Patent Application
20230041742
This invention relates to an improved fluid line connector device for use in connecting two fluid lines together to form a fluid connection. Particularly, this invention relates to a one-piece fluid line connector having means for preventing a non-corresponding fluid line connector from connecting to the one-piece fluid line connector.
Luer lock connectors are well known within the medical industry for connecting a fluid container to a fluid feed line e.g. connecting a syringe to an IV line. The connection consists of a male connector and a female connector engaging to provide a fluid tight seal. The male connector typically includes a luer taper configured to be received by the female connector. The male connector often includes a thread which matches lugs of the female connector configured to lock the two connectors together. The industry standard for lugs of the female connector is such that there are two lugs positioned opposite one another around the circumference of the female connector. It is known that non-standard luer lock connectors may be used in situations in which it is very important not to connect certain fluid feed lines to the certain fluid containers.
EP 2 051 770 B1 describes a connector system including a male connector, a female connector and a barrier configured to allow a correspondingly-shaped female connector to pass therethrough and engage a luer taper and a thread of the male connector. The female connector includes lugs spaced circumferentially around the female connector in a configuration different to the industry standard described above. The barrier of the male connector has a slot shaped to match the circumferential spacing of the lugs of the female connector. Typically, the barrier of EP 2 051 770 B1 is manufactured separate to the male connector and subsequently fastened to the male connector. Typically, the male connector and barrier are mass manufactured, and it may be time consuming for the user or a manufacturer to fasten the barrier onto the male connector, as the two parts are relatively small and difficult to handle. When fastened to the male connector, the barrier may rotate relative to the male connector. Consequently, it may be time consuming for a user to insert the female connector into a male connector as the slot of the barrier may not be aligned such that the female luer lock fitting engages the thread without suitable rotation of the barrier relative to the male connector. Further, upon removal of the female connector from the male connector, the barrier may not be aligned such that upon exiting the thread of the male connector, the female connector must be rotated further to exit the barrier. Furthermore, upon removal, the barrier may rotate with the female connector and the female lock fitting may become jammed within the barrier. Due to the often time-critical nature of using such luer lock connectors, it is desirable to have a system whereby the time taken to connect a male connector to a female connector is minimal and the risk of jamming is reduced.
In certain prior art arrangements, the barrier may inadvertently allow a non-correspondingly-shaped female connector to connect to the male connector. This may be achievable by inserting the non-correspondingly-shaped female connector through the slot of the barrier at an angle such that the lugs of the non-correspondingly-shaped female connector engage the thread of the male connector. It is not desirable to have a system which may possibly allow such incorrect connections.
It is an object of certain embodiments of the present invention to address the above-described disadvantages associated with the prior art.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a one-piece fluid line connector comprising:
In certain embodiments, the male luer lock fitting may include a thread and a luer taper, wherein the luer taper is configured to be received by a correspondingly-shaped female luer lock fitting and the thread is configured to receive one or more lugs of the correspondingly-shaped luer lock fitting.
In certain embodiments, the cap may have a guide portion configured to determine a helical movement of at least one of the one or more lugs between the cap and the thread when the female luer lock fitting is rotated in the cap, the at least one of the one or more lugs is adjacent the guide portion of the cap, and the cap is in the aligned position. The guide portion may comprise one or more first sloped surfaces configured to at least partially determine the helical movement of at least one of the one or more lugs. The at least a portion of the one or more first sloped surfaces may define a portion of the lowermost surface of the cap, wherein the lowermost surface of the cap faces the thread when the cap is in the aligned position. When the cap is in the aligned position, at least one of the one or more first sloped surfaces may cooperate with the thread to axially constrain at least one of the one or more lugs in at least one rotational position of the female luer lock fitting within the cap.
In certain embodiments, the guide portion may further comprise one or more second sloped surfaces facing in a direction opposite that of the first sloped surfaces, the one or more second sloped surfaces being configured to determine the helical movement of at least one of the one or more lugs between the thread and the cap when the cap is in the aligned position. At least a portion of the one or more second sloped surfaces may define a portion of the uppermost surface of the cap, wherein the uppermost surface of the cap is configured to face away from the thread when the cap is in the aligned position. At least a portion of the one or more second sloped surfaces may cooperate with the one or more first sloped surfaces to axially constrain at least one of the one or more lugs in at least one rotational position of the female luer lock fitting within the cap.
In certain embodiments, the one-piece fluid line connector may be arranged such that, when the cap is in the aligned position, in at least one rotational position of the female luer lock fitting within the cap all of the one or more lugs are axially restrained by one or more of the first sloped surfaces, the second sloped surfaces and the thread.
In certain embodiments, the through-hole may be configured to rotationally restrain at least one lug of a correspondingly-shaped female luer lock fitting in at least one axial position of the female luer lock fitting within the cap.
In certain embodiments, the main body may include the thread of the male luer lock fitting.
In certain embodiments, when the cap is in the aligned position, the cap may be fastened to the main body of the one-piece fluid line connector, or, the cap may be fastened to the male luer lock fitting of the main body. The cap may be fastened using a snap-fit connection. Additionally, the cap may be rotationally fixed relative to the main body.
In certain embodiments, the main body may include a portion configured to receive the cap when the cap is in the aligned position, such that the portion of the main body is radially external to the cap. The portion of the main body configured to receive the cap may be a portion of the male luer lock fitting of the main body, such that when the cap is in the aligned position, the portion of the male luer lock fitting is radially external to the cap. Additionally, the portion of the main body may include a flange and the cap may include a recess configured to engage with the flange of the main body such that the cap forms a snap-fit connection with the main body.
In certain embodiments, the cap may include a portion configured to receive a portion of the main body when the cap is in the aligned position, such that the portion of the cap is radially external to the main body. The portion of the main body received by the portion of the cap may be a portion of the male luer lock fitting of the main body such that, when the cap is in the aligned position, the portion of the cap is radially external to the male luer lock fitting of the main body. Additionally, the portion of the cap may include a flange and the portion of the main body may include a recess configured to engage with the flange of the cap such that the cap forms a snap-fit connection with the main body.
In certain embodiments, the through-hole of the cap may be configured such that, when the cap is in the aligned position, as a lug of a correspondingly-shaped female luer lock fitting may pass therethrough, the lug is aligned with an entrance of the thread of the male luer lock fitting. The through-hole of the cap may have a variable radius. The variable radius may comprise one or more adjacent sectors with different radii. At least one of the one or more adjacent sectors may have a shape configured to receive a correspondingly-shaped lug of a female luer lock fitting such to allow the correspondingly-shaped lug to pass therethrough.
In certain embodiments, the cap may comprise two or more radially inwardly extending portions to define the shape of the through-hole, wherein a circumferential spacing exists between each radially inwardly extending portion, each circumferential spacing defining a slot which determines the at least one of the one or more adjacent sectors having a shape configured to receive a correspondingly-shaped lug of a female luer lock fitting to allow the correspondingly-shaped lug to pass therethrough. At least one slot may have a different angular extent around the circumference of the cap than another slot. Each slot may have a different angular extent around the circumference of the cap.
In certain embodiments, the two or more radially inwardly extending portions may comprise a first radial portion, a second radial portion circumferentially spaced about the cap from the first radial portion, and a third radial portion circumferentially spaced about the cap from both the second radial portion and the first radial portion, wherein the circumferential spacing between the first radial portion and the second radial portion determines a first slot of the through-hole configured to receive a correspondingly-shaped lug of a female luer lock fitting, the circumferential spacing between the second radial portion and the third radial portion determines a second slot of the through-hole configured to receive a correspondingly-shaped lug of the female luer lock fitting, and the circumferential spacing between the third radial portion and the first radial portion determines a third slot of the through-hole configured to receive a correspondingly-shaped lug of the female luer lock fitting.
In certain embodiments, one of the first slot, the second slot and the third slot may have an angular extent of 20 degrees, one of the first slot, the second slot and the third slot may have an angular extent of 40 degrees, and one of the first slot, the second slot and the third slot may have an angular extent of 60 degrees.
