Universal intravenous connector with dual catches

A universal medical connector for manually connecting a first fluid conveying conduit having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof, to a second fluid conveying conduit in fluid connection with a source of fluid for administration to a patient, the second fluid conveying conduit having an open end, comprising:

• an element defining an axis and including a base and a lumen extending axially through said base, the lumen having a distal end and a proximal end, said base, adjacent the proximal end of said lumen, being adapted to be coupled to the second fluid conveying conduit adjacent the open end of said conduit;
• the base including a cannula projecting axially from said base and fixedly secured to said base, said lumen extending through said cannula for conveying fluid from the second conduit coupled to the base through said cannula;
• said base having at least a pair of substantially rigid fingers projecting therefrom in a generally axial direction, said fingers defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity opening in said axial direction through a distal end of said element, said cannula extending generally axially from said base toward said distal end of said element, said cannula terminating in a tip short of said distal end of said element, said fingers being movable between (i) a first position adapted for receiving therebetween through said opening and into said cavity the junction terminal of the first fluid conveying conduit so that said cannula may penetrate the septum and fluid may flow through said cannula into the first conduit and (ii) a second position to lock the junction terminal between said fingers and said cavity, said rigid fingers being sized and located in said first and second positions thereof so that said cannula tip is not readily accessible to a human digit;
• and
• said element further comprising a hinge connecting said fingers to said base;
• and
• a collar manually slidable on and toward said distal end of said element between (i) a retracted position enabling said fingers to lie in said first position in which the junction terminal may be received in said cavity through the opening thereof at the distal end of said element and the septum may be penetrated by said cannula and (ii) a position locking said fingers in said second position thereof to trap and lock the junction terminal between said fingers and in said cavity, said collar engaging said fingers in response to sliding movement of said collar on said element to move said rigid fingers inwardly toward and second position thereof;
• said element further comprising a septum stop disposed about said cannula and spaced a fixed distance from the tip of said cannula, said septum stop being remote from the distal end of said cavity and wherein upon advancement of the junction terminal into said cavity, said septum stop is directly contacted by the septum of the junction terminal to limit further advancement of the junction terminal into said cavity, thereby defining a position of maximal advancement of the septum within said cavity, at least a portion of said hinge being positioned along said element distal to said septum stop so that flexion along said hinge can occur distal to said position of maximal advancement of the septum and the septum stop thereby allowing the fingers to flex inwardly at a more acute angle so that junction terminals of widely different diameters can be more tightly locked between said fingers.

A universal medical connector for manually connecting a first fluid conveying conduit having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof, to a second fluid conveying conduit in fluid connection with a source of fluid for administration to a patient, the second fluid conveying conduit having an open end, comprising:

• an element defining an axis and including a base and a lumen extending axially through said base, the lumen having a distal end and a proximal end, said base, adjacent the proximal end of said lumen, being adapted to be coupled to the second fluid conveying conduit adjacent the open end of said conduit;
• the base including a cannula projecting axially from said base and fixedly secured to said base, said lumen extending through said cannula for conveying fluid from the second conduit coupled to the proximal end of said lumen through said cannula;
• said base having at least a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in a generally axial direction, said fingers having internal wall surfaces defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity having a longitudinal axis and a width defined perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• said fingers defining an opening extending in said axial direction through a distal end of said element, said cannula extending generally axially from said base toward said distal end of said element, said cannula terminating in a tip short of said distal end of said element, said fingers being flexible between (i) a first position adapted for receiving therebetween through said opening and into said cavity the junction terminal of the first fluid conveying conduit so that said cannula may penetrate the septum and fluid may flow through said cannula into the first conduit and (ii) a second position to lock the junction terminal between said fingers and said cavity, said fingers being sized and located in said first and second positions thereof so that said cannula tip is not readily accessible to a human digit;
• and
• a collar manually slidable on and toward said distal end of said element between (i) a retracted position enabling said fingers to lie in said first position in which the junction terminal may be received in said cavity through the opening thereof at the distal end of said element and the septum may be penetrated by said cannula and (ii) a position locking said fingers in said second position thereof to trap and lock the junction terminal between said fingers and in said cavity, said collar engaging said fingers in response to sliding movement of said collar on said element to flex said fingers inwardly toward said second position thereof;
• means disposed along each said finger for flexing said fingers, said flexing means being cooperable with each said finger and said collar to forcibly flex each said finger inwardly when said collar is moved from said retracted position toward said locking position;
• said internal wall surface of said fingers defining, when said collar is in said locking position, a generally tapering cavity, said cavity tapering in said axial direction toward said distal end of said cavity thereby defining a generally progressive decrease in width of said cavity along said longitudinal axis toward said distal end of said cavity, the taper of said cavity relative to said axis being greater for junction terminal of small diameter and being less for junction terminals of larger diameter, said tapering cavity thereby functioning to accommodate and lock junction terminals of widely different widths within said cavity against said tapering internal wall surfaces.

