GAS SUPPLY WARNING AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

• US 20140152468A1
• Filed: 12/02/2013
• Published: 06/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Interactive Response Systems
• Original Assignee: Advanced Interactive Response Systems
• Inventors: Obenchain, Valerie A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,714,860 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.09
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/202 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/1025 the O2 concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/16 with back-up system in case of failure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8262 connectable to external power source, e.g. connecting to automobile battery through the cigarette lighter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/00 Ancillary equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/01 Remote controllers for specific apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/006 Indicators or warning devices, e.g. of low pressure, contamination
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/18 Indicating, recording or alarm devices actuated electrically

Abstract

A gas supply warning and communication system to generate and communicate alarm signals indicating gas pressure and gas flow malfunctions in a pressurized gas system, and to open a reserve gas reservoir in the event of certain types of malfunction. The system stores, transmits, and makes available for download, gas pressure, gas flow, and oxygen concentration data, and information regarding the status of the system. The system also accepts commands for modification of system function from users of remote devices. A software product encoding methods for operating the gas supply warning and communication system. A motorized reservoir changing device including a universal valve coupler, and methods for operating a reservoir valve with the reservoir changing device. A gripper tube for secure connection of gas lines linking components of a pressurized gas system.

Claims

1. A fluid supply warning and communication system including:

a primary reservoir pressure monitor module in fluid tight engagement with an outlet of a primary fluid reservoir, for sensing primary reservoir pressure in a pressurized fluid system, and generating a primary reservoir pressure error signal in response to sensing a reservoir pressure data violative of at least one predetermined pressure limit,

a communications/flow monitor module in electronic communication with said primary reservoir pressure monitor module, for receiving said primary reservoir pressure error signal and in response transmitting a reservoir changeover signal to a changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module in fluid tight engagement with a reserve fluid reservoir in the pressurized fluid system,

said changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module including a reservoir changeover device in mechanical engagement with a main valve of said reserve fluid reservoir,

said changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module actuating said reservoir changeover device to open said reserve fluid reservoir to the pressurized fluid system upon receipt of said changeover signal.

2. The system of claim 1, said primary reservoir pressure monitor module including:

a primary reservoir pressure sensor for measuring the fluid pressure of said primary fluid reservoir, and generating said primary reservoir pressure data;

a reservoir pressure error signal generator in operative connection with said primary reservoir pressure sensor, for generating said primary reservoir pressure error signal in response to the receipt of reservoir pressure data violative of at least one predetermined pressure limit;

a pressure monitor microprocessor in operative connection with said primary reservoir pressure sensor and said reservoir pressure error signal generator, said pressure monitor microprocessor receiving said primary reservoir pressure data from said primary reservoir pressure sensor, and said primary reservoir pressure error signals from said pressure error signal generator,

a pressure monitor transceiver in operative connection with said pressure monitor microprocessor, for electronic communication with a compatible central transceiver situated at said communications/flow monitor module,

said pressure monitor microprocessor routing said primary reservoir pressure data and said primary reservoir pressure error signals to said pressure monitor transceiver for transmission to said central transceiver,

3. The system of claim 2, said communications/flow monitor module including a central microprocessor in operative connection with said central transceiver, said central microprocessor receiving said primary reservoir pressure error signal from said central transceiver and in response generating a reservoir changeover signal, said reservoir changeover signal being routed to said central transceiver for transmission to a changeover transceiver situated at said changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module includes:

a changeover/pressure monitor microprocessor in operative connection with said changeover transceiver and with said reservoir changeover device,

said changeover/pressure monitor microprocessor actuating said reservoir changeover device upon receipt of said changeover signal from said communications/flow monitor module,

said reservoir changeover device applying valve-opening torque to said main valve of said reserve fluid reservoir.

5. The system of claim 2, said pressure monitor microprocessor additionally in operative connection with at least one primary reservoir pressure alarm indicator at said primary reservoir pressure monitor module, said pressure monitor microprocessor actuating said at least one primary reservoir pressure alarm indicator in response to the receipt of a primary reservoir pressure error signal.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said at least one primary reservoir pressure alarm indicator is a vibrating bracelet.

