Connecting apparatus for medical conduits

• US 5,520,665 A
• Filed: 09/08/1994
• Issued: 05/28/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bespak Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bespak Corporation
• Inventors: Fleetwood, Antony
• Primary Examiner(s): MCDERMOTT, CORRINE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/211,680
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 604/246, 604/249, 604/256, 604/283, 604/905
• US Class Current: 604/537
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/407 the lift valve being of the ball type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

A connecting apparatus for medical conduits including a valve body defining a first duct and having a connector for coupling to a first conduit. A valve is incorporated within the first duct and is a ball and spring type valve normally biased in closed position. An adaptor is releasably connectable to the body and has a female coupling for connection to a second conduit having a male coupling. A valve actuator is received within the adaptor and is arranged such that by connecting the adaptor to the valve body and then connecting the second conduit to the adaptor, the male coupling automatically moves the valve actuator towards the valve member thereby opening the valve against the action of the spring. When the adaptor is disconnected from the valve body, the valve member assumes a closed position in which an exposed surface portion of the spherical valve member is substantially flush with the end face of the valve body. The apparatus is suitable for connecting medical conduits such as those used in intravenous delivery.

Claims

1. Apparatus for connecting medical conduits comprising a valve body defining a first duct and a mouth of the first duct, the valve body having first connecting means for connecting a first conduit in communication with the first duct and further comprising a valve having a valve member and biassing means which biases the valve member into position in which it closes the mouth of the first duct, an adaptor defining a second duct and a mouth of the second duct, the adaptor having a female coupling for connecting a second conduit having a co-operating male coupling in communication with the second duct, connector means, having two co-operatively connecting components, one of the connecting components peripherally engaging the valve body and the other of the connecting components peripherally engaging the adaptor, operable to releasably connect the valve body and the adaptor such that the mouth of the first duct is presented to the mouth of the second duct, and a valve actuator located within the second duct and movably engageable with the valve member when the valve body and adaptor are operatively connected, wherein the valve actuator is displaceable relative to the adaptor by insertion of the male coupling into operative engagement with the female coupling so as to move the valve member into a position in which the valve is opened, the actuator further comprising an integral annular seal member projecting radially into slidable sealing engagement with the adaptor and wherein the adaptor is provided with a bore receiving the actuator, the bore having a stepped diameter defining an annular shoulder co-operable with the annular seal member whereby the shoulder and the seal member constitute limiting means operable to limit travel of the actuator relative to the adaptor.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve member includes an exposed surface portion which, when the adaptor is separated from the valve body, is exposed via the mouth of the first duct and wherein the exposed surface portion is convex so as to project at least partially through the mouth of the first duct.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the valve member (7) is spherical.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the valve member (41) is formed of an elastomeric material.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve body comprises a first end having an end face and wherein the mouth of the first duct is formed in the end face, and wherein the end face is substantially free of projections and indentations.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the end face is planar.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the adaptor is provided with an annular seal operable to provide a continuous seal peripheral to the mouth of the first duct between the actuator and the end face of the valve body when the adaptor is connected to the body.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the seal is further operable to provide a continuous seal peripheral to the second duct between the actuator and the adaptor.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising an annular seal member formed integrally with the adaptor and operable to provide a seal between an external cylindrical surface of the valve body and an internal cylindrical surface of the adaptor.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

the valve member is spherical, has an exposed portion which, when the adaptor is separated from the valve body, is exposed via the mouth of the first duct and wherein the exposed surface portion is convex so as to project at least partially through the mouth of the first duct and is formed from an elastomeric material;

the valve body comprises a first end having a planar end face and wherein the mouth of the first duct is formed in the end face, and wherein the end face is substantially free of projections and indentations; and

the adaptor is provided with an annular seal operable to provide a continuous seal peripheral to the mouth of the first duct between the actuator and the end face of the valve body when the adaptor is connected to the body, the seal further operable to provide a continuous seal peripheral to the second duct between the actuator and the adaptor.