Irrigation Connector With Shut-off Valve

Abstract

An irrigation connector for a liquid drainage system including, a flexible body member having a longitudinal main channel which communicates with a drainage tube through one end of the body member and with a catheter through the other end. The body member includes a side arm having a channel which opens into the main channel, a flexible bellows intermediate the body member ends, and a valve seat intermediate the side arm opening and the one body member end. A stem is received in the main channel and has a passageway extending from one end of the stem to an opening in the stem intermediate the one stem end and a plug adjacent the other end of the stem. The one body member end is movable between an outer position with the bellows extended and the plug spaced from the seat to permit liquid drainage from the catheter to the drainage tube, and an inner position with the bellows flexed and the plug sealingly engaged against the seat to prevent drainage of liquid.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention.

This invention relates to connectors for liquid drainage systems, and more particularly to a connector having a valve for controlling the passage of fluid through the connector.

2. Description of the Prior Art.

In the past, various types of systems have been utilized to drain liquids from a cavity in a patient's body, such as the bladder. The procedure generally utilized to accomplish drainage is to introduce a catheter into the cavity, and connect the catheter through a drainage tube to a receptacle for collecting the liquid.

However, during use of such systems, it is sometimes necessary to periodically irrigate the catheter, or force liquid through it in the reverse direction, to alleviate a blocked condition in the catheter due to the accumulation of sediments and clots, or to apply medication to the cavity through the catheter. Since it is necessary to minimize the possibility of infection to the patient, such systems are preferably of the closed type to prevent contamination to the system and possible infection to the patient. Consequently, it has proven difficult to irrigate the catheter, while maintaining aseptic conditions in the drainage system.

In an attempt to solve this problem Vaillancourt et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,513,849 discloses an adapter which is connected between a catheter and a drainage tube. However, it is desirable to have a straight line path through such a connector for the drainage liquid to permit the unrestricted flow of liquid, and such a device may be susceptible to leakage into the drainage tube during irrigation, particularly where different size of syringe tips are utilized for irrigation.

De See U.S. Pat. No. 2,887,120 and Beall et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,401 show valves for controlling the passage of fluid from a container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal feature of the present invention is the provision of an irrigation connector for a liquid drainage system to selectively control the passage of drainage liquid from a catheter to a drainage tube through the connector.

The connector of the present invention includes a flexible body member having a main channel which extends longitudinally through the body member. The main channel communicates with a lumen in the drainage tube through one end of the body member and communicates with a lumen in the catheter through the other end of the body member. The body member includes an irrigation side arm having a channel which opens into the main channel, a flexible bellows intermediate the ends of the body member, and a seat in the main channel intermediate the side arm opening and the one body member end. A stem is received in the main channel and has a passageway extending from one end of the stem to an opening in the stem intermediate the one stem end and the plug adjacent the other end of the stem. The one body member end is movable between an outer position with the bellows extended and the plug spaced from the seat, and an inner position with the bellows flexed and the plugs sealingly engaged against the seat.

A feature of the present invention is that liquid is permitted to drain from the catheter through the stem passageway to the drainage tube with the one body member end in the outer position.

Another feature of the invention is that liquid is prevented from draining to the tube in the inner position of the one body member end to permit irrigation of the catheter.

A further feature of the invention is that the side arm and main channels define an acute angle relative to the one body member end to direct the irrigation liquid into the catheter.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a cap removably positioned on the outer end of the side arm to close the side arm channel during liquid drainage and prevent contamination of the system.

Yet another feature of the invention is that the plug and seat are releasably locked in sealing engagement in the inner position of the one body member end.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a pin projecting outwardly from the other end of the stem along its longitudinal axis to guide the plug in the seat during movement of the one body member end from the outer to inner position.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a valve for controlling communication of fluid between a first and second tube, while the first tube is in continuous communication with a third tube.

Further features will become more fully apparent in the following description of the embodiments of this invention and from the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the irrigation connector of the present invention, showing the connector in a position to permit liquid drainage from a catheter to a drainage tube;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1, showing the connector in a position to prevent passage of liquid into the drainage tube;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stem for the connector of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary sectional views of another embodiment of the plug and seat for the connector of FIG. 1, with the plug and seat in an open and closed position, respectively;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the connector of the present invention, showing the connector in a position to permit drainage of liquid from the catheter to the drainage tube;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the connector of FIG. 6 showing the connector in a position to prevent passage of liquid into the drainage tube;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stem for the connector of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a valve for controlling fluid communication through a plurality of tubes, and showing another embodiment of the connector of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a valve for controlling fluid communication through a plurality of tubes, utilizing the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of another embodiment of the valve of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the valve of the invention; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the valve of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a drainage system, generally designated 18, is shown having an irrigation connector designated generally 20 which is connected between a catheter 22 and a drainage tube 24. The connector 20 includes a flexible body member, generally designated 26, having a main channel 28 which extends longitudinally through the body member 26, and a stem designated generally 30 which is at least partially received in the main channel 28.

The stem 30 has one end 32 connected to the catheter 22, and a plug 34 positioned adjacent the other end 36 of the stem 30. A passageway 38 in the stem 30 extends from the one stem end 32 to an opening 40 intermediate the one stem end 32 and the plug 34. The opening 40 opens into the main channel 28 through both sides of the stem, and the passageway 38 communicates with a lumen 42 in the catheter 22 through the one stem end 32. With the connector 20 in an open position, as shown in FIG. 1, the main channel 28 communicates with a lumen 44 in the drainage tube 24 through one end 46 of the body member 26, and the main channel 28 communicates with the catheter lumen 42 through the other or second body member end 48 and the stem passageway 38.

The body member 26 also includes an outwardly projecting side arm 50, which has a channel 52 extending through the side arm 50 and which opens into the main channel 28 adjacent the stem opening 40, with the intersection of the side arm and main channels 52 and 28 defining a side arm opening 54. A cap 56 is removably positioned on the outer end 58 of the side arm 50 to close the side arm channel 52 during normal drainage of the system 18, thus preventing contamination to the system and the escape of fluid. The cap 56 has an outer annular rim and an inner plug 62, and the outer side arm end 58 is snugly received in circumferential channel 64 defined by the rim and plug 60 and 62 to retain the cap 56 in position. In a preferred embodiment, the plug 62 is recessed within the rim 60, for a purpose which will be described below. The cap 56 is attached to the outside of the side arm 50 by a strap 65, in order to retain the cap to the connector 20 when the cap is removed from the side arm.

The body member 26 has a valve seat 66 in the main channel 28 intermediate the side arm opening 54 and the one body member end 46, and includes a flexible bellows 68 intermediate the side arm opening 54 and the valve seat 66. The bellows 68 has a relatively thin cylindrical wall 70 and a plurality of outwardly directed flanges 72 extending circumferentially around the wall 70. The stem plug 34 includes a frustro-conical portion 74 which is tapered toward the other stem end 36, with the larger end 76 of the frustro-conical portion 74 terminating in a planar portion 78 which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem 30. The valve seat 66 has a corresponding frustro-conical portion 80 also terminating at its larger end in a planar portion 82 which is substantially parallel to the planar plug portion 78.

The one body member end 46 is movable between an outer position, as shown in FIG. 1, with the bellows 68 extended and the plug 34 spaced from the seat 66, and an inner position, as shown in FIG. 2, with the bellows 68 flexed and the plug 34 engaged against the seat 66. In the outer position, liquid drains in the system 18 from the catheter 22 through the stem passageway and opening 38 and 40 into the main channel 28, and from the channel the liquid drains around the plug 34 and through the seat 66 into the tube 24. In the inner position of the one body member end 46, the planar plug portion 78 engages the planar seat portion 82 to releasably lock the frustro-conical portions of the plug and seat 74 and 80 in sealing engagement, thus preventing passage of liquid from the main channel 28 into the drainage tube 24.

Accordingly, for normal drainage of liquid from the catheter 22 to the tube 24 the first body member end 46 is in the outer position, and the cap 56 is positioned on the side arm 50. In order to irrigate the catheter 22, the one body member end 46 is first moved to the inner position to close off the drainage tube 24 from the main channel 28, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Next, the cap 56 is removed from the side arm 50, exposing the side arm channel 52 through the outer side arm end 58. Although the cap 56 is retained to the body member 26 by the strap 65, the strap may be wrapped around the side arm 50 into the intersection of the side arm and the bellows 68, in order to retain the cap in a fixed position and prevent it from moving about during irrigation of the catheter. Since the cap plug 62 is recessed from the annular cap rim 60, as noted previously, the rim 60 protects the plug 62 from contamination by preventing it from touching an object external from the side arm channel 52, which might result in contamination to the drainage system 18 when the cap 56 is again positioned on the side arm 50.

Finally, to accomplish irrigation the tip T of a syringe S is introduced into the side arm channel 52 until the upper portion of the tip T engages a tapered portion 99 in the channel 52 adjacent the outer side arm end 48. Since the side arm opening 54 is located adjacent the stem opening 40, the syringe tip T is in position to inject fluid through the opening 40 into the stem passageway 38, and the side arm channel 52 is preferably constructed to define an acute angle with the main channel 28, relative to the one body member end 46, to direct the passage of liquid from the syringe tip T into the stem passageway 38. During irrigation, the sealing engagement between the plug 34 and seat 66 prevents passage of irrigation liquid from the main channel 28 into the drainage tube 24, and confines liquid movement from the main channel 28 into the stem passageway 38 and the catheter lumen 42. When irrigation of the catheter 22 is complete, the syringe tip T is removed from the side arm channel 52, the cap 56 is secured to the side arm 50, and the one body member end 46 is moved from the inner to outer position to continue normal drainage of the system.

Another embodiment of the plug and seat 34 and 66 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, with the one body member end 46 being in the outer and inner positions, respectively, in the drawings. In this embodiment, the plug 34 also has the frustro-conical portion 74 tapered toward the other stem end 36, and the seat 66 includes a corresponding frustro-conical portion 80. However, instead of a planar portion, the plug 34 has an outwardly extending ring 84 adjacent the larger end 76 of the frustro-conical portion 74, and the seat 66 has a corresponding annular recession 86 to receive the plug ring 84 and releasably lock the frustro-conical portions 74 and 80 in sealing engagement in the inner position of the one body member end 46. In addition, the plug 34 includes a pin 88 which projects outwardly from the other stem end 36 along the longitudinal axis of the stem 30. The pin 88 guides the plug 34 in the valve seat 66 during movement of the one body member end 46 from the outer to inner position, and also prevents severe flexing of the one body member end 46 adjacent the thin wall 70, which might inadvertently close off the main channel 28 from the drainage tube 24 and prevent full drainage when the one body member end 46 is in the outer position.

Referring now to FIG. 6-8, another embodiment of the irrigation connector is shown, in which like reference numerals, in connection with the connector of FIGS. 1-5, have been incremented by one hundred to designate similar parts. In this embodiment, a connector 120 includes a flexible body member 126 which has a longitudinally extending main channel 128 communicating with a lumen 144 in a drainage tube 124 through one end 146 in the body member 126, and communicating with a lumen 142 in a catheter 122 through the other end 148 of the body member 126. Preferably, an adapter 125 having a longitudinal passageway 127 is connected between the body member 126 and the catheter 122 for ease of connection and removal of the catheter from the connector 120. The body member 126 includes a side arm 150 having a channel 152 extending through the side arm and communicating with the main channel 128 through an opening 154, and a cap 156 is removably positioned on the side arm 150, as previously described.

A stem 130 has an annular rim 131 adjacent one end of the stem 132, and a plug 134 adjacent the other stem end. A passageway 138 extends through the rim 131 to an opening 140 in the stem intermediate the rim 131 and the plug 134. A circumferential groove 133 in the one stem end 132 receives the end of the drainage tube 124, and serves as means connecting the one stem end to the drainage tube, providing for fluid communication between the stem passageway 138 and the tube lumen 144.

The body member 126 has an annular wall 135 of first diameter, and a tubular portion 137 of second smaller diameter which at least partially encloses the main channel 128. A flexible bellows 141 connects the tubular portion 137 and the annular wall 138, and the bellows and wall 141 and 135 define a chamber 143 in the body member 126. The stem 130 is received in the chamber 143 with the inside of the annular wall 135 frictionally engaging the outside of the stem rim 131 to retain the stem in position in the body member 126. An outwardly directed circumferential flange 151 on the one stem end 132 abuts against an annular groove 153 in the wall 135 to prevent the stem from moving further into the chamber 143.

The stem plug 134 has a frustro-conical portion 174 tapered toward the other stem end 136, a ring 184 extending outwardly from the frustro-conical portion 174 adjacent its narrow end, and a pin 188 projecting outwardly from the other stem end 136 along the longitudinal axis of the stem 130. The tubular portion 137 includes a seat 166 adjacent the bellows 141, and the seat 166 includes a frustro-conical portion 180 and annular recession 186 corresponding to the plug frustro-conical portion 174 and ring 184.

The stem 130 is movable between an outer position, as shown in FIG. 6, with the plug 134 spaced from the seat 166 and the bellows extended, to an inner position, as shown in FIG. 7, with the bellows 141 flexed or folded inwardly into the chamber 143, and the plug 134 engaged against the seat 166. During movement of the stem 130 from the outer to inner position, the pin 188 guides the plug in the seat 166, and in the inner position, the ring 184 is received in the recession 186 to releasably lock the plug and stem in sealing engagement. Preferably, the ring 184 and recession 186 have a slight oblate shape, as shown, to permit easy withdrawal of the ring 184 from the recession 186 during retraction of the plug from the seat when the stem is moved from the inner to outer position.

