Universal intravenous connector with dual catches

• US 5,137,524 A
• Filed: 04/17/1990
• Issued: 08/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lawrence A. Lynn
• Original Assignee: Lawrence A. Lynn
• Inventors: Lynn, Lawrence A., Larkin, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): Maglione, Corrine
• Application Number:
  US07/509,638
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 604/280, 604/283, 604/86, 604/905, 604/411-414, 604/198, 604/29, 604/87-88, 604/244
• US Class Current: 604/533
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1475 Inlet or outlet ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/201 having one piercing end
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2058 having multiple connecting ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2096 Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1072 with a septum present in the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1083 having a plurality of female connectors, e.g. Luer connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/04 having pierceable self-sealing members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/105 Multi-channel connectors or couplings, e.g. for connecting multi-lumen tubes multi-channel connectors in general F16L37/56
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/14 for connecting tubes having sealed ends needle sets A61M5/162; having valves closing automatically on disconnection of line A61M39/26
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

An universal medical connector for manually connecting a first fluid conveying conduit in fluid connection with a patient'"'"'s vasculature and having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof to a second fluid conduit for administration of fluid to a patient. The connector is formed of two elements. The first element defines an integral needle hub, to which a needle is mounted, a base extending from the hub, and fingers extending from the base. The second locking element includes a collar with a support and bars extending therefrom so as to be manually slidable along the first element in the direction the needle extends between a retracted and a locking position in which the connector locks onto a junction terminal and the septum penetrated by the needle. The fingers flex at a flexing line or joint or in a flexure region covered by the bars in the retracted position. Detents are provided on the base and on a detent carrier formed by slots extending into the collar. The bars engage cams on the exterior surface of the fingers to flex the fingers. Inner and outer catches are provided on the interior surface of each finger for respectively engaging larger and smaller junction terminals. The catches are configured so that the disengaging force is substantially independent of septum size.

Claims

1. A universal medical connector for manually connecting and disconnecting a first fluid conveying conduit having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof, to a second fluid conveying conduit in fluid connection with a source of fluid for administration to a patient, the second fluid conveying conduit having an open end, comprising:

an element defining an axis and including a base and a lumen extending axially through said base, the lumen having a distal end and a proximal end, said base, adjacent the proximal end of said lumen, being adapted to be coupled to the second fluid conveying conduit adjacent the open end of said conduit;

the base including a cannula projecting axially from said base and fixedly secured to said base, said lumen extending through said cannula for conveying fluid from the second conduit coupled to the end of said base through said cannula;

said base having at least a pair of substantially rigid fingers projecting therefrom in a generally axial direction, said fingers defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity opening in said axial direction through a distal end of said element said cannula extending generally axially from said base toward said distal end of said element, said cannula terminating in a tip short of said distal end of said element, said fingers being movable between (i) a first position adapted for receiving therebetween through said opening and into said cavity the junction terminal of the first fluid conveying conduit so that said cannula may penetrate the septum and fluid may flow through said cannula into the first conduit and (ii) a second position to lock the junction terminal between said fingers and said cavity, said fingers being sized and located in said first and second positions thereof so that said cannula tip is not readily accessible to a human digit; and

a collar manually slidable on and toward said distal end of said element between (i) a retracted position enabling said fingers to lie in said first position in which the junction terminal may be received in said cavity through the opening thereof at the distal end of said element and the septum may be penetrated by said cannula and (ii) a position locking said fingers in said second position thereof to trap and lock the junction terminal between said fingers and in said cavity, said collar engaging said fingers in response to sliding movement of said collar on said element toward said locking position to move said fingers inwardly toward said second position thereof;

means disposed along said element adjacent the distal end of said element and cooperable with said fingers for providing a spring when said collar is moved into its locking position, said spring means being elastically deformable from an original substantially undeformed shape in the retracted position of said collar by forcible interaction between the junction terminal, said fingers and said collar when (i) the junction terminal has been received into said cavity, (ii) said collar is moved into its locking position and (iii) said fingers are inhibited from moving inwardly by contacting the junction terminal, said interaction defining a spring force directed generally radially inwardly against the junction terminal, so that junction terminals having a wide range of diameters may be received into said cavity and tightly squeezed between said fingers by said spring force;

said collar being movable from said locking position into said retracted position to release the junction terminal between said fingers, said spring means rebounding to said original shape of said spring means when said collar is returned to its retracted position.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said collar has a proximal portion and a distal portion, and wherein said spring means comprises said distal portion of said collar.

