U.S. patent application number 13/729430 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-19 for medical coupling system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Lynn A. Ziman. Invention is credited to Lynn A. Ziman.
Application Number | 20130245612 13/729430 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35799302 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130245612 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ziman; Lynn A. |
September 19, 2013 |
MEDICAL COUPLING SYSTEM
Abstract
An adapter connector includes a housing shroud that is fitted at
one end with a core and at its other end with an inner shroud. A
catch hub is provided within the housing shroud for non-removably
maintaining the core to the housing shroud. The core is rotatable
relative to the housing shroud. The inner shroud has a catch
mechanism that enables it to mate readily with a connector, if the
connector is rotated in one direction. The catch mechanism is
further configured to allow the connector to be removed if it were
to be turned in a counter rotational direction. The connecting
portion of the inner shroud is configured to accept a complementary
connector. The connecting portion of the core likewise is
configured to accept a complementary connector of the medication
providing device.
Inventors: |
Ziman; Lynn A.; (Swanzey,
NH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ziman; Lynn A. |
Swanzey |
NH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
Rockland
MA
|
Family ID: |
35799302 |
Appl. No.: |
13/729430 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13064929 |
Apr 27, 2011 |
8372059 |
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13729430 |
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12289264 |
Oct 23, 2008 |
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13064929 |
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10915574 |
Aug 11, 2004 |
7497484 |
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12289264 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/535 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 39/10 20130101;
A61M 2039/1027 20130101; A61M 2039/1077 20130101; A61M 39/1011
20130101; A61M 2039/1094 20130101; A61M 2039/1033 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/535 |
International
Class: |
A61M 39/10 20060101
A61M039/10 |
Claims
1-23. (canceled)
24. A connector comprising one portion configured to have a given
configuration that includes an elongate connector end having a
distal end with an opening and two projections extending from the
outer wall of the elongate connector end away from the distal end
so that the elongate connector end can only couple to another
connector end having a corresponding configuration that accepts the
elongate connector end of said connector, said connector having
other portion with an opening whereto one end of a catheter is
fitted.
25. Connector of claim 24, wherein the another connector end is
adapted to fit to and non-removable from a medication providing
device.
26. Connector of claim 24, wherein the one and other portions of
said connector have respective complementary opposing surfaces so
that the one and other portions may only be coupled to each
other.
27. Connector of claim 24, wherein the projections are threadedly
matable only to an internal threaded portion of the another
connector end having the corresponding configuration.
28. Connector of claim 24, wherein the catheter, once fitted into
the opening of the other portion, enables medication from the
medical providing device to be conveyed to the patient through the
connector and the catheter.
29. Connector of claim 24, wherein the another connector end is a
part of an adapter that is non-removably fitted to the medication
providing device.
30. Connector of claim 29, wherein the adapter includes a core
having a through bore that combines with the another connector end
to provide a through passage with the opening of the one portion to
allow medication to pass between the medication providing device
and said connector when the elongate connector end and the another
connector end are coupled to each other.
31. Connector of claim 24, wherein the elongate connector end is
connectable to a connector end of a filter configured to accept the
elongate connector end of said connector, the filter having a
second end with a conventional luer fitting connectable to a
conventional luer fitting of a medical providing device.
32. Connector of claim 24, wherein the another connector end of the
corresponding configuration is not connectable to a conventional
luer fitting.
33. Connector of claim 24, wherein said connector is coupled to the
another connector end having the corresponding configuration when
the elongate connector is rotated in one direction relative to the
another connector end, said connector freely rotates relative to
the another connector end after the elongate connector end is fully
mated to the another connector end if said connector is further
rotated in the one direction relative to the another connector end,
said connector is removable from the another connector end when
rotated in a direction opposite to the one direction.
