The present disclosure relates generally to devices used to transfer fluid (liquid and/or gas), particularly in medical devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a locking luer adaptor that can be used to connect a drainage catheter to a drainage system.
The embodiments disclosed herein will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only typical embodiments, which will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Fluid (e.g., liquid, gas, and/or air) accumulation due to sickness or trauma may develop in areas within a mammalian body not designed to accommodate such accumulation. One particular area prone to abnormal accumulation is between sheets of tissue covering the outside of the lung and lining the chest cavity, known as the pleural space. While a normal functioning pleural space contains approximately 5-20 mL of fluid, fluid turnover occurs on an hourly basis such that approximately 5-10 L of fluid passes through the pleural space every day. Thus, any disruption in fluid turnover may result in an abnormal accumulation or over-accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, known as pleural effusion.
Gas and/or air can also abnormally accumulate in the pleural space due to certain disease processes as well as from trauma, including iatrogenic trauma. The abnormal accumulation of air in the pleural space is called a pneumothorax. The abnormal accumulation of both air and fluid in the pleural space is called a hydropneumothorax. The symptoms of a pleural effusion and/or pneumothorax include dyspnea, tachycardia, cough, breathing difficulty, and chest pain as the lungs are prevented from fully expanding upon breathing.
Pleural effusions can be caused by a wide variety of acute and/or chronic conditions including pneumonia, congestive heart failure, hypoalbuminemia, kidney disease, pulmonary embolism, pancreatitis, cirrhosis, trauma, complications of open-heart surgery, cancer, and malignancy. Drainage of fluid (liquid, gas, and/or air) in the pleural space is desirable to improve cardiopulmonary function, to reduce or eliminate related symptoms, and for diagnostic purposes. This includes acute self-limited conditions such as pneumonia, an exacerbation of a chronic condition such as congestive heart failure, and sometimes-unremitting conditions such as malignant effusions.
There are numerous methods to treat pleural effusion and/or other unwanted fluid accumulation in a mammalian body. Fluid drainage procedures, such as thoracentesis, may be used to provide patient relief. Thoracentesis involves the introduction of a needled catheter into the pleural space through an incision in the skin of the chest wall, and subsequent needle advancement into the chest cavity, after which fluid is drawn out using a syringe or a vacuum source. Drawbacks with this procedure, however, include the fact that the needle may inadvertently puncture the lung, leading to the creation of a pneumothorax from the leakage of air from the injured lung into the pleural space. If the air continues to abnormally accumulate in the pleural space without escaping, it can lead to a tension pneumothorax with cardiovascular collapse, sometimes leading to death. Image guidance (computerized axial tomography or ultrasound) for the performance of thoracentesis has reduced, but not eliminated, this risk. An additional drawback includes the fact that the fluid often re-accumulates in the pleural space after the drainage procedure is performed, such that it may become necessary for a patient to undergo the procedure every few days (or until the underlying cause can be treated).
Percutaneous placed pigtail drainage catheters (which can be placed under image guidance) or surgically placed chest tubes can be used for the short-term drainage of self-limited or medically treatable pleural effusions (congestive heart failure or pneumonia for example). These catheters or tubes are both typically attached to large chest tube drainage systems. Pleurodesis, often performed for chronic malignant effusions, is a procedure in which fluid is prevented from accumulating due to the sealing of the space between pleura with either sterile talc or an antibiotic, after first draining the existing fluid. Another method to treat chronic pleural effusions, such as a malignant effusion, is to surgically implant a tunneled chest tube or catheter such that fluid accumulation can constantly or periodically be removed without repeated procedures. The implanted catheter may be connected to an external catheter or drainage tube by a one-way valve mechanism, which can allow for intermittent fluid drainage via gravity or through the use of a negative pressure source, such as a vacuum.
In the embodiments disclosed herein, transfer of fluid (liquid and/or gas) into and/or out of a mammalian body may be accomplished through fluid transfer devices or luer adaptors. The fluid transfer devices may include a proximal end connectable to a fluid delivery device, such as a syringe, a fluid tubing, etc., or to a fluid drainage device, such as a drainage bag or receptacle.
