Safety connector apparatus
AssigneeTyco Healthcare Group LP
InventorsAnn Meyer, Malcolm Bock
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector apparatus includes first and second mating connectors that can be joined to make a fluid connection. The connectors are constructed to discriminate improper connectors so that no fluid tight connection can be formed with improper connectors. The connector apparatus can be used with a system for compression therapy to prevent deep vein thrombosis.
Claims13
A tube set for use in making discriminating fluid connection between a source of fluid and a fluid receiving object, the tube set comprising medical tubing, a first connector in sealing connection with the tubing at a first end thereof, the first end of the tubing sealing with a first end of the connector, the first connector including at least one sealing surface and at least one non-sealing surface, the non-sealing surface being located closer to a free end of the first connector than the sealing surface, the non-sealing surface being sized and shaped for engaging a sealing surface of another connector simultaneously at least at three points and at a second end of the connector opposite the first end, each point being spaced at least 90 degrees from the other two points, the engagement between the non-sealing surface of the first connector and the sealing surface of said another connector preventing the formation of a fluid tight seal between the tubing and the source of fluid, the at least one non-sealing surface comprising at least one longitudinal channel in the connector at the second end of the connector, the channel having a length greater than a width of the sealing surface of said another connector that prevents the fluid tight seal with the sealing surface, the at least one longitudinal channel having a closed bottom located for opposing the sealing surface of said another connector upon engagement of the first connector with said another connector.
A system for providing vascular compression comprising a controller, a tube set, and a compression therapy device, the controller including a first connector having at least one sealing surface and at least one non-sealing surface, the non-sealing surface being located closer to a free end of the first connector than the sealing surface, the compression therapy device including a second connector including a sealing member, the tube set including medical tubing and a third connector at a first end of the tubing having a sealing member adapted to engage the non-sealing surface and sealing surface of the first connector of the controller upon connection of the first and third connectors, and a fourth connector in sealing connection at a first end of the fourth connector with a second end of the tubing, the fourth connector having at least one sealing surface and at least one non-sealing surface located closer to a free end of the fourth connector than the sealing surface, the non-sealing surface of the fourth connector being adapted to engage the sealing member of the second connector at a second end of the fourth connector opposite the first end upon connection of the second and fourth connectors, the engagement between the non-sealing surface of the fourth connector and the sealing member of the second connector preventing the formation of a fluid tight seal between the compression device and the tubing, the at least one non-sealing surface of the fourth connector comprising at least one longitudinal channel in the fourth connector at the second end of the fourth connector, the channel having a length greater than a width of the sealing member of the second connector that prevents the fluid tight seal with the sealing member, the at least one longitudinal channel having a closed bottom located for opposing the sealing member of the second connector upon engagement of the fourth connector with the second connector.
A method of connecting a first device to a second device, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first device having a first connector, the first connector including an attachment portion and a coupling portion, wherein the coupling portion includes a sealing surface at a second end and a non-sealing surface at a first end, the non-sealing surface defining an outermost diameter of the first connector;
- providing a second device having a second connector, the second connector including a sealing member configured to receive the coupling portion, the sealing member defining an innermost diameter of the second connector less than the outermost diameter of the first connector;
- attaching the first connector to the second connector;
- and
- positioning the first and second connectors such that the sealing member of the second connector engages the non-sealing surface of the first connector preventing the formation of a fluid tight seal between the first and second devices, the sealing surface of the coupling portion then contacting the sealing member of the second connector forming a fluid tight seal between the first and second devices.
A connector apparatus comprising:
- a first connector having an attachment portion and a coupling portion, the coupling portion having at least one sealing surface and at least one non-sealing surface, the non-sealing surface defining an outermost diameter of the first connector;
- and
- a second connector having an attachment portion and at least one sealing member and configured to receive the coupling portion, the sealing member defining an innermost diameter of the second connector less than the outermost diameter of the first connector, wherein during connection of the connectors the at least one sealing member first engages the at least one non-sealing surface preventing the formation of a fluid tight seal between the connectors, the at least one sealing member then sliding beyond the at least one non-sealing surface and contacting the sealing surface to create a fluid tight seal between the connectors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.