34. Apparatus, comprising: a connector having one portion
configured to have a given configuration that includes an elongate
connector end with a distal end having an opening and two
projections extending from the outer wall of the elongate connector
end away from the distal end, the given configuration at the one
portion enables the one portion to be connectable only to another
connector end having a corresponding configuration that would
accept the elongate connector end of the one portion, the connector
having other portion with an opening whereto one end of a catheter
is fitted; a medication providing device adaptedly fitted with the
another connector end having the corresponding configuration that
enables the another connector end to couple to the elongate
connector end of said connector; wherein when the another connector
end of the medical providing device and the elongate connector end
of said connector are coupled to each other, fluid from the
medication providing device can be conveyed to said connector and
the catheter fitted thereto, and from there to a patient connected
to the catheter.
35. Apparatus of claim 34, wherein the one and other portions of
said connector have respective complementary opposing surfaces so
that the one and other portions may only be coupled to each
other.
36. Apparatus of claim 34, wherein the projections are threadedly
matable only to an internal threaded portion of the another
connector end having the corresponding configuration.
37. Apparatus of claim 34, wherein the another connector end is a
part of an adapter that is non-removably fitted to the medication
providing device.
38. Apparatus of claim 37, wherein the adapter includes a core
having a through bore that combines with the another connector end
to provide a through passage with the opening of the one portion to
allow medication to pass between the medication providing device
and said connector when the elongate connector end and the another
connector end are coupled to each other.
39. Apparatus of claim 34, wherein the elongate connector end is
connectable to a connector end of a filter configured to accept the
elongate connector end of said connector, the filter having a
second end with a conventional luer fitting connectable to a
conventional luer fitting of a medical providing device.
40. Apparatus of claim 34, wherein the another connector end of the
corresponding configuration is not connectable to a conventional
luer fitting.
41. Apparatus of claim 34, wherein said connector is coupled to the
another connector end having the corresponding configuration when
the elongate connector is rotated in one direction relative to the
another connector end, said connector freely rotates relative to
the another connector end after the elongate connector end is fully
mated to the another connector end if said connector is further
rotated in the one direction relative to the another connector end,
said connector is removable from the another connector end when
rotated in a direction opposite to the one direction.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to connectors for a fluid
path, and more particularly an adapter for coupling a medication
providing device with a connector for providing medication to a
patient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] To prevent mis-connection of a fluid line to a device
containing a particular medication, it has been shown in the prior
art that a connector may be made up of two portions, with the
portions being connected by complementary configured opposing
surfaces. Such two portions connector ensures that the one line
from one portion of the connector would not be wrongly connected to
a different medication line. A fastening mechanism comprised of
such complementary connecting portions is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,612,624 and its parent U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,207. The '624
patent discloses in particular a ratchet mechanism, as part of the
connector, that prevents or impedes the uncoupling of one portion
of the connector from a syringe to which the other portion may be
connected. In practice, since the ratchet mechanism is dependent on
the interaction of the teeth on the inner surface of an outer
sleeve with a pawl of an inner body that fits into the outer
sleeve, if the syringe were to be tightened too forcefully, the
inner body would pop out of the outer sleeve. Moreover, as
disclosed in the '624 patent, the ratchet mechanism is a portion of
the connector that does not fully isolate the relative rotation of
the outer sleeve and the inner body.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0003] The instant invention adapter is adapted to be interposed
between a medication providing device and a connector. The adapter
is designed to prevent the medication providing device from being
removed therefrom, once the device is secured to one end of the
adapter. The other end of the adapter is configured to accept a
connector. The connector is rotatably connected to the adapter in
one direction. Once fully connected, any further rotational
movement along the same direction would simply cause the connector
to rotate freely relative to the adapter. With a rotational motion
in a counter direction, the connector can be removed from the
adapter.
[0004] The adapter of the instant invention includes an outer
cylindrical sleeve or a housing shroud that has an internal
circumferential hub catch. In addition, a plurality of bumps extend
from the inner wall of the housing shroud toward the central axis
of the shroud. Fitted to this housing shroud is a cylindrical inner
shroud that has a protrusion circumferentially formed proximate to
its distal end that snap-mates to a circumferential groove formed
at the distal end of the shroud. The inner shroud and the housing
shroud are rotatable relative to each other.
