TUBE CONNECTOR

• US 20160003733A1
• Filed: 02/27/2014
• Published: 01/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Oridion Medical 1987 Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Oridion Medical 1987 Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Colman, Joshua Lewis, Goldberg, Mark
• Application Number:
  US14/441,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20160003733A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: G01N 21/21 Polarisation-affecting properties G01N21/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3025 Polarisers, i.e. arrangements capable of producing a definite output polarisation state from an unpolarised input state G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3083 Birefringent or phase retarding elements G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence; systems for polarisation control G02B27/286; manufacturing phase modulating patterns by lithographic processes G03F7/001
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/27 with polarisation selective and adjusting means

Abstract

Tube connector having at least one polarizing element arranged such that a tube connection system can identify at least one parameter of light passed through said first polarizing element, wherein said at least one parameter comprises presence of light, light polarization state, light polarization direction, light intensity or combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A tube connector comprising at least one polarizing element (P1) arranged such that a tube connection system can identify at least one parameter of light passed through said first polarizing element.

2. The tube connector of claim 1, wherein said at least one parameter comprises presence of light, light polarization state, light polarization direction, light intensity or combinations thereof.

3. The tube connector of claim 1, wherein said at least one parameter is indicative of a preferred mode of operation of said tube connector.

4. The tube connector of claim 1, wherein said connection system is further configured to identify changes in said at least one parameter during insertion and/or revolving of said tube connector relative to a device connector.

5. The tube connector of claim 1, wherein said at least one polarizing element (P1) is positioned on an end face of said tube connecter.

6. The tube connector of claim 1, wherein said at least one polarizing element (P1) is positioned on an outer wall of said tube connecter.

7. The tube connector of claim 1, wherein said at least one polarizing element (P1) is attached to, embedded in or molded on said tube connecter.

8. The tube connector of claim 1, wherein said at least one polarizing element (P1) is a waveplate.

9. The tube connector of claim 8, wherein said waveplate is a half waveplate.

10. The tube connector of claim 1, wherein said at least one polarizing element (P1) comprises a linear polarizer.

11. The tube connector of claim 10, wherein said linear polarizer is configured to transmit light parallel to a polarization axis of said linear polarizer and to block light perpendicular to said polarization axis.

12. The tube connector of claim 10, wherein said at least one linear polarizer comprises a radially distributed polarizer.

13. The tube connector of claim 1, further comprising a reflective layer arranged such that said connection system can identify light passed through said first polarizing element and reflected by said reflective layer.

14. A method comprising:

forming a tube connector; and

applying at least one polarizing element, such that a tube connection system can identify at least one parameter of light passing therethrough

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising applying a reflective layer between an end face of the tube connector and the at least one polarizing element.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein applying comprises attaching, molding, embedding or depositing the at least one polarizing element and/or the reflective layer on the tube connector.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one polarizing element and/or the reflective layer is applied on an end face of the tube connector.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one polarizing element and/or the reflective layer is applied on an outer wall of the tube connector.

19. A method for identifying connection of a tube connector to a device connector, the method comprising:

inserting a tube connector into a device connector;

transmitting polarized light of a first polarization toward at least one polarizing element positioned on the tube connector; and

detecting, using a light detector, at least one parameter of light having passed through the at least one polarizing element.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising activating the medical device when the at least one parameter is detected.