U.S. patent application number 14/629418 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-18 for visual indicator for a secure fluid connection.
The applicant listed for this patent is CareFusion Corporation. Invention is credited to Paul A. KENDRICK.
Application Number | 20150167877 14/629418 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46380085 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150167877 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KENDRICK; Paul A. |
June 18, 2015 |
VISUAL INDICATOR FOR A SECURE FLUID CONNECTION
Abstract
A connector arrangement for attaching a gas conduit to a gas
supply device and visually indicating the proper connection between
the two components. The connector arrangement includes a connector
attached to a gas conduit and a receptacle formed on a gas supply
device. A visual indicator is associated with the receptacle such
that when the connector is properly received within the receptacle,
the visual indicator provides a visual indication to the user that
the connection has been made. The visual indicator can include two
distinct colors that provide a visual indication of whether a
proper connection has been made. The visual indicator could
alternatively include a light that is illuminated when the proper
connection is made.
Inventors: |
KENDRICK; Paul A.;
(Baltimore, MD) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CareFusion Corporation |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46380085 |
Appl. No.: |
14/629418 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12984007 |
Jan 4, 2011 |
8960727 |
|
|
14629418 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
285/93 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 2205/584 20130101;
A61M 2039/1033 20130101; A61M 2205/58 20130101; A61M 2205/583
20130101; A61M 39/1011 20130101; F16L 2201/10 20130101; A61M 16/01
20130101; A61M 2039/1044 20130101; A61M 16/0816 20130101; F16L
37/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16L 37/08 20060101
F16L037/08 |
Claims
1. A connector arrangement for attaching a gas conduit to a gas
supply device, comprising: a connector attached to the gas conduit;
a receptacle formed on the gas supply device and sized to receive
the connector; and a visual indicator associated with the
receptacle, wherein the visual indicator provides a visual
indication of when the connector is securely received in the
receptacle.
2. The connector arrangement of claim 1 further comprising: a
locking arrangement formed on the connector; and a receiving
arrangement formed on the receptacle, wherein the receiving
arrangement receives the locking arrangement to positively retain
the connector within the receptacle.
3. The connector arrangement of claim 2 wherein the visual
indicator changes state when the connector is positively
retained.
4. The connector arrangement of claim 2 wherein the visual
indicator is an indicator light that is illuminated when the
connector is securely received in the receptacle.
5. The connector arrangement of claim 4 wherein the connector
includes a latch that engages the receptacle to positively retain
the connector within the receptacle.
6. The connector arrangement of claim 5 further comprising an
activation switch formed in the receptacle and coupled to the
indicator light, wherein the latch closes the activation switch to
activate the illumination light when the latch engages the
receptacle.
7. The connector arrangement of claim 4 wherein the illumination
light is an LED.
8. The connector arrangement of claim 1, wherein the receptacle
comprises an outer shroud.
9. The connector arrangement of claim 8, wherein the outer shroud
surrounds a retaining ring and a visual indicator shroud.
10. The connector arrangement of claim 9, wherein the retaining
ring and the visual indicating shroud interact along a serrated
contact surface.
11. The connector arrangement of claim 10, wherein the serrated
contact surface allows the retaining ring and the visual indicating
shroud to rotate in only one direction.
12. The connector arrangement of claim 9, further comprising a
release handle adjacent the outer shroud and connected to the
visual indicating shroud.
13. The connector arrangement of claim 9, wherein the connector
comprises a plurality of spaced retaining tabs, and the visual
indicator shroud comprises a plurality of spaced receiving slots,
the plurality of spaced receiving slots configured to receive the
plurality of spaced retaining tabs.
14. The connector arrangement of claim 9, wherein the outer shroud
comprises a viewing window, wherein at least a portion of the
visual indicator shroud is visible through the viewing window.
15. A connector arrangement for connecting a gas conduit of a
breathing circuit to an anesthesia machine, comprising: a connector
attached to the gas conduit, the connector including a locking
arrangement; a receptacle formed on the anesthesia machine and
having a receiving arrangement for positively receiving and
retaining the locking arrangement of the connector; and a visual
indicator associated with the receptacle, wherein the visual
indicator provides a visual indication of when the connector is
securely received in the receptacle.
16. The connector arrangement of claim 15 wherein the visual
indicator changes state when the connector is positively
retained.
