Catheter attachment device

• US 5,312,337 A
• Filed: 06/08/1992
• Issued: 05/17/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc., Rita Medical Systems Incorporated (AngioDynamics, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Strata Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Gorman, William J., Young, Thomas M., Moynihan, Kelly A., Mailloux, Andrew M., Flaherty, J. Christopher, Fenton, Paul V. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CERMAK, ADAM
• Application Number:
  US07/894,823
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 285/238, 285/360, 285/361, 285/376, 285/396, 285/401, 285/402, 285/272, 285/278, 285/280, 285/177, 285/315, 285/390, 285/392, 604/264, 604/256, 604/280, 604/283, 604/905, 604/175, 604/93
• US Class Current: 285/278
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0211 with multiple chambers in a single site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276
• 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 39/12 for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

A connector for detachably securing an end of a tube, such as a catheter, to a fluid port of a fluid transfer device, such as an implantable device, the connector having a body part which defines a coupler for coupling to a coupler receiver of the transfer device. The connector includes a sleeve which fits within the body part and defines an aperture for compressively receiving an end of the tube which has been fitted over a fluid port of the transfer device. The body part is rotatable about the sleeve to facilitate coupling of the coupler and coupler receiver. In one embodiment the sleeve has an inner diameter at one end large enough to slide freely over the tube when it is fitted over the fluid port, and the diameter decreases at an intermediate point along the length of the sleeve to provide for compressive axial movement of the tube to form an annular thickness portion of the tube where it abuts the face of the transfer device.

Claims

1. Connector apparatus for coupling an end of a resilient tube about the exterior of a tubular extension of a fluid transfer device, said tube having a nominal inner diameter d'"'"' and having a wall thickness t when positioned about the exterior of said tubular extension, said extension extending along a port axis and having an outer diameter d, and a length at least equal to l₂, where d is greater than or equal to d'"'"', said connector apparatus comprising:

A. a rigid tubular sleeve having an interior wall and extending along a reference axis from a first end to a second end, said sleeve having a first inner diameter D_s1 at said first end, where D_s1 is equal to at least about d +2t, and a second inner diameter D_s2 at an intermediate point a distance l₁ from said first end, where l₁ is less than or equal to l₂ along said reference axis between said first and second end, where D_s2 is less than D_s1 and greater than d, and

B. a rigid body part disposed about said tubular sleeve and associated capture means for capturing said sleeve within said body part,

whereby said sleeve is freely rotatable about said reference axis with respect to said body part,

wherein said body part further includes twist lock means at said first end, responsive to coaxial alignment of said port axis and said reference axis and to subsequent rotation of said body part about said reference axis and said port axis, for selectively engaging said body part to said fluid transfer device having said tubular extension, when said sleeve is coaxial with and positioned about said tubular extension.

2. A connector apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sleeve first end has an abutment face for abutting against said fluid transfer device.

3. A connector apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the difference between l₁ and l₂ is such that said tube is compressed about said tubular extension about said tubular extension to form an annular thickened portion of said tube between said abutment face and said fluid transfer device when said body part is selectively engaged to said fluid transfer device.

4. A connector apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said decreased inner diameter D_s2 occurs as a discrete step in the inner diameter of said tubular sleeve.

5. A connector apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the inner diameter of said tubular sleeve decreases continuously from a value D_s1 near said first end to a value D_s2 at said intermediate point.

6. A connector apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said decreased diameter is achieved by a circumferential rib extending inwardly from said interior wall of said sleeve.

7. A connector apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said sleeve is generally cylindrical and said body part is formed with a generally cylindrical axial opening therethrough, said tubular sleeve having an outer diameter and said body part having an inner diameter such as to allow said tubular sleeve to have a sliding fit within said body part.

8. A connector apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said capture means comprises,

an annular flange on said sleeve at said first end extending radially beyond the outer diameter of said sleeve,

a circumferential rib extending radially outward from said tubular sleeve at an axial position between said first end and said second end, and a circumferential groove in said rigid body part positioned to interact with said rib to allow rotational movement of said sleeve and to constrain axial movement of said sleeve.

9. The connector apparatus of claim 1 further comprising said resilient tube and said fluid transfer device, wherein said tube is a multi-lumen catheter and said tubular extension of said fluid transfer device has a matching number of lumens within a discrete tube, whereby respective ones of said catheter lumens are adapted for coupling to respective ones of said tubular extension lumens.

10. A connector apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising said fluid transfer device, wherein said twist lock means comprises a pair of radially extending flanges and said fluid transfer device comprises a pair of flange receivers, whereby said pair of flanges is cooperable with said pair of flange receivers upon rotation of said body part to selectively interlockingly couple said body part and said fluid transfer device,

said twist lock means further including a retention element extending radially from said body part adjacent to said pair of flanges and in a plane perpendicular to said pair of flanges, to engage with one of said pair of flange receivers, upon coupling with said transfer device to retain said connector in said interlocked position.

11. A connector apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said retention element has a ramp shaped surface and at least one of said pair of flange receivers includes a projection having a ramp shaped edge positioned to latch with said retention element upon rotation of said body part.

12. A connector apparatus for coupling an end of a resilient tube about the exterior of a tubular extension of a fluid transfer device, said extension extending along a port axis and having an outer diameter d, said connector apparatus comprising:

A. said fluid transfer device,

B. a rigid tubular sleeve extending along a reference axis, said sleeve having an inner diameter D_s, where D_s is greater than d, and

C. a rigid body part disposed about said tubular sleeve and associated capture means for capturing said sleeve within said body part, whereby said sleeve is freely rotatable about said reference axis with respect to said body part,

wherein said body part further includes twist lock means responsive to coaxial alignment of said port axis and said reference axis and to subsequent rotation of said body part about said reference axis and said port axis, for selectively engaging said body part to said fluid transfer device with said sleeve being coaxial with and positioned about said tubular extension, said twist lock means comprising a pair of flanges radially extending from said body part and a pair of flange receivers on said fluid transfer device, whereby said pair of flanges is cooperable with said pair of flange receivers upon rotation of said body part to selectively interlockingly couple said body part and said fluid transfer device, and

wherein said twist lock means further includes a retention element extending radially from said body part adjacent to said pair of flanges and in a plane perpendicular to said pair of flanges to engage with one of said pair of flange receivers, upon coupling with said fluid transfer device to retain said body part in said interlocked position.

13. A connector apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said retention element has a ramp shaped surface and at least one of said pair of flange receivers includes a projection positioned to latch with said retention element upon rotation of said body part.