Patent Application
20120191037
The present invention relates generally to tube connectors, and more particularly to a tube connector having an integrated relief valve.
A combination of tubing and tube connectors are used for conveying fluids (i.e., gas or liquids) in a wide range of applications. One such application is a surgical fluid management system wherein a combination of tubing and tube connectors serve as a fluid conduit for delivering and/or removing liquid to/from a surgical site in connection with a medical procedure (e.g., irrigation, distention and suction). In some cases, the tubing and tube connectors are fluidly connected with a medical device (e.g., a surgical tool), such as an endoscopic surgical tool that allows a surgeon to conveniently direct liquid to the surgical site and view the surgical site through an optical element. In order to facilitate convenient orientation of the surgical tool during use, it is desirable to use a connector having a rotatable fitting interface to connect the tubing with the surgical tool. In this regard, the rotatable fitting interface allows the surgical tool to be freely moved relative to the tubing. Moreover, the angular bend of the connector allows the tubing to be directed away from the surgical site, thereby allowing unimpeded access thereto.
If delivery of liquid to the surgical site (e.g., body cavity) results in an over-pressurization condition, then a patient may be harmed. Accordingly, the control system of a typical surgical fluid management system is programmed to respond to the over-pressurization condition by reducing or stopping fluid flow to the fluid conduit. However, in the event that the control system fails to respond properly to the over-pressurization condition, one or more pressure relief valves may be disposed in the fluid conduit to discharge liquid, and thereby provide a redundant safety mechanism.
It has been observed that incorporating a pressure relief valve into a fluid conduit requires adding one or more tube connectors to the existing set of tube connectors. This need to increase the number of tube connectors raises the costs associated with use of a surgical fluid management system. Moreover, since all tubing and tube connectors used with the medical device are typically discarded after use in order to maintain sterility, the need for additional tube connectors results in increased waste.
The present invention addresses the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a tube connector having an integrated pressure relief valve.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tubing set for conveying a fluid for a medical procedure, the tubing set comprising: at least one tube for delivering the fluid from a fluid source; and a connector having an integrated pressure relief valve element, said connector located at a distal end of the tube for fluidly connecting the tube with a medical device.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid management system for use with a medical device, said system comprising a first connector for connecting a fluid inlet line to an irrigation port of said medical device. The first connector includes a body having a fluid passageway extending therethrough, wherein a first fitting is formed at a first end of the body and a second fitting is formed at a second end of the body; an opening formed in the body that is in communication with the fluid passageway; and a valve element located in the opening.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector comprising: a body having a fluid passageway extending therethrough, wherein a first fitting is formed at a first end of the body and a second fitting is formed at a second end of the body; an opening formed in the body that is in fluid communication with the fluid passageway; and a valve element located in the opening.
An advantage of the present invention is the provision of a tube connector having an integrated relief valve;
Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a tube connector having an integrated relief valve that facilitates freedom of movement of a device connected thereto;
A still further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a tube connector having an integrated relief valve that directs tubing away from a surgical site;
A still further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a tube connector having an integrated relief valve, thereby minimizing the number of components needed to connect a tube set with a medical device where a pressure relief valve is needed;
Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a tube connector having an integrated relief valve, wherein a desired relief valve opening pressure can be easily achieved by simple modifications in the manufacturing process.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a tubing set for conveying a fluid, wherein the tubing set includes a tube and a connector having an integrated relief valve.
These and other advantages will become apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, an embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for the purposes of limiting same,
Connector 10 includes a body 20 with a fluid passageway 22 extending therethrough. A first fitting 30 is formed at a first end of body 20 and a second fitting 50 is formed at a second end of body 20. A port or opening 70 formed in body 20 is in communication with fluid passageway 22. In the embodiment shown in
Body 20 may be made of a wide variety of suitable materials, including, but not limited to, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), an ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) polymer, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyurethane, polyetherimide and polyetheretherketone. Body 20 may be manufactured by injection molding, or other techniques well known in the art.
In the illustrated embodiment, first fitting 30 is a hose fitting adapted to receive a cylindrical hose. First fitting 30 includes a conical section 34 and a cylindrical section 36. Section 22a of fluid passageway 22 extends through first fitting 30.
Second fitting 50, according to the illustrated embodiment, is a standard male (Luer) conical lock fitting adapted to receive a standard female (Luer) conical lock fitting (not shown) having an external thread. Second fitting 50 is comprised of a male slip 52 and a rotatable internally threaded collar 62. As best seen in
Collar 62 is mounted onto slip 52 in a snap lock fashion, as conventionally known. In this regard, annular flange 58 of slip 52 captures and retains the fingers of split ring 66, as seen in
Depending upon the application, it is contemplated that the standard male (Luer) conical lock fitting (second fitting 50) and standard female (Luer) conical lock fitting will comply with European Standard EN 1707 (Conical Fittings with a 6% (Luer) Taper for Syringes, Needles and Certain Other Medical Equipment—Lock Fittings).