17. The connector arrangement of claim 16 wherein the visual
indicator is an indicator light that is illuminated when the
connector is securely received in the receptacle.
18. The connector arrangement of claim 16 further comprising a
visual indicator shroud positioned within the receptacle, wherein a
first portion of the indicator shroud is visible when the connector
is not positively retained in the receptacle and a second portion
of the indicator shroud is visible when the connector is positively
retained in the receptacle.
19. A method of indicating the proper connection of a gas conduit
to an anesthesia machine, comprising the steps of: inserting a
connector formed on the gas conduit into a receptacle formed on the
anesthesia machine; positively retaining the connector within the
receptacle through engagement of a locking arrangement formed on
the connector with a retaining arrangement formed on the
receptacle; and changing the condition of a visual indicator from a
first condition to a second condition to visually indicate the
positive retainment of the connector.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the connector is rotated
relative to the receptacle to positively retain the locking
arrangement within the receiving arrangement.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional application of application
Ser. No. 12/984,007, filed on Jan. 4, 2011, entitled "METHOD AND
SYSTEM FOR VISUALLY INDICATING A SECURE CONNECTION," which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a connector
arrangement for attaching a gas conduit to a gas supply device.
More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a connector
arrangement that visually indicates a secure connection between the
gas conduit and the gas supply device, such as an anesthesia
machine.
[0003] Presently, many different types of connection arrangements
are available for joining a gas conduit to a gas supply device.
These types of connector arrangements typically include some type
of attachment arrangement that secures a connector on the gas
conduit to a receptacle of the gas supply device to prevent
inadvertent disconnection of the two components. However, it is
oftentimes difficult to determine whether a secure connection has
been made without either physically pulling on the gas conduit or
visually examining the orientation of the connector and the
receptacle.
[0004] A secure connection between a patient circuit and an
anesthesia machine is critical to insure that the proper amount of
anesthetic agent is being delivered to the patient and not being
dispersed into the environment surrounding the patient. Therefore,
a need exists to insure a secure connection between the gas conduit
and the anesthesia machine to facilitate the proper connection of
the two components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present disclosure relates to a connector arrangement
that allows a gas conduit to be joined to a gas supply device. The
connector arrangement of the present disclosure visually indicates
when a secure connection is made between the gas conduit and the
gas supply device. Further, the connector arrangement also visually
indicates when no connection is present between the gas conduit and
the gas supply device.
[0006] The connector arrangement generally includes a connector
that is attached to the gas conduit. The connector includes a
locking arrangement that allows the connector to be securely
connected to a receptacle formed on the gas supply device. The
receptacle formed on the gas supply device includes a receiving
arrangement that interacts with the locking arrangement on the
connector to positively retain the connector within the receptacle.
The interaction between the locking arrangement on the connector
and the receiving arrangement on the receptacle prevent inadvertent
separation of the gas conduit and the gas supply device.
[0007] The connector arrangement further includes a visual
indicator that is associated with the receptacle. The visual
indicator provides a visual indication of when the connector is
securely received within the receptacle. Additionally, the visual
indicator can provide a visual indication of when the connector is
not received within the receptacle. The visual indicator allows a
user to visually determine whether a proper connection has been
made between the gas conduit and the gas supply device.
[0008] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the visual indicator is
an indicator light that is illuminated when the connector is
securely received in the receptacle. In this embodiment, the
indicator light is connected to an activation switch formed in the
receptacle. When the connector is received within the receptacle,
the activation switch is closed to provide power to the
illumination light. In one embodiment, the illumination light is an
LED.
[0009] In another alternate embodiment, the visual indicator is a
visual indicator shroud that is position within the receptacle. The
visual indicator shroud includes both a first portion and a second
portion that have different colors. As an illustrative example, the
first portion is colored red and the second portion is colored
green.
[0010] When the connector is not properly received within the
receptacle, a first portion of the indicator shroud is visible. The
red color of the first portion indicates to a user that a proper
connection has not been made.
[0011] When the connector is properly received within the
receptacle, a second, green portion of the indicator shroud is
visible to the user. The second, green color visible to the user
indicates that the connector is positively retained within the
receptacle.
