Coupling device

A medical device, comprising:

• a detachable coupling for transferring a fluid, the coupling comprising:
• a first housing defining an opening, the first housing having a fluid path tube portion extending into the opening;
• a second housing slidably disposed in the opening and around the tube portion to move between a first position and a locked position with respect to the first housing, the second housing having a first portion of a detachable locking mechanism and retaining a sealing element for engaging a distal end of the tube portion;
• and
• a third housing defining a fluid path channel and having a sealing element for engaging the channel, the third housing having a corresponding portion of the detachable locking mechanism and a spring valve disposed in the channel to prevent fluid flow in an uncompressed state of the spring valve, the spring valve comprising a head portion at an end thereof with a surface facing the sealing element of the third housing;
• wherein, in a detached state of the first housing, second housing, and third housing, fluid flow is prevented, and in an attached state, the third housing is advanced into the opening of the first housing thereby slidably displacing the second housing from the first position towards the locked position, and in a locked state, the third housing is advanced into the opening of the first housing sufficiently to cause the second housing to reach the locked position, whereupon both sealing elements are advanced over the tube portion such that the tube portion establishes fluid communication with the channel, wherein the tube portion separates the surface of the head portion of the spring valve and the sealing element of the third housing upon biasing the spring valve open to allow fluid flow, and the portions of the detachable locking mechanism engage to lock the second housing and the third housing together.

A method providing a detachable coupling for a pair of medical tubes, the method comprising:

• providing a first housing defining an opening and a fluid path tube portion for attaching to a first medical tube at a first end, a distal end of the tube portion extending into the opening;
• providing a second housing slidably disposed in the opening and around the tube portion, the second housing retaining a sealing element for engaging the distal end of the tube portion;
• providing a third housing defining a fluid path channel for attaching to a second medical tube at a first end, the other end of the channel engaging a sealing element, the third housing having a spring valve disposed in the channel to prevent fluid flow in an uncompressed state of the spring valve, the spring valve comprising a head portion at an end thereof with a surface facing the sealing element of the third housing;
• advancing the third housing into the opening of the first housing, thereby slidably displacing the second housing away from end of the distal end of the tube portion, wherein, when the third housing is advanced into the opening of the first housing sufficiently to cause the second housing to reach a locked position, both sealing elements are advanced over the tube portion such that the tube portion establishes fluid communication with the channel, and wherein the tube portion separates the surface of the head portion of the spring valve and the sealing element of the third housing upon biasing the spring valve open to allow fluid flow;
• and
• detachably locking the second housing and the third housing together.