7. The system of claim 3, said pressure monitor microprocessor additionally receiving at least one status indication from a device selected from the group consisting of a power switch, a battery charger, and said pressure monitor transceiver, said pressure monitor microprocessor accordingly actuating at least one status indicator including, respectively, a power on/power off status indicator, a battery charge indicator, and a transceiver connection status indicator.

8. The system of claim 7, said pressure monitor microprocessor additionally conveying said at least one status indication to said pressure monitor transceiver for transmission to said communications/flow monitor module.

9. The system of claim 8, said pressure monitor microprocessor in operative connection with a pressure monitor event memory, said pressure monitor microprocessor recording said primary reservoir pressure data, said primary reservoir pressure error signals, and said status indications, as event records in said pressure monitor event memory.

10. The system of claim 3, said central microprocessor additionally in operative connection with at least one reservoir pressure alarm indicator at said communications/flow monitor module, said central microprocessor actuating at least one reservoir pressure alarm indicator in response to the receipt of a signal selected from a primary reservoir pressure error signal and a reserve reservoir pressure error signal.

11. The system of claim 10, said central microprocessor additionally in operative connection with a central event memory, said central microprocessor recording said primary reservoir pressure data and said primary reservoir pressure error signals as event records in said central event memory,

12. The system of claim 3, said central microprocessor additionally in operative connection with a digital pressure display, said central microprocessor driving said digital pressure display to show a reservoir pressure value transmitted from a source selected from said primary reservoir pressure monitor module and said changeover/reservoir pressure module.

13. The system of claim 3, said central microprocessor receiving at least one status indication from a device selected from the group consisting of a power switch, a battery charger, and said pressure monitor transceiver, said central microprocessor accordingly actuating at least one status indicator including, respectively, a power on/power off status indicator, a battery charge indicator, and a transceiver connection status indicator.

14. The system of claim 13, said central microprocessor recording said status indications as event records in said central event memory.

15. The system of claim 14, said central microprocessor additionally receiving said event records from said primary reservoir pressure monitor module and said changeover/flow monitor module and recording said event records in said central event memory.

16. The system of claim 3, said communications/flow monitor module additionally including:

a fluid flow sensor for measuring a fluid flow rate for a flow of fluid from at least one of said upstream paths, said fluid flow sensor generating fluid flow data, said fluid flow sensor in operative connection with said central microprocessor,

a fluid flow error signal generator in operative connection with said fluid flow sensor and said central microprocessor, for generating a fluid flow error signal upon receipt of fluid flow data violative of at least one predetermined fluid flow limit,

said central microprocessor receiving said fluid flow pressure data and said fluid flow error signal and recording said fluid flow data and said fluid flow error signal as event records in said central event memory.

17. The system of claim 16, said central microprocessor generating a reservoir changeover signal in response to said fluid flow error signal, said central microprocessor routing said reservoir changeover signal to said central transceiver for transmission to said changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module.

18. The system of claim 17, said central microprocessor not generating said changeover signal in response to said primary reservoir pressure error signal.

19. The system of claim 16, said central microprocessor additionally in operative connection with at least one fluid flow rate error alarm indicator at said changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module, said central microprocessor actuating said at least one fluid flow error alarm indicator upon the receipt of a fluid flow rate error signal.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said at least one fluid flow error alarm indicator is a vibrating bracelet.

21. The system of claim 3, said communications/flow monitor module additionally including an emergency shut-off control operable by a user, for actuating said reservoir changeover device to apply valve-closing torque to said main valve of at least one fluid reservoir selected from said primary fluid reservoir and said reserve fluid reservoir.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein said event records in said central event memory are remotely accessible by wireless transmission via said central wireless transceiver.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein said communication/flow monitor module includes a telephonic transceiver, and said event records in said central event memory are remotely accessible via said telephonic transceiver.

24. The system of claim 15, wherein said communication/flow monitor module includes a data port, and said event records in said central event memory are remotely accessible by means of a cable compatible with said data port.

