USRE43142E1 - Needleless connector - Google Patents

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Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
  • A61M39/02—Access sites
  • A61M39/04—Access sites having pierceable self-sealing members
  • A61M39/045—Access sites having pierceable self-sealing members pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
  • A61M5/14—Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
  • A61M2005/1401—Functional features
  • A61M2005/1404—Keep vein-open rate [KVO], i.e. low flow rate
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
  • A61M2039/0036—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use characterised by a septum having particular features, e.g. having venting channels or being made from antimicrobial or self-lubricating elastomer
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
  • A61M39/22—Valves or arrangement of valves
  • A61M39/26—Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof
  • A61M2039/263—Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof where the fluid space within the valve is decreasing upon disconnection
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10S128/00—Surgery
  • Y10S128/912—Connections and closures for tubes delivering fluids to or from the body

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to needleless fluid connection devices and more specifically to a device for repeatedly establishing a sealed connection to a conduit or a container for medical applications.
• I.V. intravenous
• administration sets are widely used to administer liquids parenterally to a patient and other medical devices are connected to the administration set to provide the proper administration.
• a luer connection assembly One widely used connector for making a connection between medical devices to establish a fluid passageway is a luer connection assembly.
• a male luer tip component or fitting having a frustoconical shape is inserted into a female luer component or fitting having a frustoconical shaped receiving cavity and opposing conical surfaces come into contact to form a sealed friction fit.
• connection assemblies and the associated components are packaged in sterile packaging and the connections are typically made just prior to establishing fluid communication with a patient's venous system.
• luer connection assemblies There are two general types of luer connection assemblies. One type is generally referred to as the luer slip where the connection is maintained by the friction fit between the male luer tip and female luer component. The other type is generally referred to as a luer lock connection whereby the male luer tip is encircled by an annular flange having a threaded internal surface. The female component includes a corresponding thread formed about the outer surface. Engaging the threaded flange to the threaded outside surface establishes the connection between the male luer tip and female component while preventing accidental disconnects.
• luer connection assemblies are manufactured to comply with universal standards.
• Very important sets of standards such as ANSI and ISO standards. These standards includes standard dimensions for male slip and luer lock assemblies. Among these dimensional standards are standards which define the spacing or clearance between the annular locking flange and the male luer tip.
• any female connection device configured to establish a connection to a standard male luer lock must be able to engage the luer tip and locking flange within this clearance or spacing.
• the fluid passageway should be sealed from the environment to prevent contamination and this passageway should also be sealed so as to not allow any leakage of bodily fluids into the environment.
• most therapies require periodic access to the fluid passageway. Because the portion of the fluid passageway through a female luer connection component is open to the environment, these components will not form a sealed connection to the fluid passageway after the fluid passageway is placed in fluid communication with the body.
• fluid containing a drug in solution is injected into a primary flow of fluid from an I.V. solution container through an administration set to a catheter extending within a vein.
• the drug containing fluid may be injected from a syringe, secondary medication set or the like, into the set where it mixes with the flowing fluid.
• fluid is injected directly into or withdrawn from a catheter extending within the body.
• the catheters are flushed periodically to maintain patency by the injection of small amounts of saline or heparin.
• Another highly desirable attribute of a connector is the ability for such a connector to seal against pressurized fluid found within a set or for the connector to possess a certain leak pressure in excess of a desired pressure.
• a connector it is desirable for a connector to have a leak pressure which is in excess of 20 p.s.i. for a short period of time such as when a bolus administration of drug is injected into a set and a leak pressure excess of 6 p.s.i. of continuous pressure during infusion of medication.
• a connector may be exposed to negative pressure particularly when such connector is located upstream of an inlet of an intravenous pump. Failure to prevent aspiration through a connector when the connector is exposed to negative pressure may lead to an aspiration of air and/or microbes into the fluid passageway.
• Dead spaces within any connector which cannot be “flushed” should be minimized or eliminated as they may form an environment for microbial growth. Also, priming volume for the connector should be minimized.
• any desired connector should be capable of being manufactured at high speeds and low cost.
• the lower the number of parts making up a component the lower the number of molds and high speed assembly devices both of which generally translate to lower capital expenditures and therefore lower costs.
• the connector be capable of low defect manufacture. Even a small number of failure is generally unacceptable when a single failure may put a patient or health care provider at risk.
• any surfaces around an inlet into a connector be able to be swabbed or otherwise disinfected.
• unbroken or smooth surfaces facilitate swabbing and other disinfecting techniques.
• a needleless systems which utilizes a resealable septum formed with a slit and compressed within a housing.
• These needleless systems performed quite well; however, the septum can not be penetrated with a male luer tip and thus a blunt cannula is utilized having a diameter smaller than a male luer tip. If the device to which a connection needs to be made has a luer connector, these blunt cannula are generally attached to the luer fitting. The requirement of the blunt cannula potentially increases the costs of using these types of connectors.
• Another type of needleless systems use connectors which are constructed to establish a connection directly with the male luer tip whether such luer tip forms a part of a luer slip or a luer lock.
• connections which are to be established with a male luer tip in a manner similar to a luer lock connection described above must be capable of fitting within the standard spacing between a luer tip and locking flange and should also meet other standards which have been set out for such connections.
• connectors utilize a resilient boot or other seal which is placed within a housing and collapsed by the introduction of a male luer tip. Upon removal of the tip, such collapsing boots must then recover to reseal the connection. Many or these boots stick in the collapsed position which leads to leaking.
• these moving parts present an interface between the movable boot and housing into which fluid may flow and collect and such collected fluids form a fertile environment for microbial growth, and recessed surfaces and gaps are hard to disinfect.
• the spikes act as flow restrictors and may impart severe turbulence to fluid as it flows through the openings in the spike.
• the boots may not recover quickly enough to seal the entrance through the connector and the fluid passageway may be briefly exposed to the environment.
• One type of such luer tip connectors has a spike within the housing which penetrates a collapsing boot.
• the spike has openings proximate an end adjacent the boot and form an internal passageway for the flow of fluid which is opened when the spike penetrates the collapsed boot and spreads the slit.
• any slit or opening in the boot must reseal.
• the spike design has exhibited unsatisfactory leakage after a number of connects and disconnects which does not provide for extended use of a set or catheter.
• these connectors have a multitude of parts which increases manufacturing costs and opportunities for malfunction. These designs also produce a connector having voids which cannot be flushed such that stagnant fluid may collect. Moreover, several of these device have potential passageways from voids within the housing but outside the primary fluid passageway, into the primary fluid passageway which may allow any microbial growth within the housing to enter the fluid passageway. Also the interface between the housing and boot is difficult to swab when the boot is in the uncompressed position.
• a device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,130, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, utilizes an elongated cam to spread open a slit in a collapsing boot, and would appear to possess several of the shortcomings of the spike and boot designs described above.
• boot connectors It is generally not a problem for the boot connectors to have ends which engage the male tip and locking flange on a standard luer lock.
• the sealing mechanism is below the end of the luer tip when the tip is engaged to the connector, thus there Is a large amount of flexibility in the configuration of the end of the connector housing which engages the male luer lock.
• the outer portion of the retainer is formed with a tapered threads so that the connection to a luer lock's straight thread design is similar to a standard NPTF/NPSI connection.
• the tapered thread design extends over the end of the housing that engages the threads on a male luer lock. Such a thread design may produce too rapid an increase in engaging force during the connection which may lead to a lock up of the luer lock to the connector.
• the valve includes a number of components to make up the housing, the environmental valve and check valve, and this high number of components increases manufacturing costs.
• maintaining the septum in position by the column strength of the axially extending portion of the septum forces that portion to have a relatively large thickness.
• the housing must be thinned. Such a thinned housing may fracture upon repeated connections and disconnects.
• a second connector is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,708, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
• This connector also utilizes a preslit septum which is supported on an axially extending column having sufficient thickness to support the septum upon introduction of the male luer tip.
• the further provide sufficient column strength the axially extending portion is also formed with a specific tapered shape including a thickened lower portion.
• the underside of the pre-slit radial portion of the septum is formed with biasing ribs.
• This connector also uses a retainer which pinches a lower radial flange to sealingly fix the septum to the housing.
• the connector includes three separate pieces.
• the thickened axially extending portion of the septum forces the retainer to be thinned such that to presumably supply strength to the retainer the stated preferred material for the retainer is metal which increases manufacturing costs.
• such valves will not exhibit satisfactory leak pressure after long periods of indwell, likely due to compression set of the septum material due to a perceived high level of compression of the septum material between the tip and retainer.
• the retainer is tapered outward proximate the end to establish a frictional engagement with the threads on a male luer lock.
• a connector not siphon fluid from an attached tubing or catheter into the connector upon removal of the luer tip as this may cause fluid to flow into the other end of the catheter which it is felt may lead to blockage of the tubing.
• a connector is provided which actually expels fluid from the connector upon removal of the luer tip and preferably expels such fluid in a controlled manner.
• One object of the present invention is to provide a needless connector fitting which may be actuated by a male luer tip without using a sharpened needle or an adapter such as a blunt cannula or the like.
• a related object is to provide a connector which may engage a standard luer lock fitting.
• a further related object is to provide such a connector which may be coupled to a standard male luer lock and complies as much as possible with ISO and ANSI standards for luer connectors
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector which possess sufficient strength to avoid cracking or fracture.
• a related object is to provide such a connector which is capable of providing a minimum of 100 connects and disconnects without compromising the performance.
• a related object is to provide a connector which provides a flow of fluid from the connector during and possibly after removal of the luer tip.
• connector utilizing a resealable valve having an opening extending through at least a portion of the valve.
• the valve is resiliently restrained relative to a housing with the valve and housing configured to accept a penetrating member having a tip which penetrates the valve through the opening.
• a valve uniquely configured to seal against pressures typically found in fluid passageways which are in fluid communication with the body.
• the resealable valve is a septum and the septum and housing are uniquely configured to accept male luer tips.
• the septum includes an upper generally disk shaped upper portion covering an opening defined by the housing and a portion extending downward from the upper portion with the valve opening extending through both the upper and lower portion.
• the upper portion of the valve is resiliently retained relative to the housing by integral attachment with an annular skirt and the skirt may be attached to the interior surface of the housing in a first embodiment and surrounding and attached to an exterior surface of the housing in a second embodiment.
• FIG. 1 is a section view of a first embodiment of a needless connector of the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a section view of the connector of FIG. 1 , shown connected to a male luer tip;
• FIG. 3 is a section view of a septum forming a part of the connector of FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 3a is a bottom plan view of a septum forming a part of the connector of FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 4 is a section view of a second embodiment of a needless connector of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is a section view of a septum forming a part of the connector of FIG. 4 ;
• FIG. 5a is a bottom plan view of a septum forming a part of the connector of FIG. 4 ;
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 4 ;
• FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a connector similar to the connector shown in FIG. 4 included as a part of a Y-site;
• FIG. 8 is a third embodiment of the needleless connector of the present invention.
• FIG. 9 is a section view of an alternate embodiment of a needleless connector of the present invention.
• FIG. 10 is a section view of the connector of FIG. 9 shown connected to a male luer tip
• FIG. 11 is a section view of a further alternate embodiment of a needleless connector of the present invention.
• FIG. 12 is a section view of the connector of FIG. 11 shown connected to a male luer tip
• FIG. 13 is a section view of a further alternate embodiment of a needleless connector of the present invention.
• FIG. 14 is a section view of the connector of FIG. 13 shown connected to a male luer tip
• FIG. 15 is a section view of a further alternate embodiment of a needleless connector of the present invention.
• FIG. 16 is a section view of the connector of FIG. 15 shown connected to a male luer tip.
• a first embodiment of a connector device of the present invention is generally indicated at 10 .
• the connector 10 generally provides multiple fluid connections with a penetrating member 12 ( FIG. 2 ).
• the connector 10 may be attached to a conduit 14 in fluid communication with the human body.
• the conduit 14 may be a peripheral catheter 15 , medical tubing or the like and forming a passageway 16 in fluid communication with the body for the flow of fluid to or from a body.
• the connector 10 may also be attached to other devices such as a vial or vial adapter (not shown) or the like or the connector may be used in lieu of open female luer fittings such as fittings on stopcocks.
• the penetrating member 12 is preferably a male luer slip or luer lock 13 conforming to ANSI or ISO standards; however, examples of other members, with appropriate modifications to the housing and septum, may include blunt cannula, needles, specially designed connectors or the like.
• the luer lock 13 includes a luer tip 18 which, in the embodiment shown, is encircled by a locking flange 20 and forms the end of a syringe 24 .
• Other devices which may utilize a penetrating member 12 include I.V. sets, blood collection and peritoneal dialysis devices and the like.
• the connector 10 includes a housing 26 and an elastic and resilient resealable member 27 , preferably a septum 28 , disposed at an upper end 30 of the housing to seal an opening 32 defined by the upper end 30 .
• the septum 28 is operably connected to the housing 26 with a central portion 34 elastically restrained relative to the housing such that the central portion 34 may be stretched downward into the housing as the penetrating member 12 is inserted into the opening.
• the central portion 34 elastically retracts upon removal of the penetrating member 12 .
• the housing 26 forms an axially extending passageway 36 which extends downward from the opening 32 and is in fluid communication with the lower passageway 16 defined by the conduit 14 .
• the resealable member 27 is uniquely configured to seal the opening 32 when the central portion 34 is in the occluding position shown in FIG. 1 .
• the central portion 34 of the septum 28 has a generally disk shaped upper portion 38 and a lower portion 40 extending axially downward within the passageway.
• a resealable opening 44 such as a slit 46 extends downward preferably through both the upper portion 38 and lower portion 40 . It is anticipated that the opening 44 may be formed so that initially the opening may extend only through a portion of one or both of the upper and lower portions 38 , 40 ; however, extending a penetrating member 12 completely through the septum 28 will force the opening to also extend completely through the septum 28 .
• the opening 44 is configured in such a manner such that when the penetrating member 12 extends completely through the septum 28 the upper and lower portions 38 , 40 are elastically stretched about the penetrating member to seal against leakage through the interface between the penetrating member and the septum.
• the slit length in the horizontal direction is preferably shorter than one half the circumference of the tip end of the luer tip 18 .
• the lower portion 40 forms a generally rectangular horizontal cross section.
• Vertically extending sidewalls 48 and end walls 50 are slightly tapered so that the lower portion 40 forms a trapezoidal vertical cross section which facilitates molding and orienting the septum during manufacturing particularly when forming an opening 44 .
• the opening 44 may extend straight downward or be oriented at an angle relative to the vertical.
• the opening 44 may be a slit 46 or may be curved or slightly helically rotated to promote the sealing of the opening.
• the septum 28 includes an annular skirt 52 which extends downward within the passageway 36 and is attached to the inner surface 54 of the housing 26 to elastically restrain the central portion 34 relative to the housing.
• the attachment is preferably made by adhesively bonding an outer surface 56 of the skirt 52 to the inner surface 54 .
• the septum 28 includes a radial lip 58 which extends over and is attached to an upper edge 60 of the housing.
• the attachment of the lip 58 and edge 60 at least partially supports the skirt 52 and aids in resisting the shear forces.
• the attachment between the lip 58 and edge 60 is by an adhesive bond in the same manner as the attachment of the housing and the skirt 52 .
• dimensions of luer connecting devices are standardized to ISO standards.
• the dimensions of the luer tip 18 including the taper are set by the standard.
• threads 64 on the inside of the locking flange 20 define a clearance radius which is set by the standard.
