CA2297217A1

CA2297217A1 - Device for combined urinary drainage and catheterization of incontinent male human beings

Info

Publication number: CA2297217A1
Application number: CA002297217A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Manfred Sauer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-08-04
Filing date: 1998-08-04
Publication date: 1999-02-18
Also published as: DE19733665C2; DE59810354D1; EP1001724B1; EP1001724A1; ATE255387T1; WO1999007313A1; AU9529498A; DE19733665A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for combined urinary draining and catheterization of incontinent male human beings, especially paraplegics, comprising a condom (2) with an orifice (1) in the front region adhering to the body (3) of the penis, a connection device (4) which can be hermetically joined to the orifice (1) of the condom (2) and detachably connected to a urine collector and a catheter (5) whereby said connection device (4) must be removed to enable catheterization. In order to be easy to use and hygienic, the inventive device includes a spreader device (7) which is used to enlarge the orifice (1) of the condom (2) enabling the orifice (1) to enlarge to such a degree that the condom (2), together with the spreader device, (7) can be slipped from the orifice onto the glans (6) and at least part of the body (3) of the penis and back again.

Description

DEVICE FOR COMBINED URINARY DRAINAGE AND
CATHETERIZATION OF INCONTINENT MALE HUMAN BEINGS
The invention relates to a device for a combined drainage of urine and catheterization of incontinent male persons, in particular in the case of paraplegia, with a condom having in its front region an orifice adapted for adhering to the body of the penis, a connector adapted for connecting in leakproof manner to the orifice of the condom and for detachably connecting to a urine collector, and a catheter, wherein the connector must be removed for enabling catheterization.
For managing incontinence of male persons, in particular in the case of paraplegia, essentially two different methods are known from practice. Thus, there exists already a urine drainage system, wherein a dip or injection molded part similar to a condom and made of an elastic material, for example, silicon or the like, is secured with an adhesive to the penis body to prevent a reflux. Through an orifice in the front region of the condom and through a connector provided in this region, the urine is drained via a hose into a bed or leg pouch.
An alternative to the foregoing, briefly discussed urine drainage system is the so-called intermittent self-catheterization (ISK), by which an incontinent male person catheterizes himself four to six times a day. To remain continent between the catheterizatic~n phases, the treating physician normally prescribes a medication that reactivates or deactivates the bladder. However, all suitable medications have ' CA 02297217 2000-O1-26 the very great disadvantage that they dry up the mucous membranes of the human body, which is felt by the patient as discomfort or even as causing pain.
Within the scope of the intermittent self-catheterization, one could do entirely without corresponding medications to the exclusion of the side effects caused by the medications. However, one would have to connect a urine drainage system at least between the catheterization phases. This means that one would have to secure a condom to the body of the penis with an adhesive or adhesive tape that is tolerant to the skin as in the case of the conventional urine drainage system. Depending on the frequency of the catheterization -- four to six times a day -- the urine drainage system would have to be attached by an adhesive and be likewise again removed. Even with the use of skin-tolerant adhesives, this will lead to an enormous stress of the skin and lastly to quite considerable additional costs by the increased use of material.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to describe a device for a combined drainage of urine and catheterization of incontinent male persons, which requires that the condom be attached by means of an adhesive only once a day, preferably early in the morning after a hygienic treatment, and which yet ensures a simple and hygienic handling of the catheterization.
The foregoing object is accomplished by a device with the characteristic features of claim 1.
Accordingly, a device for the combined drainage of urine and catheterization of incontinent male persons of the above-described kind is characterized by an expanding attachment, which assists in stretching the orifice so far that the condom can be slipped, together with the expanding attachment, from the orifice over the glans and over at least a portion of the penis body toward the body.
It has been recognized by the present invention that even in the case of multiple daily catheterization, it is basically possible to apply a urine drainage system with a condom for deactivating the bladder, while doing without the usual medications.
This application occurs once a day, for example, in the morning after a hygienic treatment. For the catheterization, the orifice of the condom at the front end that is freed from connecting means, is widened by means of a special expanding attachment and slipped back over of the penis body, so that the glans is fully exposed and can be cleaned before the catheterization.
Subsequently --- after the catheterization -- the condom is again pulled forward over the glans by means of the expanding attachment. The expanding attachment retracts again, so that the orifice is allowed to contract. Thereafter, it is possible to reattach the connector, thereby facilitating connection to the urine drainage system.
A further advantage of the device according to the invention is to be seen in that the expanding attachment is used on the one hand for handling the condom and on the other hand for supporting the penis body during the catheterization. In any event, it is possible to do without the medications that are to be normally taken in the case of intermittent self-catheterization, thereby precluding the side effects occurring in that process. A catheterization at the desired intervals is possible without taking medications, which is in this instance a combination of °