25. The system of claim 15, wherein said communication/flow monitor module includes a removable storage device socket, and said event records in said central event memory are remotely accessible by means of a removable storage device insertable in said storage device port.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein said reservoir changeover device includes:

a valve coupling device engageable with a main valve of a reserve fluid reservoir, and

a motor member including a motor to apply valve-operating torque to said valve coupling device.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said valve coupling device is a universal coupling device according to claim 52.

28. The system of claim 26, said changeover/pressure monitor microprocessor in operational connection with said reservoir changeover device, and operating said reservoir changeover device according to the method of claim 56.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein said changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module additionally includes:

a reserve reservoir pressure sensor for measuring the fluid pressure of the reserve fluid reservoir and generating reserve reservoir pressure data, said reserve reservoir pressure sensor in operative connection with said changeover/pressure monitor microprocessor,

a reservoir pressure error signal generator in operative connection with said reserve reservoir pressure sensor and said changeover/pressure monitor microprocessor, for generating a reserve reservoir pressure error signal in response to the receipt of reservoir pressure data violative of at least one predetermined pressure limit;

said changeover/pressure monitor microprocessor receiving reserve reservoir pressure data from said reserve reservoir pressure sensor and reserve reservoir pressure error signals from said pressure error signal generator.

30. The system of claim 29, said changeover/pressure monitor microprocessor actuating at least one reserve reservoir pressure alarm indicator at said changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module in response to the receipt of a reserve reservoir pressure error signal.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein said at least one reserve reservoir pressure alarm indicator is a vibrating bracelet.

32. The system of claim 29, said changeover/pressure monitor microprocessor routing said reservoir pressure data and said reservoir error signals to said changeover transceiver for transmission to said central transceiver.

33. The system of claim 29, said changeover/pressure monitor microprocessor additionally receiving a status indication from a device selected from the group consisting of a power switch, a battery charger, and said changeover transceiver, and accordingly actuating a status indicator including, respectively, a power on/power off status indicator, a battery charge indicator, and a transceiver connection status indicator.

34. The system of claim 33, said changeover/pressure monitor microprocessor additionally in operative connection with a changeover/pressure event memory, said changeover microprocessor recording said reserve reservoir pressure data, said reserve reservoir pressure error signals, and said status indications as event records in said changeover/pressure event memory

35. The system of claim 34, said changeover/pressure monitor microprocessor additionally routing said event records to said changeover transceiver for transmission to said communications/flow monitor module.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the fluid is a gas.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the fluid is a gas selected from the group consisting of propane, medical air, carbon dioxide, acetylene, hydrogen, nitrogen, helium, argon, ethylene, xenon, and a mixture thereof.

38. The system of claim 35, wherein the fluid is a liquid.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the liquid is a liquid selected from the group consisting of water, an alcohol, a petrochemical, liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, liquid hydrogen, liquid helium, liquid carbon dioxide, and a mixture thereof.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein said primary reservoir pressure monitor module is either engageable to a regulator or is structurally integrated with a regulator.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein said changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module is either engageable to a regulator or is structurally integrated with a regulator.

42. The system of claim 1, wherein said primary reservoir pressure monitor module is in gas-tight engagement with a primary air tank of a self contained breathing apparatus, and said changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module is in gas-tight engagement with a reserve air tank of the self contained breathing apparatus,

wherein and said primary reservoir pressure monitor module, said communication/flow monitor module, and said changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module are enclosed in at least one waterproof housing.

43. The system of claim 1, wherein said primary reservoir pressure monitor module is in fluid-tight engagement with a primary propane tank, and said changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module is in fluid-tight engagement with a reserve propane tank.

44. The system of claim 1, wherein said fluid supply warning and communication system is operated according to the method encoded in the software program product of claim 45.

