# US 2014/0230944 A1 · Low Cost Umbilicus Without Overmolding > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0230944 A1 - Document ID: US20140230944A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/768,455 - Filed: 2013-02-15 - Published: 2014-08-21 - Earliest claimed: 2013-02-15 - Assignees: Fenwal, Inc. - Applicants: Fenwal, Inc. - Inventors: Terry Chung - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140230944A1 ## CPC - F16L 9/00: Rigid pipes - B04B 5/0442: {with means for adding or withdrawing liquid substances during the centrifugation, e.g. continuous centrifugation} - B29D 22/00: Producing hollow articles (tubular articles B29D23/00; pneumatic tyres B29D30/00) - B04B 2005/0492: {with fluid conveying umbilicus between stationary and rotary centrifuge parts} - Y10T 156/1002: with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - B04B: CENTRIFUGES (high-speed drum mills B02C19/11; domestic spin driers D06F; analysing, measuring or monitoring physical or chemical properties of samples during centrifuging, see the relevant subclasses for these procedures, e.g. G01N) - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An umbilicus is provided for use in an umbilicus-driven fluid processing system. The umbilicus includes an umbilicus body having enlarged first and second ends, with an intermediate section located therebetween. At least one fluid-transmitting lumen extends between the first and second ends. The umbilicus further includes first and second end fittings, each associated with one of the ends of the umbilicus body. Each end fitting defines an interior cavity having a flared portion, with at least a portion of one of the enlarged ends of the umbilicus body being seated within the flared portion. The enlarged ends of the umbilicus body may be formed using a heated die at least partially inserted into the fluid-transmitting lumen. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An umbilicus for use in an umbilicus-driven fluid processing system, comprising: an elongated umbilicus body including first and second ends and an intermediate section located therebetween, wherein the umbilicus body defines at least one fluid-transmitting lumen extending between the first and second ends; and a first end fitting defining an interior cavity, wherein the first end of the umbilicus body is enlarged compared to the intermediate section, the interior cavity of the first end fitting includes a flared portion, and at least a portion of the enlarged first end of the umbilicus body is seated within the flared portion of the interior cavity of the first end fitting. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The umbilicus of claim 1, wherein the umbilicus body defines five lumen, with the enlarged first end of the umbilicus body defined by enlarged, flared ends of the five lumen. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The umbilicus of claim 1, wherein the umbilicus body and the first end fitting are comprised of different materials. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The umbilicus of claim 1, wherein the umbilicus body is comprised of a thermoplastic polyester elastomeric material and the first end fitting is comprised of polyvinyl chloride. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The umbilicus of claim 1, wherein the size of the fluid-transmitting lumen is greater in the enlarged first end of the umbilicus body than in the intermediate section of the umbilicus body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The umbilicus of claim 1, wherein the size of the fluid-transmitting lumen varies in the enlarged first end of the umbilicus body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The umbilicus of claim 1, further comprising a second end fitting defining an interior cavity, wherein the second end of the umbilicus body is enlarged compared to the intermediate section, the interior cavity of the second end fitting includes a flared portion, and at least a portion of the enlarged second end of the umbilicus body is seated within the flared portion of the interior cavity of the second end fitting. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The umbilicus of claim 7, wherein the flared portion of the interior cavity of the second end fitting is substantially identical to the flared portion of the interior cavity of the first end fitting. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The umbilicus of claim 7, wherein the enlarged second end of the umbilicus body is substantially identical to the enlarged first end of the umbilicus body. ### Claim 10 A method of manufacturing an umbilicus for use in an umbilicus-driven fluid processing system, comprising: providing an elongated umbilicus body having first and second ends and defining at least one fluid-transmitting lumen extending therebetween; providing a first end fitting defining an interior cavity having a flared portion; positioning the umbilicus body within the interior cavity of the first end fitting with the flared portion of the interior cavity facing toward the first end of the umbilicus body; enlarging the first end of the umbilicus body; and seating at least a portion of the enlarged first end of the umbilicus body within the flared portion of the interior cavity. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said enlarging the first end of the umbilicus body includes inserting a heated die at least partially into the at least one fluid-transmitting lumen. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said providing an elongated umbilicus body includes providing an elongated umbilicus body defining a plurality of fluid-transmitting lumen extending between the first and second ends, and said enlarging the first end of the umbilicus body includes simultaneously inserting a heated die at least partially into the plurality of fluid-transmitting lumen. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said providing an elongated umbilicus body includes providing an elongated umbilicus body defining five fluid-transmitting lumen extending between the first and second ends, and said enlarging the first end of the umbilicus body includes imparting a flared, enlarged section to each of the five lumen. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said providing a first end fitting includes providing a first end fitting comprised of a different material than the umbilicus body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said providing an umbilicus body includes providing an umbilicus body comprised of a thermoplastic polyester elastomeric material, and said providing a first end fitting includes providing a first end fitting comprised of polyvinyl chloride. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said enlarging the first end of the umbilicus body includes increasing the size of the fluid-transmitting lumen in the first end of the umbilicus body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said enlarging the first end of the umbilicus body includes imparting to the fluid-transmitting lumen a varying size in the first end of the umbilicus body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a second end fitting defining an interior cavity having a flared portion; positioning the umbilicus body within the interior cavity of the second end fitting with the flared portion of the interior cavity of the second end fitting facing toward the second end of the umbilicus body; enlarging the second end of the umbilicus body; and seating at least a portion of the enlarged second end of the umbilicus body within the flared portion of the interior cavity of the second end fitting. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein said providing a second end fitting includes providing a second end fitting defining an interior cavity having a flared portion substantially identical to the flared portion of the interior cavity of the first end fitting. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein said enlarging the second end of the umbilicus body includes making the second end of the umbilicus body substantially identical to the enlarged first end of the umbilicus body.