3. A connector according to claim 2 wherein said distal portion of said collar further comprises first and second cantilevered bars projecting in a generally axial direction and toward said distal end of said element, said bars being elastically deformable to flex outwardly upon forcible engagement with said rigid fingers, when said fingers are inhibited from moving inwardly by engagement of said fingers with the junction terminal in said cavity, in response to sliding movement of said collar along said element toward said locking position.

4. A connector according to claim 3 further comprising a ramp on the exterior surface of each rigid finger and engageable by said bars in response to sliding movement of said collar toward said locking position, said engagement operating to move said rigid fingers inwardly toward one another and into said second position to lock the junction terminal between said rigid fingers.

5. A connector according to claim 4 wherein said fingers move inwardly in accordance with the diameter of the junction terminal received in said cavity, said bars being elastically deformable to flex outwardly by forcible engagement with said ramp when said fingers are inhibited from moving inwardly by engagement of said fingers with the junction terminal to said cavity, in response to sliding movement of said collar along said element toward said locking position and movement of said bars against said ramp.

6. A connector assembly to claim 5 wherein at least distal portions of said bars overlie portions of said fingers when said collar lies in said retracted position, said distal portions of said bar and finger portions being arcuate and concentric relative to one another.

7. A connector according to claim 4 wherein said ramp terminates short of the distal end of said finger.

8. A connector according to claim 3 wherein said proximal portion of said collar has a shield portion extending from said proximal portion in a generally axial direction between said bars to at least partially protect said cannula from contamination.

9. A connector according to claim 8 wherein said shield portion is spaced from said bars by a slot on each side of said shield portion thereby affording greater flexibility to said bars.

10. A connector according to claim 2 wherein said distal portion of said collar overlies portions of said rigid fingers when said collar is in said retracted position, said overlying collar portions and said fingers being arcuate and interrupted by flat sides of said collar and said element, respectively, whereby said connector has opposed flat sides affording a low profile and enabling it to lie flat against a surface.

11. A connector according to claim 1 further comprising a flexible and reboundable hinge connecting each said finger with said base.

12. A connector according to claim 11 wherein each said hinge is cantilevered relative to said element and extends axially along said element a predetermined distance so that flexion of said hinge can occur along a variably curved path, each said finger being more rigid than said hinge.

13. A connector according to claim 12 wherein said hinge has a reduced width in comparison with the width of said finger.

14. A connector assembly to claim 12 wherein said hinge is of reduced thickness in comparison with the thickness of said finger.

15. A connector according to claim 12 wherein said hinge comprises a hinge region having a length greater than 2 millimeters.

16. A connector according to claim 12 wherein said hinge region has a length less than 15 millimeters.

17. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said element includes a plurality of hinges separated from each other along the length of said fingers so that junction terminals are grasped by flexing of said fingers inwardly at a plurality of angles.

18. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said cannula comprises a needle.

19. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said base has a detect and said collar has a corresponding detent for engaging said base detent, said detents being configured such that the force required to move the collar from the retracted position to the locking position is less than the force required to move the collar from the locking position to the retracted position.

20. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said rigid fingers have inner and outer catches spaced axially one from the other along interior surfaces of said rigid fingers for trapping and locking respective junction terminals of different sizes.

21. A universal medical connector for manually connecting a first fluid conveying conduit having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof, to a second fluid conveying conduit in fluid connection with a source of fluid for administration to a patient, the second fluid conveying conduit having an open end, comprising:

an element defining an axis and including a base and a lumen extending axially through said base, the lumen having a distal end and a proximal end, said base, adjacent the proximal end of said lumen, being adapted to be coupled to the second fluid conveying conduit adjacent the open end of said conduit;

the base including a cannula projecting axially from said base and fixedly secured to said base, said lumen extending through said cannula for conveying fluid from the second conduit coupled to the base through said cannula;

said base having at least a pair of substantially rigid fingers projecting therefrom in a generally axial direction, said fingers defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity opening in said axial direction through a distal end of said element, said cannula extending generally axially from said base toward said distal end of said element, said cannula terminating in a tip short of said distal end of said element, said fingers being movable between (i) a first position adapted for receiving therebetween through said opening and into said cavity the junction terminal of the first fluid conveying conduit so that said cannula may penetrate the septum and fluid may flow through said cannula into the first conduit and (ii) a second position to lock the junction terminal between said fingers and said cavity, said rigid fingers being sized and located in said first and second positions thereof so that said cannula tip is not readily accessible to a human digit; and