62. A gas supply warning and communication system including

a communication/oxygen monitor module in gas tight engagement with a first upstream gas path from a primary gas reservoir, with a second upstream gas path from a reserve gas reservoir, and with a downstream gas path toward at least one end use appliance,

a changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module according to claim 1, in electronic communication with said communications/flow monitor module,

wherein said communication/oxygen monitor module includes:

an oxygen sensor in gas tight engagement with said upstream path, for generating oxygen concentration data;

a voltmeter in operative connection with said oxygen sensor, for calculating and displaying an oxygen concentration value; and

an oxygen concentration error signal generator in operative connection with said voltmeter, for generating an oxygen concentration error signal in response to an oxygen concentration value violative of at least one predetermined limit,

a central microprocessor in operative connection with a central transceiver,

said central microprocessor also in operative connection with said oxygen sensor, said voltmeter, and said oxygen concentration error signal generator,

said central microprocessor receiving said oxygen concentration error signal from said oxygen concentration error signal generator and in response generating a reservoir changeover signal,

said central microprocessor routing said reservoir changeover signal to said central transceiver for transmission to a compatible changeover transceiver situated at said changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module.

63. The gas supply warning and communication system according to claim 62, additionally including:

a gas flow sensor for measuring a gas flow rate for a flow of gas from said upstream path, said gas flow sensor generating gas flow data, said gas flow sensor in operative connection with said central microprocessor,

a gas flow error signal generator in operative connection with said gas flow sensor and said central microprocessor, for generating a gas flow error signal upon receipt of gas flow data violative of at least one predetermined gas flow limit,

said central microprocessor receiving said gas flow pressure data and said gas flow error signal, and recording said gas flow data and said gas flow error signal as event records in said central event memory,

64. The system of claim 63, said central microprocessor additionally in operative connection with at least one oxygen concentration error alarm indicator, said central microprocessor actuating said at least one oxygen concentration alarm indicator in response to the receipt of said oxygen concentration error signal.

65. The system of claim 64, said central microprocessor additionally in operative connection with at least one gas flow rate error alarm indicator, said central microprocessor actuating said at least one gas flow rate error alarm indicator in response to the receipt of said gas flow rate error signal.

66. The system of claim 64, wherein said at least one of said gas flow rate error alarm indicator and said at least one oxygen concentration error alarm indicator is a vibrating bracelet.

67. The system of claim 63, said central microprocessor generating a reservoir changeover signal in response to said gas flow error signal, said central microprocessor routing said reservoir changeover signal to said central transceiver for transmission to said changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module.

68. The system of claim 63, wherein said event records in said central event memory are remotely accessible by wireless transmission via said central wireless transceiver.

69. The system of claim 63, wherein said communication/flow monitor module includes a telephonic transceiver, and said event records in said central event memory are remotely accessible via said telephonic transceiver.

70. The system of claim 63, wherein said communication/flow monitor module includes a data port, and said event records in said central event memory are remotely accessible by means of a cable compatible with said data port.

71. The system of claim 63, wherein said communication/flow monitor module includes a removable storage device socket, and said event records in said central event memory are remotely accessible by means of a removable storage device insertable in said storage device port.

45. A software program product for controlling a fluid supply warning and communication system of a pressurized fluid system, the software program product comprising a processor-readable tangible storage device encoding instructions for executing a method including the steps of:

executing a flow monitor routine for sensing a fluid flow rate in the pressurized fluid system and communicating fluid flow information and fluid flow rate error signals to at least one receiving device, and

executing a pressure monitor and reservoir changeover routine, for opening a reserve fluid cylinder to the pressurized fluid system, sensing the pressure of the reserve fluid cylinder, and communicating reservoir pressure information and reservoir pressure error signals to at least one receiving device.