The fluid transfer devices may also include a distal portion connectable to a catheter inserted into the mammalian body either to deliver fluid or to drain fluid. The distal portion may include a tapered protrusion. A spin nut and a spin shroud may surround the tapered protrusion. The spin shroud may be engageable with the spin nut to rotate the spin nut in a first direction. If desired, the spin shroud may be engageable with the spin nut to rotate the spin nut in both the first direction and a second direction. In other instances, the spin shroud may be engageable with the spin nut to rotate the spin nut in only the first direction. In certain instances, a proximal portion of the luer adaptor is rotatable relative to the distal portion such that the luer adaptor may be connectable to a catheter and substantially unconnectable from the catheter.
Use of a standard universal luer connection can allow for reversible direct connections between various related and unrelated delivery systems including vascular, enteral, respiratory, epidural, and intrathecal medical devices. The locking luer adaptors described herein could be used to better secure an extension tube or other vital medical connection or device such that the connection is either permanent or more difficult to uncouple, preventing an inadvertent or unwanted disconnection of the medical connection or device. In some instances, the locking luer adaptors described herein may be particularly useful to prevent a young child, confused patient, or inexperienced healthcare worker from uncoupling a vital medical connection or machine.
In certain instances, the locking luer adaptor may allow for repurposing of a generic medical device for a specific medical purpose, which cannot be inadvertently changed or modified after a physician or manufacturer makes such a designation. This modular approach is potentially more cost efficient for the production of medical devices by enabling the permanent addition of a more expensive specific component to a readily available base or generic device such as a pigtail catheter or syringe. For example, a specialized valve to control the egress of fluid, a flow rate sensor, or a chemical sensor can be permanently attached to a pigtail drainage catheter, to regulate and or analyze the fluid draining from a body cavity. Similarly, a chemical sensor or filter can be irrevocably connected to a syringe for the aspiration of blood or other bodily fluid, again transforming a generic apparatus into a specific medical device. The locking luer adaptor described herein could also be used to help designate the intended purpose or desired connectivity of an otherwise generic device or catheter.
In other instances, a standard luer system, which is based on a standardized diameter could be irrevocably upsized or downsized for either functional reasons (improved or reduced flow) or for the purpose of designating unique connectivity. The locking luer adaptor could be used to permanently upsize or downsize the diameter of a generic tubing or catheter for a unique purpose, adding specificity based on a predetermined connection diameter which has already been designated for that purpose (enteral feeding for example), i.e. for the next connection in a series of connections, be it tubing, a catheter, or medical device. Similarly, color coded and or embossed segments could be permanently attached to the ends of otherwise generic tubing, drainage catheters, or devices in order to designate a specific purpose, thereby helping to reduce the possibility of unintended connections by healthcare workers. In another instance, the luer adaptors disclosed herein can be used with a ventilator. For instance, the locking luer adaptors described herein may be used to create secure or permanent connections with ventilator components.
It will also be appreciated that the luer adaptors, connectors, and devices disclosed herein can be used in a non-medical application. For example, the luer adaptors, connectors, and devices disclosed herein may be used to transfer fluid (liquid and/or gas) in and/or out of non-living objects, such as mechanical objects or machines. The luer adaptors, connectors, and devices disclosed herein can thus have various uses for transferring various types of fluids (liquids and/or gases).
As detailed below, in some instances the luer adaptor may be used to connect a catheter to a drainage system or a fluid delivery device. Such a system would allow for the intermittent pigtail catheter drainage of pleural fluid without the need for an attached chest tube drainage system, allowing for increased ambulation in the hospital as well as outpatient drainage. The luer adaptor may include a valve configured to prevent fluid from flowing out of the connector and/or gas or air from flowing into the adaptor when the adaptor is in a closed state. The luer adaptor may also include a proprietary configuration to couple with a proprietary connector at a distal end of the drainage system. Exemplary drainage systems that can be used and/or coupled with the valved connector disclosed herein include the Aspira Drainage System, the PleurX Drainage System, and/or one or more components of such drainage systems (e.g., connection interfaces, vacuum bottles, pumps, drainage bags, and/or drainage receptacles, etc.). Other drainage systems and/or components that can be employed and/or coupled with the valved connector disclosed herein include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,337,475, 8,636,721, and 5,484,401, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Embodiments may be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.