said element further comprising a hinge connecting said fingers to said base; and

a collar manually slidable on and toward said distal end of said element between (i) a retracted position enabling said fingers to lie in said first position in which the junction terminal may be received in said cavity through the opening thereof at the distal end of said element and the septum may be penetrated by said cannula and (ii) a position locking said fingers in said second position thereof to trap and lock the junction terminal between said fingers and in said cavity, said collar engaging said fingers in response to sliding movement of said collar on said element to move said rigid fingers inwardly toward and second position thereof;

said element further comprising a septum stop disposed about said cannula and spaced a fixed distance from the tip of said cannula, said septum stop being remote from the distal end of said cavity and wherein upon advancement of the junction terminal into said cavity, said septum stop is directly contacted by the septum of the junction terminal to limit further advancement of the junction terminal into said cavity, thereby defining a position of maximal advancement of the septum within said cavity, at least a portion of said hinge being positioned along said element distal to said septum stop so that flexion along said hinge can occur distal to said position of maximal advancement of the septum and the septum stop thereby allowing the fingers to flex inwardly at a more acute angle so that junction terminals of widely different diameters can be more tightly locked between said fingers.

22. A universal medical connector for manually connecting a first fluid conveying conduit having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof, to a second fluid conveying conduit in fluid connection with a source of fluid for administration to a patient, the second fluid conveying conduit having an open end, comprising:

an element defining an axis and including a base and a lumen extending axially through said base, the lumen having a distal end and a proximal end, said base, adjacent the proximal end of said lumen, being adapted to be coupled to the second fluid conveying conduit adjacent the open end of said conduit;

the base including a cannula projecting axially from said base and fixedly secured to said base, said lumen extending through said cannula for conveying fluid from the second conduit coupled to the proximal end of said lumen through said cannula;

said base having at least a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in a generally axial direction, said fingers having internal wall surfaces defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity having a longitudinal axis and a width defined perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

said fingers defining an opening extending in said axial direction through a distal end of said element, said cannula extending generally axially from said base toward said distal end of said element, said cannula terminating in a tip short of said distal end of said element, said fingers being flexible between (i) a first position adapted for receiving therebetween through said opening and into said cavity the junction terminal of the first fluid conveying conduit so that said cannula may penetrate the septum and fluid may flow through said cannula into the first conduit and (ii) a second position to lock the junction terminal between said fingers and said cavity, said fingers being sized and located in said first and second positions thereof so that said cannula tip is not readily accessible to a human digit; and

a collar manually slidable on and toward said distal end of said element between (i) a retracted position enabling said fingers to lie in said first position in which the junction terminal may be received in said cavity through the opening thereof at the distal end of said element and the septum may be penetrated by said cannula and (ii) a position locking said fingers in said second position thereof to trap and lock the junction terminal between said fingers and in said cavity, said collar engaging said fingers in response to sliding movement of said collar on said element to flex said fingers inwardly toward said second position thereof;

means disposed along each said finger for flexing said fingers, said flexing means being cooperable with each said finger and said collar to forcibly flex each said finger inwardly when said collar is moved from said retracted position toward said locking position;

said internal wall surface of said fingers defining, when said collar is in said locking position, a generally tapering cavity, said cavity tapering in said axial direction toward said distal end of said cavity thereby defining a generally progressive decrease in width of said cavity along said longitudinal axis toward said distal end of said cavity, the taper of said cavity relative to said axis being greater for junction terminal of small diameter and being less for junction terminals of larger diameter, said tapering cavity thereby functioning to accommodate and lock junction terminals of widely different widths within said cavity against said tapering internal wall surfaces.

23. The connector of claim 22 wherein said element further includes a hinge means connecting said fingers to said base, said internal wall surfaces of said fingers extending from said hinge means to said distal end of said cavity, said internal wall surfaces defining, when said collar is in said locking position, a generally tapering cavity, said tapering cavity having a width generally progressively decreasing along said longitudinal axis from adjacent said hinge means toward said distal end of said cavity, said tapering cavity functioning to accommodate and lock junction terminals of widely different widths within said cavity against said altering internal walls.

24. The connector of claim 23 wherein said flexing means comprises a ramp on the exterior surface of each rigid finger and engageable by said collar in response to sliding movement of said collar toward said locking position.