In the first embodiment of the present invention, valve element 90 takes the form of an umbrella check valve that serves as a pressure relief valve, as shown in detail in
As shown in
Alternative embodiments of a connector according to the present invention will now be described with reference to
Referring now to
Referring now to
A connector according to the present invention may also be modified to have a body that includes a plurality of openings 70 adapted to receive either a sealing plug (not shown) for sealing the opening or a valve element serving as a pressure relief valve. In one embodiment, only one opening 70 receives a valve element, while the remaining openings 70 receive a plug. Each opening 70 may be adapted such that the valve element associated therewith responds at a different pressure level (i.e., has a different relief pressure). In this regard, thickness (T) may be varied for each opening 70. Accordingly, a single connector body may be adapted to receive a valve element that provides a different pressure level response depending upon the selected opening 70 receiving the valve element. Alternatively, more than one of the plurality of openings 70 may receive a valve element, where each valve element responds at the same pressure level in order to provide redundant valving, or where each valve element responds at a different pressure level.
Referring now to
First and second openings 214 and 216, formed in valve housing 210, are dimensioned to receive a respective valve element 90. In the illustrated embodiment, valve element 90 takes the form of an umbrella check valve, as described in detail above. Valve housing 210 includes raised seating portions 224 and 226 that may have different thicknesses. As a result, valve element 90 located in opening 214 responds at a different pressure level (i.e., has a different pressure relief) than valve element 90 located in opening 216.
A generally cylindrical rotatable toggle or pin 230 is dimensioned to be captured inside recess 212 of valve housing 210, as best seen in
Rotatable pin 230 serves as a selector switch for selecting enablement of one of the two valve elements 90 by aligning inner recess 234 with associated opening 214 or 216 (
According to an alternative embodiment of connector 10F, inner recess 234 of rotatable pin 230 is modified to a T-shape to allow simultaneous enablement of both valve elements 90.
It is contemplated that the connector of the present invention may be adapted to incorporate a variety of different types of relief valves, including, but not limited to, umbrella valves, poppet valves, duckbill valves, flapper valves, needle valves, Belleville valves, dome valves, diaphragm valves, rupture discs and combinations thereof. It is further contemplated that connector 10 may be modified to provide any desired combination of fittings known in the prior art. Moreover, while the illustrated embodiments of the present invention show connector 10 as an elbow connector, it is contemplated that connector 10 may take other desired forms, including, but not limited to Y-connectors, T-connectors, parallel tube connectors, and straight connectors.
It should be appreciated that the illustrated fittings and combinations of fittings are for illustration purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. In this regard, it is contemplated that the type of fittings used in connection with the present invention may include, but are not limited to: hose fitting, glue fitting, standard male (Luer) conical lock fitting, female (Luer) conical lock fitting, barbed fitting, stepped fitting, threaded fitting, and proprietary or industry-standard quick disconnects, such as cam and groove type disconnects.
Surgical tool 130 includes fluid control valves 162 and 164 for controlling fluid flow at the surgical site. Valve 162 controls the flow of fluid being delivered to the surgical site, while valve 164 controls the flow of fluid being removed from the surgical site by suction source 144. Fluid container 141, pump 142, fluid heating cartridge 143 and suction source 144 are components of the fluid management system. Fluid management system is not shown in its entirety, and includes pressure and flow sensors (not shown) and control means for controlling operation of pump 142, suction source 144, and a heater (not shown) for warming fluid in cartridge 143. For example, the fluid management system may take the form of the fluid management system disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/720,475, fully incorporated herein by reference.
In the illustrated embodiment, connectors 10 and 10E take the form of 90-degree elbow connectors that facilitate convenient orientation of endoscopic surgical tool 130 during use. In this regard, the rotatable standard male (Luer) conical lock fitting allows endoscopic surgical tool 130 to move freely relative to the tubing. Moreover, the angular bend of the 90-degree elbow connectors permits the tubing to be directed away from the surgical site, thereby allowing unimpeded access thereto.
In the event that the pressure level exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold limit, the control means of the surgical fluid management system will ordinarily take action to reduce the pressure level (e.g., reduce pump motor speed). However, if the control means fails to take appropriate action, then valve element 90 (i.e., the pressure relief valve) will respond by opening to allow the release of fluid, thereby reducing the pressure level. The predetermined pressure threshold limit may vary depending upon the type of medical procedure (e.g., 30 to 300 mmHg).
It is also contemplated that a pressure relief valve 160 may be integrated directly into surgical tool 130, thereby eliminating the need for integrated valve element 90 of connector 10.
The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purposes of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.