During normal drainage of the system, the stem is located in the outer position, as shown in FIG. 6, and liquid drains from the catheter 122 through the channel 128 and stem passageway 138 to the drainage tube 124. For irrigation of the catheter, the stem is moved from the outer to inner position to close off the drainage tube, as shown in FIG. 7, and the syringe tip T is inserted into side arm channel 152, as previously described.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the above described connectors may readily be adapted to serve as a valve for controlling the communication of fluid between a plurality of tubes. Although the connector 120 illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 may be utilized for such a purpose, as described below, the valve 200 shown in FIG. 9 represents a slight modification of this connector. In the valve 200, a flexible body member 226 includes a first portion 202 having a channel 203 communicating with a lumen 204 in a first tube 205. The body member 226 also includes a second portion 210 having a channel 211 communicating between a lumen 212 in a second tube 213 and the channel 203 in the first portion 202, and a third portion 206 having a channel 207 communicating with the channels 203 and 211 in the first and second portions 202 and 210, respectively. A third tube 214 may be connected to the third portion 206, such that a lumen 215 in the third tube 214 communicates with the channel 207 in the third portion 206.

The second portion 210 has a flexible bellows 268, permitting movement of an annular wall 235 between outer and inner positions due to flexing of the bellows 268. The second portion 210 operates in a manner similar to the valve portion of the connector shown in FIGS. 6-8 to control communication of fluid between the first and second tubes 205 and 213, with a stem plug (not shown) engaging against a valve seat (not shown) to effect closure between the tubes 205 and 213 when the second portion 210 is in the inner position. Thus, the lumens 204 and 215 in the first and third tubes 205 and 214 are in continuous fluid communication, while communication between lumens 204 and 212 in the first and second tubes 205 and 213 may be selectively controlled by manipulation of the second portion 210 between its outer and inner positions.

One application of such a valve is useful in controlling a mixture of intravenous solutions for the body of a patient through the tube 205. A first solution from a first source of fluid (not shown) is connected to the tube 214, and is continuously administered to the patient through the tube 205. A second intravenous solution from a second source of fluid (not shown) is connected to the tube 213. When it is desired to utilize only the first source of fluid, the second portion 210 is moved to the inner position, thus preventing passage of the second solution into the tube 205. When it is desired to mix the second solution with the first solution for administration to the patient, the second portion 210 is moved to its outer position and the second solution passes with the first solution into the tube 205.

Although the valve 200 has been described for controlling the communication of fluid between a plurality of tubes, it is understood that this valve may be readily adapted for use as an irrigation connector, as previously described. By removing the third tube 214 and making a suitable modification of the channel 207 in the third portion 206 to receive a syringe tip, and by utilizing a catheter as the tube 205, the catheter may be irrigated through the third portion 206, while drainage control between the catheter and the tube 213 is accomplished by movement of the second portion 210.

Another embodiment of the valve is illustrated in FIG. 10, in which the connector 20 of FIGS. 1-5 is slightly modified to receive the third tube 314 in the side arm or third portion 306. Thus, the lumen 315 in the third tube 314 is in continuous communication with the lumen 304 in the first tube 305 through channels (not shown) in the third and first portion 306 and 302, respectively. Fluid communication between the lumen 312 in the second tube 313 and the tube 305 is selectively controlled by movement of the second body member portion 310 between its outer and inner positions, as described in connection with FIGS. 1-5. It is readily apparent that the connector 120 of FIGS. 6-8 may be modified in a similar fashion, by connecting a tube to the side arm 150, to serve as such a fluid control valve.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 11, in which the valve portion of the connector 120 of FIGS. 6-8 is incorporated in the first, second and third body member portions 402, 410 and 406, respectively. Accordingly, the passage of fluid between any given tube and either or both of the remaining tubes may be selected by the appropriate manipulation of the body member portions.