In certain embodiments, each of the two or more radially inwardly extending portions may have a first sidewall configured to prevent rotation of a female luer lock fitting in a first rotational direction when a lug of the female luer lock fitting is adjacent thereto, and a second sidewall configured to prevent rotation of a female luer lock fitting in a rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction when a lug of the female luer lock fitting is adjacent thereto.
In certain embodiments, the shape of the two or more radially inwardly extending portions may define the guide portion.
In certain embodiments, when the cap is in the aligned position, the cap may be adjacent to the thread.
In certain embodiments, the main body may further comprise a conduit configured to be attached to a fluid feed container to provide a fluid connection between the fluid feed container and the male luer lock fitting of the main body.
In certain embodiments, when the cap is in the aligned position, the one-piece fluid line connector may further comprise a void positioned between the thread of the male luer lock fitting and the through-hole of the cap, the void configured to receive lugs of a correspond female luer lock fitting and permit free rotation of the female luer lock fitting when the lugs are received by the void. The cap may further comprise a stopper configured to partially prevent counter-clockwise rotation of a corresponding female luer lock fitting when lugs of the corresponding female luer lock fitting are positioned within the void.
In certain embodiments, the one-piece fluid line connector may comprise indicator means configured to aid the user in aligning lugs of a female luer lock fitting with the through-hole of the one-piece fluid line connector. The indicator means may comprise a tactile indicator. The tactile indicator may be positioned on the cap.
In embodiments of the invention, the cap may be rotationally fixed relative to the main body by means other than a living hinge.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a fluid line connector comprising:
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a fluid line connector system comprising:
In certain embodiments, at least one of the one or more lugs of the female luer lock fitting may be in a plane axially offset from a plane of a different lug.
In certain embodiments, at least one of the one or more lugs may be circumferentially spaced from a different lug.
In certain embodiments, the through hole of the cap may have a variable radius. The variable radius may comprise one or more adjacent sectors with different radii. At least one of the one or more adjacent sectors may have a radius configured to receive one of the one or more lugs of the female luer lock fitting such to allow the lug to pass therethrough. When the cap is in the aligned position, the one or more adjacent sectors of the through hole may be aligned with the thread of the male luer lock fitting such that a lug passing therethrough is aligned to engage the thread of the male luer lock fitting.
In certain embodiments, the through hole of the cap may include an internal surface substantially parallel to a central axis of the male luer lock fitting.
In certain embodiments, the void of the fluid line connector system may be of the order of 2 to 2.5 mm in axial depth.
In certain embodiments, the male luer lock fitting may be attachable to a fluid feed container.
In certain embodiments, the female luer lock fitting is attachable to a fluid feed line.
In certain embodiments, the fluid line connector system may comprise indicator means configured to aid the user in aligning the lugs of the female luer lock fitting with the through-hole of the cap. The indicator means may comprise a tactile indicator on one or more of the female luer lock fitting, the male luer lock fitting and the cap.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a fluid line assembly comprising:
In certain embodiments, one of the one or more lugs of the female luer lock fitting may be in a plane that is axially offset from a plane of a different one of the one or more lugs. The one or more lugs of the female luer lock fitting may be circumferentially spaced from each other. At least one of the one or more lugs may have a greater angular extent around the circumference of the female luer lock fitting than another of the one or more lugs.
In certain embodiments, the female luer lock fitting may comprise three lugs, wherein each of the three lugs is configured to be received by the thread of the male luer lock fitting of the fluid line connector. One of the three lugs may have a greater angular extent around the circumference of the female luer lock fitting than the other two of the three lugs. Each of the three lugs may have a different angular extent around the circumference of the female luer lock fitting than another of the three lugs. One of the three lugs may have an angular extent of 20 degrees, one of the three lugs may have an angular extent of 40 degrees, and one of the three lugs may have an angular extent of 60 degrees.
Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
A one-piece fluid line connector 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in
The living hinge 130 is attached at a first end 132 to the main body 110 and at a second end 134 to the cap 120. The living hinge 130 is pivotable about both the first end 132 and the second end 134 so as to move the cap 120 from the position shown in
By providing a coupling between the cap and the main body, the risk that a user may undesirably assemble an independent cap to an incorrect main body is eliminated.
In other examples, the connector of the female luer lock fitting according to embodiments of the invention may be configured to attach to a standardized female luer lock fitting. This enables the standardized female luer lock fitting to be converted so that it may connect with a one-piece fluid line connector according to the present invention.
In use, the luer taper 113 of the male luer lock fitting 112 is received by the conically-shaped receiving portion 54 of the female luer lock fitting 50 to provide a fluid-tight connection between the one-piece fluid line connector 10 and the female luer lock fitting 50. The thread 114 of the male luer lock fitting 112 receives the lugs 52 of the female luer lock fitting 50 to provide a means for preventing the female luer lock fitting 50 from disconnecting during use. The conduit 116 of the main body 110 is configured to attach the main body 110 to a fluid feed container (not shown) such to permit a fluid connection between the fluid feed container (not shown) and the male luer lock fitting 112 of the main body 110. Consequently, in use, the main body 110 permits fluid flow between a fluid feed container (not shown) and a fluid feed line (not shown) via the female luer lock fitting 50.
In other embodiments, the conduit of the main body may be configured to attach to a standardized male luer lock fitting so that the one-piece fluid line connector may be used to convert a standardized male luer lock fitting to one which may only connect with a female luer lock fitting suitable for connecting with the one piece fluid line connector according to the present invention.
The cap receiving portion 118 of the main body 110 is configured such that, in the aligned configuration, the cap receiving portion 118 is radially external of the cap 120 as shown in
The through-hole 124 of the cap 120 is configured such that, in the aligned configuration, the shape of the through-hole 124 permits a correspondingly-shaped female luer lock fitting to pass therethrough and engage the male luer lock fitting 112 of the main body 110. Conversely, a non-correspondingly-shaped female luer lock fitting will not be capable of passing through the through-hole 124, thus reducing the possibility of inadvertently connecting a fluid line connector to an incorrect fluid feed or outlet. An advantage of the cap receiving portion 118 being radially external of the cap 120 in the aligned configuration is that it may be difficult for a user to grip and remove the cap 120 once it is fastened to the cap receiving portion 118. This reduces the risk that a user may remove the cap 120 (thus removing the through-hole 124 that prevents a non-correspondingly-shaped female luer lock fitting from passing therethrough) to subsequently connect a non-correspondingly-shaped female luer lock fitting to the male luer lock fitting 112.
The circumferential distributions of the lugs 52 of the female luer lock fitting 50 and the corresponding slots 123 of the through-hole 124 are not limited to the configurations described above. Indeed, in alternative embodiments, other suitable configurations may be employed. For example, there may be fewer or more than four lugs 52 and the lugs 52 may be sized, shaped and/or circumferentially distributed differently around the female luer lock fitting 50.
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in the figures, the thread 114 is a double helix thread including a first helical thread 114a and a second helical thread 114b. The slots 123 of the through-hole 124 are positioned such that, when in the arrangement shown in
The cap 120 further includes a stopper 125 positioned adjacent to one of the slots 123 (as seen in
The cap 120 is rotationally fixed relative to the main body 110 by the living hinge 130. This is advantageous in that as a user removes the lugs 52 of the female luer lock fitting 50 from the thread 114 of the male luer lock fitting 112, the slots 123 are aligned with the lugs 52 i.e. the cap 120 has not rotated to a misaligned position. This means that the user only needs to rotate the female luer lock fitting 50 to the point where the lugs 52 exit the thread 114, which is a time saving in not needing to further rotate the female luer lock fitting 50 to align the lugs 52 with the slots 123 of the through-hole 124. Once aligned with the slots 123 of the through-hole 124, the lugs 52 may pass axially through the through-hole 124 and allow the female luer lock fitting 50 to separate from the one-piece fluid line connector 10. By being rotationally fixed, there is minimal risk that the cap 120 may rotate with the female luer lock fitting 50 as the user rotates the female luer lock fitting 50. Advantageously, with the one-piece fluid connector 10 stationary, the female luer lock fitting 50 may be removed from the one-piece fluid line connector 10 using one hand.