[0005] A plurality of teeth extend from the proximal end of the
inner shroud. When biased by a given force, these teeth of the
inner shroud would act against the bumps extending from the inner
wall of the housing shroud to prevent the inner shroud from
rotating relative to the housing shroud. The extending teeth have
inclining ramps that prevent the teeth from acting against the
bumps, thereby allowing the two shrouds to rotate freely relative
to each other when the biasing force is removed. The inner shroud
may be internally threaded for accepting a specially designed
connecting end of the connector.
[0006] A third component of the adapter of the instant invention is
a core that fits to the housing shroud from the latter's other end.
The core has a cylindrical central portion defined by a chamfered
flange and a ring-shaped flange. This cylindrical central portion
mates with the hub catch of the housing shroud that has a number of
fingers configured to allow the chamfered flange to pass through
but prevent the chamfered flange, the back of which is flat, from
passing in the reverse direction. Thus, once the central portion of
the core mates with the hub catch, the core is non-removably fitted
to, but rotatable freely relative with, the housing shroud. The
respective dimensions of the cylindrical central portion of the
core and the opening formed by the hub catch fingers are configured
to allow the core to rotate freely relative to the housing shroud.
With the core fitted to the housing shroud, a medication providing
device can be mated to the proximal end of the core.
[0007] The connector, for example a luer connector, of the
medication providing device allows the medication providing device
such as a syringe to be mated to the proximal connector of the
core. Once the medication providing device is mated to the core, if
a user were to try to remove the medication providing device from
the core by applying a counter torque to the medication providing
device, the core will rotate freely along the direction of the
counter torque. The medication providing device is therefore
prevented from being removed from the adapter. Additional torque in
the direction that mates the medication providing device to the
core does not cause any additional tightening, as the core will
also rotate freely relative to the shroud. Thus, once the
medication providing device is mated to the core, it could not be
removed therefrom.
[0008] The instant invention therefore relates to an adapter for
use with a medication providing device and a connector for
providing medication to a patient. The adapter includes a housing
shroud and an inner shroud fitted to the housing shroud. The inner
shroud has an opening for accepting a connecting end of the
connector such that the connector, once mated to the inner shroud,
is freely rotatable in one direction and is removable from the
inner shroud when rotated in a counter direction. The adapter
further includes a core fitted in the housing shroud to allow the
medication to be routed from the medication providing device to the
connector. The core has a proximal end for enabling the medication
providing device to be connected to the adapter. The medication
providing device is not removable from the adapter once it is
connected thereto.
[0009] The present invention also relates to a combination of a
shroud having two open ends and an inner shroud non-removably
fitted into one of the open ends of the shroud. The inner shroud
has a connector end for enabling it to be mated to a given
medication conveying connector. The inner shroud is rotatable
freely in one direction once the given connector is mated thereto.
The given connector is removable from the inner shroud when it is
rotated in a counter direction. The combination further includes a
core that is non-removably fitted to the other end of the shroud.
The core has a through passage and a connector end for enabling the
core to be mated to a luer connector of a medication providing
device. The medication providing device, once mated to the
connector end of the core, is not removable from the core.
[0010] The instant invention also relates to a method of routing a
medication from a given medication providing device that includes
the steps of providing a given medication conveying connector,
providing an adapter having a shroud with one and other open ends,
non-removably fitting an inner shroud into one end of the shroud
and non-removably fitting a core into the other end of the shroud.
