Interlock Feed Set Coupling

• US 20150335874A1
• Filed: 05/23/2014
• Published: 11/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Applied Medical Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Phillips, Grant Wesley, Williams, Derek M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,058,693 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0015 Gastrostomy feeding-tubes insertion tools or methods A61B17/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0026 Parts, details or accessories for feeding-tubes external tubes from medical containers to a connector outside of the body A61M39/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0042 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0057 fixing a tube end, i.e. tube not protruding the fixing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0092 Valves on feeding tubes tube valves A61M39/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0009 Assemblies therefor designed for particular applications, e.g. contrast or saline injection, suction or irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1061 Break-apart tubing connectors or couplings
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1072 with a septum present in the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1077 Adapters, e.g. couplings adapting a connector to one or several other connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1011 Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24

Abstract

An interlock coupling adapter for delivering medical fluids to a patient, for example, with enteral feed set devices is provided herein. The interlock coupling adapter increases patient comfort and ensures a secure connection between a button/button base and a food source or medical fluid source. The interlock coupling adapter has an interlock inset within an opening of a button base. The interlock has a recess in which locking protrusions of an adapter may fit within. In this way, the adapter may freely rotate about the interlock. The adapter may be connected or disconnected by depressing flexible arms hinged to the adapter.

Claims

1. An interlock adapter connector for providing a medical fluid to a patient, comprising a rigid body, the rigid body comprising:

an input port, an output port, and a pathway between the input and output ports through which the medical fluid may flow through the rigid body; and

at least two hinges extending from the rigid body and at least two flexible arms that extend from the at least two hinges and are continuous with the rigid body on one end and comprise a locking protrusion at an opposite end,

wherein when the flexible arms are depressed radially inward about the hinges, the locking protrusions of the flexible arms also rotate radially inward about the hinge.

2. The interlock adapter connector of claim 1, wherein the rigid body is made from plastic.

3. The interlock adapter connector of claim 1, wherein the at least two flexible arms comprise ridges on an outer surface of each flexible arm for increasing grip.

4. The interlock adapter connector of claim 1, wherein the pathway is bent or curved between the input and output ports.

5. The interlock adapter connector of claim 1, wherein the pathway is straight between the input and output ports.

6. The interlock adapter connector of claim 1, wherein the interlock adapter is comprised of separately molded pieces.

7. The interlock adapter connector of claim 1, wherein the interlock adapter is comprised of a single molded piece.

8. The interlock adapter connector of claim 1, wherein the interlock adapter connector comprises a material that glows in the dark.

9. An interlock adapter connector that facilitates providing a medical fluid to a patient via a button, the button comprising:

a button base with an opening; and

an interlock ring inset in the opening of the button base, the interlock ring comprising an upper edge that does not protrude from the opening of button base,

wherein the interlock ring comprises an inner wall having a recess extending circumferentially around the inner wall, and wherein the interlock ring allows the medical fluid to flow through the opening of the button base.

10. The interlock adapter connector of claim 9, wherein the upper edge of the interlock ring is beveled.

11. The interlock adapter connector of claim 9, wherein the interlock ring is made from at least one of plastic or other rigid material.

12. The interlock adapter connector of claim 9, wherein the interlock ring comprises a material that glows in the dark.

13. An interlock adapter connector set for providing a medical fluid to a patient, comprising:

a rigid body, the rigid body comprising;

an input port, an output port, and a pathway between the input and output ports through which the medical fluid flows through the rigid body; and

at least two flexible arms extending continuously from the rigid body creating a hinge on one end of each arm and comprising a locking protrusion at an opposite end of each arm,

wherein when the flexible arms are depressed inward about the hinge, the locking protrusions of the flexible arms also flex inward;

a button comprising;

a button base with an opening; and

an interlock ring inset in the opening of the button base,

wherein the interlock ring comprises an inner wall having a recess extending circumferentially around the inner wall, and

wherein the rigid body is capable of mating with the interlock ring by way of the locking protrusions such that the locking protrusions securely sit within the recess of the interlock ring and the locking protrusions rotate freely within the recess when mated.

14. The interlock adapter connector set of claim 14, wherein depressing the at least two flexible arms releases the rigid body from the interlock ring to unmate the rigid body from the interlock ring.

15. The interlock adapter connector set of claim 14, wherein the rigid body and interlock ring are made from a rigid material and the button base is made from silicone.

16. The interlock adapter connector set of claim 14, wherein the interlock adapter connector set comprises a material that glows in the dark.

17. The interlock adapter connector set of claim 14, wherein upon mating, the output port penetrates a valve located within the button base.

18. The interlock adapter connector set of claim 14, wherein a space exists between a substantial portion of each flexible arm and the rigid body which allows movement of each flexible arm about each hinge.

19. The interlock adapter connector set of claim 14, wherein the rigid body and the flexible arms hinged to the rigid body are a single, continuous molded unit.