Fluid connector for endoscope reprocessing system
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorsNick N. Nguyen, Walter Francovich, Philippe Conseil
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Coupling arrangements and connectors for establishing a substantially fluid-tight removable connection between a fluid port in medical device such as an endoscope. Various embodiments of the connectors may be coupled to a fluid conduit that may be attached to a decontamination or reprocessing device used to flow fluid through corresponding channels in the medical device during the decontamination process.
Claims20
A connector for coupling a fluid conduit to an elongate fluid coupling member protruding from a medical device, said connector comprising:
- a connector body having an end wall and a bushing-receiving cavity therein, said end wall having a coupling opening therethrough sized to enable a portion of said elongate fluid coupling member to protrude therethrough;
- and
- a flexible bushing received within said bushing-receiving cavity and having a passage therethrough to enable at least a portion of said elongate fluid coupling member to be inserted therein, said flexible bushing sized relative to said bushing-receiving cavity to permit said bushing to flex therein about an attachment feature formed on said portion of said elongate fluid coupling member when said at least a portion of said elongate fluid coupling member is inserted into said passage in said flexible bushing and wherein said flexible bushing has at least one seal feature protruding from a portion of said bushing to establish another substantially fluid-tight seal between said bushing and said connector body.
A coupling arrangement for conveying a fluid from a reprocessing device through a channel in a medical device, said coupling arrangement comprising:
- an elongate fluid coupling member protruding from said medical device and in fluid communication with said channel therein, said elongate fluid coupling member having at least one retention feature protruding therefrom;
- a fluid conduit having a supply end operably communicating with a source of fluid associated with said reprocessing device and a discharge end;
- a connector body attached to said discharge end of said fluid conduit, said connector body comprising:
- an end wall;
- a side wall protruding from said end wall and defining a cavity therein;
- and
- a coupling opening through said end wall such that at least a portion of said elongate fluid coupling member having said retention feature thereon may pass therethrough;
- and
- a bushing received within said cavity and having a passage therethrough sized to receive a portion of said elongate fluid coupling member therein such that said elongate fluid coupling member is removably retained within said bushing and a first substantially fluid-tight seal is established therebetween;
- and
- at least one seal feature on said bushing for establishing a second substantially fluid-tight seal between said connector body and said bushing.
A coupling arrangement for conveying a fluid from a reprocessing device through a channel in a medical device, said coupling arrangement comprising:
- an elongate fluid coupling member protruding from said medical device and in fluid communication with said channel therein, said elongate fluid coupling member having a cylindrical body portion with an eccentric retention flange formed thereon;
- a fluid conduit having a supply end operably communicating with a source of fluid associated with said reprocessing device and a discharge end;
- a connector body attached to said discharge end of said fluid conduit;
- a bushing seat seated within said connector body, said bushing seat having a body portion and a flanged end, said body portion having a bushing-receiving passage therethrough;
- a flexible bushing received within said cavity and said bushing-receiving passage in said bushing seat, said bushing having a passage therethrough sized to receive said body portion of said elongate fluid coupling member therein such that said body portion of said elongate fluid coupling member is removably retained within said bushing and a first substantially fluid-tight seal is established therebetween;
- and
- a seal for establishing a second substantially fluid-tight seal between said bushing seat and said bushing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.