Medical connector

• US 20070088327A1
• Filed: 07/24/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industrie Borla S.P.A. (Carla Finanziaria SRL)
• Original Assignee: Industrie Borla S.P.A. (Carla Finanziaria SRL)
• Inventors: Guala, Gianni
• Granted Patent: US 7,588,563 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/533
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1016 Unlocking means providing a secure or comfortable disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• 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 39/1011 Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence

Abstract

Medical connector comprising a tubular body with an inlet fitting and an outlet fitting of the female luer-lock type connected to the body in a rotary and axially translatable way between a retracted position and an advanced position. One-directional detent assemblies enable rotation of the outlet fitting in one direction in the retracted position and in the opposite direction in the advanced position.

Claims

1. A medical connector comprising a tubular body having an inlet fitting and an outlet fitting of the female luer-lock type that can be engaged by screwing with a complementary male luer-lock fitting, said female luer-lock outlet fitting being connected to said body in a rotary and axially translatable way from a retracted position to an advanced position against the action of elastic thrust means, wherein first and second one-directional detent means are provided, the first of which prevents rotation between said outlet fitting and said body in a first direction of rotation corresponding to the direction of screwing of said complementary male luer-lock fitting with said outlet fitting when said outlet fitting is set in said retracted position, and the second detent means preventing rotation between said outlet fitting and said body in a second direction of rotation corresponding to the direction of unscrewing of said complementary male luer-lock fitting from said outlet fitting when said outlet fitting is translated into said advanced position.

2. The medical connector according to claim 1, wherein said first one-directional detent means include a ring of sprung pawls carried by said outlet fitting in a first axial position, and a corresponding ring of saw teeth carried by said body in a first corresponding axial position.

3. The medical connector according to claim 2, wherein said second one-directional detent means include a ring of saw teeth carried by said outlet fitting in a second axial position staggered with respect to said first axial position, and a corresponding ring of detent teeth carried by said body in a second corresponding axial position.

4. The medical connector according to claim 3, wherein said sprung pawls and said ring of saw teeth are formed integrally with said outlet fitting.

5. The medical connector according to claim 3, wherein said ring of detent teeth is formed integrally with said body, and said ring of saw teeth is formed integrally with a retention collar fixed to said body.

6. The medical connector according to claim 1, wherein said elastic thrust means include a sleeve which is inserted in said body between said inlet and outlet fittings and is axially elastically compressible.