# US 9,433,769 B2 · Line separation protector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,769 B2 - Document ID: US9433769B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/103,525 - Filed: 2013-12-11 - Published: 2015-06-11 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-11 - Assignees: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. - Applicants: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. - Inventors: Michelle Bayly - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433769B2 ## CPC - A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings - A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)} - A61M 39/08: Tubes; Storage means specially adapted therefor - A61M 2025/028: {having a mainly rigid support structure} - A61M 2039/1016: {Unlocking means providing a secure or comfortable disconnection} - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A line separation protector is provided that can include an arm, an anchor, a clasp attached to the arm, and a tab connected to and configured to manipulate the clasp. A tubing subsystem is also provided that can include a first tubing threaded through the anchor of the line separation protector described herein. A line connection system is also provided and can include the tubing subsystem described herein, and a second tubing, wherein the clasp of the line separation protector is configured to engage the second tubing. A method of protecting a line connection system is also described herein and includes engaging a second tubing with the clasp of the protector to form a protected line connection system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A line separation protector comprising: an arm comprising a first end, a second end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the arm extending in a first direction from the first end to the second end; a ring-shaped anchor connected to the first end and extending away from the arm in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the anchor having a through hole, an inner diameter, an outer diameter, an inner lateral surface, and an outer lateral surface, the ring-shaped anchor comprising a closed ring configured to encircle a length of tubing when such a length of tubing is inserted into the through hole; a ring-shaped, pliant clasp having a gap in the ring shape, the pliant clasp being connected to the second end and extending away from the arm in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the pliant clasp comprising a first hook extending from the arm and comprising a distal tip, a second hook extending from the arm and comprising a distal tip, and a through hole, wherein the first hook arcs toward the distal tip of the second hook, the second hook arcs toward the distal tip of the first hook, the distal tips of the first and second hooks are separated from one another by a gap, and the through hole is aligned with the through hole of the anchor; and a tab connected to the clasp, at a portion of the clasp opposite the gap, the tab extending away from the clasp, extending away from the arm, and configured to transfer pushing and pulling forces through the clasp and to the distal tips of the first and second hooks. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The line separation protector of claim 1, wherein the first hook, the second hook, or both, are pliant. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The line separation protector of claim 1, wherein the arm, the anchor, the tab, or any combination thereof, is pliant. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The line separation protector of claim 1, wherein the line separation protector is formed from a pliant material and comprises a one-piece unitary construction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The line separation protector of claim 1, wherein the inner circumference of the anchor is larger than the inner circumference of the clasp. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The line separation protector of claim 1, wherein the anchor has an inner lateral surface that is substantially parallel to inner lateral surfaces of the first and second hooks. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The line separation protector of claim 1, wherein the gap has an arc length of less than about 30°. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A tubing subsystem comprising: a first tubing having a first end, a second end, an intermediate section between the first and second ends, and a first connector section adjacent to and intersecting the intermediate section proximal to the first end, the intermediate section having an outer circumference, the first connector section having an outer circumference that is larger than the outer circumference of the intermediate section, and the first connector section having an outer lateral surface that intersects with the intermediate section; and the line separation protector of claim 1, wherein intermediate section passes though the anchor such that the anchor encircles the intermediate section, an inner circumference of the anchor is smaller than the outer circumference of the first connector section, and the inner circumference of the anchor is larger than or equal to the outer circumference of the intermediate section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The tubing subsystem of claim 8, wherein the inner circumference of the anchor is larger than the outer circumference of the intermediate section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A line connection system comprising: the tubing subsystem of claim 8; and a second tubing, the second tubing having a first end, a second end, an intermediate section between the first and second ends, and a second connector section adjacent to and intersecting the intermediate section of the second tubing proximal to the first end of the second tubing, the second connector section having an outer circumference that is larger than an outer circumference of the intermediate section of the second tubing, and the second connector section having an outer lateral surface intersecting the intermediate section of the second tubing; wherein the clasp has an inner circumference that is smaller than the outer circumference of the second connector section, and the first and second connector sections are configured to join together to enable fluid communication between the first and second tubings. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The line connection system of claim 10, wherein the first and second tubings are connected to each other and the clasp substantially encircles the intermediate section of the second tubing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The line connection system of claim 10, wherein the arm has an arm length, the anchor has an inner lateral surface, the first and second hooks each have an inner lateral surface, the arm length is the distance between the inner lateral surface of the anchor and the inner lateral surfaces of the first and second hooks, the first connector section has a first length, the second connector section has a second length, the first and second connector sections, when joined together, define a connector length that is equal to the sum of the first and second connector tubing lengths, and the arm length is longer than or equal to the connector length. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The line connection system of claim 10, wherein the inner lateral surface of the anchor is in contact with the outer lateral surface of the first connector section, and the inner lateral surfaces of the first and second hooks are in contact with the outer lateral surface of the second connector section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The line connection system of claim 10, wherein the second tubing comprises a catheter line, a needle access line, or both. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) A method of protecting the line connection system of claim 10, the method comprising engaging the intermediate section of the second tubing with the pliant clasp to form a protected line connection system. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising sliding the anchor along the intermediate section of the first tubing until the inner lateral surface of the anchor contacts the outer lateral surface of the first connector section, and then engaging the intermediate section of the second tubing with the pliant clasp. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising joining the first and second connector sections together to enable fluid communication between the first and second tubings, prior to the engaging. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising disengaging the pliant clasp from the intermediate section of the second tubing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the engaging, the disengaging, or both, comprises gripping the tab. ### Claim 20 A line separation protector comprising: an arm comprising a first end, a second end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the arm extending in a first direction from the first end to the second end; a ring-shaped anchor connected to the first end and extending away from the arm in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the anchor having a through hole, an inner diameter, an outer diameter, an inner lateral surface, and an outer lateral surface; a ring-shaped, pliant clasp having a gap in the ring shape, the pliant clasp being connected to the second end and extending away from the arm in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the pliant clasp comprising a first hook extending from the arm and comprising a distal tip, a second hook extending from the arm and comprising a distal tip, and a through hole, wherein the first hook arcs toward the distal tip of the second hook, the second hook arcs toward the distal tip of the first hook, the distal tips of the first and second hooks are separated from one another by a gap, and the through hole is aligned with the through hole of the anchor; and a tab connected to the clasp, at a portion of the clasp opposite the gap, the tab extending away from the clasp, extending away from the arm, and configured to transfer pushing and pulling forces through the clasp and to the distal tips of the first and second hooks, wherein the arm is a single arm and the only arm connecting the ring-shaped anchor to the ring-shaped, pliant clasp. ### Claim 21 A line separation protector comprising: an arm comprising a first end, a second end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the arm extending in a first direction from the first end to the second end; a ring-shaped anchor connected to the first end and extending away from the arm in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the anchor having a through hole, an inner diameter, an outer diameter, an inner lateral surface, and an outer lateral surface; a ring-shaped, pliant clasp having a gap in the ring shape, the pliant clasp being connected to the second end and extending away from the arm in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the pliant clasp comprising a first hook extending from the arm and comprising a distal tip, a second hook extending from the arm and comprising a distal tip, and a through hole, wherein the first hook arcs toward the distal tip of the second hook, the second hook arcs toward the distal tip of the first hook, the distal tips of the first and second hooks are separated from one another by a gap, and the through hole is aligned with the through hole of the anchor; and a tab connected to the clasp, at a portion of the clasp opposite the gap, the tab extending away from the clasp, extending away from the arm, and configured to transfer pushing and pulling forces through the clasp and to the distal tips of the first and second hooks, wherein the second end of the arm intersects with and is connected to the ring-shaped, pliant clasp at a location on the ring shape, which is opposite the gap in the ring shape.