Connector to cassette interface system

• US 7,484,769 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2006
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Foster, James J., Domash, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOCHNA, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US11/487,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20080058727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 285/93, 285/401, 285/402, 285/124.3, 285/124.4, 285/124.5, 285/124.2, 285/209, 285/328, 285/330, 285/331, 285/914, 604/242, 604/30, 604/118, 604/29, 298/900.9
• US Class Current: 285/124.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1094 at least partly incompatible with standard connectors, e.g. to prevent fatal mistakes in connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/276 preventing unwanted use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6045 having complementary physical shapes for indexing or registration purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/12 for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/347 rotatable, e.g. bayonet or screw A61M5/344 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/494 Fluidic or fluid actuated device making

Abstract

The disclosed connector to cassette interface system includes a set of individual keyed connectors having a shroud on the lower portion. The perimeter of each shroud includes an array of tabs or protrusions keyed to one of a corresponding array of skirted portals in the cassette cover. The tabs or protrusions on the shroud portion of each individual keyed connector may further serve to prevent rotation of each connector beyond about 60°.

Claims

1. A connector to cassette assembly interface system comprising:

a cassette assembly, said cassette assembly including;

a cassette cover and a cassette body constructed and arranged to fit together to have a space therebetween;

said cassette cover including a plurality of portals formed therein, each of said portals including a skirt portion extending from the bottom of said cassette cover into said space between said cassette cover and said cassette body;

said cassette body including a plurality of tubular openings constructed and arranged to align with said portals in said cassette cover;

a plurality of connectors having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said lower portion includes a luer fitting surrounded by a shroud, said shroud having a unique exterior surface configuration; and

said skirt portion of said portal including a pattern of unique openings constructed and arranged to engage one of said plurality of connectors.

2. The connector to cassette interface system as defined in claim 1 wherein said unique exterior surface configuration includes the size and shape of said shroud.

3. The connector to cassette interface system as defined in claim 2 wherein the size and shape of said shroud is dependent on the sex and shape of said luer fitting.

4. The connector to cassette interface system as defined in claim 1 wherein said unique exterior surface configuration of said shroud includes one or more tabs extending from said shroud.

5. The connector to cassette interface system as defined in claim 4 wherein said unique exterior surface configuration comprises a size of said tabs.

6. The connector to cassette interface system as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper portion of each of said connectors includes at least one wing for facilitating rotation of said connectors.

7. The connector to cassette interface system as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of tubular openings includes a unique pattern of stops arranged around said tubular opening to engage extensions from said unique exterior surface configuration and to limit rotation of said connector after said connector has been inserted through said cassette cover.

8. The connector to cassette interface system as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said skirt portions includes an opening with a surface that limits rotation of said connector after said connector has been inserted through said cassette cover.

9. A cassette for engagement with a connector having a lower portion which includes a luer fitting surrounded by a shroud, said shroud having a unique diameter and a unique array of tabs extending therefrom, said cassette comprising:

a cassette cover, said cassette cover having a plurality of portals formed thereon, each of said portals characterized by a skirt portion having a unique size and a unique array of openings formed therein; and

a cassette body having a plurality of tubular openings formed therein said tubular openings being constructed and arranged to align with said portals when said cassette cover is placed on said cassette body;

whereby each portal on said cassette cover is keyed to a single connector and wherein said skirt portion includes a stepped ramp.

10. The cassette as defined in claim 9 wherein said stepped ramp is for engagement with one of said tabs.

11. The cassette as defined in claim 9 wherein said cassette body further comprises an array of stops formed around said tubular openings.

12. The cassette as defined in claim 11 wherein said array of stops surrounding each tubular opening is positioned to engage the tabs.

13. The cassette as defined in claim 12 wherein said stops have different heights constructed and arranged to engage shrouds of different lengths.

14. The cassette as defined in claim 9 wherein said skirt portions each have an opening with a surface that limits a rotation of said connector after said connector has been inserted into said cassette.

15. A method for preventing mismatch of a set of connectors with a set of portals formed in a cassette, said method comprising the steps of:

forming each portal with a depending skirt, said depending skirt having a size and a pattern of opening theraround different from the other portals formed in the cassette; and

forming a connector having a size and a pattern of protrusions therearound to engage one of the portal;

wherein each connector is rotated by manual engagement of a set of win

16. The method as defined in claim 15 wherein each connector is extending from said connector. is formed to have a shroud surrounding a luer fitting.