - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - 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)} ## Abstract A connector is used to connect a gases supply to a user. The user can be fitted with an interface, such as a cannula, while the gases supply can include a conduit. The connector interfaces between the conduit and the interface. The connector has a female assembly and a male assembly that connect together, such as by push fit. The male assembly includes an inner portion sized and configured to mate with a first female connector and an outer portion sized and configured to alternatively mate with a second female connector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A patient interface assembly comprising: a patient interface; an interface tube; and a connector comprising: a proximal portion connectable to the interface tube; a distal portion comprising an inner wall, an outer wall, and a gap between the inner wall and the outer wall; the inner wall being generally cylindrical, and the outer wall being generally cylindrical but tapering along at least a portion of its length such that a proximal portion of the outer wall has a larger outer diameter than a terminal end of the outer wall, wherein the gap between the inner wall and the outer wall extends from at least the proximal portion of the outer wall to the terminal end of the outer wall; and the outer wall configured as a first connection mechanism, wherein the first connection mechanism comprises a first male connector, and wherein an inner surface of the outer wall includes an annular recess. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the terminal end of the outer wall and a terminal end of the inner wall terminate on the same plane. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the terminal end of the outer wall extends beyond a terminal end of the inner wall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector is joined to a breathing tube such that removal of the connector from the interface tube destroys the usability of the interface tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a tether configured to support the weight of the connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the inner wall defines a passage through the connector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the outer wall at or proximal the proximal portion comprises rounded corners. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The patient interface assembly of claim 7, wherein the rounded corners have a radius of between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein first male connector is a 22 mm male conical connector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer wall has an outer diameter of 22 mm+0.03 mm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the outer wall and an outer surface of the inner wall are configured as a second connection mechanism. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the patient interface comprises a nasal cannula. ### Claim 13 A patient interface assembly comprising: a patient interface; an interface tube; and a connector comprising: a proximal portion connectable to the interface tube; a distal portion comprising an inner wall, an outer wall, and a gap between the inner wall and the outer wall, the inner wall and the outer wall being generally cylindrical but tapering along at least a portion of its length such that a proximal portion of the outer wall has a larger outer diameter than a terminal end of the outer wall, and the outer wall configured as a first connection mechanism, wherein the first connection mechanism comprises a first male connector, wherein the gap between the inner wall and the outer wall extends from at least the proximal portion of the outer wall to the terminal end of the outer wall, wherein an inner surface of the outer wall includes an annular recess; and a tether configured to support the weight of the connector. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The patient interface assembly of claim 13, wherein the tether comprises a lanyard configured to engage a neck of a user during use. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The patient interface assembly of claim 13, wherein the patient interface comprises a nasal cannula. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The patient interface assembly of claim 15, wherein the nasal cannula comprises headgear to engage a user's head. ### Claim 17 A patient interface assembly comprising: a patient interface; an interface tube; and a connector comprising: a proximal portion connectable to the interface tube; a distal portion comprising an inner wall, an outer wall, and a gap between the inner wall and the outer wall, the inner wall and the outer wall being generally cylindrical but tapering along at least a portion of its length such that a proximal portion of the outer wall has a larger outer diameter than a terminal end of the outer wall, and the outer wall configured as a first connection mechanism, wherein the first connection mechanism comprises a first male connector, wherein the gap between the inner wall and the outer wall extends from at least the proximal portion of the outer wall to the terminal end of the outer wall, wherein a terminal end of the outer wall and a terminal end of the inner wall terminate on the same plane, wherein an inner surface of the outer wall includes an annular recess; and a tether configured to support the weight of the connector. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The patient interface assembly of claim 17, wherein the patient interface comprises a nasal cannula. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The patient interface assembly of claim 17, wherein the outer wall tapers along at least a portion of its length such that a proximal portion of the outer wall has a larger outer diameter than a distal portion of the outer wall.