Connector holder for a fluid connection system

• US 6,783,520 B1
• Filed: 12/04/1999
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fresenius USA Incorporated (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Original Assignee: Fresenius USA Incorporated (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Inventors: Curtin, Conor, Hull, Steven L., Candray, Adolfo M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, CRIS LOIREN
• Application Number:
  US09/455,735
• Time in Patent Office: 1,732 Days
• Field of Search: 604/500, 604/250, 604/905, 604/246, 604/263, 604/174, 604/177, 604/178, 604/179, 604/180, 604/533, 604/534, 604/535, 604/538, 604/539, 604/29, 604/411-416, 606/151, 606/201-204, 128/912, 128/DIG.26, 128/852, 128/877, 128/887, 245/43, 243/36, 243/39
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/024 having a clip or clamp system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1011 Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1418 Clips, separators or the like for supporting tubes or leads
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/912 Connections and closures for tubes delivering fluids to or from the body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/344 Resilient type clasp
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3444 Circular work engageable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44752 Integral locking-means

Abstract

This invention utilizes a connector holding device to prevent the accidental disconnection of the two halves of a connection device for a fluid connector system.

Claims

1. A device for maintaining a connection between a first tubing segment including a first tubing segment connector and a second tubing segment including a second tubing segment connector, the first tubing segment connector and the second tubing segment connector being connectable to establish fluid connection from the first tubing segment through the second tubing segment comprising:

a first tube holder for holding the first tubing segment; and

a second tube holder for holding the second tubing segment, the first tube holder being engagable with the second tube holder, wherein said first tube holder gas an arm that is parallel to the first tubing segment, said arm being engagable by the second tube holder, and wherein said arm has one or more notches along at least one of its edges, and said second tube holder has one or more teeth slidably engagable with said notches.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said notches and teeth are configured to allow the arm to slide into but not out of the second tube holder.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said second tube holder has a release mechanism to allow the arm to slide out of the second tube holder.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said release mechanism is a knob on the second tube holder.

5. A method for maintaining one or more connections in a tubing set, comprising the steps of:

attaching a first tubing segment with a first tubing segment holder having an arm extending parallel to the first tubing segment, said arm having a set of longitudinal notches having one or more teeth slidably engagable with said notches; and

slidably engaging said arm with said teeth whereby fluid communication is established and maintained between the first tubing segment and the second tubing segment.