WO2006103074A1

WO2006103074A1 - Connector for medical applications

Info

Publication number: WO2006103074A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/002909
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tsutonmu Yamato; Nobuyoshi Fujiwara
Original assignee: Covidien Ag; Nippon Sherwood Medical Industries, Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-03-31
Filing date: 2006-03-30
Publication date: 2006-10-05
Also published as: JP2006280452A; JP4647365B2

Abstract

A connector (1) for medical application includes fluidly connectable first (100) and second (200) flow pipes. The first flow pipe includes a connector skirt (20) having a bayonet connection formation (26) that includes an axial-locking surface (24) and a radial-locking surface (25). The second flow pipe includes a cylindrical connector plug (50) adapted for mating with the connector skirt. The connector plug includes a protrusion (51) extending radially from the plug for being received by the bayonet connection formation of the skirt to lock the first pipe to the second pipe. When locked, adjacent surfaces of protrusion are in engagement with the axial-locking surface and the radial-locking surface to prevent unintentional axial disengagement and radial disengagement of the pipes. A spring (51, 55A) presses corresponding surface of the protrusion against the axial-locking surface when the two pipes are connected.

Description

CONNECTOR FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to a connector for medical applications, through which various medical fluids such as drug solutions, blood, and the like are flowable.

In a medical application connector constituting a transfusion line, or the like, a closed system including a connecting section having an infection-preventing function, needle puncturing accident preventive function, or similar function is used. For example, a three-way stopcock may include a female connector having an elastic component made of a suitable material such as rubber for infection prevention, into which a male connector pipe is insertable. In other words, the female connector includes a septum, and the connection is made by inserting the male connector pipe into the septum on the female connector side. In one example, disclosed in JP H08-500983, screws are used to prevent the connection of the female and male connectors from coming off. However, there is a risk of the connection between the female and male connectors being broken if a torque acts in the direction that looses the screw fastening. This is especially evident when the torque applied to the connector is large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a connector for medical applications comprises a first liquid-flowable flow pipe. The first pipe includes a connection section and a cylindrical connector skirt extending radially from the pipe and at least partially surrounding the connection section of the first flow pipe. The skirt has a bayonet connection formation with adjacent axial-locking and radial-locking surfaces. The connector also comprises a second liquid-flowable flow pipe. The second flow pipe includes a cylindrical connector plug adapted for mating with the connector skirt of the first pipe. The connector plug includes a protrusion extending radially from the plug for being received by the bayonet connection formation of the skirt to lock the first pipe to the second pipe. When locked, the first and second flow pipes are in sealed fluid communication, and adjacent surfaces of the protrusion are in engagement with the axial-locking surface and radial-locking surface to prevent unintentional axial disengagement and radial disengagement of the pipes.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a drawing showing a medical application connector of a preferred embodiment of this invention in a connected condition;

Figure 2 is a view of the connector of Figure 1 as disconnected;

Figure 3 A is atop plan view of the first pipe of the connector;

Figure 3B is a side view thereof;

Figure 3 C is a sectional view thereof;

Figure 4A is a top plan view of a second pipe of the connector;

Figure 4B is a side view thereof;

Figure 4C is a front view thereof;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the second pipe of the connector of Figure 1;

Figure 5 A is a sectional view of another embodiment of the first pipe; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the connection of the first and second pipes shown in Figure 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the medical application connector 1 of the preferred embodiment comprises a first pipe 100 and a second pipe 200 made of a synthetic resin, or other suitable material. The pipes 100, 200 are connected together in Fig. 1 to define a liquid flow path of the connector 1. This connector 1 is usable for allowing various medical fluids such as drug solutions, nutrients, anticancer agents, physiological saline solution, blood, etc., to pass through.

The first pipe 100 defines a flow path where fluids such as drug solutions, etc., can flow through. The flow pipe 100 comprises a cylindrical base pipe section 11 for connection to a tube, catheter or syringe. A connection pipe section 12 is used for connection to the flow path of the second pipe 200, and intermediate pipe section 13 (Fig. 3C) is disposed between the base pipe section 11 and connection pipe section 12. The sections 11, 12, 13 are in fluid communication and define the flow path of the first pipe 100.

