Filtered T coupling
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fluid T-coupling system, comprising:
- a filtered fluid T-coupling, comprised of;
a substantially linear through fluid flow path having an outlet channel and an inlet channel,a substantially linear vent path having an inflow channel and an outflow channel, said outflow channel intersecting and communicating with said through fluid flow channel,a filter, at least a portion of which is sealed within said T-coupling, wherein said portion of said filter sealed within said T-coupling is positioned between said inflow and outflow channels in such a manner that all fluid flowing from said inflow channel to said outflow channel passes through said portion of said filter,a sealing surface circumventing said inflow channel, andtwo peripheral tabs connected to said vent path in a plane essentially perpendicular to said inflow channel; and
a receptacle to which said T-coupling is selectably lockable, comprised of;
a vent channel having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet communicating with an air supply,a sealing surface circumventing said vent channel outlet designed to mate with said sealing surface of said T-coupling, anda peripheral overhanging flange of generally L-shaped cross-section connected to said vent channel outlet, the overhanging portion of said flange including notches through which said tabs can be inserted in a direction essentially parallel to said vent path of said T-coupling, said overhanging flange having a height greater than the height of said tabs, thereby permitting said tabs after said insertion to be rotated about the longitudinal axis of said vent path to lock said tabs beneath said overhanging flange and causing said mating sealing surfaces to form an airtight seal between one another while permitting the communication of said receptacle vent outlet with said T-coupling inflow channel.
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Abstract
A fluid T-coupling comprising a through fluid flow path, and an intersecting vent path, wherein the vent path is integrally molded within the filtered bayonet connector to be used with an aspirator to control the level of vacuum communicated to an irrigation/aspiration handpiece during eye surgery.
170 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A fluid T-coupling system, comprising:
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a filtered fluid T-coupling, comprised of; a substantially linear through fluid flow path having an outlet channel and an inlet channel, a substantially linear vent path having an inflow channel and an outflow channel, said outflow channel intersecting and communicating with said through fluid flow channel, a filter, at least a portion of which is sealed within said T-coupling, wherein said portion of said filter sealed within said T-coupling is positioned between said inflow and outflow channels in such a manner that all fluid flowing from said inflow channel to said outflow channel passes through said portion of said filter, a sealing surface circumventing said inflow channel, and two peripheral tabs connected to said vent path in a plane essentially perpendicular to said inflow channel; and a receptacle to which said T-coupling is selectably lockable, comprised of; a vent channel having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet communicating with an air supply, a sealing surface circumventing said vent channel outlet designed to mate with said sealing surface of said T-coupling, and a peripheral overhanging flange of generally L-shaped cross-section connected to said vent channel outlet, the overhanging portion of said flange including notches through which said tabs can be inserted in a direction essentially parallel to said vent path of said T-coupling, said overhanging flange having a height greater than the height of said tabs, thereby permitting said tabs after said insertion to be rotated about the longitudinal axis of said vent path to lock said tabs beneath said overhanging flange and causing said mating sealing surfaces to form an airtight seal between one another while permitting the communication of said receptacle vent outlet with said T-coupling inflow channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A filtered T-coupling selectably lockable with a receptacle, said receptacle forming a fluid flow channel and having a generally L-shaped overhanging flange, the overhanging portion of which has two notches formed therein, comprising:
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a first through fluid flow channel; a second substantially linear fluid flow channel intersecting said first channel, said second channel intersected by a cavity distal said intersection of said first and second channels; a filter at least a portion of which is sealed within said T-coupling, wherein said portion of said filter sealed within said T-coupling is positioned within said cavity so as to completely permeably block said second channel; and two tabs extending outward from said second channel in a plane essentially perpendicular to said second channel less than the distance said flange of said receptacle overhangs, so as to be insertable through said notches in a direction essentially parallel to said second channel, said tabs having a thickness which permits said tabs, after said insertion through said notches, to be rotated about the axis of said second channel to lock said tabs beneath said overhanging flange of said receptacle, thereby permitting the communication of fluid between said receptacle fluid flow channel and said second fluid flow channel. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification