Strain relief device and connector assemblies incorporating same

• US 20060195066A1
• Filed: 02/14/2005
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Cross, Thomas E. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,537,245 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/256
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1044 Verifying the connection, e.g. audible feedback, tactile feedback, visual feedback, using external light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1088 having a plurality of male connectors, e.g. Luer connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1011 Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence

Abstract

A connector assembly for interconnecting separate sections of tubing, e.g., catheters, and a method for using the same. Connector assemblies in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be a two-piece construction having a connector pin and a strain relief device. The strain relief device, in addition to providing secure, substantially leak-free coupling of the tubing sections, may also provide strain relief to the tubing interconnection.

Claims

1. A strain relief device for securing two catheter sections relative to a connector pin, the device comprising:

a base and an interlocking cap that, when assembled, form a tubular shell for surrounding a length of the connector pin and an overlapping portion of each of the two catheter sections, wherein one or both of the base and cap comprise;

a lock portion operable to engage the connector pin and longitudinally restrain the shell relative to the connector pin; and

a compression surface located between the lock portion and each longitudinal end of the shell.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a latch member operable to secure the base to the cap.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the base and cap are generally semi-cylindrical in shape.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the lock portion comprises a groove formed on an interior surface of one or both of the base and the cap.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the compression surface comprises a protrusion formed on an interior surface of one or both of the base and cap.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the base comprises one or more eyelets.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein one or both of the base and cap comprise an outer layer comprising a material more pliable than a material of an underlying layer.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a hinge connecting the base to the cap.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the base and the cap comprise a polymeric material.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the polymeric material comprises polysulfone.

11. A connector assembly for connecting sections of medical tubing, the assembly comprising:

a connector pin comprising;

a first end portion, a second end portion, and a lumen extending between the first end portion and the second end portion; and

a central portion located between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the central portion has an outer dimension that is larger than an outer dimension of both the first and second end portions; and

a strain relief device for substantially surrounding at least a longitudinal portion of the connector pin, wherein the device comprises a semi-cylindrical base and an interlocking semi-cylindrical cap, wherein one or both of the base and cap comprises a first lock portion operable to align the device relative to the central portion.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the first lock portion comprises a groove formed in one or both of the base and cap, the groove operable to receive therein the central portion of the connector pin.

13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the base further comprises a compression surface operable to hold one or both sections of medical tubing against the connector pin.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the first end portion of the connector pin further comprises a circumferential groove, the groove located to correspond to a location of the compression surface of the base.

15. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the cap further comprises a compression surface operable to hold one or both of the sections of medical tubing against the connector pin.

16. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the device has a longitudinal length greater than a longitudinal length of the connector pin.

17. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the base and the cap comprise a polymeric material.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the polymeric material comprises polysulfone.

19. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the lumen of the connector pin branches from the first end portion to two or more second end portions.

20. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the first end portion is operable to couple to an infusion catheter, and the second end portion is operable to couple to a therapy delivery catheter implanted at a predetermined location within a body.

21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the infusion catheter is attached to an implantable infusion pump.

22. A method of interconnecting sections of medical tubing, the method comprising:

inserting a first end portion of a connector pin into a first medical tube, the connector pin comprising;

an opposing, second end portion;

a lumen extending between the first end portion and the second end portion; and

a central portion located between the first and second end portions, the central portion comprising an outer dimension that is greater than an outer dimension of either of the first and second end portions;

inserting the second end portion into a second medical tube;

placing the connector pin into a base of a strain relief device; and

engaging a cap of the strain relief device with the base such that the connector pin is substantially surrounded, along its length, by the base and cap.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising securing the cap to the base.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein placing the connector pin into the base further comprises placing the central portion of the connector pin into a groove formed in the base.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising pressing the first medical tube against the first end portion of the connector pin with a compression portion of the base.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising securing the base to tissue.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein securing the base to tissue comprises suturing the base to tissue.

28. The method of claim 22, further comprising delivering a substance from the first medical tube to the second medical tube through the connector pin.

29. A strain relief device for securing at least two catheter sections relative to a connector pin, the device comprising:

a base for covering both a first portion of the connector pin and a first portion of each of the at least two catheter sections, wherein the base comprises a first lock portion operable to engage the connector pin; and

a cap for covering a second portion of the connector pin, wherein the cap is attachable to the base to form a tubular shell that substantially surrounds a length of the connector pin and overlapping portions of each of the at least two catheter sections.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein one or both of the base and cap comprise a latch for securely coupling the base to the cap.

31. The device of claim 29, wherein the cap further comprises a second lock portion operable to engage the connector pin.