25. The connector of claim 23 further comprising spring means disposed along said element adjacent said distal end of said element when said collar is in said locked position, said spring means being elastically deformable by forcible interaction between the junction terminal, said fingers and said collar when (i) the junction terminal has been received into said cavity, (ii) said collar is moved into its locking position and (ii) said fingers are inhibited from flexing inwardly by contacting the junction terminal, said interaction defining a spring force directed against said junction terminal.

26. A connector according to claim 25 wherein said collar has a proximal portion and a distal portion, and wherein said spring means comprises said distal portion of said collar, said distal portion of said collar further comprising first and second cantilevered bars projecting in said generally axial direction and toward said distal end of said element, said bars being elastically deformable to flex outwardly upon forcible engagement with said fingers, when said fingers are inhibited from flexing inwardly by engagement of said fingers with the junction terminal in said cavity, in response to sliding movement of said collar along said element toward said locking position.

27. A connector according to claim 26 wherein said element further comprises a septum stop disposed about said cannula remote from the distal end of said cavity and wherein upon advancement of the junction terminal into said cavity, said septum stop is directly contacted by the septum of the junction terminal to limit further advancement of the junction terminal into the cavity, thereby defining a position of maximal advancement of the septum within said cavity, at least a portion of said hinge being positioned along said element distal to said septum stop so that flexion along said hinge can occur distal to said position of maximal advancement of the septum thereby allowing the fingers to flex inwardly at a more acute angle so that junction terminals of widely different diameters can be tightly locked between said fingers.

28. A connector according to claim 23 wherein said element further comprises a septum stop disposed about said cannula remote from the distal end of said cavity and wherein upon advancement of said junction terminal into said cavity, said septum stop is directly contacted by the septum of the junction terminal to limit further advancement of the junction terminal into the cavity, thereby defining a position of maximal advancement of the septum within said cavity, at least a portion of said hinge being positioned along said element distal to said septum stop so that said flexion along said hinge can occur distal to said position of maximal advancement of the septum thereby allowing the fingers to swing inwardly at a more acute angle so that junction terminals of widely different diameters can be tightly locked between said fingers.

29. A connector according to claim 28 wherein said hinge is cantilevered and extends axially along a predetermined distance so that flexion of said hinge can occur along a variably curved path, said finger being more rigid than said hinge.

30. A connector according to claim 22 wherein said fingers have inner and outer catches spaced axially one from the other along interior surfaces of said fingers for trapping and locking respective junction terminals of different sizes.

31. A universal medical connector for manually connecting a first fluid conveying conduit having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof, to a second fluid conveying conduit in fluid connection with a source of fluid for administration to a patient, the second fluid conveying conduit having an open end, comprising:

an element defining an axis and including a base and a lumen extending axially through said base, the lumen having a distal end and a proximal end, said base, adjacent the proximal end of said lumen, being adapted to be coupled to the second fluid conveying conduit adjacent the open end of said conduit;

the base including a cannula projecting axially from said base and fixedly secured to said base, said lumen extending through said cannula for conveying fluid from the second conduit coupled to the base through said cannula;

said base having at least a pair of substantially rigid fingers projecting therefrom in a generally axial direction and being circumferential spaced one from the other about the axis of said element, said fingers defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity opening in said axial direction through a distal end of said element, said cannula extending generally axially from said base toward said distal end of said element, said cannula terminating a a tip short of said distal end of said element, said fingers being movable between (i) a first position adapted for receiving therebetween through said opening and into said cavity the junction terminal of the first fluid conveying conduit so that said cannula may penetrate the septum and fluid may flow through said cannula into the first conduit and (ii) a second position to lock the junction terminal between said fingers and said cavity, said rigid fingers being sized and located in said first and second positions thereof to that said cannula tip is not readily accessible to a human digit; and

a collar manually slidable on and toward said distal end of said element between (i) a retraced position enabling said fingers to lie in said first position in which the junction terminal may be received in said cavity through the opening thereof at the distal end of said element and the septum may be penetrated by said cannula and (ii) a position locking said fingers in said second position thereto to trap and lock the junction terminal between said fingers and in said cavity, said collar engaging said fingers in response to sliding movement of said collar on said element to move said rigid fingers inwardly toward said second position thereof;

said collar further comprising first and second discrete cantilevered spring portions circumferentially spaced one from the other about said axis and projecting from said collar toward said distal end of said element, said cantilevered portions being deformable to flex outwardly by said rigid fingers, when said fingers are inhibited from moving inwardly by engagement thereof with the junction terminal in said cavity, in response to sliding movement of said collar along said element toward said locking position, to define a laterally inwardly directed spring force thereby enabling junction terminals of different diameters to be tightly squeezed between said fingers by said spring force in the locked position of said collar.

