Patent Application
20150238746
The present invention relates generally to closures used with medication administration sets, and more specifically relates to such closures where the closure is opened by external manipulation of the closure while it is inserted in a flexible tube, such that upon opening of the closure, a frangible portion breaks free and is carried by fluid flow within the tube.
Medications, which in this application refer to any flowable medicinal substance, including but not limited to medicine, blood, plasma, saline solutions, or the like, are often provide to the patient in flexible plastic bags. Control of the administration of the medication to the patient is achieved through an assembly of components known as an administration set. Administration sets include, among other things at least one flexible bag or container of medicine, at least one length of flexible tubing, connectors attached to ends of the tubing, and control valves or clamps. In some cases, the administration set is provided in a sterile pouch or bag, including all of the components. Such administration sets are used both by medical technicians in hospitals or clinics, and also by patients who self-administer medication. One example of patient-controlled medicinal administration is peritoneal dialysis.
Frangible connectors are known in the art for controlling medication flow in such administration sets. A suitable connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,181,140. The frangible connector is located between the flexible container of medicine and a length of tubing. A frangible end of the connector is inserted into the tubing, and while the end is connected to the connector, fluid flow from the container is blocked. When the user or technician subjects the frangible end to manipulation, such as in a twisting or bending action, the frangible end breaks free from the connector, initiating fluid flow from the flexible container, through the tube for administration to the patient. The separated frangible end flows within the tube to the next component or obstruction.
Conventional frangible connectors are designed so that once separated, the frangible end does not unduly restrict medicinal flow within the tube towards the patient. However, in some cases, medicinal flow rate in the tube has been less than desired. Also, conventional separated frangible ends have in some situations become caught on the inside surface of the tube after separation. Thus, there is a need for an improved frangible connector that is designed to address these design drawbacks of conventional structures.
The above-identified need is met by the present frangible connector closure for a flexible tube, wherein a tubular body has a frangible member disposed at one end for preventing fluid flow through the connector prior to separation. As is the convention in the administration art, the frangible member is inserted into an end of a flexible tube, and the opposite end of the tube is ultimately connected to a fitting used for administering a flowable medication to a patient.
A finger is provided at a free end of the frangible piece, and axially extending, laterally projecting standoffs are dimensioned so that the frangible connector flows within the tube freely and only abuts the next component or tubing constriction, such as created by a clamp, without obstructing the fluid path. The frangible connector closure is the closure of the tubular connector, connected to the medication bag port. To activate the transfer of the solution from a medication bag, the medical technician or the patient bends and breaks the part by separating the frangible portion from the tubular body. The broken frangible member slips down inside the tubing up to the next component or constriction in the line, as caused by a shutoff valve. The single finger tip avoids obstruction of the fluid path.
More specifically, a frangible connector for a tubular connector is provided for connection to a medication administration tube, and includes a tubular body portion having an open end configured for being connected to a supply of medication, and an opposite closed end. An elongate, rigid frangible member is disposed at the closed end and closes the end from fluid flow. The frangible member has a closure end and an opposite free end, and a longitudinal axis. In addition, the frangible member extends in an axial direction and has a member transverse dimension. The free end forms a finger portion extending in the axial direction and having a transverse dimension less than the member transverse dimension. In addition, the closure end of the frangible member is constructed to permit ready separation from the body portion by manual manipulation of the frangible member relative to the body portion when the frangible member is disposed inside the tube, for user-activated opening of the connector.
Referring now to
A length of flexible tubing 26 is placed over the frangible connector closure 24, and through a second port tube/tube coupler 22a, is placed in fluid communication with a length of flexible administration tubing 28. In the preferred embodiment two lengths of tubing 28 are provided, each with a suitable releasable line clamp 30 for controlling flow in the respective tube. Also, a Y-junction fitting 32 is provided that is connectable via inlet ports 34 to each of the two lengths of tubing 28, and has an outlet 36 with a cap 38. In the preferred embodiment, the cap 38 is provided with a pull ring 40, acting as a sterility protector, as is known in the art.
Referring now to
At the closed end 46 is found an elongate, rigid frangible member 50 closing the end from fluid flow by blocking an axial passageway or conduit 52 in the body 42 (
Opposite the closure end 54 is a free end 56. The frangible member 50 has a longitudinal axis, extends in an axial direction “A” (
A feature of the free end 56 is a finger portion 58 extending in the axial direction and having a transverse dimension “t” less than the member transverse dimension “T.” As seen in
Another feature of the finger portion 58 is that it is preferably located on the frangible member 50 to be transversely offset from the longitudinal axis of the frangible member. In other words, as seen in
Referring again to
Opposite the finger portion 58, the frangible member closure end 54 defines a plug 72, and the standoff formations 68 each have a plug end 74 extending radially from the plug. Thus, the plug 72 is partially surrounded by the plug ends 74 and by extensions 76 of edge surfaces 64, 78 of the frangible member 50.
While a particular embodiment of the present frangible connector closure for a tubular connector has been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.