Like the one-piece fluid line connector 10 described above, the one-piece fluid line connector 20 includes a main body 210 having a central axis 200, and a cap 220 coupled to the main body 210 by a living hinge 230.
Like the living hinge 130 described above, the living hinge 230 is pivotable about both a first end 232 and a second end 234 such to move the cap 220 from the position shown in
Like the male luer lock fitting 112 described above, the luer taper 213 of the male luer lock fitting 212 is configured to be received by the receiving portion 54 of the female luer lock fitting 50, the thread 214 of the male luer lock fitting 212 is configured to receive the lugs 52 of the female luer lock fitting 50, and the conduit 216 of the main body 212 is configured for attaching the main body 210 to a fluid feed container (not shown). Consequently, in use, the main body 210 permits fluid flow between a fluid feed container (not shown) and a fluid feed line (not shown) via the female luer lock fitting 50.
The receivable portion 219 of the main body is configured such that, in the aligned configuration, the receivable portion 219 is radially internal of the cap 220 as shown in
Like the through-hole 124 of the cap 110 described above, the through-hole 224 of the cap 220 is configured such that, in the aligned configuration, the shape of the through-hole 224 permits a correspondingly-shaped female luer lock fitting (not shown) to pass therethrough and engage the male luer lock fitting 212 of the main body 210. Conversely, a non-correspondingly-shaped female luer lock fitting will not be capable of passing through the through-hole 124.
Like the one-piece fluid line connector 10 of the above described embodiment, the one-piece fluid line connector 20 includes, in the aligned configuration as shown in
The through-hole 224, void 240 and thread 214 of the one-piece fluid line connector 20 interact with the female luer lock fitting 50 in a manner as described above with relation to the through-hole 124, void 140 and thread 114 of
In certain embodiments, the thread of the male luer lock fitting may be a single helix, a triple helix or any other suitable threaded pattern.
In certain embodiments, the male luer lock fitting may not have a thread, and instead have alternative means of securing the female luer lock fitting to the male luer lock fitting in use. For example, the male luer lock fitting may form a bayonet-type connection with the female luer lock fitting.
In certain embodiments, the through-hole of the cap may be threaded and aligned with the thread of the male luer lock fitting. In such embodiments, the female luer lock fitting may be rotated through the through-hole and into the thread of the male luer lock fitting.
In certain embodiments, the through-hole may be positioned adjacent to the beginning of the thread of the male luer lock fitting, such that there is no void between the through-hole and the thread.
In certain embodiments, the through-hole of the cap may include more than one stopper or no stopper at all.
The one-piece fluid connector 30 includes a cap 320 coupled to a main body 310 of the one-piece fluid line connector 30 by a living hinge 330. Like the one-piece fluid line connector 10 of
The distance from the axial center of the through-hole to the perimeter of the through-hole is variable about a perimeter of the through-hole. Consequently, the through-hole has one or more adjacent sectors with different radii, wherein the distance from the axial center of the through-hole to the outermost point of one sector is different to that of an adjacent sector. The slots 323 correspond with one or more of the adjacent sectors of the through-hole 324 that allow a correspondingly-shaped lug of a female luer lock fitting to pass therethrough.
The angular extent of the first lug 92a may provide structural support for the female luer lock fitting 90 when received by the one-piece fluid line connector 30, therefore, advantageously, the shorter lugs 92b, 92c may be circumferentially distributed in other examples so as to create unique variations of the female luer lock fitting 90. Indeed, a different circumferential distribution may require a different axial distribution so that all lugs may be helically aligned with the thread of the one-piece fluid line connector.
Having three lugs of different angular extents permits a large number of possible unique variations of the female luer lock fitting. This may advantageously increase the availability of unique fluid connections to a user so to reduce the likelihood of undesired fluid connections being made.
In other examples, the angular extent of each lug may be different to one another in any combination so long as the female luer lock fitting may connect with the one-piece fluid line connector. In further examples, the third lug may have the same angular extent as the second lug.