32. A connector according to claim 31 including a ramp on the exterior surface of each rigid finger and engageable by said collar in response to sliding movement of said collar toward said locking position, said engagement operating to move said rigid fingers inwardly toward one another and into said second position to lock the junction terminal between said rigid fingers.

33. A connector according to claim 32 said cantilevered collar portions are flexible outwardly by a distance at least equal to 25% of the height of said ramps, when said fingers are inhibited from moving inwardly by engagement thereof with the junction terminal in said cavity, in response to further sliding movement of said collar along said element toward said locking position.

34. A connector according to claim 31 wherein said collar has a distal portion, said distal portion of said collar engaging said fingers when the collar is in the retracted position such that a greater force is required to cause outward movement of said rigid fingers than is required to cause inward movement of said rigid fingers when the collar lies in its retracted position to substantially preclude outward movement of the fingers so as to prevent a human digit from moving the fingers outwardly and contacting the tip of said cannula.

35. A connector according to claim 31 wherein the base is provided with at least one stop which engages said collar for preventing further sliding of said collar when said collar reaches said locking position.

36. A connector according to claim 31 wherein said collar further comprises a support portion and said cantilevered collar portions further comprise respective first and second bars extending from one end of said support portion to in part overlie said rigid fingers in said retracted position of said collar to substantially preclude outward movement of said rigid fingers so as to prevent a human digit from moving the fingers outwardly and contacting the tip of said cannula, said support portion having a shield portion extending from said one end of said support portion between said bars to protect said cannula from contamination.

37. A connector according to claim 36 wherein said shield portion is spaced from said bars by a slot on each side of said shield portion thereby affording greater flexibility to said bars.

38. A connector according to claim 31 wherein said base has a detent and said collar has a corresponding detent from engaging said base detent, said detents being configured such that the force required to move the collar from the retracted position to the locking position is less than the force required to move the collar from the locking position to the retracted position.

39. A connector according to claim 38 including means cooperable between said collar and said element to gradually increase the force required to move the collar as said collar is advanced toward said locking position, said force gradually increasing as said collar is advanced along a distance of greater than 0.5 millimeters.

40. A connector according to claim 31 wherein said element has a septum stop for engagement by the septum of the junction terminal upon maximum advancement of the junction terminal into said cavity and penetration of the septum by said cannula, said element further comprising a hinge proximal to each said rigid finger and positioned along said element so that at least a portion of said hinge is distal to said septum stop.

41. A connector according to claim 31 wherein said element has a hinge proximal to each said rigid further enabling movement of said rigid finger by flexion at said hinge, each said hinge comprising a connecting spring segment intermediate the rigid finger and the base and wherein said segment has greater flexibility than said rigid finger.

42. A connector according to claim 31 wherein said element has a hinge proximal to each said rigid finger enabling movement of said rigid finger by flexion at said hinge, said hinge extending axially along said finger a predetermined distance and being of reduced dimension in a direction transverse to the axial direction in comparison with a corresponding dimension in the same direction of said rigid finger so that flexion of said hinge region can occur along a variably curved path.

43. A connector according to claim 31 wherein said cannula comprises a needle, said element further comprising a hinge proximal to each said rigid finger enabling movement of said rigid finger by flexion at said hinge, said hinge further comprising a hinge region having an axial length greater than 1 millimeter and less than 15 millimeters.

44. A connector according to claim 31 wherein the element has a hinge proximal to each said rigid finger enabling movement of said rigid finger by flexion at said hinge, each said hinge comprising a connecting spring segment intermediate the rigid finger and the base and wherein said segment has greater flexibility than said rigid finger, said cantilevered collar portions further comprising respective first and second bars in part overlying said rigid fingers in said retracted position of said collar to substantially preclude outward movement of said rigid fingers, and a ramp cooperable between said fingers and said bars and responsive to sliding movement of said collar toward said locking position to flex said fingers inwardly toward one another in accordance with the size of the junction terminal received in said cavity and into said second position to lock the junction terminal between said fingers, said bars being flexible outwardly, when said fingers are inhibited from flexing inwardly by engagement thereof with the junction terminal in said cavity, in response to further sliding movement of said collar along said element toward said locking position.