It will be appreciated that various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. Many of these features may be used alone and/or in combination with one another.
The phrase “coupled to” refers to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interaction. Two components may be coupled to each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. For example, two components may be coupled to each other through an intermediate component.
The directional terms “distal” and “proximal” are given their ordinary meaning in the art. That is, the distal end of a medical device means the end of the device furthest from the practitioner during use. The proximal end refers to the opposite end, or the end nearest the practitioner during use. As specifically applied to the luer adaptor, the proximal end of the adaptor refers to the end nearest the fluid delivery device or drainage device, and the distal end refers to the opposite end, the end nearest the catheter, such as the pigtail catheter. Thus, if at one or more points in a procedure a physician changes the orientation of a luer adaptor, as used herein, the term “proximal end” always refers to the fluid delivery or drainage device end of the adaptor (even if the distal end is temporarily closer to the physician).
“Fluid” is used in its broadest sense, to refer to any fluid, including both liquids and gases as well as solutions, compounds, suspensions, etc., which generally behave as fluids.
The proximal end 111 may be configured to engage with a medical device. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal end 111 includes at least one laterally extending anti-rotation protrusion 117 configured to restrict rotation of a connected medical device relative to the luer adaptor 100. In another embodiment, the proximal end 111 may include threads or ears configured to threadingly couple with a male luer lock fitting that includes an internally threaded collar. In further embodiments, the lumen 113 adjacent the proximal end 111 may be configured to couple with medical devices that are specifically configured for a particular medical therapy. For example, the lumen 113 may be configured to receive a male protrusion that is configured to open a valve disposed within the lumen. In another example, the lumen 113 may include a diameter that is configured to receive a male protrusion of a medical device that is configured for deliverance of a specific medicament or fluid. This configuration may reduce the incidence of accidental delivery of a wrong medicament or fluid to a patient.
The body 110 may further include a circumferential engagement groove 118. The engagement groove 118 may be configured to engage with a clip of a medical device to prevent inadvertent proximal displacement of the medical device from the luer adaptor 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 110 includes at least one laterally extending wing 114 which can be configured to facilitate rotation of the body 110 and/or luer adaptor 100.
As shown in
The distal member 130 of the illustrated embodiment may include one or more of a tapered protrusion 131, a locking collar 133, a seal member 132, a spin nut shroud 140, and a spin nut 150. The tapered protrusion 131 may be configured as a male fitting having a taper of 4%-8% (e.g., 6% luer conical taper) and may be configured to sealingly couple with a female fitting. The tapered protrusion 131 may include a shoulder 136 disposed proximally of a distal end. The shoulder 136 may be configured to restrict the spin nut shroud 140 and the spin nut 150 from distal displacement over the tapered protrusion 131. The tapered protrusion 131 may be partially disposed within the locking collar 133. A flange 134 disposed proximally of the shoulder 136 may be configured to prevent the tapered protrusion 131 from being displaced from the locking collar 133 and to permit relative rotation of the distal member 130 and the body 110. When assembled, the locking collar 133 and a portion of the tapered protrusion 131 may be disposed within the annular space 115. A seal member 132 (e.g., O-ring) may be disposed around the nozzle 120 and between the flange 134 and a proximal end of the collar 119. The seal member 132 may fluidly seal a joint formed between the body 110 and the distal member 130. In some embodiments, the seal member 132 may fluidly seal the joint between the body 110 and the distal member 130 when the body 110 is rotated relative to the distal member 130.
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, a shroud ramp 142 may be disposed at a proximal end within the spin nut shroud 140 and circumferentially disposed around the shroud passage 143. The shroud ramp 142 may comprise a shroud ramp surface 146 and a shroud ramp shoulder 147. The shroud ramp surface 146 may be a discontinuously curved helical surface (or a plurality of distinct helical surfaces extending around the spin nut shroud 140). The shroud ramp surface 146 and the shroud ramp shoulder 147 may be configured to engage with the spin nut surface (155 of
The shroud passage 143 may be disposed at the proximal end of the spin nut shroud 140. A diameter of the shroud passage 143 may be smaller than a diameter of the shoulder 136, such that the spin nut shroud 140 is restricted from distal displacement over the distal member 130. The diameter of the shroud passage 143 may be larger than a portion of the distal member 130 that is proximal to the shoulder 136, such that the spin nut shroud 140 is rotatable relative to the distal member 130.