• the male luer tip 18 should be able to penetrate to a desired insertion depth “D” of 0.300 inches which additionally constrains the size of the connector 12 and its components particularly about the upper end 30 of the housing 26 which must fit within the spacing between the luer tip 18 and locking flange 20 .
• the luer tip 18 is shown forcing the septum 28 into an open position.
• the tip 18 extends through the opening 44 to the desired depth D, establishing fluid communication between a passageway 66 in the tip 18 and the passageway 36 .
• the passageway 36 adjacent the tip 12 is preferably open to the passageway 16 without any secondary valves or other obstructions to fluid flow.
• the upper portion 38 of the septum 28 pivotally deforms downward, stretches and extends along the annular skirt 52 and the outer surface 68 of tip.
• the lower portion 40 of the septum 28 extends downward and stretches about the outer surface 68 , and establishes a seal about the tip 18 .
• the septum 28 resiliently retracts into its closed position.
• the septum 28 When the tip 18 is inserted into the connector 10 to the desired depth D, there is a limited amount of annular space between the housing 26 and tip into which portions of the septum 28 may be displaced; however, the septum must be configured and sized to seal before, during and after extension of the penetrating member 12 through the opening 44 to form a closed system.
• connectors be configured to seal against a pressure of 20 psi.
• the sealing is accomplished by utilizing a thickened septum and a housing to radially compress the septum thereby sealing a slit extending through the septum.
• a blunt cannula of small diameter is forced through the slit, the septum is additionally radially compressed which seals about the cannula, and there appears to be little displacement of portions of the septum in an axial direction.
• Forming the septum 28 with a thinned upper portion 38 and a downwardly extending lower portion 40 and providing that the opening 44 extends downward through the lower portion 40 in addition to the upper portion 38 greatly increases the leak pressure without requiring a corresponding large increase in septum thickness or compression.
• the length “L 1 ” ( FIG. 3 ) of the lower portion 40 is related to increasing the leak pressure. But, increasing the mass of the septum 28 by increasing the length L 1 of the lower portion 40 which must be accommodated within the housing 26 when a luer tip 18 penetrates the resealing member 28 , increases the insert force and could possibly prevent the tip 18 from extending entirely through the opening 44 .
• the first embodiment's configuration of a unique combination with a predetermined length L 1 of the lower portion 40 , thickness and compression of the upper portion 38 gives the connector 10 a leak pressure of more than 20 p.s.i while presenting an acceptable insert force.
• Other features of the configuration of the first embodiment is the ability to provide a reseal, after multiple insertions of the luer tip and long periods of luer tip indwell, against a pressure of 6 p.s.i.
• forming the septum with the upper portion 38 having a thickness of 0.040 inches and a 3.5% radial compression or greater and the lower portion 40 having a length L 1 of about 0.080 inches (giving rise to a opening length of 0.125 inches) yields a connector 10 which may accept the luer tip 18 to the desired depth D while maintain a leak pressure in excess of 20 p.s.i.
• the lower portion 38 is formed with a width “W 1 ” of approximately 0.060 inches and a length “L 2 ” of about 0.190 inches.
• the annular skirt 52 is formed with a thickness of about 0.010 inches.
• the top surface 70 of the septum 28 is slightly concave to lessen the amount of material being forced into the housing 26 upon insertion of the tip 18 through the opening 44 . It is envisioned that the top surface 70 may be flat or have a convex surface or a combination, also. In addition, the top surface 70 is formed unbroken without crevices or other pockets which facilitates disinfecting of the septum 28 with normal aseptic techniques such as swabbing. Also the septum 28 is formed so that the top surface extends completely over the upper end 30 of the housing to present a visually appealing top surface.
• the housing 26 is configured to form a passageway having a diameter “D 1 ” of 0.235 inches.
• D 1 the diameter of the passageway 36
• the upper end of the passageway 36 is tapered outward so that a slightly larger diameter of 0.250 inches is formed at the opening 32 .
• inserting the tip 18 and compressing the upper portion 38 and possibly the lower portion against the annular skirt 52 should produce a thickness layer of at least 0.050 and 0.040 inches respectively.
• a penetrating member 12 having standard luer dimensions to a desired depth D of 0.300 inches should only provide an annular clearance of 0.030 inches between the tip and housing 26 .
• the elastic material of the septum elongates upon stretching and deforms into this small clearance dimension, while not exhibiting too low a leak pressure after long periods of indwell due to compression set of the septum 28 .
• the lower portion 40 is formed with rounded corners 74 to form a gap 77 between the lower portion and skirt 52 .
• the rounding of the corners 74 allows the sidewalls 48 and slit 46 to be as long as possible while still providing the gap between the lower portion 40 and skirt 52 . Attaching the sidewalls 48 to the skirt 52 without providing a gap may contribute to unequal stretching and deformation of the lower portion 40 about the tip 18 during insertion of the tip resulting in leakage.
• the valve member 27 at the gap 77 has a vertical thickness less than the length L 1 of the lower portion.
• the gap 77 is formed such that the vertical thickness of the valve member 27 at the gap is equal to the thickness of the upper portion 38 of the septum 28 .
• a sharp corner is formed which establishes a hinge point 78 .
