Retractable Closure Cap

Abstract

A closure cap for an irrigation side arm in a liquid drainage system including a drainage lumen and a channel extending through the side arm and communicating with the drainage lumen. The closure cap includes an annular rim removably secured to the outer end of the side arm, a stem having a bottom end and a top end, and a flexible wall extending between the rim and the stem adjacent the bottom end of the stem. The stem is movable between an inner position with the bottom stem end and wall received in the side arm channel, and an outer position with the bottom stem end removed from the channel and the wall folded through the rim substantially out of the channel, with the stem having a sufficient length to extend beyond the rim in the inner position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to irrigation connectors for a liquid drainage system, and more particularly to a closure cap for such irrigation connectors.

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. Although Vaillancourt et al. shows a cap for closing the end of a channel through which irrigation of the catheter is accomplished, it has been determined that the plug portion of such a cap may easily become contaminated when it is removed from the channel to perform irrigation. Accordingly, it is desirable to protect the inner portions of the cap from contamination during the period of time the cap is removed from the channel, while at the same time preventing the accumulation of sediments and clots in the portion of the channel in which the cap is received.

Cathcart, U.S. Pat. No. 3,084,693 and Minteer U.S. Pat. No. 3,332,424 show catheters which unfold for insertion into the urethra.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a closure cap for an irrigation side arm in a liquid drainage system, which is protected from contamination while the cap is removed from the side arm.

The closure cap of the present invention includes an annular rim removably secured to the outer end of the side arm, a stem having a bottom end and a top end, and a flexible wall extending between the rim and the stem adjacent the bottom end of the stem. The stem is movable between an inner position with the bottom stem end and wall received in a channel extending through the side arm, and an outer position with the bottom stem end removed from the channel and the wall folded through the rim substantially out of the channel, with the stem having a sufficient length to extend beyond the rim in the inner position.

A feature of the invention is that in the inner stem position the bottom stem end prevents the accumulation of clots and sediments in the side arm channel.

Another feature of the invention is that the wall surface exposed to the side arm channel in the inner stem position is protected from contamination in the outer position when the cap is removed from the side arm.

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 side elevational view of the closure cap of the present invention as positioned on the side arm of an irrigation connector, with a stem of the cap in an inner position during liquid drainage through the connector;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the closure cap and connector of FIG. 1, with the stem of the cap in its inner position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the closure cap of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the cap and connector of FIG. 3, with the stem partially retracted from a channel in the connector side arm;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the closure cap and connector of FIGS. 2 and 4, with the stem retracted from the side arm channel to an outer position; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the closure cap as positioned on another structure of an irrigation connector, with the stem in its inner position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral 20 designates generally a portion of a liquid drainage system wherein an irrigation connector 26 is positioned between and interconnects with a catheter 22 (only the proximal end of which is shown) and a drainage tube 28. The drainage tube 28 is received in one end 30 of the connector 26, and the adapter 24 is received in the other end 32 of the connector, while the proximal end of the catheter 22 is positioned on an end of the adapter 24 extending from the connector 26. During drainage of liquid from a cavity in a patient's body, liquid passes from the cavity through a drainage lumen 34 which extends longitudinally through the catheter 22, the adapter 24, a main arm tubular portion 35 in the connector 26, and the tube 28, from which it passes into a receptacle (not shown) for collection.

The connector 26 includes a side arm 36 projecting outwardly from the main arm portion 35. A channel 38 extends through the side arm 36 and communicates with the drainage lumen 34 at an opening 40. The opening 40 is at the juncture of the channel 38 with the drainage lumen 34 and is located intermediate the ends of the main arm 35 of the connector. A cap, generally designated 42, is removably positioned on the outer open or access end 44 of the side arm 36 to close the channel 38 and prevent contamination to the system 20 during drainage. The cap 42 includes an annular rim 46 extending around the periphery of and removably secured to the outer end 44 of the side arm 36. The rim 46 has a first annular flange 48 and a second annular flange 50 depending from the first flange 48, with the inner surface of the second flange 50 frictionally engaging the outer surface of the side arm 36 adjacent its outer end 44. A circumferential groove 52 in the inner surface of the second flange 50 receives a circumferential rim 54 projecting outwardly from the outer surface of the access end 44 of the side arm to releasably lock the cap 42 in position on the side arm 36.

