Elastic sleeve for coupling flexible tubing to a medical device
OwnerAndrea Zaniboniinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A coupling system includes a connector having an external surface with an outer diameter. The connector has a coupling portion with an external surface and an outer diameter. The coupling portion includes a coupling length extending proximally from a connector distal end. A flexible tubing includes an inner diameter configured to fit over the outer diameter. An elastic element has a lumen configured to receive both the connector and the flexible tubing. The elastic element is configured to squeeze the flexible tubing onto the connector along the entire coupling length.
Claims20
A coupling system, the system comprising:
- a connector having a coupling portion with an external surface having an outer diameter, the coupling portion having a coupling length extending proximally from a connector distal end;
- a flexible tubing having an inner diameter configured to fit over the outer diameter;
- and
- an elastic element having a lumen configured to receive both the connector and the flexible tubing, the elastic element configured to squeeze the flexible tubing onto the connector along the entire coupling length.
A closed loop circuit for use in a medical procedure, the circuit comprising:
- an oxygenator having a rigid connector, a connector having a coupling portion with an external surface having an outer diameter, the coupling portion having a coupling length extending proximally from a connector distal end;
- a flexible tubing having an inner diameter configured to fit over the outer diameter;
- and
- an elastic element having a lumen configured to receive both the connector and the flexible tubing, the elastic element configured to squeeze the flexible tubing onto the connector along the entire coupling length.
A method for coupling a flexible tube to a connector, the method comprising:
- expanding an elastic element having a lumen;
- placing the elastic element over a portion of the flexible tube so the portion of the flexible tube is located in the lumen;
- and
- introducing a connector into a lumen of the flexible tubing, wherein a coupling portion of the connector is surrounded by the portion of the flexible tube and the elastic element;
- wherein the elastic element squeezes the flexile tubing onto the connector along the coupling portion to prevent gaps between the flexible tube and the connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.