Connector assembly
AssigneeTeleflex Incorporated
InventorsCarlos A. Caggiani, Thomas A. Coneys, Kenneth W. Larson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adaptive connector assembly for engaging a catheter or the like comprises a pair of segments adapted for telescoping engagement with one another so as to develop a centrally disposed cavity for receiving a plug formed of a compressible material. An end of one of the segments has an opening which communicates with the cavity and which is adapted to receive the catheter therein. The plug also has a centrally disposed channel for receiving the catheter from the opening. A snap-fit engagement is developed between the telescoping segments so that when the telescoping segments are engaged, the plug is placed in compression, constricting the channel about the catheter and thereby engaging the catheter within the adaptive connector assembly.
Claims44
An adaptive connector for engaging a tubular member, comprising:
- a pair of segments adapted for telescoping engagement with one another, said segments combining to develop a centrally disposed cavity, and at least one of said segments having an opening in an end thereof which communicates with said cavity and which is adapted to receive said tubular member therein;
- and
- a plug formed of a compressible material and located within said cavity, said plug having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough for receiving said tubular member from said opening;
- said cavity and said plug having cooperating surfaces for compressing said plug and for applying substantially uniform forces against said tubular member along the length of said member receiving channel to uniformly constrict said channel about said tubular member and thereby securely engage said tubular member within said adaptive connector when said telescoping segments are engaged with one another.
The connector of claim 43 wherein said degree of compression is sufficient to engage said tubular member within said adaptive connector, and insufficient to occlude said tubular member.
An adaptive connector for engaging a tubular member having a hollow center which is not to be occluded, comprising:
- a pair of segments adapted for telescoping engagement with one another, wherein said segments combine to develop a centrally disposed, generally symmetrical cavity which is cylindrical at its center and which terminates at tapered ends, and wherein at least one of said segments has an opening in an end thereof which communicates with said cavity and which is adapted to receive said tubular member therein;
- a plug formed of a compressible material and located within said cavity, wherein said plug and said plug receiving cavity are correspondingly configured, and wherein said plug has a channel extending longitudinally therethrough for receiving said tubular member from said opening;
- and
- means for compressing said plug and for applying substantially uniform forces against said tubular member along the length of said member receiving channel to uniformly constrict said channel about said tubular member and securely engage said tubular member within said adaptive connector, comprising means for developing a snap-fit engagement between said telescoping segments so that when said telescoping segments are engaged, said plug is automatically placed in compression so that said plug is substantially uniformly constricted about said tubular member along the length of said member receiving channel, without occluding the hollow center of said tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.