The closure cap 42 includes a flexible wall 56 extending between an inner edge of the annular rim 46 and a stem 58 adjacent one of its ends 60 at the bottom of the stem. The stem 58 is movable between an inner position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an outer position, as shown in FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the stem 58 is in its inner position the one or bottom stem end 60 and wall 56 are received in the side arm channel 38, and the stem 58 has a sufficient length to extend beyond the rim 46 to permit grasping of the outer or top stem end 62. As the stem 58 is retracted from the channel 38, as shown in FIG. 4, the wall 56 folds through the annular rim 46, and as the stem is fully retracted to its outer position, as shown in FIG. 5, the wall 56 is folded substantially through the rim 46 out of the channel 38.

The closure cap 42 is shown by itself in FIG. 3 with its stem depressed in the state the closure cap normally assumes for closing the channel 38. The length of the flexible wall 56, as measured from the bottom end 60 of the stem 58 in its inner position to the inner edge of the annular rim 46, is determined generally by the length of the channel 38 from the open, access end 44 of the side arm 36 to the juncture of the channel 38 with the drainage lumen 34 at the opening 40. Thus, the length of the wall 56 is such to prevent the bottom 60 of the stem 58 from protruding into the drainage lumen 34 at the opening 40. Since the one stem end 60 must pass through the annular rim 46 when the stem is moved between its inner and outer positions, preferably the wall and one stem end have a frustro-conical shape when the stem is in its inner position, as shown in FIG. 2. Moreover, with such a shape, if the wall 56 engages the surface of the side arm channel 38 in the inner stem position, the channel 38 is tapered toward the lumen 34, and generally conforms to the tapered configuration of a syringe tip which is inserted for irrigation. The wall 56 is shown attached to the stem at the very bottom edge thereof at the end 60. It is to be appreciated that the wall may be joined to the stem at a location recess from the bottom 60 of the stem and that the annular surface of the stem adjacent the bottom end 60 may be the surface which sealingly engages the inner surfaces of the channel 38 when the stem is depressed into its closed position. The closure cap 42 is attached to a ring 66 by a strap 68, and the tubular portion 35 of the connector 26 is received in the ring 66 to retain the cap to the connector during irrigation of the catheter.

In order to irrigate the catheter 22, the stem 58 is withdrawn to its outer position as previously described with reference to FIG. 5 and then the cap 42 is removed from the side arm to expose the open, access end 44 for the introduction of an irrigating fluid into the channel 38. During introduction of the irrigating fluid, the drainage lumen 34 must be closed to the flow of the irrigating fluid on the downstream (draining) side of the opening 40. A convenient manner of accomplishing this is by means of a syringe filled with an irrigating fluid. The tip of the syringe is inserted into the channel 38 through the access end 34 of the side arm. The central portion of connector tubular portion 35 is then flexed, and the syringe tip is inserted into a restricted portion 64 of the lumen 34, which makes a sealing engagement with the tip to prevent passage of irrigation fluid into the tube 28. Upon activation of the syringe, the irrigation fluid is injected through the tip and adapter 24 into the catheter 22.

In the inner position of the stem 58, as shown in FIG. 2, a first surface 70 of the wall 56 is exposed in the side arm channel 38, while a second opposite wall surface 72 is exposed to the atmosphere. When the stem 58 is moved to its outer position, as shown in FIG. 5, the folded wall 56 forms a pocket for the first surface 70. Thus, when the cap 42 is removed from the side arm 36, the wall surface 70 is prevented from touching an object external from the channel 38, which might result in contamination to the system 20 when the cap is replaced on the side arm 36 for further drainage after irrigation is completed. Moreover, the one stem end 60 is recessed in the pocket formed by the folded wall 56, and is also protected from contamination. Preferably, the wall 56 has a sufficient length to move the one stem end 60 out of the rim 46 in the outer stem position, affording additional protection to the one stem end 60.