The inner shroud has a connector end that enables the inner shroud
to be mated to the given medical conveying connector, while the
core has a through passage and a connector end for enabling it to
be mated to the connector of the medication providing device that,
once mated to the connector end of the core, is not removable from
the core.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0011] The present invention will become apparent and the invention
itself will be best understood with reference to the following
description of the present invention taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplar overall path
through which a medication is provided to a patient, with the
various components being shown;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adapter of the instant
invention, with its components in alignment but not assembled, and
a connector for conveying fluid to a patient;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adapter of the instant
invention in which the components have been assembled;
[0015] FIGS. 4A-4D are different views of the housing shroud of the
adapter of the instant invention;
[0016] FIGS. 5A-5D are different views of the inner shroud of the
adapter of the instant invention; and
[0017] FIGS. 6A-6D are different views of the core of the adapter
of the instant invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the adapter of the instant invention,
designated 2, is connected to a connector 4, which is shown to
include two portions 6 and 8. Portion 6 has a given connector end
10 that has a pair of projections 12 that enable connector end 10
to be mated to adapter 2. Connector end 10 may also be connected to
a female end of a connector such as luer connector 16 of filter 14
shown in FIG. 1. Filter 14 is interposed between connector 4 and
adapter 2 for filtering out contaminants that may be present in the
medication or fluid that passes from a medication providing device,
such as for example a syringe or a pump, to connector 4. Filter 14,
in addition to luer connector 16, also has a second connector 18
that has a configuration similar to that of connector end 10 of
connector 4, so as to enable filter 14 to be coupled to adapter
2.
[0019] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the end of portion 8 of
connector 4 that is not connected to portion 6 has an opening 20 to
which one end of a catheter is fitted. The other end of the
catheter is connected to a patient. Thus, a fluid such as
medication may be conveyed from connector 4 to a patient. Portions
6 and 8 of connector 4 have respective complementary opposing
surfaces so that only portions 6 and 8 may be coupled to each
other. This is to avoid mistaken coupling of either one of those
portions with a different half portion, so as to prevent the
conveying of an incorrect medication to the patient via the
catheter. Filter 14 is provided in the FIG. 1 embodiment for
filtration purposes and is not necessary for the practice of the
instant invention, as evidenced by the direct coupling of connector
4 to adapter 2 as shown in the FIG. 2 embodiment.
[0020] During transport and before use, to maintain sterility, a
cap 22 may be used to cover connector end 10 of connector 4.
Similarly, connector 18 of filter 14 may be covered by a cap 24. A
plug 26 that has a connector end that may have the same
configuration as connector end 10 is used to cover the end opening
of adapter 2, that, as shown in FIG. 1, faces connector 18 of
filter 14. A more detailed discussion of the complementary opposing
surfaces of portions 6 and 8 of connector 4 may be gleaned from the
disclosure of the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,624, the
disclosure of which being incorporated by reference herein.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 2, adapter 2 is shown to include an
outer housing sleeve or a housing shroud 30 that has the shape of a
cylinder with two opposed open ends 32 and 34. Adapter 2 further
has an insert or an inner shroud 36 that fits into housing shroud
30 by way of its opening 32. A third component of the adapter 2 of
the instant invention comprises a core insert, or simply core 38
that fits into housing shroud 30 by way of the latter's opening
34.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows adapter 2 in its assembled form with inner
shroud 36 and core 38 respectively fittingly mated to housing
shroud 30.
[0023] A perspective view of housing shroud 30 is shown in FIG. 4A.
Together with the sectional views of FIGS. 4B and 4C and the end
view of FIG. 4D, housing shroud 30 is shown to have a first or
distal opening 32 and a second or proximal opening 34. As best
shown in the sectional views of FIGS. 4B and 4C, a hub catch 40
made up of extending fingers 42 is provided at the proximal portion
of housing shroud 30. Each of fingers 42 has a finger tip 44 that
extends toward the longitudinal axis 46 of cylindrical housing
shroud 30 to form an opening 48 that has a smaller diameter than
proximal opening 34. Finger tips 44 of the fingers 42 that make up
hub catch 48 are chamfered in the direction of opening 34 and yet
are flat when viewed from the direction of opening 32. At distal
opening 32 of housing shroud 30 there is a lip 50. Opening 32 is
reduced in diameter at location 52. As can be seen from the end
view of FIG. 4D, which is viewed from opening 32, each of fingers
42, best represented by fingertips 44, is separated from its
adjacent fingers by a notch 54 that provides additional flexibility
to the fingers when core 38 is inserted to housing shroud 30 via
opening 34. Also shown in FIG. 4D, as well as the cross-sectional
views of FIGS. 4B and 4C, are a plurality of bumps 56 that extend
inwardly toward longitudinal axis 46.
