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US 12,486,933 B2Granted
Magnetic fluid connector
AssigneeNorthstar Medical Technologies, LLC
InventorsDorian Lust, Kirsten Brokish
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid connector includes a first connector having a first passageway and a second passageway; and a second connector having a third passageway and a fourth passageway. The first connector can be attracted to the second connector through a magnetic force, thereby forming the fluid connector. Moreover, when the first connector abuts the second connector, the first passageway together with the third passageway can form a first fluid path, and the second passageway together with the fourth passageway can form a second fluid path that is different from the first fluid path.
Claims19
A fluid connector comprising:
- a first connector including a first passageway and a second passageway;
- and
- a second connector including a third passageway and a fourth passageway,
- wherein the first connector is attracted to the second connector through a magnetic force, thereby forming the fluid connector, and
- wherein when the first connector abuts the second connector, the first passageway together with the third passageway form a first fluid path, and the second passageway together with the fourth passageway form a second fluid path that is different from the first fluid path,
- wherein the first connector includes a first housing including a base wall and a first side wall that is generally perpendicular with respect to the base wall and protrudes beyond a plane defined by the base wall, defining a receiving cavity therein,
- wherein the second connector includes a second housing including a top wall and a second side wall protruding rearwardly therefrom,
- wherein the second housing can be received within the receiving cavity,
- wherein the first housing includes a first transition portion between the base wall and the first side wall,
- wherein the first transition portion is configured to guide the second connector into proper alignment with the first connector, and
- wherein the first housing further includes a first outer wall and a first inner wall each protruding in a direction opposite from the first side wall, wherein the first inner wall is provided proximal to a center portion of the base wall, and the first outer wall is provided distal from the center portion of the base wall.
8 more elements
A fluid connector comprising:
- a first connector including
- a base plate,
- a first inner cylindrical wall extending axially in a first direction from the base plate, the base plate and the first inner cylindrical wall defining a first passageway,
- a first outer cylindrical wall extending axially in the first direction from the base plate, the first inner cylindrical wall, the base plate, and the first outer cylindrical wall defining a first annular chamber,
- a first cylindrical side wall extending axially in a second direction from the base plate, the first cylindrical side wall and the base plate defining a socket, and
- a first magnet disposed in the first annular chamber;
- and
- a second connector mateably receivable into the first connector via the socket and including
- a top plate,
- a second inner cylindrical wall extending axially in the second direction from the top plate, the top plate and the second inner cylindrical wall defining a second passageway,
- a second outer cylindrical wall extending axially in the second direction from the top plate, the second inner cylindrical wall, the top plate, and the second outer cylindrical wall defining a second annular chamber, and
- a second magnet disposed in the second annular chamber,
- wherein
- the first magnet and the second magnet magnetically attract one another, and
- the first passageway aligns with the second passageway when the second connector is mated into the socket.
12 more elements
A fluid connector comprising:
- a first connector including
- a first housing defining a first passageway, and
- a first magnet mounted to the first housing;
- and
- a second connector sealably connectable to the first connector and including
- a second housing defining a second passageway, and
- a second magnet mounted to the second housing,
- wherein
- the first and second magnets attract one another to sealably compress an elastomeric O-ring between the first housing and the second housing,
- the first passageway aligns with the second passageway when the first connector connects to the second connector, and
- the first housing includes a first outer wall and a first inner wall each protruding in a direction opposite from a first side wall and away from the second connector, wherein the first inner wall is provided proximal to a center portion of a base wall, and the first outer wall is provided distal from the center portion of the base wall.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.