Implantable medical connector for medical tubing with anchoring features

• US 20060084940A1
• Filed: 12/01/2005
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Olsen, James M., Hegland, Michael Thomas
• Application Number:
  US11/291,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20060084940A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/535
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1027 Quick-acting type connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/12 for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment

Abstract

A connector and method of medical tubing is disclosed. The connector defines a fluid passageway, and the connector includes a first end, a first intermediate portion, a middle portion, a second intermediate portion, and a second end. The middle portion is located between the first intermediate portion and the second intermediate portion, and the first end is adapted to fit inside a proximal connector-receiving portion, and the second end is adapted to fit inside a distal connector-receiving portion. The connector includes at least a first protrusion and a second protrusion projecting from the connector, wherein a first protrusion is located between the first end and the first intermediate portion, and the second protrusion is located between the second intermediate portion and the second end. The connector includes a first tubular strain relief having an extending first portion that extends past the first end of the connector and is adapted to fit over a proximal connection section, and a second tubular strain relief having an extending second portion that extends past the second end of the connector and is adapted to fit over a distal connection section. When the first end of the connector is inserted into a proximal connector-receiving portion a first interlock fit is formed therebetween, and when the second end of the connector is inserted into the distal connector-receiving portion a second interlock fit is formed therebetween, resulting in a fluid tight connection between the proximal connector-receiving portion and the distal connector-receiving portion, and wherein at least the middle portion of the connector is exposed. The middle portion of the connector can include a suture receiving section that can be sutured to tissue of patient.

Claims

1. An implantable medical connection system for medical tubing, the connection system comprising:

an implantable medical connector defining a passageway having first and second ends, the connector including

a central portion defining at least one suture-receiving groove extending annularly around an annular surface of the central portion;

first connection means for connecting an end of a first medical tube in fluid communication with the first end of the passageway; and

second connection means for connecting an end of a second medical tube in fluid communication with the second end of the passageway;

wherein the first and second connection means so connect the first and second medical tube to the implantable medical connector that the suture-receiving groove remains exposed; and

at least one suture placed in and extending along at least a portion of the suture-receiving groove whereby the implantable medical connection system may be anchored to biological tissue.

2. The implantable medical connection system of claim 1 wherein:

the central portion has a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and

the first and second connection means each comprise a tubular structure adapted to receive an end of medical tubing thereon, the tubular structure having at least one protrusion adapted for retention of medical tubing thereon, wherein the first connection means extends from the first end of the central portion, and the second connection means extends from the second end of the central portion.

3. The implantable medical connection system of claim 2 further comprising:

a first tubular strain relief extending from the first end of the central portion and having a lumen in which the first connection means is housed, the lumen of the first strain relief being adapted to receive the end of the first medical tube therein when the end of the first medical tube is connected to the first connection means; and

a second tubular strain relief extending from the second end of the central portion and having a lumen in which the second connection means is housed, the lumen of the second strain relief being adapted to receive the end of the second medical tube therein when the end of the second medical tube is connected to the second connection means.

4. The combination of the implantable medical connection system of claim 3 with a first medical tube having a first end connected to the first connection means and received in the first tubular strain relief and a second medical tube having a first end connected to the second connection means and received in the second tubular strain relief.

5. The combination of an implantable infusion pump with the combination of claim 4 wherein the first medical tube has a second end connected in fluid connected to the implantable infusion pump.

6. The implantable medical connection system of claim 3, wherein

the first tubular strain relief has a lip at one end that is adapted to fit over the first end of the central portion to form an interlock fit therebetween, and

the second tubular strain relief has a lip at one end that is adapted to fit over the second end of the central portion to form an interlock fit therebetween.

7. The implantable medical connector of claim 6, wherein the first tubular strain relief has an extending first portion at an end opposite to the end having the lip of the first tubular strain relief, the extending first portion being more flexible than a remainder of the first tubular strain relief.

8. The implantable medical connector of claim 6, wherein the second tubular strain relief has an extending second portion at an end opposite to the end having the lip of the second tubular strain relief, the extending second portion being more flexible than the remainder of the second tubular strain relief.

9. The implantable medical connector of claim 6, wherein the first tubular strain relief has an extending first portion at an end opposite to the end of having the lip of the first tubular strain relief, the extending first portion being more flexible than a remainder of the first tubular strain relief, and wherein the second tubular strain relief has an extending second portion at an end opposite the end having the lip of the second tubular strain relief, the extending second portion being more flexible than the remainder of the second tubular strain relief.

10. The implantable medical connector of claim 6, wherein the first tubular strain relief has an extending first portion at an end opposite to the end having the lip of the first tubular strain relief, wherein the extending first portion tapers to a smaller outside diameter as it extends in a direction away from the lip.

