Fluid conduit couplers with depressible latch mechanism

• US 8,397,756 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2010
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nordson Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nordson Corporation
• Inventors: Packham, Trent Turner, Lombardi, Francis J., Hofheins, Leonard L., Niven, Gregg D., Elshof, Robert J., Townsend, Raymond L., Cairns, Richard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US12/893,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20110012340A1
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 13761403-61405, 137/594, 285/921, 285/319, 285/320, 285/305
• US Class Current: 137/614.05
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/226 Spindles or actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/229 Stopcocks
• 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 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• 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 37/32 at least one of two lift valves being opened automatically when the coupling is applied
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87957 Valves actuate each other
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87965 Valve- or closure-operated by coupling motion

Abstract

A fluid conduit coupling assembly has a depressible latch mechanism that secures a first fluid conduit to a second fluid conduit via a first coupler and a second coupler. The first coupler connects to the first fluid conduit and the second coupler connects to the second fluid conduit. The depressible latch mechanism is formed by a pair of cantilevered buttons disposed in symmetrically opposed positions on one of the couplers. The cantilevered buttons have engagement lips that extend distally with catches that extend radially outward to engage a ridge formed on an interior wall of the opposing coupler. Fluid ports within the couplers interface when the couplers connect to provide fluid flow between the first and second conduits. Valves may be disposed in each of the couplers to arrest fluid flow when the couplers are detached and automatically open to allow fluid to flow when the couplers are connected.

Claims

1. A fluid conduit coupling assembly comprising

a first coupler comprising

a first attachment end defining a first fluid lumen and configured for attaching to a first fluid conduit;

a first housing defining an inner cavity and including a cantilevered button defined within a wall of the first housing, wherein the cantilevered button is attached at a proximal end to the wall, is separated at lateral sides from the wall by slots, extends to a distal end congruent with a seam face of the first housing, and further comprises an engagement lip extending distally from the distal end and having a catch directed radially outward with respect to the first coupler, and wherein the slots are open to the inner cavity; and

a first barrel substantially encompassed by the first housing and defining a first fluid path in fluid communication with the first fluid lumen in the first attachment end; and

a second coupler comprising a second attachment end defining a second fluid lumen and configured for attaching to a second fluid conduit;

a second housing defining a ridge on an interior wall of the second housing for interfacing with the catch on the engagement lip on each of the cantilevered buttons; and

a second barrel substantially encompassed by the second housing and defining a second fluid path in fluid communication with the second fluid lumen in the second attachment end;

wherein when the first and second couplers are mated together, the catches on the pair of engagement lips operably connect with the ridge on the second housing, and

the first fluid path of the first barrel is fluidly coupled with the second fluid path in the second barrel.

2. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the cantilevered button is formed to provide a gripping surface for a user'"'"'s fingers.

3. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein

the first barrel and the first attachment end are an integrally formed structure;

or

the second barrel and the second attachment end are an integrally formed structure;

or both.

4. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the first barrel or the second barrel has an outer diameter that is substantially equivalent to an inner diameter of the other barrel whereby, when the first coupler engages the second coupler, the one of the first barrel or the second barrel is received within the other barrel and an interface between the outer diameter of the one of the first barrel or the second barrel and the inner diameter of the other barrel creates a seal between the first fluid path and the second fluid path.

5. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein

a leading tip of the first barrel extends distally beyond the seam face of the first housing;

or

a leading tip of the second barrel extends distally beyond the seam face of the second housing;

or both.

6. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 1 further comprising

a first valve housed within the first barrel and interposed between the first fluid path and the first fluid lumen in the first attachment end;

and

a second valve housed within the second barrel and interposed between the second fluid path and the first fluid lumen in the first attachment end;

wherein

the first valve and the second valve are in a closed configuration when the first coupler is disconnected from the second coupler to prevent fluid flow from the first fluid lumen to the first fluid path and from the second fluid lumen to the second fluid path, respectively; and

the first valve and the second valve are actuated to an open configuration when the first coupler is connected with the second coupler to allow fluid flow between the first fluid lumen, the first fluid path, the second fluid path, and the second lumen.

7. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 6 further comprising

a first valve actuation member in contact with the first valve;

a second valve actuation member in contact with the second valve, wherein either the first valve actuation member, the second valve actuation member, or both, defines a groove in an outer wall thereof; and

at least one latch extending distally from either the first valve actuation member, the second valve actuation member, or both, respectively;

wherein

when the first and second couplers are mated together the at least one latch mates with the groove; and

the first and second valve actuation members open the first and second valves, respectively, such that the first and second fluid paths are joined.

8. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of latches extending distally from one of the first or second valve actuation members for connection with the groove in the other of the first or second valve actuation members.

9. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 7 further comprising

a first biasing member that biases the first valve actuation member in a position that holds the first valve in a closed position;

and

a second biasing member that biases the second valve actuation member in a position that holds the second valve in a closed position.

10. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 7, wherein

the first valve actuation member encompasses and translates along a portion of the first barrel as the first and second couplers are connected and disconnected;

and

the second valve actuation member encompasses and translates along a portion of the second barrel as the first and second couplers are connected and disconnected.

11. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one cantilevered button comprises a pair of cantilevered buttons.

12. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the cantilevered buttons is located symmetrically opposite from the other on the first housing.

13. A fluid conduit coupling assembly comprising

a male coupler comprising

a first barbed fitting configured for attachment with a first fluid conduit;

a male housing attached to the first barbed fitting and further defining an inner cavity and including a pair of depressible latch mechanisms disposed at a mating end of the male housing, wherein the male housing defines slots that define lateral sides of each depressible latch mechanism, and wherein the slots are open to the inner cavity;

an elongated male fluid port extending from within the male housing toward the mating end and in fluid communication with the first barbed fitting; and

a female coupler comprising

a second barbed fitting configured for attachment with a second fluid conduit;

a female housing defining an engagement feature on an interior wall adjacent a mating end of the female housing; and

an elongated female fluid port extending from within the female housing toward the mating end and in fluid communication with the second barbed fitting;

wherein when the male coupler is connected to the female coupler,

a portion of the depressible latch mechanism enters the female housing and operably connects with the engagement feature on the interior wall thereof to hold the male and female couplers together; and

the elongated male fluid port is received within the elongated female fluid port to create a fluid pathway from the first barbed fitting, through the elongated male and female ports, and through the second barbed fitting.

14. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the depressible latch mechanisms comprises a cantilevered button that further has an engagement lip extending therefrom.

15. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 14, wherein each engagement lip further comprises a catch directed radially outward with respect to a center axis of the male coupler.

16. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 13, wherein the engagement feature is a ridge on the interior wall of the female housing.

17. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 13, wherein a leading tip of the elongated male fluid port extends distally beyond a seam face of the male housing.

18. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 13, wherein a leading tip of the elongated female fluid port extends distally beyond a seam face of the female housing.

19. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the depressible latch mechanisms is located symmetrically opposite from the other on the male housing.

20. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 13, wherein an outer surface of each of the depressible latch mechanisms is formed to provide a gripping surface for a user'"'"'s fingers.

21. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 13, wherein

the elongated male fluid port and the first barbed fitting are an integrally formed structure;

and

the elongated female fluid port and the second barbed fitting are an integrally formed structure.

22. The fluid conduit coupling assembly of claim 13 further comprising

a first valve disposed between the elongated male fluid port and the first barbed fitting;

and

a second valve disposed between the elongated female fluid port and the second barbed fitting;

wherein

the first valve and the second valve are in a closed configuration when the male and female couplers are disconnected; and

the first valve and the second valve are in an open configuration when the male coupler is connected to the female coupler.