In certain embodiments, the female luer lock fitting may include a visual or tactile indicator (not shown) to aid a user in identifying the largest lug such to enable the user to align the largest lug with the largest slot when connecting the female luer lock fitting with the one-piece fluid line connector. In certain embodiments, the cap of the one-piece fluid line connector may include a visual or tactile indicator (not shown) to aid a user in identifying the correct orientation required of the female luer lock fitting such that the female luer lock fitting may pass therethrough. The visual or tactile indicator may comprise, for example, a rib or spline.
Alignment of a tactile indicator of the cap with a tactile indicator of the female luer lock fitting may permit the female luer lock fitting to pass through the through-hole of the one-piece fluid line connector. Consequently, in use, an operator may advantageously quickly and simply identify the orientation required so that the female luer lock fitting may be connected with the one-piece fluid line connector in less time than certain prior art fluid connections. This may reduce the difficulty and frustration associated with aligning certain prior art fluid line connectors. Further, it is advantageous to have a quick and simple method of connecting fluid lines as a single patient may require many (e.g. dozens) fluid line connections which need to be connected efficiently.
The slots 323 of the through-hole 324 are determined by radially inwardly extending portions 370 of the cap 320. The radially inwardly extending portions 370 comprise a first radial portion 371 having a first sidewall 371a and a second sidewall 371b, a second radial portion 372 having a first sidewall 372a and a second sidewall 372b, and a third radial portion 373 having a first sidewall 373a and a second sidewall 373b. The first slot 323a is positioned between the first sidewall 371a of the first radial portion 371 and the second sidewall 373b of the third radial portion 373. The second slot 323b is positioned between the first sidewall 373a of the third radial portion 373 and the second sidewall 372b of the second radial portion 372. The third slot 323c is positioned between the first sidewall 372a of the second radial portion 372 and the second sidewall 371b of the first radial portion 371.
The first sidewalls 371a, 372a, 373a are configured to prevent rotation of the female luer lock fitting 90 in a clockwise direction 900 when any of the lugs 92 are axially adjacent one of the first sidewalls 371a, 372a, 373a. The second sidewalls 371b, 372b, 373b are configured to prevent rotation of the female luer lock fitting 90 in a direction opposite the clockwise direction 900 when any of the lugs 92 are axially adjacent any of the second sidewalls 371b, 372b, 373b.
In use, when any of the lugs 92 is positioned in the corresponding slot 323a, 323b, 323c, the female luer lock fitting 90 is substantially prevented from rotating relative to the cap 320.
The cap 320 has a guide portion 327 configured to determine helical movement of the lugs 92 between the cap 320 and the thread 314 when the female luer lock fitting 90 is within the cap 320 and the lugs 92 are helically aligned with the thread 314. The guide portion 327 may cooperate with the thread 314 to effectively form a continuation of the thread 314 within the cap 320. To achieve this continuation of the thread 314, the cap 320 may be partially threaded and/or the cap 320 may receive a portion of the thread 314.
The thread 314 is a double helix thread comprising a first helical ridge 315 and a second helical ridge 317 spaced from the first helical ridge 315. The first helical ridge 315 comprises a first side 315a and a second side 315b opposite the first side 315a. The second helical ridge 317 comprises a first side 317a and a second side 317b opposite the first side 317a. A first helical thread 314a for receiving a lug is defined between the first side 315a of the first helical ridge 315 and the second side 317b of the second helical ridge 317. A second helical thread 314b is defined between the second side 315b of the first helical ridge 315 and the first side 317a of the second helical ridge 317.
In
As shown in
Each of the second radial portion 372 and the third radial portion 373 includes, at an end adjacent the thread 314 when in the aligned configuration, a sloped surface 372c, 373c aligned with the second side 315b of the second helical ridge 315.
The second helical ridge 317 is configured to be partially received by the cap 320 when the cap 320 is in the aligned configuration. The second helical ridge 317 is received by the cap 320 so that the second sidewall 371b of the first radial portion 371 substantially abuts an end 317c of the second helical ridge 317. In use, the sloped surface 373c of the third radial portion 373 and the first side 317a of the second helical ridge 317 cooperate to define a second helical channel 327b to determine helical movement of the second lug 92b and the third lug 92c between the cap 320 and the second helical thread 314b as the female luer lock fitting 90 is rotated when the second lug 92b and the third lug 92c are helically aligned with the second helical thread 314b. In use, the sloped surface 372c of the second radial portion 372 and the first side 317a of the second helical ridge 317 cooperate to determine helical movement of the third lug 92c between the cap 320 and the second helical thread 314b as the female luer lock fitting 90 is rotated when the third lug 92c is helically aligned with the second helical thread 314b.