• the hinge point 78 which extends about the housing for the entire circumference of the opening 32 also facilitates the flexing and deformation of the septum 28 during insertion of the tip 18 .
• the septum 28 is formed of a elastic, resilient material provided by the West Company of Lionville, Pa. It is anticipated that lubricating the septum 28 should facilitate insertion of the luer tip 18 . Such lubrication may be applied while forming the slit or by other means such as incorporating the lubrication into the septum material or by applying lubricious coatings to the top surface.
• the septum 28 may be formed of a similar material, such as chlorinated polyisoprene produced by Lexington Medical of Rock Hill, S.C.
• the slit may be lubricated after assembly of the housing and septum using silicon oil produced by Dow Corning of Midland, Mich.
• the housing 26 is rigid and preferably formed of DN003 from Eastar of Kingsport, Tenn.
• the housing 26 is shown as forming a luer connection 84 at a lower end, the housing may also be formed as a part of any device into which is it desirable to establish a sealed connection such as the injection arm of a Y-site 86 ( FIG. 7 ), as an inlet on a stopcock or manifold (not shown) or the like.
• the lower end of the housing 26 may be integrally formed with a catheter 15 with a guidewire (not shown) extending upward through the opening 44 .
• the exterior of the housing 26 is formed with a number of longitudinally extending indentations 86 which facilitate gripping of the connector 10 .
• the upper end 30 of the housing 26 may be formed with a pair of radially extending ears 88 configured to engage the threads 64 .
• alternately threads 90 may be formed on that portion 92 of the housing 26 which will engage the threads 64 on the flange 20 .
• the housing 26 is molded as a single piece utilizing molds with a large number of molding cavities to facilitate high speed manufacturing operation.
• the valve member 27 is preferably formed as a single piece in a high speed molding operation, and the shape of the lower portion 40 is particularly suited to register the valve member 27 in a desired orientation for fashioning an opening 44 therein.
• a second embodiment of the needleless connector of the present invention is generally indicated at 100 and is particularly suited to a large number of connections and disconnects with a standard male luer lock 13 ( FIG. 2 ) without unacceptable leakage.
• elements in the second embodiment corresponding to elements in the first embodiment 10 are labeled with the same reference number.
• the connector 100 includes a housing 102 and an elastic and resilient resealable valve member 104 disposed at an upper end 106 of the housing.
• the valve member 104 includes the central portion 34 and lower portion 44 ; however the valve member 104 , preferably a septum 105 , also includes an annular skirt portion 108 which extends about and surrounds an upper portion 110 of the housing 102 adjacent the upper end 106 .
• the skirt 108 is bonded to the exterior surface 112 in a specified manner to attach the valve 104 to the housing 102 and elastically restrain the central portion 34 during insertion of the luer tip 18 ( FIG. 2 ).
• valve 104 defines a circular annular receiving channel 118 between the central portion 34 and the skirt 108 .
• the upper end 106 of the housing 102 is received in the channel 118 and bonded to the valve 104 in a desired manner.
• the central portion 34 is configured such that the upper edge portion 106 applies a 6 to 7% compression on the central portion.
• the upper portion 40 of the valve 102 form a thickness of 0.60 to 0.50 inches and the lower portion define a length L 3 of 0.080 inches.
• the lower portion 40 is formed with a width “W 2 ” of approximately 0.060 inches and a length “L 4 ” of about 0.165 inches.
• the annular skirt 108 is formed with a thickness of about 0.010 inches.
• the top surface 70 of the septum 28 is slightly concave to lessen the amount of material being forced into the housing 102 upon insertion of the tip 18 ( FIG. 2 ) through the opening 44 . It is envisioned that the top surface 70 may be flat or have a convex surface or a combination, and is adapted to disinfecting techniques such as swabbing.
• valve member 104 forms a sharp corner and thereby forms a hinge point 78 . Similar to the first embodiment 10 , lower portion 40 is spaced from the housing to form a gap 77 .
• bonding an upper landing 117 defined by an upper edge 116 to the valve 104 and about the entire circumference of the of the upper edge is important in the ability of the connector 100 to maintain a satisfactory leak pressure and increasingly important to maintain the leak pressure after 100 or more connections and disconnects.
• the bonding also anchors the septum 28 to the upper edge and prevents a rubbing between the septum 28 and upper edge 116 as the septum is elastically stretched during insertion of the tip 18 .
• Bonding between the exterior surface 112 and the inner surface of the skirt 108 is also important, but migration of any bonding agent to the interface between the central portion 34 and housing 102 should be minimized. If adhesive collects in the interface about the septum 28 and interior surface 119 cracking of the housing 102 or compression set of the septum 28 with corresponding leakage after long periods of indwell may result.
• One preferred method of applying bonding agent to the housing 102 such that the upper landing 117 and exterior surface 112 receive such agent while minimizing migration to the interior of the housing is minimized is by placing the housing 102 is a vertical position with the upper edge 116 facing downwards. Bonding agent is applied, preferably by injection, to the exterior surface 112 and gravity causes the agent to flow down and wet the landing 117 . Gravity also hinders any migration of the bonding agent into the interior surface of the housing 102 .
• a further preferred step includes inserting the upper end portion 110 of the housing 102 into a chamber (not shown) and applying a negative air pressure below the housing 102 such that air flows downward along the housing which also hinders migration of the bonding agent upwards into the interior of the housing.
• a UV curing adhesive such as Loctite 3011 , 3311 and 3301 from Loctite Corporation of Rocky Hill, Conn. may be utilized as a suitable bonding agent for any of the connectors 10 , 100 , 200 .
• the bonding agent should be cured for a sufficiently long period of time.
• threads 90 extend along a portion of the exterior surface 112 .
• the upper end 127 of the threads 90 are spaced from the upper edge 116 of the housing 102 to form a surface 124 free of threads, ridges or the like to facilitate the bonding of the skirt 108 to the surface 124 .
• the surface 124 is also formed with very little if any draft or taper so that the skirt 108 does not creep upward during setting of the bond between the valve 104 and housing 102 .
• the skirt 108 extends downward along the housing 124 for a length L 5 of about 0.07 to 0.08 inches
• the skirt 108 may be provided with a thickness such that there is minimal interference between the skirt 108 and the inner edge surfaces 64 a of the threads 64 on the locking flange 20 .
• a housing 102 with the upper portion 110 having a external diameter of 0.25 inches and defining an opening 144 with a diameter of 0.22 is desired to provide the proper clearance between the skirt 108 and locking flange 20 of an ISO standard luer connection and yet also provide a housing with sufficient wall strength to resist fracture and provide sufficient space for the displaced septum 28 and luer tip 18 when the luer tip is inserted into the housing 102 .
• the frustoconical shape of an ISO standard luer tip defines a diameter ranging from 0.155 in. to 0.175 inches.
• the tip and housing 102 define a clearance therebetween of 0.031 to 0.021 inches.
• the valve 102 having an upper portion 38 with a thickness of about 0.055 inches extends about the luer tip and is compressed within the smaller clearance without requiring an unacceptable insertion force.
• the valve member 104 maintains an adequate leak pressure after long periods of indwell.
• the displacement and compression of the septum 28 into the space between the tip 18 and housing 102 during insertion of the tip substantially fills the space between the lower portion 40 and housing 102 for a depth corresponding to the majority of the extended length of the lower portion about the tip 18 .
• the compressed septum 28 displaces or flushes any fluid that has collected in this space.
• the injection of the fluid from the tip 18 into the interior of the housing 102 flushes any remaining spaces within the housing. Thus stagnant pockets of fluid are avoided.
• the filling of the passageway 36 with the tip 18 and displaced septum 104 also reduces priming volume to a low level.
• an embodiment of the needleless connector of the present invention is generally illustrated at 130 .
• the connector 130 is shown as forming part of a Y-site connection assembly 86 .
• Y-site connection assemblies 86 are particularly suited for adding supplemental fluid to a flow of fluid along a primary flow path 132 extending from an upper or entry section 134 of attached tubing, through the Y-site assembly 86 and out along a lower or exit section 136 of attached tubing.
• the needless connector 130 is shown as generally corresponding to the second embodiment of the needless connector 100 , however, the resealable valve member 140 and housing 138 proximate the valve member may be shaped to correspond to the housing and valve member of either the first embodiment 10 , second embodiment 100 or the later described embodiment 200 .
• the passageway 66 in the tip is placed directly in fluid communication with that portion of the primary flow path 132 extending into the exit section 136 without any intermediate valves so any flow restriction is reduced.
• a third embodiment of the needless connector of the present invention which is preferred, is generally indicated at 200 .
• the third embodiment 200 has a housing 202 and includes the resealable valve member 104 described in relation to the second embodiment 100 .
• the housing 202 is similar to the first embodiment 100 except that a housing portion 204 below the gap 128 has been altered so that connector 200 provides a higher removal resistance torque.
• Elements in the third embodiment 100 corresponding to elements in the first or second embodiment are labeled with the same reference number.
• the housing 202 indudes the upper portion 110 having the surface 124 of a generally constant outside diameter over which the skirt 108 extends.
• a middle portion 206 extends downward from the upper portion 116 and a lower portion 208 extends downward from the middle portion.
• the lower portion 208 preferably defines a generally constant diameter greater than the diameter defined by the upper portion 116 .
• the middle portion 206 is formed to provide a transition from the upper portion 116 to the relatively wider lower portion 208 .
• the middle portion 206 is frustoconically shaped.
• the housing 202 defines a set of double start threads 210 which extend downward along the housing about the middle portion 206 and lower portion 208 .
• the threads 210 define a constant major diameter as the threads extend along the lower and middle portions such that the height of the threads decreases as the threads move downward along the middle portion.
• the diameter defined by the lower portion 208 is greater than the minor diameter defined by the internal threads 64 on the locking flange 20 such that there is a sliding frictional engagement between the threads 64 and middle and lower portions 206 , 208 .
• the frictional engagement allows the connector 200 to provide an acceptable removal resistance torque for an attached luer lock when the tip 18 has penetrated to the desired insertion depth D.
• a frustoconical middle portion 206 defining a diameter increasing from a diameter less than the diameter defined by the skirt 108 to the diameter of the lower portion 208 and the lower portion defining a diameter greater than the minor diameter of the internal threads 64 imparts a feel to the user similar to connecting to a standard female luer connection.
• the tip 18 extends through the opening 44 and rubs against the valve 104 however such contact supplies very little resistance to turning.