[0012] In each embodiment of the disclosure, the connector
arrangement includes some type of visual indicator that provides
the user with a visual indication of when the connector is securely
received in the receptacle. The visual indication allows a user to
quickly and easily determine whether a proper connection has been
made between the gas conduit and the gas supply device. In one
embodiment, the connection is formed between and anesthesia machine
and a patient breathing circuit. However, other implementations of
the connector arrangement are contemplated as being within the
scope of the disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated
of carrying out the disclosure. In the drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connection between two
gas conduits of a patient breathing circuit and an anesthesia
machine;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the pair of
connectors separated from the corresponding receptacles;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector and receptacle
prior to receipt of the connector in the receptacle;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the initial
receipt of the connector within the receptacle;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the rotation of
the connector relative to the receptacle and into the locked
position;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the components of
the receptacle;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
connector arrangement with the connector on the gas conduit
separated from the receptacle;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the engagement between the
connector and receptacle;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a section view taken along line 10-10 of FIG.
9;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of
the connector arrangement;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view illustrating the
insertion of the connector into the receptacle of the third
embodiment; and
[0026] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the receptacle in the
locking condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates the connection between a pair of gas
conduits 10 and a gas supply device, such as an anesthesia machine
12. Although the anesthesia machine 12 is shown in the embodiment
of FIG. 1 as the gas supply device, it should be understood that
the connector arrangement of the present disclosure could be
utilized between gas conduits and various other types of gas supply
devices other than an anesthesia machine 12.
[0028] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each of the gas conduits
10 includes a connector 14 securely attached to one end of the gas
conduit 10. Each of the gas conduits 10 is connected to a
receptacle 16 formed on the anesthesia machine 12. The interaction
between the connector 14 on the gas conduit 10 and the receptacle
16 allows gas to be delivered between the anesthesia machine 12 and
the respective gas conduit 10. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 1, the gas conduits 10 form part of a patient circuit that
delivers an anesthetic agent to a patient and receives exhalation
gases from the patient during a normal breathing cycle.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2, the connector 14 of each of the gas
conduits 10 can be separated from the corresponding receptacle 16
such that the gas conduits 10 can be disconnected and replaced as
desired. As shown in FIG. 2, the receptacle 16 includes a
stationary outer shroud 18 that surrounds a supply port 20 that
extends from a face surface 22 of the anesthesia machine 12. The
supply port 20 engages the gas conduit 10 to either supply or
receive gas from the conduits 10 when the connector 14 is received
within the receptacle 16.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 3, the connector 14 formed on the gas
conduit 10 includes a series of raised gripping ridges 24 formed on
a cylindrical outer wall 26. The cylindrical outer wall 26 is
securely attached to the gas conduit 10 to provide a point of
attachment between the gas conduit 10 and the anesthesia
machine.
[0031] The distal end 28 of the connector 14 includes a locking
arrangement 30. In the embodiment illustrated, the locking
arrangement 30 includes a series of spaced retaining tabs 32. In
the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, four separate retaining tabs
32 are equally positioned along the outer circumference of the
outer wall 26 near the distal end 28.
[0032] The receptacle 16 formed on the anesthesia machine includes
the outer shroud 18. The outer shroud 18 includes a front face
surface 34 that includes a series of spaced receiving slots 36 each
separated from each other by a series of retaining projections 38.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the size of the receiving slots 36
generally correspond to the size of the retaining tabs 32 formed on
the connector 14.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 6, the receptacle 16 of the first
embodiment is shown in an exploded view. The receptacle 16 includes
a receiving arrangement (31) including the outer shroud 18, a
visual indicator shroud 40, a bias ring 42 and a bias spring 44.
The bias spring 44 exerts a bias force on the bias ring 42, which
in turn exerts a bias force on the visual indicating shroud 40.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 6, the visual indicating shroud
40 includes a series of receiving slots 46 that are each aligned
with one of the receiving slot 36 formed in the outer shroud 18.
The receiving slots 46 are each sized to receive one of the
retaining tabs 32 formed on the connector 14. The receiving slots
46 are each recessed from an outer rim 48.
[0035] Referring back to FIG. 6, the outer rim 48 includes a series
of first portions 50 and second portions 52 that are alternately
spaced around the generally circular outer rim 48. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the first portion 50 is of a
first color, red, and the second portion 52 is of a second color,
green. Although red and green are described as being the colors for
the first and second portions 50, 52, it should be understood that
other colors could be utilized while operating within the scope of
the present disclosure.