45. A connector according to claim 44 wherein said collar includes a support portion and a shield portion extending from said support portion toward said distal end of said element, said shield portion being spaced from said bars by a slot on each side of said shield portion thereby affording flexibility to said bars, said bars and said rigid fingers being arcuate, said bars having distal ends thereof overlying at least portion of said fingers in the retracted position of said collar, said distal ends of said bars and said fingers portions being concentric one with the other.

46. A connector according to claim 31 wherein said base has a detent along an exterior surface thereof, said collar having a detent carrier formed by slots extending inwardly from the end of said collar remote from the distal end of said element, and a detent on said carrier for engaging the detent on said base, said detents being configured such that the force required to move the collar from the retracted position to the locking position is less than the force required to move the collar from the locking position to the retracted position.

47. A connector according to claim 46 wherein the force required to move the collar gradually increases as said collar is advanced toward said locking position.

48. A connector according to claim 31 wherein said rigid fingers have inner and outer catches spaced axially one from the other along the interior surfaces of said rigid fingers for trapping and locking respective junction terminals of different sizes.

49. A connector according to claim 31 wherein said base has a catch provided on the exterior surface thereof, said collar having a lever pivotally attached thereto and having a catch engageable with said catch on said base, said lever being pivotable by applied manual force so that said collar can slide along said base.

50. A universal medical connector for manually connecting a first fluid conveying conduit having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof, to a second fluid conveying conduit in fluid connection with a source of fluid for administration to a patient, the second fluid conveying conduit having an open end, comprising:

an element defining an axis and including a base and a lumen extending axially through said base, the lumen having a distal end and a proximal end, said base, adjacent the proximal end of said lumen, being adapted to be coupled to the second fluid conveying conduit adjacent the open end of said conduit;

the base including a cannula projecting axially from said base, said lumen extending through said cannula for conveying fluid from the second conduit coupled to the proximal end of said lumen through said cannula;

said base having at least a pair of substantially rigid fingers projecting therefrom in a generally axial direction and being circumferentially spaced one from the other about the axis of said element, said fingers defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity opening in said axial direction through a distal end of said element, said cannula extending generally axially from said base toward said distal end of said element, said cannula terminating in a tip short of said distal end of said element, said fingers being movable between (i) a first position adapted for receiving therebetween through said opening and into said cavity the junction terminal of the first fluid conveying conduit so that said cannula may penetrate the septum and fluid may flow through said cannula into the first conduit and (ii) a second position to lock the junction terminal between said fingers and said cavity, said rigid fingers being sized and located in said first and second positions thereof so that said cannula tip is not readily accessible to a human digit; and

a collar manually slidable on and toward said distal end of said element between (i) a retracted position enabling said fingers to lie in said first position in which the junction terminal may be received in said cavity through the opening thereof at the distal end of said element and the septum may be penetrated by said cannula and (ii) a position locking said fingers in said second position thereto trap and lock the junction terminal between said fingers and in said cavity, said collar engaging said fingers in response to sliding movement of said collar on said element to move said rigid fingers inwardly toward said second position thereof;

said collar further comprising first and second cantilevered portions circumferentially spaced one from the other about said axis and projecting from said collar toward said distal end of said element, said cantilevered portions being deformable to flex outwardly by said rigid fingers, when said fingers are inhibited from moving inwardly by engagement thereof with the junction terminal in said cavity, in response to sliding movement of said collar along said element toward said locking position;

said collar further comprising a support portion and said cantilevered collar portions further comprising respective first and second bars extending from one end of said support portion to in part overlie said rigid fingers in said retracted position of said collar to substantially preclude outward movement of said rigid fingers so as to prevent a human digit from moving the fingers outwardly and contacting the tip of said cannula, the overlying parts of said bar and said rigid fingers being arcuate with each rigid finger and its overlying bar part being concentric.