11. The implantable medical connector of claim 6, wherein the second tubular strain relief has an extending second portion at an end opposite to the end having the lip of the second tubular strain relief, wherein the extending second portion tapers to a smaller outside diameter as it extends in a direction away from the lip.

12. The implantable medical connector of claim 6, wherein the first tubular strain relief has an extending first portion at an end opposite to the end of having the lip of the first tubular strain relief, wherein the extending first portion tapers to a smaller outside diameter as it extends in a direction away from the lip of the first tubular strain relief, wherein the second tubular strain relief has an extending second portion at an end opposite to the end having the lip of the second tubular strain relief, wherein the extending second portion tapers to a smaller outside diameter as it extends in a direction away from the lip of the second tubular strain relief.

13. An implantable medical connection system for medical tubing, the connection system comprising:

an implantable medical connector defining a passageway having first and second ends, the connector including

a central portion having an outside surface that defines at least one suture-receiving hole;

first connection means for connecting an end of a first medical tube in fluid communication with the first end of the passageway; and

second connection means for connecting an end of a second medical tube in fluid communication with the second end of the passageway;

wherein the first and second connection means so connect the first and second medical tube to the implantable medical connector that the suture-receiving groove remains exposed; and

at least one suture placed in and extending through the suture-receiving hole whereby the implantable medical connection system may be anchored to biological tissue.

14. The implantable medical connection system of claim 13 wherein:

the central portion has a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and

the first and second connection means each comprise a tubular structure adapted to receive an end of medical tubing thereon, the tubular structure having at least one protrusion adapted for retention of medical tubing thereon, wherein the first connection means extends from the first end of the central portion, and the second connection means extends from the second end of the central portion.

15. The implantable medical connection system of claim 14 further comprising:

a first tubular strain relief extending from the first end of the central portion and having a lumen in which the first connection means is housed, the lumen of the first strain relief being adapted to receive the end of the first medical tube therein when the end of the first medical tube is connected to the first connection means; and

a second tubular strain relief extending from the second end of the central portion and having a lumen in which the second connection means is housed, the lumen of the second strain relief being adapted to receive the end of the second medical tube therein when the end of the second medical tube is connected to the second connection means.

16. The combination of the implantable medical connection system of claim 15 with a first medical tube having a first end connected to the first connection means and received in the first tubular strain relief and a second medical tube having a first end connected to the second connection means and received in the second tubular strain relief.

17. The combination of an implantable infusion pump with the combination of claim 16 wherein the first medical tube has a second end connected in fluid connected to the implantable infusion pump.

18. The implantable medical connection system of claim 15, wherein

the first tubular strain relief has a lip at one end that is adapted to fit over the first end of the central portion to form an interlock fit therebetween, and

the second tubular strain relief has a lip at one end that is adapted to fit over the second end of the central portion to form an interlock fit therebetween.

19. The implantable medical connector of claim 18, wherein the first tubular strain relief has an extending first portion at an end opposite to the end having the lip of the first tubular strain relief, the extending first portion being more flexible than a remainder of the first tubular strain relief.

20. The implantable medical connector of claim 18, wherein the second tubular strain relief has an extending second portion at an end opposite to the end having the lip of the second tubular strain relief, the extending second portion being more flexible than the remainder of the second tubular strain relief.

21. The implantable medical connector of claim 18, wherein the first tubular strain relief has an extending first portion at an end opposite to the end of having the lip of the first tubular strain relief, the extending first portion being more flexible than a remainder of the first tubular strain relief, and wherein the second tubular strain relief has an extending second portion at an end opposite the end having the lip of the second tubular strain relief, the extending second portion being more flexible than the remainder of the second tubular strain relief.

22. The implantable medical connector of claim 18, wherein the first tubular strain relief has an extending first portion at an end opposite to the end having the lip of the first tubular strain relief, wherein the extending first portion tapers to a smaller outside diameter as it extends in a direction away from the lip.

23. The implantable medical connector of claim 18, wherein the second tubular strain relief has an extending second portion at an end opposite to the end having the lip of the second tubular strain relief, wherein the extending second portion tapers to a smaller outside diameter as it extends in a direction away from the lip.

24. The implantable medical connector of claim 18, wherein the first tubular strain relief has an extending first portion at an end opposite to the end of having the lip of the first tubular strain relief, wherein the extending first portion tapers to a smaller outside diameter as it extends in a direction away from the lip of the first tubular strain relief, wherein the second tubular strain relief has an extending second portion at an end opposite to the end having the lip of the second tubular strain relief, wherein the extending second portion tapers to a smaller outside diameter as it extends in a direction away from the lip of the second tubular strain relief.