[0036] Referring back to FIG. 3, before the connector 14 is
inserted into the receptacle 16, the first portion 50 of the visual
indicating shroud 40 is visible through each of the receiving slots
36. Since the first portion 50 is red, the user is presented with a
visual indication that the connector 14 is not properly inserted
into the receptacle 16.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4, when the connector 14 is initially
inserted into the receptacle 16, the retaining tabs 32 are received
within the receiving slots 46 of the visual indicating shroud. When
the connector 14 is received as shown in FIG. 4, an outer portion
of the first portion 50 of the visual indicating shroud is still
visible to the user. Thus, the user views the red color of the
first portion 50 when the connector 14 is first inserted into the
receptacle 16.
[0038] Once the retaining tabs 32 of the connector 14 are received
in each of the receiving slots 36, the connector 14 is depressed
against the bias force created by the bias spring until the
retaining tabs 32 are recessed enough to extend past the front wall
54 of the outer shroud 18. The movement of the connector 14 in the
direction shown by arrow 56 causes the visual indicating shroud 40
and the bias ring 42 to compress the bias spring 44, which allows
the visual indicating shroud 40 to move inwardly. Once the bias
spring 44 has been compressed, the connector 14 is rotated in the
clockwise direction, as indicated by arrow 58.
[0039] Rotation of the connector 14 in the clockwise direction
causes the retaining tabs 32 to be entrapped beneath the retaining
projections 38 formed on the face surface 34. Referring now to FIG.
5, once the connector 14 has been rotated, the second portion 52 of
the visual indicating shroud 40 is visible through the receiving
slots 36. As described previously, the second portion 52 has a
second color, green, which is visible and indicates to the user
that the connector has been positively retained within the
receptacle. In this manner, the user can quickly determine that the
connector has been properly attached to the receptacle and that a
fluid tight communication is achieved between the gas conduit 10
and the anesthesia machine.
[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the front face surface 34 of the
outer shroud 18 includes a printed arrow and locking icons to
illustrate to the user which direction the connector 14 needs to be
rotated to lock and unlock the connector from within the receptacle
16. As described above, the visual indicating shroud 40 shown in
FIG. 6 is formed having two different colors to visually indicate
to the user when the connector has been properly received within
the receptacle. In the preferred embodiment, the first portion 50
and the second portion 52 are colored red and green, which are
commonly used colors to indicate a proper connection and an
improper connection. However, other colors could be utilized while
operating within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0041] Additionally, although the illustrated embodiment requires
rotation of the connector 14 in the clockwise direction to enter
the locked condition, the orientation of the connector and
receptacle could be reversed such that counter-clockwise rotation
would create the locked condition. Further, the connector and
receptacle could be configured such that rotation of the connector
in either direction could create the locked condition. In such an
embodiment, the first and second colored portions would be located
appropriately on the visual indicating shroud 40 to indicate that
the connector has been positively retained within the
receptacle.
[0042] FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the connector
arrangement of the present disclosure. In the embodiment of FIG. 7,
the gas conduit 10 includes a connector 58 having an alternate
configuration. Likewise, the anesthesia machine includes an
alternate receptacle 60 in accordance with the second embodiment.
The receptacle 60 surrounds the supply port 20 and acts as a
receptacle for the connector 58 to positively retain the connector
58 while creating the fluid communication between the gas conduit
10 and the supply port 20.
[0043] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the connector 58 includes
a locking arrangement formed by a latch 62 that extends from the
outer wall 26 of the connector 58. The latch 62 is received within
an access opening 64 formed in the outer shroud 66 of the
receptacle 60. The outer shroud 66 further includes a pair of
visual indicators 68 that provide a visual indication of the proper
connection of the connector 58 to the receptacle 60. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the visual indicators 68 include
a pair of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 70 that are each contained
within an outer shroud 72. Although LEDs 70 are shown, it should be
understood that the visual indicator could be another type of
illumination light while operating within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 8, the pair of LEDs 70 are each
connected to an activation switch 74 contained within the outer
shroud 66. The activation switch 74 is connected to a supply of
power and includes a movable switch arm 76. When the switch arm 76
is moved from the resting position shown in FIG. 8 to the depressed
position of FIG. 10, the switch arm 76 closes a pair of contacts
within the activation switch 74, which results in power being
applied to the LED, thereby resulting in illumination of the LED
70. However, when the switch arm 76 is in the position shown in
FIG. 8, the switch contacts are open and no power is applied to the
LED 70 and the LED 70 is not illuminated.