As illustrated in
The spin nut ramp 151 may be disposed at a proximal end of the spin nut 150 and circumferentially disposed around the spin nut passage 153. The spin nut ramp 151 may comprise a spin nut ramp surface 155 and a spin nut ramp shoulder 156. The spin nut ramp surface 155 may be a discontinuously curved helical surface (or a plurality of distinct helical surfaces extending around the spin nut 150). The spin nut ramp surface 155 and the spin nut ramp shoulder 156 may be configured to engage with the shroud ramp surface (146 of
The spin nut ramp 151 may be configured to engage with the shroud ramp 142 when the spin nut shroud 140 is rotated in a first direction to rotate the spin nut 150 in a first direction. Additionally, the spin nut ramp 151 may be configured to disengage from the shroud ramp 142 when the spin nut shroud 140 is rotated in a second direction to restrict the spin nut 150 from being rotated in the second direction. In other words, the spin nut ramp surface 155 and the spin nut ramp shoulder 156 are configured to engage with the shroud ramp surface 146 and the shroud ramp shoulder 147 when the spin nut shroud 140 is rotated in a first direction. Also, the spin nut ramp surface 155 and the spin nut shoulder 156 may be configured to disengage from the shroud ramp surface 146 and the shroud ramp shoulder 147 when the spin nut shroud 140 is rotated in the second direction. In some embodiments, a clicking sound will be emitted when the spin nut shroud 140 is rotated in the second direction as the shroud ramp shoulder 147 passes over the spin nut shoulder 156. In some instances, the shroud ramp shoulder 147 passing over the spin nut shoulder 156 may also be felt as it is rotate in the second direction (e.g., a tactile indicator).
The spin nut passage 153 may be disposed at the proximal end of the spin nut 150. A diameter of the spin nut passage 153 may be smaller than a diameter of the shoulder 136, such that the spin nut 150 is restricted from distal displacement over the distal member 130. The diameter of the spin nut passage 153 may also be larger than a portion of the distal member 130 that is proximal to the shoulder 136, such that the spin nut 150 is rotatable relative to the distal member 130.
In use, the luer adaptor 100 may be utilized as a component of a fluid delivery or drainage system. In other embodiments, the luer adaptor 100 may be coupled to a pig tail drainage catheter, biliary drainage catheter, a nephrostomy tube, a central venous catheter, a peripheral intravenous catheter, a peripherally inserted central venous catheter, an epidural catheter, an intrathecal catheter, or another type of catheter or device. For example, as depicted in
The catheter hub 181 may be coupled to the distal member 130 when the tapered protrusion 131 is disposed within the catheter hub 181. The spin nut shroud 140 may be displaced distally to engage the shroud ramp 142 with the spin nut ramp 151. When the ramps 142, 151 are engaged, the spin nut shroud 140 may be rotated in the first direction by the user to rotate the spin nut 150 in the first direction. When the spin nut 150 is rotated in the first direction, the thread 152 can threadingly engage with the catheter hub 181, causing the catheter hub 181 to be drawn into the spin nut 150 and over the tapered protrusion 131 to fluidly seal the tapered protrusion 131 and the catheter hub 181.
In some embodiments, the luer adaptor 100 may be configured to be non-releasably coupled to the catheter hub 181, which can prevent inadvertent uncoupling of the luer adaptor 100 from the catheter hub 181. For example, attempted rotation of the spin nut shroud 140 to rotate the spin nut 150 in the second direction to unthread and uncouple the tapered protrusion 131 from the catheter hub 181 may not readily rotate the spin nut 150 as the spin nut ramp 151 disengages from the shroud ramp 142 when the spin nut shroud 140 is rotated in the second direction. In other words, the spin nut shroud 140 disengages from the spin nut 150 when the spin nut shroud 140 is rotated in a second direction allowing the spin nut shroud 140 to rotate freely about the spin nut 150. Additionally, the body 110 may freely rotate relative to the distal member 130 without applying an uncoupling torque force to the distal member 130.
