Medical small-bore tubing system and kit
First Claim
1. A system of medical small bore tubing for multiple different applications, the system in each application comprising connectors between tubing of the system or components of the system, wherein said connectors comprise:
- a male component having a stub, a first key and a through-bore for the passage of fluid to be transported; and
a female component having a stub, a second key and a through-bore for the passage of fluid to be transported;
said male and female components being adapted to be interconnected in a fluid-tight manner with inter-engagement of said first and second keys, and said stubs being adapted for connection to tubing of the system or components of the system, and at least one of said male and female components having a grip;
wherein, in each application;
a) the first and second keys are unique to each application of the system so that they prevent connection of a female component of one application to a male component of another application; and
b) said grip has application affordance unique to the application for which it is intended, the affordance comprising both visual and tactile cues;
wherein misconnections between tubing and components of said different applications of the system are prevented and attempts by users to effect said misconnection are discouraged by said affordance of said grip.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A small bore tubing system employs affordance to assist distinction between different applications of medical tubing and their interconnections, as well as unique keying to avoid misconnection between tubing of different applications. Said affordance is by shape of a grip on connectors of the system, which shapes provide both visual and tactile application-specific affordance (eg. spine and ribs to indicate neuraxial application). Further mechanism affordance ensures appropriate connection mechanism is employed. A kit of components of a medical small-bore tubing connection system has a first converter (14), a second converter (30), a syringe (10) and a needle (50). Each converter (14, 30) has a through bore, a standard female (16) and male (36) connector, and a “different” male (18) and female (32) connector element. The first converter (14) has a latching mechanism (control ring) (20) on the different male connector (18) and which is adapted to engage a flange (34) of the corresponding female connector. Said standard connectors are 6% luer connectors. To the standard outlet of the syringe is permanently secured a first converter (14′). The hypodermic needle has said different female connector (32′) formed directly thereon. The control ring comprises a threaded (26) collar and said flange comprises thread elements (34). The control ring is axially slidable between limits (22, 24), and is rotatably free, on the first converter.
91 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A system of medical small bore tubing for multiple different applications, the system in each application comprising connectors between tubing of the system or components of the system, wherein said connectors comprise:
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a male component having a stub, a first key and a through-bore for the passage of fluid to be transported; and
a female component having a stub, a second key and a through-bore for the passage of fluid to be transported;
said male and female components being adapted to be interconnected in a fluid-tight manner with inter-engagement of said first and second keys, and said stubs being adapted for connection to tubing of the system or components of the system, and at least one of said male and female components having a grip;
wherein, in each application;
a) the first and second keys are unique to each application of the system so that they prevent connection of a female component of one application to a male component of another application; and
b) said grip has application affordance unique to the application for which it is intended, the affordance comprising both visual and tactile cues;
wherein misconnections between tubing and components of said different applications of the system are prevented and attempts by users to effect said misconnection are discouraged by said affordance of said grip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification