PNEUMATIC CONNECTOR FOR SMALL-BORE MEDICAL TUBING

• US 20110266796A1
• Filed: 12/15/2009
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Coviello, Joseph A., Monroe, Charles C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,044,584 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/361
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/225 Connectors or couplings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1027 Quick-acting type connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1094 at least partly incompatible with standard connectors, e.g. to prevent fatal mistakes in connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1011 Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/24 in which the connection is made by inserting one member axially into the other and rotating it to a limited extent, e.g. with bayonet action
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/248 Bayonet-type couplings

Abstract

A connector apparatus for small-bore medical tubing includes a male connector (20) with a dome (22) which fits into a mating cavity (42) of a female connector (40) when the two connectors are coupled together. A fluid channel extends through the connectors, the dome, and into the cavity to form a continuous fluid passageway when the connectors are coupled together. The dome is compressed into the cavity to form a fluid-tight connection when the connectors are coupled together. Each connector has a coupling structure which mates with the other to compress the connectors together when fully engaged. The connectors are engaged by inserting the dome of one of the connectors into the cavity of the other connector, then rotating the connectors to fully couple them together.

Claims

1. A fluid connector apparatus for tubing comprising:

a male connector having a dome at a distal end of the male connector, a fluid channel extending through the dome to a proximal end of the male connector, and a first coupling structure to couple the male connector to a female connector; and

a female connector having a cavity at a distal end which is sized and shaped to mate with the dome of the male connector, a fluid channel extending from the cavity to a proximal end of the female connector, and a second coupling structure to couple the female connector to the male connector,

wherein the fluid channels of the male and female connectors form a continuous fluid channel when the male and female connectors are coupled together.

2. The fluid connector apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first hose barb located at the proximal end of the male connector and a second hose barb located at the proximal end of the female connector,

wherein the fluid channel of each connector extends through the hose barb.

3. The fluid connector apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a first tubing section having a first end coupled to the hose barb of the male connector and a second tubing section having a first end coupled to the hose barb of the female connector.

4. The fluid connector apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a blood pressure cuff coupled to the second end of one of the tubing sections and a medical instrument coupled to the second end of the other of the tubing sections.

5. The fluid connector apparatus of claim 4, wherein the medical instrument comprises a non-invasive blood pressure monitor.

6. The fluid connector apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the coupling structures comprises a pair of extending arms and the other of the coupling structures comprises a pair of undercuts into which the arms fit when the male and female connectors are coupled together.

7. The fluid connector apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one of the arms and undercuts are tapered to provide a snug fit when the connectors are coupled together.

8. The fluid connector apparatus of claim 7, wherein the snug fit of the arms and undercuts causes a compression of the dome in the cavity when the connectors are coupled together.

9. The fluid connector apparatus of claim 7, wherein the arms and undercuts are engaged by inserting the dome into the cavity and axially rotating at least one connector with respect to the other connector.

10. The fluid connector apparatus of claim 1, wherein the male and female connectors are coupled together by inserting the dome into the cavity and axially rotating at least one connectors with respect to the other connector.

11. The fluid connector apparatus of claim 10, wherein the connectors exhibit an asymmetrical relationship to each other when the connectors are joined but not fully rotated, and a symmetrical relationship to each other when the connectors are joined and rotated into a fully coupled condition.

12. The fluid connector apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the coupling structures comprises a pair of ribs and the other of the coupling structures comprises a pair of channels into which the ribs are positioned when the male and female connectors are coupled together.

13. The fluid connector apparatus of claim 12, wherein the ribs are moved into the channels to stops at the ends of the channels when the dome is inserted into the cavity and at least one of the connectors is rotated with respect to the other connector.

14. The fluid connector apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a detent mechanism which produces a sound and/or tactile sensation when the male and female connectors are coupled together.

15. The fluid connector apparatus of claim 14, wherein the detent mechanism further comprises a depression located in one of the connectors and a projection located in the other of the connectors,

wherein the projection is aligned to mate with the depression when the male and female connectors are coupled together.