The sloped surfaces 371c, 372c, 373c define a portion of the lowermost surface of the cap 320. That is to say, when the cap 320 is viewed along its axis from one end, the sloped surfaces 371c, 372c, 373c would be visible. In use, the lowermost surface of the cap 320 is configured to face the thread 314 when the cap 320 is in the aligned position.
The guide portion 327 of the cap 320 is defined by the sloped surfaces 371c, 372c, 373c of the radial portions 371, 372, 373. In other embodiments, the guide portion may be separate to the radial portions. For example, the guide portion may be axially separated from the radial portions.
The one-piece fluid line connector 30 is configured so that, in use, the female luer lock fitting 90 may move axially through the through-hole 324 so that the first lug 92a engages the first side 315a of the first helical ridge 315, and the second lug 92b and the third lug 92c engage the first side 317a of the second helical ridge 317. When the lugs 92 are engaged with their respective helical ridges 315, 317, and helically aligned with their respective helical thread 314a, 314b, the one-piece fluid line connector 30 may determine helical movement of the lugs 92 upon rotation of the female luer lock fitting 90 so that the lugs 90 move between the cap 320 and their respective helical threads 314a, 314b. During such helical movement, all of the lugs 92 are axially restrained by either or both of the sloped surfaces 371c, 372c, 373c and the thread 314 in at least one rotational position of the female luer lock fitting 90 within the cap 320.
By determining helical movement of the lugs between the thread and the cap, the likelihood of a lug not engaging a thread, or a lug being jammed within the cap, is substantially eliminated. Also, such a configuration aids the user in quickly and simply connecting or disconnecting the lugs and the thread. This is advantageous, particularly when a user of the one-piece fluid line connector is likely under pressure and/or multitasking (e.g. attempting to connect multiple fluid lines in a short time period), to reduce the difficulty and time taken involved to fluidly connect the female luer lock fitting with the one-piece fluid line connector. This may reduce the likelihood that an undesired or incomplete fluid line connection is made.
In other embodiments, the through-hole of the cap may comprise a cap thread where the cap thread forms the guide portion. One or more of the lugs may first move axially through the through-hole of the cap until they are helically aligned with the cap thread. When the one or more lugs engage the cap thread, the cap thread determines helical movement of the lugs into the thread of the main body as the female luer lock fitting is rotated. In such an embodiment, a portion of the cap thread defines a portion of the lowermost surface of the cap. The portion of the cap thread is configured to cooperate with the thread of the male luer lock fitting to determine helical movement between the cap and the thread.
In other embodiments, either or both of the helical ridges may be received by the cap when the cap is in the aligned configuration so long as the one-piece fluid line connector is capable of determining helical movement of the lugs when the female luer lock fitting is rotated and the lugs are helically aligned with the thread of the one-piece fluid line connector.
Indeed, in other embodiments, any of the sloped surfaces 371c, 372c, 373c may be one or more of straight, sloped and curved so long as the lugs 92 may move past the radial portions 370 when the female luer lock fitting 90 is helically rotated into the thread 314.
The one-piece fluid line connector 1030 includes a main body 1310. The main body 1310 includes a male luer lock fitting 1312 having a luer taper 1313 and a thread 1314, a conduit 1316 in fluid communication with the male luer lock fitting 1312, and a cap receiving portion 1318. The cap receiving portion 1318 includes an abutment surface 1319 configured so that, when a cap 1320 (see
Like the thread 314 of
The radially inwardly extending portions 1370 comprise a first radial portion 1371 having a first sidewall 1371a and a second sidewall 1371b, a second radial portion 1372 having a first sidewall 1372a and a second sidewall 1372b, and a third radial portion 1373 having a first sidewall 1373a and a second sidewall 1373b. The first slot 1323a is positioned between the first sidewall 1371a of the first radial portion 1371 and the second sidewall 1373b of the third radial portion 1373. The second slot 1323b is positioned between the first sidewall 1373a of the third radial portion 1373 and the second sidewall 1372b of the second radial portion 1372. The third slot 1323c is positioned between the first sidewall 1372a of the second radial portion 1372 and the second sidewall 1371b of the first radial portion 1371.