46. The program product of claim 45, wherein the step of executing a flow monitor routine includes the steps of:

reading a flow rate alarm setting from a memory device into a central microprocessor,

sensing a fluid flow rate in the pressurized fluid system with a fluid flow rate sensor,

generating fluid flow rate data with the fluid flow rate sensor,

sensing a fluid flow rate below at least one predetermined limit,

activating at least one fluid flow rate error response commensurate with a level of fluid flow rate deficit, the at least one fluid flow rate error response selected from the group including the actuation of an audible alarm indication, the actuation of an LED alarm indication, the actuation of a vibrating bracelet, and the transmission of a reservoir changeover signal to actuate the opening of a reserve fluid reservoir by a reservoir changing device,

generating an event record of the activation of the at least one fluid flow error response,

sensing a fluid flow rate at or above the at least one predetermined limit,

deactivating the at least one fluid flow rate error response,

storing the fluid flow rate data and the event record in a memory device,

establishing a connection between the memory device and at least one remote device, and

transmitting the fluid flow rate data and the event record to the at least one remote device.

47. The program product of claim 45, wherein the step of executing a pressure monitor and reservoir changeover routine additionally includes the steps of:

loading a reserve fluid reservoir onto a changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module,

opening the reserve fluid reservoir to the pressurized fluid system,

sensing a reserve reservoir fluid pressure with a fluid pressure sensor,

generating reserve reservoir fluid pressure data with the fluid pressure sensor,

sensing a reserve reservoir fluid pressure below at least one predetermined limit,

transmitting a reserve reservoir fluid pressure error alarm reserve error alarm to a communication/flow monitor module,

activating at least one reserve reservoir fluid pressure error alarm indication selected from the group including an audible alarm indication, an LED alarm indication, and a vibrating bracelet,

generating an event record of the activation of the at least one reserve reservoir fluid pressure error response,

storing the reserve reservoir fluid pressure data and the event record in a memory device,

establishing a connection between the memory device and at least one remote device, and

sending the reserve reservoir fluid pressure data and the event record to the communication/flow monitor module.

48. The program product of claim 45, wherein the step of executing a flow monitor routine additionally includes the step of executing an oxygen concentration monitoring subroutine for sensing an oxygen concentration in the pressurized fluid system and communicating oxygen concentration information and oxygen concentration error signals to at least one receiving device, the oxygen concentration monitoring subroutine including the steps of:

sensing an oxygen concentration in the pressurized fluid system with an oxygen concentration sensor,

generating fluid flow rate data with the fluid flow rate sensor,

sensing an oxygen concentration below at least one predetermined limit,

activating at least one oxygen concentration error response selected from the group including the actuation of an audible alarm indication, the actuation of an LED alarm indication, the actuation of a vibrating bracelet, and the transmission of a reservoir changeover signal to actuate a reservoir changing device to open a reserve fluid reservoir to the pressurized fluid system,

generating an event record of the activation of the at least one oxygen concentration error response,

sensing a oxygen concentration at or above the at least one predetermined limit,

deactivating the at least one fluid flow rate error response,

storing the fluid flow rate data and the event record in a memory device,

establishing a connection between the memory device and at least one remote device; and

sending the fluid flow rate data and the event record to the at least one remote device.

49. The program product of claim 45, wherein the step of executing a flow monitor routine includes the steps of:

reading a reservoir pressure alarm setting from a memory device into a central microprocessor,

sensing a reservoir pressure in the pressurized fluid system with a fluid pressure sensor,

generating reservoir pressure data with the fluid pressure sensor,

sensing a reservoir pressure below at least one predetermined limit,

activating at least one reservoir pressure error response commensurate with a level of fluid flow rate deficit, the at least one reservoir pressure error response selected from the group including the actuation of an audible alarm indication, the actuation of an LED alarm indication, the actuation of a vibrating bracelet, and the transmission of a reservoir changeover signal to actuate the opening of a reserve fluid reservoir by a reservoir changing device,

generating an event record of the activation of the at least one reservoir pressure error response,

sensing a reservoir pressure at or above the at least one predetermined limit,

deactivating the at least one reservoir pressure error response,

storing the reservoir pressure data and the event record in a memory device,

establishing a connection between the memory device and at least one remote device, and

transmitting the reservoir pressure data and the event record to the at least one remote device.

