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US 9,631,754 B2Granted
Tubing assembly, clamp, and tubing connection method
AssigneeThoratec Corporation
InventorsJ. Scott Richardson, Barry N. Gellman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clamp can be used to further secure the connection between a flexible tube and a tubing connector and to eliminate or diminish fluid stasis near the connection interface. The clamp can include a hollow member having a passageway extending through the hollow member, an internal thread in the passageway, and a clamping surface in the passageway. The passageway is configured to receive the flexible tube. The internal thread is configured to engage the flexible tube and has a first diameter. The clamping surface has a second diameter less than the first diameter. A hub may be used as an adapter between the clamp and the tube.
Claims28
A tubing connection assembly for securing a flexible tube onto a tubing connector, comprising:
- a hollow member having a passageway extending through the hollow member, the passageway configured to receive the flexible tube;
- an internal thread in the passageway, the internal thread configured to engage the flexible tube and having a first diameter measured from the apex of the internal thread;
- and
- a clamping surface in the passageway, the clamping surface having a second diameter less than the first diameter,
- wherein when a tubing connector is disposed within and radially expands an end segment of the flexible tube, and wherein when the internal threads of the hollow member are engaged on the end segment, the clamping surface radially compresses an intermediate segment of the flexible tube, and the intermediate segment does not contain the tubing connector,
- wherein the hollow member comprises a first part and a second part movable relative to the first part, the first part having a first lock feature, the second part having a second lock feature configured to lock onto the first lock feature, and
- wherein the first part is connected to the second part by a hinge.
4 more elements
A tubing connection assembly for securing a flexible tube onto a tubing connector, comprising:
- a hub having a lumen extending through the hub, the lumen configured to receive the flexible tube;
- an external thread on the hub;
- a hollow member having a passageway extending through the hollow member, the passageway configured to receive the flexible tube and the hub;
- and
- an internal thread in the passageway, the internal thread configured to engage the external thread on the hub and having a first diameter measured from the apex of the internal thread;
- wherein the hollow member includes a clamping surface in the passageway, the clamping surface has a second diameter less than the first diameter, and the clamping surface is configured to compress a portion of the flexible tube when an end segment of the flexible tube is received within the lumen of the hub,
- wherein the hub includes a first hub part and a second hub part, the first hub part having a first lock feature, the second hub part having a second lock feature configured to lock onto the first lock feature, and
- wherein the hollow member further includes a tapered surface in the passageway and disposed between the clamping surface and the internal thread, the tapered surface having a third diameter greater than the second diameter, and the third diameter is less than the first diameter.
5 more elements
A tubing connection assembly for securing a flexible tube onto a tubing connector, comprising:
- a hub having a lumen extending through the hub, the lumen configured to receive the flexible tube;
- an external thread on the hub;
- a hollow member having a passageway extending through the hollow member, the passageway configured to receive the flexible tube and the hub;
- and
- an internal thread in the passageway, the internal thread configured to engage the external thread on the hub and having a first diameter measured from the apex of the internal thread,
- wherein the hollow member includes a clamping surface in the passageway, the clamping surface having a second diameter less than the first diameter, and
- wherein the hollow member comprises a first part and a second part movable relative to the first part, the first part having a first lock feature, the second part having a second lock feature configured to lock onto the first lock feature.
4 more elements
A method for securing a flexible tube onto a tubing connector, comprising:
- placing a flexible tube over at least one barb of a tubing connector, such that an end segment of the tube is disposed over the at least one barb and an intermediate segment of the flexible tube is disposed axially in front of the at least one barb;
- and
- applying a clamp over the tube, wherein the applying includes applying a compression force on the end segment to secure the end segment onto the at least one barb, and applying a compression force on the intermediate segment,
- wherein the applying of the clamp includes closing two parts of the clamp around the flexible tube,
- wherein the applying of compression force on the end segment is performed with a portion of the clamp having a first diameter, and the applying of compression force on the intermediate segment is performed by another portion of the clamp having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, and
- wherein the applying of the clamp includes twisting internal threads of the clamp onto the end segment of the flexible tube.
3 more elements
A method for securing a flexible tube onto a tubing connector, comprising:
- pulling a flexible tube over at least one barb of a tubing connector, such that an end segment of the tube is disposed over the at least one barb and an intermediate segment of the flexible tube is disposed axially in front of the at least one barb;
- applying a tie band on the end segment to secure the end segment onto the at least one barb;
- applying a hub over the tie band;
- and
- applying a clamp over the tube and the tie band, wherein the applying includes engaging the clamp onto the hub and applying a compression force on the intermediate segment of the flexible tube.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.