The use of the closure cap 42 in another structure of the irrigation connector 26 is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the main drainage arm of the connector comprises a first and second tubular portion, 80, 82, offset at an angle from each other and having the drainage lumen extending therethrough. The side arm 36 extends from the first tubular portion 80 such that the side arm channel thereof is generally aligned with the lumen 34 in the first portion 80. In this embodiment the draining liquid will follow an angular path through the main arm of the connector and the irrigating fluid during the irrigation step will follow a generally aligned, straight path from the channel 38 into the lumen 34 in the first tubular portion 80 of the connector. The closure cap 42 is shown in FIG. 6 with the stem 58 in its inner position, closing off the opening of channel 38 at the juncture of the side arm 36 with the first tubular portion 80.

In order to irrigate the catheter, the stem 58 is moved to its outer position, and the closure cap 42 is removed from the access 44 of the side arm 36, as previously described. Next, the tip of the syringe is inserted through the side arm channel 38, past the juncture of the portion of lumen 34 in the tubular portion 82 of the connector, and into the restricted portion 64, which makes sealing engagement with the tip of the syringe to prevent passage of irrigation fluid into the tube 28. Finally, irrigation fluid is injected through the adapter into the catheter.

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

Claims

I claim:

1. In a liquid drainage system including a drainage lumen, an irrigation side arm having a channel extending through the side arm and communicating with said drainage lumen, and a closure cap for said side arm channel, the improvement in combination therein wherein said cap comprises:

a rim removably secured to the outer end of said side arm;

a stem having a bottom end and a top end; and

a flexible wall extending between said rim and the stem adjacent said bottom end of said stem, said stem being movable between an inner position with said bottom end of the stem and wall received in the side arm channel and an outer position with the bottom end of the stem removed from said channel and said wall folded through the rim substantially out of said channel, said stem having a sufficient length to extend beyond the rim in said inner position, said closure cap constituting means preventing the passage of fluid between the side arm channel and the outside of the closure cap when said rim is secured to the outer end of the side arm.

2. In the combination of claim 1, a closure cap wherein a substantial portion of said wall engages the inner surface of said side arm channel in the inner stem position.

3. In the combination of claim 1 wherein said side arm channel is tapered toward the drainage lumen, a closure cap wherein said wall and one stem end have a frustro-conical shape with said stem in the inner position.

4. In the combination of claim 1, a closure cap wherein said rim includes a first annular flange having its inner edge connected to one end of the flexible wall, and a second annular flange depending from the first flange, with the inner surface of the second flange frictionally engaging the outer surface of the side arm adjacent its outer end to releasably retain the cap in position on the side arm.

5. In the combination of claim 1, a closure cap wherein the wall has a sufficient length to move said one stem end out of the rim in the outer stem position.

6. In the combination of claim 1, a closure cap wherein said wall has a sufficient length to position the one stem end adjacent a juncture of the side arm channel and the drainage lumen in said inner stem position.

7. In the combination of claim 1 wherein said drainage system includes an irrigation connector having a main arm tubular portion with said lumen extending longitudinally through the main arm portion and with said side arm projecting outwardly from the main arm portion.

8. In the combination of claim 1 wherein said drainage system includes an irrigation connector having a first tubular portion with the drainage lumen extending through the first tubular portion, a side arm extending from the first tubular portion with said channel being generally aligned with the lumen in the first portion, and a second tubular portion offset at an angle from the first portion with the drainage lumen extending through the second portion and communicating with the lumen in the first portion and said channel.

9. An irrigation connector comprising:

a. a main arm body portion having a drainage lumen passing therethrough and having a first end thereof in communication with a drainage lumen of a tube from a body cavity and a second end thereof in communication with a drainage lumen of a tube for connection to a liquid collector unit;

b. a side arm extending from said main arm body portion of the connector and having a channel passing therethrough, one end of which interconnects with the drainage lumen at a juncture intermediate said first and second ends, and the other end of which terminates at an outer open end of said side arm to provide access for the introduction of an irrigating fluid therein; and

c. a closure cap comprising,

a rim removably secured to the outer end of said side arm,

a stem having a bottom end and a top end, and

a flexible wall extending between said rim and the stem adjacent said bottom end of said stem, said stem being movable between an inner position with said bottom end of the stem and wall received in the side arm channel and an outer position with the bottom end of the stem removed from said channel and said wall folded through the rim substantially out of said channel, said stem having a sufficient length to extend beyond the rim in said inner position, said closure cap constituting means preventing the passage of fluid between the side arm channel and the outside of the closure cap when said rim is secured to said side arm.