FLUID CONNECTOR WITH FACE SEAL

• US 20180043125A1
• Filed: 03/08/2016
• Published: 02/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: BENCKE, James Mckensey, FORMICA, Justin John, JONES, Richard Llewelyn, ORMROD, Joseph Samuel, SIMPSON, Mark, WEHBEH, Jamie Graeme
• Granted Patent: US 10,850,059 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0033 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/276 preventing unwanted use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6045 having complementary physical shapes for indexing or registration purposes
• 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: F16L 37/086 by means of latching members pushed radially by spring-like elements
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/098 by means of flexible hooks

Abstract

One form of the present technology includes a fluid connector for delivery of breathing gas to a patient from a respiratory pressure therapy device, the fluid connector including a first end with a first opening to deliver a fluid flow, a seal portion extending around a periphery of the first opening, and a latching portion, a second end with a second opening to receive the fluid flow, a sealing surface extending around a periphery of the second opening and configured to engage the seal portion to form a face seal, and a complementary latching portion configured to engage with the latching portion

Claims

1. A fluid connector system for delivery of breathing gas to a patient from a respiratory pressure therapy device, the fluid connector system comprising:

a first end with a first opening for a fluid flow, a seal portion extending around a periphery of the first opening, and a latching portion, and

a second end with an inner tube defining a second opening for the fluid flow, a sealing surface extending around a periphery of the second opening and configured to engage the seal portion to form a face seal, and an outer tube comprising a complementary latching portion configured to engage with the latching portion and configured to be depressed into a cavity formed between the inner tube and the outer tube,

wherein the face seal forms a seal to breathing gas travelling between the first opening and the second opening, and the engagement between the latching portion and the complementary latching portion secures the first end with the second end.

2. The fluid connector system according to claim 1, wherein the second end further comprises a stabiliser located between the inner tube and the outer tube.

3. The fluid connector system according to claim 2, wherein the stabiliser is formed at least in part from an elastomer.

4. The fluid connector system according to claim 1, wherein the first end is connected to a respiratory pressure therapy device including a blower and the second end is connected to a fluid conduit.

5. The fluid connector system according to claim 1, wherein the sealing surface is flat.

6. The fluid connector system according to claim 5, wherein the sealing surface is substantially perpendicular to a direction of the fluid flow from the first end to the second end.

7. The fluid connector system according to claim 1, wherein the sealing surface extends circumferentially around the second opening.

8. The fluid connector system according to claim 1, wherein the sealing surface is formed on a flange that extends radially from the inner tube.

9. The fluid connector system according to claim 8, wherein the flange extends substantially perpendicularly from the inner tube.

10. The fluid connector system according to claim 8, wherein the inner tube extends beyond the flange in a direction towards the seal portion.

11. The fluid connector system according to claim 10, wherein the inner tube extends at least partially though the seal portion when the complementary latching portion is engaged with the latching portion.

12. The fluid connector system according to claim 1, wherein the seal portion is compliant in a direction of engagement between the first end and the second end.

13. The fluid connector system according to claim 1, wherein the seal portion includes a frustoconical portion.

14. The fluid connector system according to claim 13, wherein the frustoconical portion contacts the sealing surface to form the face seal when the first end and the second end are connected.

15. The fluid connector system according to claim 1, wherein the seal portion includes a partial spherical surface.

16. The fluid connector system according to claim 15, wherein the partial spherical surface contacts the sealing surface to form the face seal when the first end and the second end are connected.

17. The fluid connector system according to claim 1, wherein the seal portion includes a bellows-shaped or partial bellows-shaped portion.

18. The fluid connector system according to claim 17, wherein the bellows-shaped or partial bellows-shaped portion contacts the sealing surface to form the face seal when the first end and the second end are connected.

19. The fluid connector system according to claim 1, wherein, when the first end and the second end are connected, the seal portion is configured to engage the sealing surface before the latching portion and the complementary latching portion engage.

20. The fluid connector system according to claim 1, wherein the seal portion is compliant in a direction radial to an axis defined by a direction of engagement between the first end and the second end.

21-70. -70. (canceled)