The proximal end 211 may be configured to engage with a medical device. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal end 211 includes at least one laterally extending anti-rotation protrusion 217 configured to restrict rotation of a connected medical device relative to the luer adaptor 200. In another embodiment, the proximal end 211 may include threads or lugs configured to threadingly couple with a male luer lock fitting that includes an internally threaded collar. In further embodiments, the portion of the lumen 213 adjacent the proximal end 211 may be configured to couple with male protrusions of medical devices that are specifically configured for a particular medical therapy. For example, the lumen 213 may be configured to receive a male protrusion that is configured to open a valve disposed within the lumen 213. In another example, the lumen 213 may include a diameter that is configured to receive a male protrusion of a medical device that is configured for deliverance of a specific medicament or fluid. This configuration may reduce the incidence of accidental delivery of a wrong medicament or fluid to a patient.
The body 210 may further include a circumferential engagement groove 218. The engagement groove 218 may be configured to engage with a clip of a medical device to prevent inadvertent proximal displacement of the medical device from the luer adaptor 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 210 includes at least one laterally extending wing 214 configured to facilitate rotation of the body 210 and/or luer adaptor 200.
The distal member 230 of the illustrated embodiment may include one or more of a tapered protrusion 231, a spin nut shroud 240, and a spin nut 250. The tapered protrusion 231 may be configured as a male fitting having a 4%-8% conical taper (e.g., 6% luer conical taper) and may be configured to sealingly couple with a female fitting. The tapered protrusion 231 may include a shoulder 236 disposed proximally of a distal end. The shoulder 236 may be configured to restrict the spin nut shroud 240 and the spin nut 250 from distal displacement over the tapered protrusion 231. The tapered protrusion 231 can be fixedly coupled to the body 210. The tapered protrusion 231 may be coupled to the body 210 using any suitable technique. For example, the tapered protrusion 231 may be coupled to the body 210 by gluing, bonding, welding, friction fit, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 210 and the tapered protrusion 231 are formed as an integral unit.
As illustrated in
The shroud teeth 245 can be disposed on an internal surface of the spin nut shroud 240. The shroud teeth 245 may extend from a proximal end to the distal end of the spin nut shroud 240. In other embodiments, the shroud teeth 245 may be disposed adjacent the distal end of the spin nut shroud 240. The shroud teeth 245 may be at least partially positioned directly below the pinch or compression member 244. The spin nut shroud 240 can include a plurality of shroud teeth 245 configured to engage or mesh with spin nut teeth 257 when the spin nut shroud 240 is pinched (or compressed) at the pinch or compression member 244. The spin nut shroud 240 can include one, two, three, four, or more shroud teeth 245. The shroud teeth 245 may mesh with the spin nut teeth 257 to rotate the spin nut 250 when the spin nut shroud 240 is pinched (or compressed) and rotated.
An optional shroud ramp 242 may be disposed at a proximal end within the shroud 240 and circumferentially disposed around the shroud passage 243. The shroud ramp 242 may comprise a shroud ramp surface 246 and a shroud ramp shoulder 247.
The shroud ramp surface 246 may be a discontinuously curved helical surface (or a plurality of distinct helical surfaces extending around the spin nut shroud 240). The shroud ramp surface 246 and the shroud ramp shoulder 247 may be configured to engage with the spin nut surface (255 of
The shroud passage 243 may be disposed at the proximal end of the spin nut shroud 240. A diameter of the shroud passage 243 may be smaller than a diameter of the shoulder 236, such that the spin nut shroud 240 is restricted from distal displacement over the distal member 230. The diameter of the shroud passage 243 may be larger than a portion of the distal member 230 that is proximal to the shoulder 236, such that the spin nut shroud 240 is rotatable relative to the distal member 230.
As illustrated in
The spin nut teeth 257 may be disposed circumferentially on an outer surface of the spin nut 250. The spin nut teeth 257 may extend from a proximal end to a distal end of the spin nut 250. In another embodiment, the spin nut teeth 257 may be disposed adjacent the distal end of the spin nut 250. The spin nut teeth 257 may be configured to mesh with the shroud teeth 245 to facilitate rotation of the spin nut 250 when the spin nut shroud 240 is rotated.