Further embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in which the connectors 20 and 120 of FIGS. 1-5 and FIGS. 6-8, respectively, have their side arms 50 and 150 omitted. In these embodiments, the passage of fluid between the first and second tubes 505 and 513 in the valve 500, and the tubes 605 and 613 in the valve 600, is selectively controlled by movement of the respective second body member portions 510 and 610 between their inner and outer positions.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearance of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims

We claim:

1. In a liquid drainage system including a catheter and a liquid drainage tube, an irrigation connector comprising:

a flexible body member having a main channel extending longitudinally through the body member, said main channel communicating with a lumen in the drainage tube through one end of the body member and communicating with a lumen in the catheter through the other end of the body member, a side arm having a channel which opens into said main channel, a flexible bellows intermediate the side arm opening and said one body member end, and a seat spaced from the bellows in the main channel and intermediate the side arm opening and said one body member end; and

a stem having a passageway extending from one end of the stem to an opening in the stem intermediate said one stem end and a plug adjacent the other end of the stem, with said stem plug and opening being received in the main channel of the body member, said one body member end being movable between an outer position with the bellows extended and the plug spaced from the seat to permit liquid drainage from the catheter through the stem passage to the drainage tube, and an inner position with the bellows flexed and the plug engaged against the seat to prevent drainage of liquid to said tube during irrigation of the catheter through said side arm.

2. The irrigation connector of claim 1 wherein said side arm and main channels define an acute angle relative to said one body member end.

3. The irrigation connector of claim 1 including a cap removably positioned on the outer end of said side arm to close the side arm channel during drainage of liquid from the catheter to the drainage tube.

4. The irrigation connector of claim 3 wherein said cap includes an outer annular rim and an inner plug defining a circumferential channel to snugly receive the end of the side arm, said plug being recessed from the annular rim to prevent contamination to the cap plug when the cap is removed from the side arm.

5. The irrigation connector of claim 1 wherein said plug includes a frustro-conical portion tapered toward said other stem end, and a ring, and said seat includes a corresponding frustro-conical portion and annular recession, whereby the plug ring is received in said seat recession to releasably lock the frustro-conical portions in sealing engagement in the inner position of said one body member end.

6. The irrigation connector of claim 1 including a pin projecting outwardly from the other end of the stem along its longitudinal axis to guide said plug in the seat during movement of the one body member end from said outer to inner position.

7. In a liquid drainage system including a catheter and a liquid drainage tube, an irrigation connector comprising:

a stem having one end connected to said catheter, a plug adjacent the other end of the stem, and a passageway communicating with a drainage lumen in the catheter and extending from said one stem end to an opening in the stem intermediate the plug and one stem end; and

a flexible body member having a first end connected to the drainage tube with said main channel communicating with a lumen in the tube, a second end to receive the other stem end with the stem plug and opening positioned in a main channel extending longitudinally through the body member, a side arm having a channel extending through the side arm and opening into the main channel adjacent the opening in the stem, a seat in the main channel intermediate the side arm opening and the first body member end, and a flexible bellows intermediate the side arm opening and seat, said first body member end being movable between an outer position with the bellows extended and the plug spaced from the seat to permit liquid drainage from the catheter to the drainage tube, and an inner position with the bellows flexed and the plug engaged against said seat to prevent drainage of liquid to said tube during irrigation of the catheter through said side arm.

8. The irrigation connector of claim 7 wherein said plug includes a frustro-conical portion tapered toward said other stem end, the larger end of said frustro-conical portion terminating in a planar portion substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem, and said seat includes a corresponding frustro-conical portion terminating at its larger end in a planar portion substantially parallel to the planar portion of the plug, whereby the planar portion of the plug engages the planar portion of the seat to releasably lock the frustro-conical portions of the plug and seat in sealing engagement in the inner position of said second body member end.

9. The irrigation connector of claim 7 wherein said bellows comprises a relatively thin cylindrical wall having a plurality of outwardly directed flanges extending circumferentially around the wall.

10. In a liquid drainage system including a catheter and a liquid drainage tube, an irrigation connector comprising:

a stem having an annular rim adjacent one end of the stem, a plug adjacent the other end of the stem, a passageway extending through the rim to an opening in the stem intermediate said plug and rim, and means connecting said one stem end to the drainage tube with the passageway communicating with a lumen in the tube; and

a flexible body member having an annular wall of first diameter adjacent one end of the body member, a tubular portion of second smaller diameter having a channel extending through the tubular portion and communicating with a lumen in the catheter adjacent the other end of the body member, a flexible bellows connecting said tubular portion and annular wall, said stem being received in a chamber defined by the wall and bellows with the inside of the annular wall frictionally engaging the outside of the stem rim, a seat in the channel of the tubular portion adjacent said bellows, and a side arm extending outwardly from the tubular portion and having a channel extending through the side arm and opening into the channel in the tubular portion intermediate the seat and the other end of the body member, said stem being movable between an outer position with the bellows extended and the plug spaced from the seat to permit liquid drainage from the catheter to the drainage tube, and an inner position with the bellows folded inwardly into the chamber and the plug engaged against said seat to prevent drainage of liquid to said tube during irrigation of the catheter through said side arm.