# US 12,181,091 B2 · Lockable exchangeable fluid connector and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,181,091 B2 - Document ID: US12181091B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/926,051 - Filed: 2020-06-15 - Published: 2023-06-15 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2020-06-15 - Assignees: Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc. - Applicants: Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc. - Inventors: Chad C. Van Liere - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181091B2 ## CPC - F16L 37/20: Joints tightened by toggle-action levers - A61M 39/0208: {Subcutaneous access sites (implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276; transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247)} - A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)} - F16L 37/56: for double-walled or multi-channel pipes {or pipe assemblies} - A61M 2039/1027: {Quick-acting type connectors} - 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 fluid connector system configured to couple a first fluid line structure, e.g. port, with a second fluid line structure, e.g. catheter. The connector system can include a connector body and one or more locking mechanisms designed to transition between an unlocked position and a locked position. The locking mechanism includes a first lever arm rotatably coupled to the connector body, and a second lever arm rotatably coupled to the first lever arm. The second lever arm can further be rotatably and releasably coupled to the port. Rotating the first lever arm uses mechanical advantage to urge the port to engage a catheter ensuring a tight seal therebetween even under high fluid pressures. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid connector system, comprising: a connector body coupled to a catheter body, the connector body configured to engage an access port to place one or more lumens of the access port into fluid communication with one or more lumens of the catheter body; and a locking mechanism coupled to the connector body and designed to transition between an unlocked position and a locked position, the locking mechanism comprising: a first lever arm rotatably coupled to the connector body; and a second lever arm rotatably coupled to the first lever arm, wherein the first lever arm and the second lever arm are oblique to a longitudinal axis of the connector body in the unlocked position, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector body in the locked position, wherein a first end of the second lever arm is releaseably and rotatably coupled to the access port. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluid connector system according to claim 1, wherein the first lever arm comprises a first securement aperture, and wherein the second lever arm includes a second securement aperture. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fluid connector system according to claim 2, further comprising a securement arm rotatably coupled to the second lever arm, wherein the securement arm includes a protrusion configured to extend through the first securement aperture and the second securement aperture to place the locking mechanism in the locked position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The fluid connector system according to claim 2, wherein the connector body includes a protrusion configured to extend through the first securement aperture and the second securement aperture to place the locking mechanism in the locked position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The fluid connector system according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion engages one of the first securement aperture or the second securement aperture with an interference fit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The fluid connector system according to claim 3, wherein a first end of the securement arm is configured to releasably and rotatably secure the first end of the second lever arm to the access port. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The fluid connector system according to claim 3, wherein the access port further includes a socket configured to releasably and rotatably secure one of the first end of the second lever arm or the first end of the securement arm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fluid connector system according to claim 7, wherein the socket includes an interference fit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The fluid connector system according to claim 8, wherein a first end of the first lever arm, coupled to the connector body, is disposed along the longitudinal axis, between the first end and a second end of the second lever arm in the locked position. ### Claim 10 A method of fluidly connecting an access port with a catheter, comprising: providing a connector body coupled to the catheter, the connector body including a locking mechanism comprising: a first lever arm rotatably coupled to the connector body; and a second lever arm rotatably coupled to the first lever arm; coupling a first end of the second lever arm to the access port; and transitioning the first lever arm from an unlocked position to a locked position, wherein the first lever arm and the second lever arm are oblique to a longitudinal axis of the connector body in the unlocked position, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector body in the locked position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the connector body is configured to engage the access port to place one or more lumens of the access port into fluid communication with one or more lumens of the catheter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, further comprising extending a protrusion through a first securement aperture disposed on the first lever arm and a second securement aperture disposed on the second lever arm to place the locking mechanism in the locked position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, further comprising a securement arm rotatably coupled to the second lever arm, and wherein the protrusion extends laterally inward from the securement arm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the protrusion is disposed on the connector body and the protrusion extends laterally outward. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the protrusion engages one of the first securement aperture or the second securement aperture with an interference fit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the first end of the second lever arm is releaseably and rotatably coupled to the access port with an interference fit. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein a first end of the securement arm is configured to releasably and rotatably couple the first end of the second lever arm to the access port. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the access port further includes a socket configured to releasably and rotatably couple the first end of the second lever arm to the access port. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein transitioning the first lever arm from the unlocked position to the locked position further includes disposing a first end of the first lever arm, coupled to the connector body, along the longitudinal axis between the first end and a second end of the second lever arm. ### Claim 20 A fluid connector system, comprising: a connector body; and a locking mechanism coupled to the connector body and designed to transition between an unlocked position and a locked position, the locking mechanism comprising: a first lever arm rotatably coupled to the connector body, wherein the first lever arm comprises a first securement aperture; a second lever arm rotatably coupled to the first lever arm, wherein the second lever arm includes a second securement aperture, and wherein the first lever arm and the second lever arm are oblique to a longitudinal axis of the connector body in the unlocked position, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector body in the locked position; and a securement arm rotatably coupled to the second lever arm, wherein the securement arm includes a protrusion configured to extend through the first securement aperture and the second securement aperture to place the locking mechanism in the locked position.