[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, when the connector 58 is
inserted into the receptacle 60, an outer end 78 of the latch 62
contacts the switch arm 76 to move the switch arm 76 to the
depressed position, as best shown in FIG. 10. When the switch arm
76 of the activation switch 74 has been depressed as shown in FIG.
10, the activation switch 74 provides electric power to the LED 70,
which in turn activates the LED 70. In the latched condition shown
in FIG. 10, the locking end 80 of the latch 62 engages shoulder 82
formed on the supply port 20. In this latched condition, the outer
wall 26 surrounds the supply port 20 and the connector 58 is
positively retained within the receptacle 60.
[0046] When it is desired to remove the connector 58 from the
receptacle 60, the outer end 84 of the latch 62 is depressed, which
causes the locking end 80 to move upward away from the shoulder 82,
as illustrated in FIG. 10. Once the locking end 80 has been
elevated, the connector 58 can simply be removed from the
receptacle 60.
[0047] As can be understood in the second embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 7-10, the visual indicators 68 provide a visual indication to
the user when a positive connection is made between the connector
58 and the receptacle 60. Although a pair of LEDs 70 are shown in
the embodiment illustrated, it should be understood that a single
LED or other types of light emitting devices could be utilized
while operating within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 11, thereshown is yet a third
embodiment of the connector arrangement of the present disclosure.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the pair of gas conduits 10
each include a unique connector 90 that is received within a
receptacle 92 formed as part of the anesthesia machine 12. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the leftmost connector is shown in its
positively retained condition while the rightmost connector 90 is
separated from the receptacle 92.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 12, the receptacle 92 includes an
outer shroud 94 that surrounds a retaining ring 96 and a visual
indicator shroud 98. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the outer shroud 94
includes a viewing window 100 that allows a user to view a portion
of the visual indicator shroud 98. The visual indicator shroud 98
includes both a first portion and a second portion that have
different colors, such as red and green as described in the first
embodiment previously discussed.
[0050] Referring back to FIG. 11, when the connector 90 is inserted
as shown in FIG. 11, a first portion 102 of the visual indicator
shroud is visible through the viewing window 100. When the
connector 90 is separated from the receptacle, as shown in the
rightmost embodiment, a first portion 102 is visible through the
viewing window 100. As discussed previously, the first portion 102
is preferably colored red to indicate no connection while the
second portion 104 is colored green to indicate a proper
connection.
[0051] Referring back to FIG. 12, a release handle 106 is connected
to the visual indicating shroud 98 and is sized to receive the
thumb of a user. The release handle 106 allows the user to release
the connector 90 from within the receptacle 92, as will be
described in detail below.
[0052] Referring back to FIG. 12, the connector 90 includes an
engagement end 108 having a series of retaining tabs 110 positioned
near the distal end 112. The spacing between the retaining tabs 110
corresponds to the spacing between a series of locking tabs 114
formed on the retaining ring 96.
[0053] During initial connection of the connector 90 to the
receptacle 92, the series of retaining tabs 110 are aligned with
the open spaces between the locking tabs 114 of the retaining ring
96. The connector 90 is moved inwardly relative to the stationary
outer shroud 94 until the retaining tabs 110 are received within
the open receiving slots 116 formed in the visual indicator shroud
98. The receiving slots 116 are spaced between a series of
engagement tabs 118 that project radially outward and are flush
with the locking tabs 114. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the retaining
ring 96 and the visual indicating shroud 98 interact with each
other along a serrated contact surface 120. The serrated contact
surface 120 allows the two rings to rotate in only one direction
relative to each other.
[0054] Once the retaining tabs 110 are received within the
receiving slots 116, the entire connector 90 is rotated in the
clockwise direction, which causes the retaining ring 96 and the
visual indicator shroud 98 to rotate into the condition shown in
FIG. 13. Although the connector is not shown in FIG. 13, each of
the retaining tabs 110 are positioned within the receiving slot 116
and thus positioned behind the locking tabs 114 in this rotated
condition. In this condition, the connector is securely held within
the receptacle 92 and the second portion 104 of the visual
indicator shroud 98 is visible through the viewing window 100. As
described previously, the second portion is preferably colored
green such that the second portion 104 indicates a proper
connection between the connector and the receptacle.
[0055] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable
scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include
other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other
examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they
have structural elements that do not differ from the literal
language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural
elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages
of the claims.
* * * * *