Referring to Figs. 3A-3C, a cylindrical connector skirt 20 extends radially from the pipe 100. The skirt 20 has a first end 21 connected to the pipe 100 adjacent the intermediate pipe section 13 and a second free end 22 adjacent the free end of the connection pipe section 12, whereby the skirt 20 at least partially surrounds the intermediate pipe section 13 and the connection pipe section 12. The second free end 22 of the connector skirt 20 has opposing bayonet connection formations 26, each defined by a groove 23 for connection by locking the second pipe 200. Each bayonet connection fitting 26 is formed with adjacent axial-locking and radial-locking surfaces designated 24 and 25, respectively. For purposes explained below, the axial-locking surface 24 and the radial-locking surface 25 are preferably formed to make a slightly acute or perpendicular angle. The acute angle makes it difficult to remove the protrusion from the bayonet connection 26. During operation, the user inserts the first pipe 100 into the second pipe 200 beyond the acute angle formed by the axial-locking surface 24 and radial-locking surface 25. Then the user twists and releases, so the protrusions 51 become engaged or locked behind the acute angle on the bayonet connection 26. To remove, the user pushes together the pipes (100, 200) and twists (about a quarter turn) in the opposite direction. The push is just enough to move a protrusion 51 beyond the acute angle formed by the axial-locking surface 24 and radial-locking surface 25 to disengage the second pipe 200 from the first pipe 100. Furthermore, the axial-locking surface 24 is preferably formed approximately perpendicular to the pipe axial direction so that it can accommodate any tensile force in the pipe axial direction. Although two bayonet connection formations 26 are illustrated, it is Understood that there may be only one such formation or there may be more than two.

As shown in Figs. 4A-5, the second pipe 200 includes opposite end sections 80, 90 and an intermediate section 70. The sections 80, 90, 70 are in fluid communication with each other to define a flow path of the second pipe 200. The respective communicating sections 70, 80 and 90 are connectable to tubes, catheters, syringes, and the like. Also, it is not necessarily required to have three communicating sections, but at least one is necessary. A cylindrical connector plug 50 extends laterally from the second pipe 200 generally adjacent the intermediate section 70. The connector plug 50 is insertable into the connector skirt 20 of the first pipe 100, at the second free end 22. The connector plug 50 has a septum 53 made of an elastic material such as rubber, and it is fixed with a retaining part 55 to the intermediate section 70. The center of the septum 53 has a slit 54 formed for receiving the connection pipe section 12 of the first pipe 100 through the septum 53. A retaining ring 55 retains the septum 53 inside the connector plug 50. A housing 60 disposed between and in fluid communication with the septum 53 and the intermediate section 70 receives a tip of the connection pipe section 12 when the connection pipe section penetrates the septum to fluidly connect the first pipe 1 OO and the second pipe 200. The septum 53 has elasticity suitable for both the insertion of the connection pipe section 12 and sealability after the connection pipe section 12 is pulled out.

Protrusions 51 extending radially outward from the connector plug 50 are sized and shaped to be received by the bayonet connection formations 26 when the connector plug 50 is received in the connector skirt 20 of the first pipe 100. Each protrusion 51 has an axial-engaging surface for engaging the axial-locking surface 24 of the bayonet connection formation 26 and a radial-engaging surface for engaging the radial-locking surface 25. The radial-engaging surface and the radial-locking surface 25 are substantially planar and are adapted so that the two surfaces are joined in a generally flush, co-planar manner. Furthermore, each protrusion 51 has preferably a size and shape that fits substantially flush with both the axial-locking surface 24 and radial-locking surface 25 when simultaneously engaging both of them. Accordingly, the angle at which the axial-engaging surface and the radial-engaging surface of the protrusion 51 meet may be substantially the same as the angle formed between the axial-locking surface 24 and radial-locking surface 25 (e.g., slightly acute) so that the protrusion may be wedged in the bayonet connection formation 26 in substantially flush engagement with the axial-locking surface and radial-locking surface.

In the illustrated embodiment, the septum 53 of the second pipe 200 is elastically deformable and acts as a spring for pressing the axial-engaging surfaces of the protrusions 51 against the axial-locking surface 24 of the bayonet connector formation 26 when the pipes (100,200) are connected. Moreover, as shown best in Fig. 6, the radial -engaging surfaces of the protrusions 51 also engage the radial-locking surfaces of the 25 of the bayonet connector formations 26 to prevent incidental torque acting on the connector 1 from unlocking the pipes 100, 200. Thus, by forming the axial-locking 24 and radial-locking surfaces 25 at a slightly acute or perpendicular angle and creating a force to press the protrusion against the surfaces, the protrusion is effectively captured and temporarily retained within the bayonet connector formation 26 defined by the axial-locking 24 and radial-locking surfaces 25 to prevent rotation of the pipes 100, 200 relative to one another. It is contemplated that there may be other ways to press the protrusions 51 against the surfaces 24, 25 of the bayonet connector formation 26. For example, the second pipe 200 may include a coil spring or other type of mechanical spring. Referring to Fig. 5 A, a coil spring 55a extends coaxially around the connection pipe section 12 of the first pipe 100. The coil spring 55a acts in a similar manner as the septum 53 in that it presses the protrusions 51 against the surfaces 24, 25 of the bayonet connector formation 26. It is understood that the coil spring 55a may be a different type of mechanical spring. The coil spring 55a on the first pipe 100 may be used in lieu of or in addition to the septum 53.