[0024] FIGS. 5A-5D show inner shroud 36 of the instant invention
adapter. As shown, inner shroud 36 has a through bore 53 that
extends from its distal end 54 to its proximal end 56. At its
distal end there is a protrusion 58 formed circumferentially at its
outer surface. Outer wall 60 extends from distal end 54 to proximal
end 56, ending with a plurality of teeth 62 that extend
longitudinally away from proximal end 56. Each of the teeth has an
apex 62a, a ramp portion 62r and an upright portion 62u. Each of
the teeth is separated from its adjacent teeth by a space 64. Inner
shroud 36 is internally threaded from its proximal opening 54
through a major portion of the shroud, per indicated by designation
66.
[0025] Core 38 of the adapter of the instant invention is best
shown in FIGS. 6A-6D. Core 38 comprises at its proximal portion a
connector end, in the form of a luer fitting 68 that allows it to
be coupled to a luer end of a medication providing device such as
for example a syringe or medication pump. Extending from the
proximal portion of core 38 is a circumferential flange 70 that has
a diameter substantially the size of proximal opening 34 of housing
shroud 30. A cylindrical central portion 72 extends from flange 70
to a shoulder flange 74 that has a flat rear surface 76 facing
flange 70. Shoulder flange 74 is chamfered at an angle along its
surface 78 so that the widest portion of shoulder flange 74 extends
at an angle inwards towards longitudinal axis 46 until it joins the
distal male portion 80. A bore 82 through core 38 extends from the
tip of distal portion 80 to opening 84 at the proximal end of core
38.
[0026] In combination, the adapter of the instant invention has
fitted into housing shroud 30 at its proximal opening 34 core 38
and at its distal opening 32 inner shroud 36. With reference to
FIGS. 4A-4D, 5A-5D and 6A-6C, it can be seen that inner shroud 36
is mated to housing shroud 30. More particularly, the
circumferential protuberance 58 of inner shroud 36 is press or snap
fitted to space 51 at the distal end of housing shroud 30. Since
the cross dimension of inner shroud 36 is configured to fit within
space 51 of housing shroud 30, once protuberance 58 is movably
mated to space 51 and is retained by lip 50, inner shroud 26 is no
longer removable from housing shroud 30. Protuberance 58 of inner
shroud 36 is slidably movable within space 51 between reduced
diameter location 52 and lip 50, per shown by bi-directional arrows
59. Inner shroud 36 therefore is movable axially relative with
housing shroud 30.
[0027] Inner shroud 36 may be biased relative to housing shroud 30
in the direction indicated by directional arrow 86 (FIG. 4B) when
connector 4 is being coupled to adapter 2 via opening 54 of inner
shroud 36. When connector 4 is being threadingly mated to inner
shroud 36, a force is applied by the user, i.e., a torque in the
direction to lock connector end 10 of connector 4 to the internal
threaded portion 66 of inner shroud 36. The torque force, which is
combined with a biasing forward force, causes inner shroud 36 to be
pushed along the direction of directional arrow 86 so that teeth 62
of inner shroud 36 would come into contact with bumps 56 formed
internally at housing shroud 30. Bumps 56 then act as a backstop to
enable the user to threadingly mate connector 10 to inner shroud
36, and therefore adapter 2.
