Catheter connector
AssigneeEpimed International, Inc.
InventorN. Sandor Racz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Compressible lock washers for use in catheter connectors. One such lock washer (60) includes a support ring (62) and tube engagement flanges (64) extending centrally therefrom, oblique to the ring and each extending from the same side thereof. The tube engagement flanges (64) define a tube receptacle (72) through which a catheter tube (58) may be inserted. Upon compression of the lock washer (60), the tube engagement flanges (64) are forced toward the ring (62), decreasing the diameter of the tube receptacle (72). Thus, during compression of the lock washer (60), the tube engagement flanges (64) engage the catheter tube (58) which runs through the tube receptacle (72), securing the catheter tube within the catheter connector (20) with which the lock washer is associated.
Claims16
A lock washer for use in a catheter connector, comprising:
- a ring defining a periphery of the lock washer;
- and
- a plurality of tube engagement flanges associated with and extending centrally from said ring, each of said tube engagement flanges having a central tip, central tips of at least selected ones of said plurality of tube engagement flanges defining a tube receptacle for receiving and retaining a tube within said lock washer;
- and
- a collapsible web disposed between adjacent ones of said tube engagement flanges.
A lock washer, comprising:
- a ring defining a periphery of the lock washer;
- a plurality of resilient tube engagement flanges associated with said ring and extending therefrom, each of said tube engagement flanges having a relaxed state and an engaged state, and each including a central tip, said central tips of selected ones of said plurality of tube engagement flanges defining a tube receptacle through the lock washer for receiving a tube;
- and
- a web extending between and adjoining adjacent ones of said tube engagement flanges.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.