An optional spin nut ramp 251 may be disposed at a proximal end of the spin nut 250 and circumferentially disposed around the spin nut passage 253. The spin nut ramp 251 may comprise a spin nut ramp surface 255 and a spin nut ramp shoulder 256. The spin nut ramp surface 255 may be a discontinuously curved helical surface (or a plurality of distinct helical surfaces extending around the spin nut 250). The spin nut ramp surface 255 and the spin nut ramp shoulder 256 may be configured to engage with the shroud ramp surface (246 of
The spin nut ramp 251 may be configured to engage with the shroud ramp 242 when the spin nut shroud 240 is rotated in a first direction to rotate the spin nut 250 in a first direction. Additionally, the spin nut ramp 251 may be configured to disengage from the shroud ramp 242 when the spin nut shroud 240 is rotated in a second direction to restrict the spin nut 250 from being rotated in the second direction. In other words, the spin nut ramp surface 255 and the spin nut ramp shoulder 256 are configured to engage with the shroud ramp surface 246 and the shroud ramp shoulder 247 when the spin nut shroud 240 is rotated in a first direction. Also, the spin nut ramp surface 255 and the spin nut shoulder 256 may be configured to disengage from the shroud ramp surface 246 and the shroud ramp shoulder 247 when the spin nut shroud 240 is rotated in the second direction. In other embodiments, the spin nut shroud 240 and the spin nut 250 may be free of ramps 242, 251. When free of ramps 242, 251 the spin nut shroud 240 may rotate the spin nut 250 in both the first and second directions when the shroud teeth 245 are engaged or meshed with the spin nut teeth 257.
The spin nut passage 253 may be disposed at the proximal end of the spin nut 250. A diameter of the spin nut passage 253 may be smaller than a diameter of the shoulder 236, such that the spin nut 250 is restricted from distal displacement over the distal member 230. The diameter of the spin nut passage 253 may be larger than a portion of the distal member 230 that is proximal to the shoulder 236, such that the spin nut 250 is rotatable relative to the distal member 230.
In use, the luer adaptor 200 may be utilized as a component of a fluid delivery or drainage system. In other embodiments, the luer adaptor 200 may be coupled to a pig tail drainage catheter, biliary drainage catheter, a nephrostomy tube, a central venous catheter, a peripheral intravenous catheter, a peripherally inserted central venous catheter, an epidural catheter, an intrathecal catheter, or another type of catheter or device. For example, as depicted in
The catheter hub 281 may be coupled to the distal member 230 when the tapered protrusion 231 is disposed within the catheter hub 281. The spin nut shroud 240 may be displaced distally to engage the optional shroud ramp 242 with the optional spin nut ramp 251. When the optional ramps 242, 251 are engaged, the spin nut shroud 240 may be rotated in the first direction by the user to rotate the spin nut 250 in the first direction. When the spin nut 250 is rotated in the first direction, the thread 252 can threadingly engage with the catheter hub 281, causing the catheter hub 281 to be drawn into the spin nut 250 and over the tapered protrusion 231 to fluidly seal the tapered protrusion 231 and the catheter hub 281.
In other embodiments, the catheter hub 281 can be coupled to the distal member 230 without utilization of the optional ramps 242, 251. In such embodiments, the spin nut shroud 240 can be pinched (or compressed) by the user such that the shroud teeth 245 engage or mesh with the spin nut teeth 257, and the spin nut shroud 240 can be rotated in the first direction causing the spin nut 250 to be rotated in the first direction.
In some embodiments, the luer adaptor 200 may be releasably coupled to the catheter hub 281. The spin nut shroud 240 may be pinched (or compressed) by the user causing the shroud teeth 245 to engage or mesh with the spin nut teeth 257. The spin nut shroud 240 can be rotated in a second direction to cause rotation of the spin nut 250 due to the engagement or meshing of the shroud teeth 245 with the spin nut teeth 257 even though the optional shroud ramp 242 is disengaged from the optional spin nut ramp 251. Rotation of the spin nut 250 in the second direction may result in unthreading of the spin nut 250 from the catheter hub 281, and uncoupling of the tapered protrusion 231 from the catheter hub 281.
