Laminar flow connector for blood and sterile solutions

• US 4,398,757 A
• Filed: 02/18/1981
• Issued: 08/16/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bert S. Bodnar, Larry K. Floyd
• Original Assignee: Bert S. Bodnar, Larry K. Floyd
• Inventors: Floyd, Larry K., Bodnar, Bert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Application Number:
  US06/235,689
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• Field of Search: 285/315, 285/322, 285/423, 285/316, 604/93, 604/905, 604/408, 604/283, 128/207.14
• US Class Current: 285/315
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/133 using flexible hooks F16L37/1215 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

A pair of tubular coupling members (2, 3) are joined in a telescopic relationship to form a continuous passageway (25) of substantially uniform diameter. A plurality of resilient clamping fingers (27) are biased in a radially outward direction and axially extend from one coupling member (3) to surround an annular projection (10) provided by another coupling member (2). A slidable annular locking sleeve (4) removably engages camming surfaces (25) to urge the clamping fingers (22) into firm locking engagement to surround the annular projection (10) and securely maintain the coupling members (2, 3) together. The connector maintains a fluid tight seal without directly subjecting a gasket (12) to the solutions to maintain a sterile connection.

Claims

1. A laminar flow connector for blood and sterile solutions, comprising

first and second coupling members releasably connected to define a coaxial fluid passageway to conduct said solutions,

said first coupling member providing a tubular opening of a substantially uniform first diameter and an external circumferential surface of varying diameter including a first surface portion of a first diameter adjacent to a first end and a second surface portion of a second diameter substantially greater than said first diameter and forming an annular projection providing an annular shoulder between said first and second surface portions,

an annular seal removably connected to surround said first surface portion of said first member and extending from said annular shoulder to a location spaced from said first end,

said second coupling member providing a tubular opening of varying diameter including a first tubular portion with a substantially uniform first diameter and a second tubular portion with a second diameter larger than said first diameter and an annular stop separating said first and second tubular portions with said annular stop removably engaging said first end of said first coupling member to provide a substantially uniform diameter passageway with said first and second members joined together and with said second tubular portion removably engaging in a tight fit said first surface portion of said first member and a third tubular portion with a third diameter larger than said second diameter and forming an annular ledge between said second and third tubular portions to removably engage said seal in a tight fit in a connected position,

said second coupling member including a series of circumferentially spaced fingers axially extending to surround said annular projection provided by said first member, with each finger including a radially extending camming surface, and

an annular sleeve axially movable along said second member between a first position allowing said fingers to be biased radially outward to permit axial movement between said first and second members and a second position to engage a circumferential surface of said sleeve with said camming surfaces to bias said fingers radially inward to firmly engage said fingers against said annular projection to provide a firm connection between said first and second connectors without directly subjecting said seal to the solutions within said passageway.

2. A laminar flow connector for blood and sterile solutions, comprising

first and second coupling members releasably connected to define a coaxial fluid passageway to conduct said solutions,

said first coupling member providing a tubular opening of a substantially uniform first diameter and an external circumferential surface of varying diameter including a first surface portion of a first diameter adjacent to a first end and a second surface portion of a second diameter substantially greater than said first diameter and forming an annular projection providing an annular shoulder between said first and second surface portions,

an annular seal removably connected to surround said first surface portion of said first member and extending from said annular shoulder to a location spaced from said first end,

said second coupling member providing a tubular opening of varying diameter including a first tubular portion with a substantially uniform first diameter and a second tubular portion with a second diameter larger than said first diameter and an annular stop separating said first and second tubular portions with said annular stop removably engaging said first end of said first coupling member to provide a substantially uniform diameter passageway with said first and second members joined together and with said second tubular portion removably engaging in a tight fit said first surface portion of said first member and a third tubular portion with a third diameter larger than said second diameter and forming an annular ledge between said second and third tubular portions to removably engage said seal in a tight fit in a connected position, and

means for releasably connecting said first and second members to provide a firm releasable connection between said first and second connectors without directly subjecting said seal to the solutions within said passageway.