Fluid connector assembly
AssigneeCareFusion 303, Inc.
InventorsRyan Callahan, Frank Cai
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Fluid connector assemblies that seal off fluid paths in the respective connectors are disclosed. When connectors of a fluid connector assembly are connected to each other, respective compressible members in the connectors are displaced, allowing downstream fluid passage through the fluid connector assembly. The connectors maintain a connection by a snap mechanism that provides a threshold retention force. When an external force greater than the threshold force is applied to the fluid connector assembly, the snap mechanism may no longer maintain the connectors together, causing the connectors to decouple from each other. Once the connectors are decoupled, a connecting mechanism may be activated preventing the connectors to be coupled together without actuation of the connecting mechanism.
Claims19
A fluid connector assembly, comprising:
- a first connector, comprising:
- a first housing comprising a cavity,
- a post disposed in the first housing, the post comprising an opening, and
- a first compressible member surrounding at least a portion of the post;
- a second connector configured to couple with the first connector, the second connector comprising:
- a second housing,
- a second compressible member disposed within the second housing;
- at least one snap arm disposed on an exterior surface of the second housing for engaging against the first connector;
- and
- a connecting mechanism coupled to the second connector for coupling the first connector and the second connector, the connecting mechanism comprising at least one projection extending from the second housing for actuating the connecting mechanism, the at least one projection comprising a first end positioned within a gap formed between the at least one snap arm and the second housing, and second end opposite the first end;
- wherein actuation of the at least one projection from a stowed position to a deployed position such that the first connector is couplable to the second connector.
A method for coupling a fluid connector assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a first connector, the first connector comprising:
- a first housing comprising a cavity;
- a post disposed in the first housing, the post comprising an opening;
- and
- a first compressible member surrounding at least a portion of the post;
- providing a second connector configured to couple to the first connector, the second connector comprising:
- a second housing;
- a second compressible member disposed within the second housing;
- at least one snap arm disposed on an exterior surface of the second housing for engaging against the first connector;
- and
- providing a connecting mechanism configured to couple the first connector to the second connector, the connecting mechanism comprising at least one projection extending from the second housing and having a first end positioned within a gap between the at least one snap arm and the second housing, and second end opposite the first end;
- actuating the connecting mechanism from a stowed position to a deployed position;
- coupling the first connector and the second connector;
- and
- releasing the connecting mechanism thereby allowing the connecting mechanism to retain the first connector and the second connector in a coupled state.
A fluid connector assembly, comprising:
- a first connector, comprising:
- a first housing comprising a cavity,
- a post disposed in the first housing, the post comprising an opening, and
- a first compressible member surrounding at least a portion of the post;
- and
- a second connector configured to couple with the first connector, the second connector comprising:
- a second housing,
- a second compressible member disposed within the second housing configured to contact the first compressible member when the first connector and second connector are coupled,
- at least one snap arm disposed on an exterior surface of the second housing for retaining the fluid connector assembly in a coupled state;
- and
- a connecting mechanism coupled to the second connector for coupling the first connector and the second connector, the connecting mechanism comprising at least one projection extending from the at least one snap arm for actuating the connecting mechanism, the at least one projection having a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the at least one projection is moved toward the deployed position in response to an external force thereby actuating the connecting mechanism,
- wherein, when the first connector and the second connector are decoupled, actuation of the at least one projection is required to recouple the first connector and the second connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.