The first sidewalls 1371a, 1372a, 1373a are configured to prevent rotation of a female luer lock fitting in a clockwise direction 1900 when any lugs of the female luer lock fitting are axially adjacent one of the first sidewalls 1371a, 1372a, 1373a. The second sidewalls 1371b, 1372b, 1373b are configured to prevent rotation of the female luer lock fitting in a direction opposite the clockwise direction 1900 when any lugs of the female luer lock fitting are axially adjacent any of the second sidewalls 1371b, 1372b, 1373b.
The cap 1320 includes a thread receiving portion 1321 configured to receive a portion of the thread 1314 when the cap 1320 is in the aligned position. The portion of the thread receiving portion 1321 shown in
Like the cap 320 of the previous embodiment, the cap 1320 has a guide portion 1327 configured to determine helical movement of lugs between the cap 1320 and the thread 1314 when a female luer lock fitting is within the cap 1320 and the lugs are helically aligned with the thread 1314. The guide portion 1327 is configured to cooperate with the thread 1314 to effectively form a continuation of the thread 1314 between the thread 1314 and the cap 1320.
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As shown in
As shown in
The second sloped surfaces 1371d, 1373d define a portion of the uppermost surface of the cap 1320. The uppermost surface of the cap 1320 is configured to face away from the thread 1314 when the cap 1320 is in the aligned position.
The guide portion 1327 is defined by the first sloped surfaces 1371c, 1372c, 1373c and the second sloped surfaces 1371d, 1373d.
In the embodiment shown in
In other embodiments, all of the radial portions may comprise a cap ridge. In some embodiments, one or more cap ridges may undercut one or more radial portions and in such an embodiment, it may not be necessary for the cap to receive the thread.
In
The female luer lock fitting 1000 shares features with the female luer lock fitting 50 and 90 described above and shown in
In
In
In at least one rotational position of the female luer lock fitting 1000 within the one-piece fluid line connector 1030, the radial portions 1370 cooperate with the thread 1314 to axially constrain at least one of the lugs 1002a, 1002b, 1002c.
The one-piece fluid connector 40 includes a cap 420 coupled to a main body 410 of the fluid line connector 40 by a living hinge 430. Like the one-piece fluid line connector 20 of
The one-piece fluid line connector 40 of
In certain embodiments, the flange and the recess of the cap may be continuous or discontinuous around their respective circumferences, so long as a snap-fit fastening is achieved between the flange and the recess when the one-piece fluid line connector is in the aligned configuration. Preferably, the flange and the recess are continuous around their respective circumferences.
In certain embodiments, the cap may attach to the main body of the one-piece fluid line connector by any means such that the cap is fastenable to the main body to permit a non-standard female luer lock fitting to pass therethrough. For example, the cap could screw onto, form a magnetic connection with, or form a friction fit with the main body.
In certain embodiments, the conduit of the main body may be attached to the fluid feed container or a standardized male luer lock fitting by welding, gluing or any other suitable means.
In certain embodiments, the female conduit of the female luer lock fitting may be attached to the fluid feed line or a standardized female luer lock fitting by welding, gluing or any other suitable means.
In certain embodiments, the one-piece fluid line connector is an injection-molded plastics material.
Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.
Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
The readers attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1608603.5 | May 2016 | GB | national |
| 1700096.9 | Jan 2017 | GB | national |
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/302,224, filed Nov. 16, 2018, which is a U.S. national stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT International Application Serial No. PCT/GB2017/051357, which has an international filing date of May 15, 2017, designates the United States of America, and claims the benefit of GB Application No. 1608603.5, filed on May 16, 2016, and GB Application No. 1700096.9, filed on Jan. 5, 2017, the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16302224 | Nov 2018 | US |
| Child | 17969738 | US |