The first pipe 100 and second pipe 200 as described above are connected as shown by the arrow in Figure 2 forming a state of connection as shown in Figure 1. Specifically, the connector plug 50 of the second pipe 200 is inserted into the connector skirt 20 of the first pipe 100. The pipes 100, 200 are pressed together to compress the coil spring 55a. While compressing the coil spring 55a, at least one of the pipes 100, 200 is twisted relative to the other to insert the protrusions 51 into the grooves 23 of the bayonet connection formations 26. The pipes 100, 200 are then released to allow the coil spring 55a to force the protrusions 51 into engagement with the axial-locking and radial locking surfaces 24, 25, respectively, of the bayonet connection formation 26. At this point, the connection tube section 12 of the first pipe 100 is housed in the housing section 60 by penetrating through the septum 53 of the second pipe 200, and the first and second pipes are fluidly connected. Furthermore, the protrusions 51 of the second pipe 200 are fitted with the bayonet connection formation 26 of the first pipe 100, and the axial -locking surface 25 of the bayonet connection formation 26 is engaged with the protrusion 51. The axial-locking surface 24 and radial-locking surface 25 are formed to make an acute angle, and the protrusion 51 is fitted in a close contact state with both locking surface 24 and hook surface 25. As a result, even if the two pipes 100 and 200 are misaligned within the range of the length of this linear joint section, their engagement does not break, and the connection between the two pipes 100 and 200 is stabilized. The septum 53 operates similar as explained above using the coil spring 55a.

According to the configuration as described above, the protrusions 51 become less liable to come off from the bayonet connection formations 26, and consequently, the connection between the first pipe 100 and second pipe 200 is stabilized further. When the connector 1 for medical applications comprising the first pipe 100 and second pipe 200 is utilized, the connection between the first pipe 100 and second pipe 200 becomes strong, and even if torque acts in the direction of loosening the connection force, the connection between the first pipe 100 and second pipe 200 is less liable to break. Therefore, when this connector 1 is used as a connector in the case of administration of a drug solution, nutrients, anticancer agent, physiologically saline solution, blood, etc., to a person, the medical safety is markedly improved. When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A connector (1) for medical applications comprising

a first liquid-flowable flow pipe(lOO), including a connection pipe section (12) and a cylindrical connector skirt (20) extending radially from the pipe (100) and at least partially surrounding the connection pipe section (12) of the first flow pipe (100), the skirt (20) having a bayonet connection formation (26) with adjacent axial-locking (24) and radial-locking surfaces (25), and

a second liquid-flowable flow pipe (200) including a cylindrical connector plug (50) adapted for mating with the connector skirt (20) of the first pipe (100), the connector plug (50) including a protrusion (51) extending radially from the plug (50) for being received by the bayonet connection formation (26) of the skirt (20) to lock the first pipe (100) to the second pipe (200), wherein when locked, the first and second flow pipes (100, 200) are in sealed fluid communication, and adjacent surfaces of the protrusion (51) are in engagement with the axial-locking surface (24) and radial-locking surface (25) to prevent unintentional axial disengagement and radial disengagement of the pipes (100, 200).

2. The connector (1) for medical applications of Claim 1, wherein the axial-locking surface (24) and the radial-locking surface (25) are formed to make an acute angle, and the adjacent surfaces of the protrusion (51) are sized and shaped to be in substantially flush engagement with the axial-locking surface (24) and the radial-locking surface (25).

3. The connector (1) for medical applications of Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising a spring that presses the corresponding surface of the protrusion (51) against the axial-locking surface (24) when the two pipes (100, 200) are connected.

4. The connector (1) for medical applications of Claim 3, wherein the spring is an elastic septum (53).

5. The connector (1) for medical applications of Claim 3, wherein the spring is a coil spring (55a).