A universal medical connector for manually connecting a first fluid conveying conduit having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof, to a second fluid conveying conduit in fluid connection with a source of fluid for administration to a patient, the second fluid conveying conduit having an open end, comprising:

• an element defining an axis and including a base and a lumen extending axially through said base, the lumen having a distal end and a proximal end, said base, adjacent the proximal end of said lumen, being adapted to be coupled to the second fluid conveying conduit adjacent the open end of said conduit;
• the base including a cannula projecting axially from said base and fixedly secured to said base, said lumen extending through said cannula for conveying fluid from the second conduit coupled to the base through said cannula;
• said base having at least a pair of substantially rigid fingers projecting therefrom in a generally axial direction and being circumferential spaced one from the other about the axis of said element, said fingers defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity opening in said axial direction through a distal end of said element, said cannula extending generally axially from said base toward said distal end of said element, said cannula terminating a a tip short of said distal end of said element, said fingers being movable between (i) a first position adapted for receiving therebetween through said opening and into said cavity the junction terminal of the first fluid conveying conduit so that said cannula may penetrate the septum and fluid may flow through said cannula into the first conduit and (ii) a second position to lock the junction terminal between said fingers and said cavity, said rigid fingers being sized and located in said first and second positions thereof to that said cannula tip is not readily accessible to a human digit;
• and
• a collar manually slidable on and toward said distal end of said element between (i) a retraced position enabling said fingers to lie in said first position in which the junction terminal may be received in said cavity through the opening thereof at the distal end of said element and the septum may be penetrated by said cannula and (ii) a position locking said fingers in said second position thereto to trap and lock the junction terminal between said fingers and in said cavity, said collar engaging said fingers in response to sliding movement of said collar on said element to move said rigid fingers inwardly toward said second position thereof;
• said collar further comprising first and second discrete cantilevered spring portions circumferentially spaced one from the other about said axis and projecting from said collar toward said distal end of said element, said cantilevered portions being deformable to flex outwardly by said rigid fingers, when said fingers are inhibited from moving inwardly by engagement thereof with the junction terminal in said cavity, in response to sliding movement of said collar along said element toward said locking position, to define a laterally inwardly directed spring force thereby enabling junction terminals of different diameters to be tightly squeezed between said fingers by said spring force in the locked position of said collar.

A universal medical connector for manually connecting a first fluid conveying conduit having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof, to a second fluid conveying conduit in fluid connection with a source of fluid for administration to a patient, the second fluid conveying conduit having an open end, comprising:

• an element defining an axis and including a base and a lumen extending axially through said base, the lumen having a distal end and a proximal end, said base, adjacent the proximal end of said lumen, being adapted to be coupled to the second fluid conveying conduit adjacent the open end of said conduit;
• the base including a cannula projecting axially from said base, said lumen extending through said cannula for conveying fluid from the second conduit coupled to the proximal end of said lumen through said cannula;
• said base having at least a pair of substantially rigid fingers projecting therefrom in a generally axial direction and being circumferentially spaced one from the other about the axis of said element, said fingers defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity opening in said axial direction through a distal end of said element, said cannula extending generally axially from said base toward said distal end of said element, said cannula terminating in a tip short of said distal end of said element, said fingers being movable between (i) a first position adapted for receiving therebetween through said opening and into said cavity the junction terminal of the first fluid conveying conduit so that said cannula may penetrate the septum and fluid may flow through said cannula into the first conduit and (ii) a second position to lock the junction terminal between said fingers and said cavity, said rigid fingers being sized and located in said first and second positions thereof so that said cannula tip is not readily accessible to a human digit;
• and
• a collar manually slidable on and toward said distal end of said element between (i) a retracted position enabling said fingers to lie in said first position in which the junction terminal may be received in said cavity through the opening thereof at the distal end of said element and the septum may be penetrated by said cannula and (ii) a position locking said fingers in said second position thereto trap and lock the junction terminal between said fingers and in said cavity, said collar engaging said fingers in response to sliding movement of said collar on said element to move said rigid fingers inwardly toward said second position thereof;
• said collar further comprising first and second cantilevered portions circumferentially spaced one from the other about said axis and projecting from said collar toward said distal end of said element, said cantilevered portions being deformable to flex outwardly by said rigid fingers, when said fingers are inhibited from moving inwardly by engagement thereof with the junction terminal in said cavity, in response to sliding movement of said collar along said element toward said locking position;
• said collar further comprising a support portion and said cantilevered collar portions further comprising respective first and second bars extending from one end of said support portion to in part overlie said rigid fingers in said retracted position of said collar to substantially preclude outward movement of said rigid fingers so as to prevent a human digit from moving the fingers outwardly and contacting the tip of said cannula, the overlying parts of said bar and said rigid fingers being arcuate with each rigid finger and its overlying bar part being concentric.

A universal medical connector for manually connecting a first fluid conveying conduit having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof, to a second fluid conveying conduit in fluid connection with a source of fluid for administration to a patient, the second fluid conveying conduit having an open end, comprising:

• an element defining an axial and including a base and a lumen extending axially through said base, the lumen having a distal end and a proximal end, said base, adjacent the proximal end of said lumen, being adapted to be coupled to the second fluid conveying conduit adjacent the open end of said conduit;
• the base including a cannula projecting axially from said base, said lumen extending through said cannula for conveying fluid from the second conduit coupled to the proximal end of said lumen through said cannula;
• said base having at least a pair of substantially rigid fingers projecting therefrom in a generally axial direction and being circumferentially spaced one from the other about the axis of said element, said fingers defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity opening in said axial direction through a distal end of said element, said cannula extending generally axially from said base toward said distal end of said element, said cannula terminating in a tip short of said distal end of said element, said fingers being movable between (i) a first position adapted for receiving therebetween through said opening and into said cavity the junction terminal of the first fluid conveying conduit so that said cannula may penetrate the septum and fluid may flow through said cannula into the first conduit and (ii) a second position to lock the junction terminal between said fingers and said cavity, said rigid fingers being sized and located in said first and second positions thereof so that said cannula tip is not readily accessible to a human digit;
• and
• a collar manually slidable on and toward said distal end of said element between (i) a retracted position enabling said fingers to lie in said first position in which the junction terminal may be received in said cavity through the opening thereof at the distal end of said element and the septum may be penetrated by said cannula and (ii) a position locking said fingers in said second position thereof to trap and lock the junction terminal between said fingers and in said cavity, said collar engaging said fingers in response to sliding movement of said collar on said element to move said rigid fingers inwardly toward said second position thereof;
• said collar further comprising first and second cantilevered portions circumferentially spaced one from the other about said axis and projecting from said collar toward said distal end of said element, said cantilevered portions being deformable to flex outwardly by said rigid fingers, when said fingers are inhibited from moving inwardly by engagement thereof with the junction terminal in said cavity, in response to sliding movement of said collar along said element toward said locking position;
• said first and second cantilevered portions of said collar in part overlying respective portions of said rigid fingers in said first position thereof and in the retracted position of said collar to substantially preclude outward movement of said rigid fingers so as to prevent a human digit from moving the fingers outwardly and contacting the tip of the cannula, said cantilevered collar portions and said rigid fingers being arcuate and interrupted by flat sides of said collar and said element, respectively, whereby said connector has opposed flat sides affording a low profile and enabling it to lie flat against a surface.

In an intravenous fluid administration system for administration of fluid into a patient vein, the system having a first fluid conveying conduit for fluid connection with a patient's vein and having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof, a receptacle for containing intravenous fluid, and an elongated flexible second fluid conveying conduit having a distal end, said second conduit being in fluid connection proximally with said receptacle and wherein the improvement comprises, in combination:

• a medical connector in fluid connection with said second conduit at the distal end of said second conduit;
• said medical connector including an element defining an axis and including a base and a lumen extending axially through said base, the lumen having a distal end and a proximal end said base, adjacent the proximal end of said lumen, adapted to be coupled to the second fluid conveying conduit adjacent the distal end of said second conduit;
• the base including a cannula projecting axially from said base, said lumen extending through said cannula for conveying fluid from the second conduit coupled to the proximal end of said lumen through said cannula;
• said base having a pair of oppositely opposed rigid fingers projecting therefrom in a generally axial direction and being circumferentially spaced one from the other about the axis of said element, said fingers defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity opening in said axial direction through a distal end of said element, said cannula extending generally axially from said base toward said distal end of said element, said cannula terminating in a tip short of said distal end of said element, said fingers being movable between (i) a first position adapted for receiving therebetween through said opening and into said cavity the junction terminal of the first fluid conveying conduit so that said cannula may penetrate the septum and fluid may flow through said cannula into the first conduit and (ii) a second position to lock the junction terminal between said fingers and said cavity, said rigid fingers being sized and located in said first and second positions thereof so that said cannula tip is not readily accessible to a human digit;
• and
• a collar manually slidable on and toward said distal end of said element between (i) a retracted position enabling said fingers to lie in said first position in which the junction terminal may be received in said cavity through the opening thereof at the vital end of said element and the septum may be penetrated by said cannula and (ii) a position locking said fingers in said second position thereof to trap and lock the junction terminal between said fingers and in said cavity, said collar engaging said fingers in response to sliding movement of said collar on said element to move said rigid fingers inwardly toward said second position thereof;
• said collar further comprising first and second separate and discrete oppositely disposed cantilevered bars circumferentially spaced one from the other about said axis and projecting from said collar toward said distal end of said element, said cantilevered bars overlying said fingers in said locking position of said collar.