50. The program product of claim 45, wherein the fluid is a gas.

51. The program product of claim 45, wherein the fluid is a liquid.

52. A motorized universal coupling device for exerting torque upon an object to be rotated, including:

a coupler for engaging a universal coupling device to an object to be rotated,

a motor member to apply torque to said coupler, said motor member including a motor having a motor shaft, and

an acceptor member to connect said coupler to said motor shaft;

said coupler including;

a pin housing having a bottom end facing away from the object, an opposite top end, and at least one lateral side,

said pin housing including a plurality of mutually parallel pin channels, said plurality of said pin channels aligned perpendicular to said bottom end of said pin housing,

each of said pin channels having a top opening defined said top end of said pin housing and a bottom opening defined in said bottom end of said pin housing,

each of said pin channels slidably containing a spring pin for transmitting torque applied by said motor to the object,

said spring pin having a bottom section, protrudable below said bottom opening of said pin channel, and an upper section protrudable above said top opening of said pin channel, said upper section terminating in a pin head of a diameter larger than a diameter of said top opening,

each of said pin channels having a bottom portion accommodating said bottom section of said spring pin, and a middle portion and an upper portion together accommodating said upper section of said spring pin, said upper portion of said pin channel accommodating a biasing member disposed about said upper section of said spring pin,

said biasing member biasing said spring pin downward to protrude beyond said bottom opening of said pin housing, said biasing member allowing the sliding upward displacement of said spring pin upon contact of said spring pin with the object,

a subset of spring pins protruding below said bottom openings of said pin housing after contact with the object forming a pocket closely approximating a perimeter of the object.

53. The coupling device of claim 52, wherein said bottom portion of said pin channel is a common bottom portion having a common bottom opening accommodating said bottom sections of said plurality of spring pins.

54. The coupling device of claim 52, wherein said biasing member is selected from the group including a coil spring and a resilient collar.

55. The coupling device of claim 52, further defined as a universal valve coupler and the object to be rotated is a valve of a fluid reservoir.

56. A method for opening a main valve of a pressurized fluid reservoir, including the steps of:

engaging a motorized coupling device to a main valve of a pressurized fluid reservoir, the main valve being in closed position,

engaging a pressure sensor to an outlet of the pressurized fluid reservoir,

operatively connecting the pressure sensor to a microprocessor,

receiving a signal to open the main valve of the pressurized fluid reservoir at the microprocessor,

commencing transmission of an actuation signal from the microprocessor to the motorized coupling device,

actuating the motorized coupling device,

applying valve-opening torque to the main valve with the actuated motorized coupling device,

sensing a fluid pressure at the outlet of the pressurized fluid reservoir with the pressure sensor,

generating fluid pressure data with the pressure sensor,

routing the fluid pressure data to the microprocessor,

receiving the fluid pressure data at the microprocessor,

receiving at the microprocessor fluid pressure data indicating fluid pressure above a predetermined threshold,

ceasing transmission of the actuation signal from the microprocessor;

ceasing the actuation of the motorized coupling device, and

ceasing valve-opening torque on the main valve by the motorized coupling device.

57. A gripper tube attachable to a tubular outlet, including:

a tube member including a tube wall defining a tube lumen and having at least a first free end, said first free end including a gripping endpiece, said gripping endpiece including;

a distal annular member having an endpiece wall defining an endpiece lumen, said endpiece lumen having a greater diameter than the diameter of said tube lumen, said endpiece wall including an inside surface, said inside surface including a plurality of grooves defining a plurality of ribs, said plurality of ribs projecting into said endpiece lumen,

a proximal tapering member having a tapered wall defining a tapered lumen,

said tapered wall having a distal end continuous with said endpiece wall, and a proximal end continuous with said tube wall,

the diameter of said tapered lumen at said distal end approximating the diameter of said endpiece lumen,

the diameter of said tapered lumen at said proximal end having a diameter approximating the diameter of said tube lumen.

58. The tube of claim 57, wherein said tube member includes a second free end.

59. The tube of claim 58, said second free end terminating in a second gripping endpiece,

60. The tube of claim 57, wherein said tube member and said gripping endpiece are of unitary construction.

61. The tube of claim 57, wherein said tube member and said gripping endpiece are of separate construction and are interlockable in a fluid-tight fit.