51. A universal medical connector for manually connecting a first fluid conveying conduit having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof, to a second fluid conveying conduit in fluid connection with a source of fluid for administration to a patient, the second fluid conveying conduit having an open end, comprising:

an element defining an axial and including a base and a lumen extending axially through said base, the lumen having a distal end and a proximal end, said base, adjacent the proximal end of said lumen, being adapted to be coupled to the second fluid conveying conduit adjacent the open end of said conduit;

the base including a cannula projecting axially from said base, said lumen extending through said cannula for conveying fluid from the second conduit coupled to the proximal end of said lumen through said cannula;

said base having at least a pair of substantially rigid fingers projecting therefrom in a generally axial direction and being circumferentially spaced one from the other about the axis of said element, said fingers defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity opening in said axial direction through a distal end of said element, said cannula extending generally axially from said base toward said distal end of said element, said cannula terminating in a tip short of said distal end of said element, said fingers being movable between (i) a first position adapted for receiving therebetween through said opening and into said cavity the junction terminal of the first fluid conveying conduit so that said cannula may penetrate the septum and fluid may flow through said cannula into the first conduit and (ii) a second position to lock the junction terminal between said fingers and said cavity, said rigid fingers being sized and located in said first and second positions thereof so that said cannula tip is not readily accessible to a human digit; and

a collar manually slidable on and toward said distal end of said element between (i) a retracted position enabling said fingers to lie in said first position in which the junction terminal may be received in said cavity through the opening thereof at the distal end of said element and the septum may be penetrated by said cannula and (ii) a position locking said fingers in said second position thereof to trap and lock the junction terminal between said fingers and in said cavity, said collar engaging said fingers in response to sliding movement of said collar on said element to move said rigid fingers inwardly toward said second position thereof;

said collar further comprising first and second cantilevered portions circumferentially spaced one from the other about said axis and projecting from said collar toward said distal end of said element, said cantilevered portions being deformable to flex outwardly by said rigid fingers, when said fingers are inhibited from moving inwardly by engagement thereof with the junction terminal in said cavity, in response to sliding movement of said collar along said element toward said locking position;

said first and second cantilevered portions of said collar in part overlying respective portions of said rigid fingers in said first position thereof and in the retracted position of said collar to substantially preclude outward movement of said rigid fingers so as to prevent a human digit from moving the fingers outwardly and contacting the tip of the cannula, said cantilevered collar portions and said rigid fingers being arcuate and interrupted by flat sides of said collar and said element, respectively, whereby said connector has opposed flat sides affording a low profile and enabling it to lie flat against a surface.

52. In an intravenous fluid administration system for administration of fluid into a patient vein, the system having a first fluid conveying conduit for fluid connection with a patient'"'"'s vein and having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof, a receptacle for containing intravenous fluid, and an elongated flexible second fluid conveying conduit having a distal end, said second conduit being in fluid connection proximally with said receptacle and wherein the improvement comprises, in combination:

a medical connector in fluid connection with said second conduit at the distal end of said second conduit;

said medical connector including an element defining an axis and including a base and a lumen extending axially through said base, the lumen having a distal end and a proximal end said base, adjacent the proximal end of said lumen, adapted to be coupled to the second fluid conveying conduit adjacent the distal end of said second conduit;

the base including a cannula projecting axially from said base, said lumen extending through said cannula for conveying fluid from the second conduit coupled to the proximal end of said lumen through said cannula;

said base having a pair of oppositely opposed rigid fingers projecting therefrom in a generally axial direction and being circumferentially spaced one from the other about the axis of said element, said fingers defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity opening in said axial direction through a distal end of said element, said cannula extending generally axially from said base toward said distal end of said element, said cannula terminating in a tip short of said distal end of said element, said fingers being movable between (i) a first position adapted for receiving therebetween through said opening and into said cavity the junction terminal of the first fluid conveying conduit so that said cannula may penetrate the septum and fluid may flow through said cannula into the first conduit and (ii) a second position to lock the junction terminal between said fingers and said cavity, said rigid fingers being sized and located in said first and second positions thereof so that said cannula tip is not readily accessible to a human digit; and

a collar manually slidable on and toward said distal end of said element between (i) a retracted position enabling said fingers to lie in said first position in which the junction terminal may be received in said cavity through the opening thereof at the vital end of said element and the septum may be penetrated by said cannula and (ii) a position locking said fingers in said second position thereof to trap and lock the junction terminal between said fingers and in said cavity, said collar engaging said fingers in response to sliding movement of said collar on said element to move said rigid fingers inwardly toward said second position thereof;

said collar further comprising first and second separate and discrete oppositely disposed cantilevered bars circumferentially spaced one from the other about said axis and projecting from said collar toward said distal end of said element, said cantilevered bars overlying said fingers in said locking position of said collar.