Tubing connectors and parts for receiving the connectors

Connection apparatus for a hemodialysis machine comprising:

• a connector terminating a blood line of an extracorporeal circuit, said connector having an end portion and a circumferential shoulder sealing surface axially displaced from said end portion;
• a port for receiving said connector, said port comprising:
• a knob and a housing having a first end and a second end and an open interior region defining first and said chambers and a housing axis, said first and second chambers within said first and second ends of said housing, respectively, said housing further comprising projection means for locking said knob to said housing;
• said knob movably mounted on said first end, said knob movable along said axis relative to said first end between first and second positions and rotatable in said second position relative to said first end into a locking engagement with said projection means;
• said first end having a plurality of apertures with bearings placed therein, said knob covering said bearings and urging said bearings towards said open interior region when said knob is in said second position;
• biasing means for biasing said knob to said first position;
• and
• an O-ring disposed in said interior region of said housing between said first and second chambers;
• said connector being insertable into said first chamber with said circumferential should sealing surface making sealing engagement with said O-ring and securely maintained in place by said knob and said bearings when said knob is rotated into locking engagement with said projection means.

A connector assembly, comprising:

• (a) a connector for a tube, said connector comprising, in combination:
• a male luer comprising (a) a locking hub defining a first opening and (b) an elongate cylindrical body portion receiving a free end of said tube thereover;
• and
• a second piece insertable over said male luer, said second piece comprising an elongate cylindrical housing having a circumferentially disposed shoulder surface, and a circumferential notch, said second piece snugly inserted over said cylindrical body portion of said male luer and free end of said tube to form a unitary connector;
• (b) port apparatus for receiving said connector, comprising:
• a knob and a housing having a first end and a second end and an open interior region defining first and second chambers and a housing axis, said first and second chambers within said first and second ends of said housing, respectively, said housing further comprising projection means for locking said knob to said housing;
• said knob movably mounted on said first end, said knob movable along said axis relative to said first end between first and second positions and rotatable in said second position relative to said first end into a locking engagement with said projection means;
• said first end having a plurality of apertures with bearings placed therein, said knob covering said bearings and urging said bearings towards said open interior region when said knob is in said second position;
• biasing means for biasing said knob to said first position;
• and
• an O-ring disposed in said interior region of said housing between said first and second chambers;
• said connector being insertable into said first chamber with said shoulder surface of second piece pressed into sealing engagement with said O-ring and maintained in place by said knob and said bearings pressing inwardly on said circumferential notch when said knob is locked in said second position.

A unitary connector for a blood line of a hemodialysis machine, comprising:

• an elongate generally cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to a free end of said blood line;
• said second end comprising a locking hub for locking said connector to a patient's blood system access device, thereby permitting blood access between said patient and said blood line;
• said housing further comprising a circumferential shoulder sealing portion disposed between said first end and said second end extending radially outward from said housing,
• wherein said locking hub further comprises a hub portion and wherein said housing defines a longitudinal axis, wherein said hub portion is freely rotatable about said longitudinal axis relative to said housing.

A unitary connector for a blood line of a hemodialysis machine, comprising:

• an elongate generally cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to a free end of said blood line;
• said second end comprising a locking hub for locking said connector to a patient's blood system access device, thereby permitting blood access between said patient and said blood line;
• said housing further comprising a circumferential shoulder sealing portion disposed between said first end and said second end extending radially outward from said housing,
• wherein said locking hub is integral with said housing and wherein said locking hub further comprises a hub wall having at least one aperture passing therethrough for venting air within said locking hub.

A connector and port apparatus for a blood line of a hemodialysis machine, comprising, in combination:

• (a) a blood line connector comprising an elongate generally cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to a free end of said blood line,
• said second end comprising a locking hub for locking said connector to a patient's blood system access device, thereby permitting blood access between said patient and said blood line, said locking hub having an exterior diameter D;
• said housing further comprising a circumferential shoulder sealing portion disposed between said first end and said second end extending radially outward from said housing;
• and
• (b) a port placed in said hemodialysis machine for receiving said connector, comprising:
• a housing having a first end and a second end and an open interior region defining first and second chambers, said first and second chambers within said first and second ends of said housing, respectively,
• said second chamber having an interior surface having a diameter greater than said diameter D of said locking hub;
• retaining means associated with said housing for securely retaining said connector to said housing such that said connector is received within said first chamber;
• an O-ring disposed in said housing between said first and second chambers;
• said connector being fully insertable into said first chamber and said circumferential shoulder sealing portion is pressed into sealing engagement with said O-ring and maintained in place by said retaining means, with said locking hub positioned within said second chamber of said housing, the differences in diameter in said locking hub and said second chamber creating a gap around said locking hub between said exterior surface of said locking hub and said interior surface of said second chamber.