[0028] Once connector end 10 is fully mated to the threaded portion
66 of inner shroud 36, if connector 4 is rotated further in the
direction of the locking torque movement, inner shroud 36 would
pull away and rotate freely, as ramp portion 62r of teeth 62 would
guide teeth 62 away from bumps 56. But if a counter torque were to
be applied to connector 4 to rotate inner shroud 36 in a direction
opposite to that of mating connector 4 to inner shroud 36,
connector 4 is removable from inner shroud 36, as back portion 62b
of each of teeth 62 acts against a side of a corresponding bump 56
to thereby prevent rotation of inner shroud 36 relative to housing
shroud 30. As a result, connector 4 is removable from adapter 2
when it is rotated in a direction counter to the rotation needed to
thread it into adapter 2.
[0029] Core 38 is fitted to housing shroud 30 via its proximal
opening 34. As core 38 is pushed into housing shroud 30, the
chamfered surface 78 of shoulder 74, since it is at a forward
incline, is able to readily cause catch fingers 44 of housing
shroud 30 to slightly flex, particularly since the adjacent fingers
44 are separated by slots 54, so that shoulder 76 would pass
opening 48 of catch hub 48. Once shoulder 74 fully passes the
catches 44 of fingers 42, since its back surface is flat, core 38
is prevented by catch hub 48, more specifically by the plurality of
fingers 42, from being removed or separated from housing shroud
30.
[0030] Distal opening 34, as best shown in the cross-sectional
views of FIGS. 4B and 4C, has a cross section 35 that has the same
diameter as flange 70. A ledge 37 at opening 34 prevents flange 70
from being pushed further into housing shroud 30, per directional
arrow 88. Thus, once core 38 is fitted to housing shroud 30, it is
non-removably fitted thereto. The cylindrical central portion 72,
which is sandwiched by shoulder 76 and flange 70, is positioned
within the proximal portion of housing shroud 30.
[0031] The nose portion 80 of core 38 is configured to have a
length that allows it to be positioned within space 51 of housing
shroud 30, as best shown in FIG. 3. Thus positioned, nose portion
80 is adaptable to mate with connector end 10 of connector 4, when
connector 4 is mated to inner shroud 36. Once connector 4 is mated
to inner shroud 36, a through path extending from opening 20 of
connector 4 to opening 84 of core 38 is established to thereby
enable fluid such as medication to pass from a medication providing
device to the connector, and from there through the catheter
connected thereto to the patient.
[0032] As core 38 is non-removably connected to housing shroud 30
by central portion 72 being rotatably mounted to catch hub 42, core
38 is rotatable freely either clockwise or counterclockwise
relative to housing shroud 30. The respective dimensions of
proximal opening 34 of housing shroud 30 and flange 70 may be
manufactured to establish a predetermined friction between housing
shroud 30 and core 38 to enable a user to readily connect a
medication providing device, such as for example a conventional
syringe or the connector of a medication pump, to luer connector 68
of core 38. But once the syringe is fully connected to core 38, due
to the fact that core 38 is freely rotatable relative to housing
shroud 30, the medication providing device could no longer be
removed from adapter 2, as any rotational movement applied to the
medication providing device would cause core 38 to rotate freely
relative to housing shroud 30.
[0033] By thus preventing the detachment of the medication
providing device from adapter 2 once it is connected to the luer
connector end 68 of core 38, the adapter of the instant invention
ensures that the medication in the medication providing device
could only be conveyed to the connector that has a connector end
that could mate correctly only with the connector end of the
adapter, i.e., threaded connector portion 66 of inner shroud 36 for
the embodiment being discussed. Of course, if connector 4 has a
differently configured connector end 10, a corresponding connector
end is needed at inner shroud 36 for properly mating therewith.
Adapter 2 of the instant invention is therefore able to provide a
bridge for connecting a medication providing device to the proper
connector, to thereby ensure that a correct fluid pathway is
established to convey the correct medication to the patient.
* * * * *