• the threads 64 engage the middle portion 206 and a sliding frictional engagement begins and the required torque to advance or unthread slowly increases as the tip ;is rotatably advanced.
• the threads 64 then engage the lower portion 208 having a constant diameter which slows down the rate or increase in the removal torque before an unacceptable removal torque is achieved which may cause the locking flange 20 to lock up on the connector.
• male luer locks 13 may be made of many different types of materials which range in stiffness. It is important that the connection of the connector 200 to the luer lock not place such a stress on the locking flange 20 which may fracture the flange.
• the use of the lower portion 208 with a constant diameter also accommodates luer locks of various materials while preventing overstressing of the locking flange 20 .
• the connector 300 includes an elastic resealable member 301 such as a septum 302 attached to a housing 304 .
• the septum 302 includes a generally disk shaped upper portion 306 and a generally tubular extension 308 depending downward within a passageway 310 formed by the housing 304 .
• the extension 308 is attached to the housing 304 to form a sealed conduit 314 for the transmission of fluids injected through an opening 316 , preferably a slit 318 , extending through the upper portion 306 .
• the opening 316 may extend partially through the septum 302 with the anticipation that the opening will extend completely through the septum upon penetration by the luer tip 18 .
• the upper portion 306 may be formed in a manner similar to the upper portion 38 of septum 28 .
• a valve element generally indicated at 320 , provides at least one seal against pressurized fluid within an exit passageway 324 formed by portions of the extension 308 and housing 304 .
• the exit passageway 324 is in fluid communication with a device 326 in fluid communication with a body.
• the device 326 may include a catheter or an I.V. administration set. If the connector 300 is for providing a resealable connection with an I.V. administration set, the housing 304 will preferably form a portion of a Y-site.
• the valve 320 includes a pincher portion 328 which pinchingly deforms the extension 308 to seal against leak pressure found in the exit passageway 324 .
• the pincher portion 328 is attached to the housing 304 by fixedly clamping a peripheral edge 330 between an upper housing piece 334 and a lower housing piece 336 which are bonded together to form the housing 304 .
• the connector 300 also includes an extension collapsing element 338 which contacts and partially collapses a portion of the extension 308 after and possibly during the sealing of the extension by the valve 320 .
• the partial collapsing produces an expelling of fluid from the exit passageway 324 after the sealing of the extension by the valve 320 .
• the collapsing element 338 is connected to, by being integrally formed as a portion of, the valve 320 .
• the collapsing element 338 includes two legs 340 connected to and extending downward and outward from the pincher portion 328 .
• the legs 340 extend on opposite sides of the extension 338 and contact the extension deforming the extension radially inward.
• the legs 340 are also forced radially outward against the housing 304 allowing the extension 308 to expand.
• the pincher portion 328 of the valve 320 closes, initially sealing the extension 308 , and then the legs 340 continue to collapse the extension 308 below the pincher portion forcing a portion of the fluid out of the exit passageway 324 into the device 326 .
• the valve 320 may be formed with a central portion 344 offset upward of the peripheral edge 330 .
• the legs 340 are attached to this central portion 344 ; however, the legs may be attached to other parts of the housing 304 .
• the lower piece 336 forms a radial lip 346 , and the lower end of the extension is adhesively attached to the housing 305 proximate this lip.
• the extension may be stretched during assembly and attached to the housing in the stretched configuration.
• the septum 302 of the connector 300 may include an annular skirt 348 and radial lip 350 which are bonded to the housing 304 .
• the attachment of the extension 308 to the upper portion 306 of the septum 302 and the housing 304 may help support the upper portion 306 against leaking due to pressurized fluid in the conduit 314 .
• the extension 308 also prevents fluids from flowing into the housing outside of the extension an into areas which may be difficult to flush during use of the connector 300 .
• the septum 302 may also include a lower portion (not shown) similar to lower portion 40 ( FIG. 3 ), but preferably the valve 320 provides most of the seal against leakage due to the pressure of fluid in the exit passageway 324 .
• the connector 200 includes a resealable member 201 , preferably a septum 202 having an upper portion 204 similar in construction to upper portion 38 , an annular skirt 206 similar in construction to the annular skirt 52 , and a lower portion 208 and opening 210 similar in construction to the lower portion 40 and opening 44 , respectively.
• the lower portion 208 is shown having a V shaped cross section; however, other configurations such as the configuration of lower portion 40 are also acceptable.
• the septum 202 is attached to the top end 212 of housing 214 to seal an opening 216 formed by the top end.
• the housing forms an internal chamber 218 and a radially extending valve seat 220 .
• a lower end 224 of the housing 214 is adapted to form a luer connection with the device 326 which is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the body.
• the septum 202 also includes a downward depending generally tubular extension 228 which extends to a point in reasonably close proximity with the valve seat 220 . Sealingly attached to a lower end 230 of the extension 228 is a radial sealing flange 234 .
• the flange 234 extends radially outward and forms a peripheral edge 236 which sealingly attaches to the housing 214 .
• the septum 202 and flange 234 cooperate to prevent fluid flowing through a passageway 238 formed within the extension 228 from flowing into the chamber 218 outside of the extension and between the flange 234 and top end 240 of the housing.
• valve 248 Disposed within the housing 214 and about an outlet 240 of the chamber 218 is a valve 248 .