The female fitting 367 may be disposed adjacent the proximal end of the body 360. The lumen 362 may extend through the female fitting 367 such that the female fitting 367 is in fluid communication with the nozzle 366. The portion of the lumen 362 within the female fitting 367 may include a 4%-8% conical taper 9 (e.g., a 6% luer conical taper) and may be configured to sealingly couple with a male fitting. The female fitting 367 may comprise external threads or tabs 377. For example, the external threads 377 can include a double start, right-handed, and a 1-5 mm pitch (e.g., such as a 2.5 mm pitch). The external threads 377 may be configured to threadingly engage with internal threads of a male collar.
The clips 361 may comprise a proximal portion 368 and a distal portion 369. The clips 361 can be flexibly coupled to the body 360 between the proximal portion 368 and the distal portion 369. The proximal portion 368 may include grip features 370. The grip features 370 may allow for secure pinching (or compressing) of the clips 361 with fingers of a user. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip features 370 are shown as a plurality of transversely oriented ribs. In other embodiments, the grip features 370 may be any suitable feature, such as bumps, divots, a textured surface, a compliant surface, etc. The distal portion 369 may comprise inwardly directed engagement nubs 364. The engagement nubs 364 may be configured to engage with an engagement groove of an adaptor. For example, the engagement nubs 364 may engage with an engagement groove of the connector of the Aspira drainage system such that the coupler 300 may not be removed from the Aspira connector without pinching (or compressing) of the clips 361 by the user. In other embodiments, the nubs 364 may engage with an engagement groove of a luer adaptor, such as the luer adaptors previously described.
In certain embodiments, the coupler 300 may further include anti-rotation lugs 365 and guides 363 as shown in
In certain embodiments, the coupler 300 (or another portion of the luer adaptor 390) may comprise sensing elements. For example, the sensing elements may be configured to measure a fluid pressure, a fluid flow rate, and a chemistry of a fluid within the coupler 300. The sensing elements may provide the measurements to a monitoring device via a wireless connection. In other embodiments, the coupler 300 may include a flow regulator configured to regulate the fluid flow rate through the coupler 300, either for the controlled removal of fluid from a body cavity (e.g., slow fluid withdrawal from the pleural space in order to reduce the likelihood of re-expansion pulmonary edema) or the administration of medicines into the body cavity. For example, the flow regulator may be configured to instill tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) at a prescribed rate and or dose through the coupler 300 for the purpose or dissolving loculations within an abscess. The flow regulator may be controlled via a wireless connection to a remote control unit. In some embodiments, the coupler 300 may include a pressure sensor configured to detect a blockage in a catheter and to trigger an alarm to notify the patient or a clinician. In other embodiments, a pressure sensor may be employed to regulate the withdrawal of fluid from a body cavity such as the pleural space, based on the development of negative pressure within said body cavity, in order to lessen the risk for the development of re-expansion pulmonary edema.
The side port 521 may be fixedly coupled to the body 510. The side port 521 may extend laterally from the body 510 at an angle ranging from about 15 degrees to about 90 degrees (e.g., about 45 degrees). The side port 521 may be formed of a rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible polymer. In certain embodiments, the side port 521 is formed from the same material as the body 510. The side port 521 may include an arm portion 522 and a connector portion 523. The arm portion 522 may include a lumen that is in fluid communication with a lumen of the body 510. The connector portion 523 may be disposed adjacent a free end of the arm 522 and be configured to couple with a fluid transfer device (e.g., male luer fitting).
Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.
References to approximations are made throughout this specification, such as by use of the term “substantially.” For each such reference, it is to be understood that, in some embodiments, the value, feature, or characteristic may be specified without approximation. For example, where qualifiers such as “about” and “substantially” are used, these terms include within their scope the qualified words in the absence of their qualifiers. Further, all ranges include both endpoints.
Similarly, in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment.
The claims following this written disclosure are hereby expressly incorporated into the present written disclosure, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims. Moreover, additional embodiments capable of derivation from the independent and dependent claims that follow are also expressly incorporated into the present written description.
Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to utilize the invention to its fullest extent. The claims and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and exemplary, and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, with the aid of the present disclosure, that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure herein. In other words, various modifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosed in the description above are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the order of the steps or actions of the methods disclosed herein may be changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the invention is therefore defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/841,660, filed on May 1, 2019 and titled LUER ADAPTOR WITH SAFETY LOCK AND RELATED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62841660 | May 2019 | US |