• the valve 248 is uniquely configured to provide less fluid flow resistance when low pressure fluid is within the passageway 238 and high fluid flow resistance when high pressure fluid is within the passageway.
• the valve includes a radial sealing flange 250 having a peripheral portion 254 extending over the valve seat 220 .
• the valve 248 includes a set of downward depending legs 256 which contact a radial ledge 258 formed by the housing 214 .
• the legs 256 are configured to support the flange 250 so that the peripheral edge 236 is spaced from the valve seat 220 .
• fluid may flow from the passageway 238 around the peripheral edge 254 and out an outlet 260 for the connector 200 .
• the legs 256 are also configured to flex when fluid over a certain pressure is injected through the opening 210 and into the passageway 238 (as particularly illustrated in FIG. 12 ), the pressure of the fluid and the action of the fluid flowing around the peripheral portion 254 flexes the legs 256 and the flange 250 moves downward to seal against the valve seat 220 .
• the valve 248 also includes a capillary tube 262 , preferably of a small diameter and constructed of metal, glass or the like, which extends through the flange 250 to form a passageway for a small flow of fluid from the passageway 238 into the outlet 260 .
• the tube 262 is preferably sized so that the flow of fluid through the passageway is enough to maintain a KVO or keep vein open flow of fluid to the device 326 .
• the extension elastically expands in a radial direction to form a reservoir 268 .
• the resiliency of the extension 228 maintains the fluid at a pressure sufficient to keep the flange 250 sealed against the seat 220 so that fluid only flows through the capillary tube 262 .
• the pressure of the fluid in the passageway 238 drops to a level whereby the legs 256 straighten and the flange 250 separates from the valve seat 220 to allow much greater flow into the outlet 260 .
• the connector 400 includes an elastic, resilient, resealable valve 402 having an upper portion 404 , middle portion 406 and annular skirt 408 similar in configuration to the upper portion 38 , lower portion 40 and annular skirt 108 , respectively of connector 200 ( FIG. 8 ).
• the valve 402 includes a conically shaped tubular lower portion 410 integrally attached to the middle portion 406 such that an opening 414 , preferably a slit, extends downward through the upper portion 404 and middle portion 404 into a chamber 416 defined in part by the lower portion 410 .
• a lower edge 417 of the lower portion 410 is sealingly engaged to a housing 418 , preferably rigid, of the connector 400 .
• the housing 418 includes an upper portion 420 similar in configuration to the upper end of connector ( FIG. 8 ) to supply the desired removal torque resistance capabilities.
• the housing also includes a lower portion 424 having a lower end 426 configured to establish a connection to a medical device (not shown) such as a catheter 15 ( FIG. 1 ).
• the lower edge 417 of the lower portion 410 extends about and is attached to an upwardly extending nipple 428 .
• a collar 430 formed by the lower portion 424 of the housing 418 extends about the lower edge 417 and clamps the lower edge to the nipple 428 .
• the lower portion 424 and upper portion 420 are attached to each other preferably by sonic welding or other appropriate type.
• the connector 400 is particularly suited to eliminating voids and minimizing priming volume as the flow path is within the lower portion 410 of the valve 402 and fluid cannot flow into the space between the valve and upper housing.
• the chamber 416 defined by the lower portion 410 when no luer tip 18 is inserted into the connector 400 defines a volume which is less than the chamber 416 ′ defined by the lower portion 410 when the luer tip is inserted.
• siphoning of fluid into the chamber 416 upon removal of the tip 18 is avoided. Instead a slight flow of fluid from the chamber 416 ′ through the lower end of the valve 426 upon removal of the tip 18 may occur.
• a needleless connector particularly suited to preventing siphoning upon removal of a luer tip 18 is generally indicated at 450 .
• the connector 450 is similar to the connector 400 ( FIG. 13 ) and elements in the connector 450 corresponding to elements in the connector 400 are labeled with the same reference number.
• connector 450 also includes a collapsing member 452 , preferably a split collar 454 which is disposed in the void 456 between the lower portion 410 of the valve 402 and the upper portion 420 of the housing 418 .
• the collapsing member 452 includes opposing inward landings 458 disposed on opposite sides of the lower portion 410 and engaging the lower portion to collapse the lower portion thereby lowering the volume of a chamber 460 defined by the lower portion.
• the landings 458 are resiliently supported by legs 464 angled in an outward direction.
• the collapsing member 452 may be composed of metal or other material which provides the desired resiliency in the legs 464 .
• the luer tip 18 Upon insertion of the luer tip 18 , the luer tip 18 forces the landings 458 outward, bending the legs 464 so that the legs become generally aligned with the landings 458 and the lower portion 410 below the tip 18 defines the chamber 460 ′. Fluid may then be injected into the connector. Upon removal of the tip 18 , the resiliency of the lower portion 410 will cause the lower portion to seek to assume the conical shape; however, the legs 464 will force the landings 458 inward to further collapse the lower portion such that the chamber 460 defined by the lower portion has a smaller volume than chamber 460 ′. Thus siphoning of fluid into the chamber 460 upon removal of the tip 18 is avoided and a slight volume of fluid is expelled from the chamber 460 ′ through the lower end 426 upon the tip removal.

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Abstract

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