intermittent self-catheterization and drainage of urine.
At this point, it should be remarked one more time, that beyond its actual task, the expanding attachment is also used for positioning the body of the penis during the insertion of the catheter.
Accordingly, it would be possible to design and construct the expanding attachment in the way of a supporting part. In this instance, it will be necessary to ensure workability both for persons with intact function of their fingers and for persons with limited function of their fingers.
As regards a concrete realization of the expanding attachment, it will be of advantage, when same is constructed as an expanding ring. As previously described, for purposes of catheterizing, the small orifice of the condom is freed from the connector. Thereafter -- with the use of the expanding attachment -- the expanding attachment engages and opens the orifice so far that it is possible to slide the condom back, together with the expanding ring, over the glans and beyond the penis body toward the body, for purposes of exposing the glans, on the one hand for cleaning or disinfecting, and on the other hand for subsequently inserting the catheter. During catheterization, the expanding attachment constructed as an expanding ring provides the penis body with an adequate support, so that the thus-realized support facilitates catheterization even with a limited mobility of the fingers.
Furthermore, it is essential for the expanding attachment or for the expanding ring that it be an aid for multiple or permanent use. The same " CA 02297217 2000-O1-26 applies to the connector yet to be described in greater detail.
As regards a concrete embodiment of the expanding attachment -- constructed in the way of an 5 expanding ring -- it will be quite especially advantageous, when the expanding attachment comprises expanding fingers that are arranged approximately coaxially in annular shape for insertion into the unstretched orifice of the condom. For expanding the orifice to a larger radius, the expanding fingers are adapted for moving apart. Naturally, before using the expanding attachment, it is necessary to release the connector and remove it from the condom.
More specifically, it would be possible to arrange the expanding fingers such that they can move apart from and toward one another in the fashion of a diaphragm. Insofar, it would be possible to expand the opening of the condom quasi in an infinitely variable manner and to make it also again smaller by a contraction in the fashion of a diaphragm, so that it is subsequently possible to reattach the connector to the orifice.
The expanding fingers serving to engage the orifice of the condom project from the expanding attachment approximately orthogonally and are jointed to the expanding attachment by means of a lever arrangement. In this arrangement, each expanding finger could connect to a pivoting lever arm, the expanding finger and lever arm extending approximately in L-shape.
In a further advantageous manner, the expanding attachment or expanding ring could comprise two oppositely rotatable annular disks, the annular disks oppositely engaging guide elements and being °

interconnected for rotation. The rotational engagement could be realized by means of conventional engaging elements, detents, snap rings, or the like. With that, the lever arrangement and likewise the lever arms are positively guided in their pivotal movement between the annular disks.
Concretely, the lever arms could be jointed for pivotal movement to one of the annular disks and be guided by guide elements along the respectively other annular disk such that an opposite rotation of the annular disks causes the lever arms to pivot by a predetermined range. In this instance, the expanding fingers of an annular arrangement with a small diameter are displaceable to an annular arrangement with a larger diameter, and vice versa, thereby resulting in the movement of the expanding fingers necessary for expanding and likewise for contracting again in the way of the movement of a diaphragm.
The guidance of the lever arms between the two annular disks can be realized in different ways.
Thus, the guide elements could be designed and constructed as cover plates that guide the lever arms.
These cover plates would have to be constructed and arranged such that they allow a pivotal and a tilting movement of the guide elements. Accordingly, a corresponding play is to be provided.
Likewise, it would be possible to design and construct the guide elements -- in a quite advantageous manner -- as pins engaging guide slots of the lever arms, thereby defining -- per se -- a pivotal movement of the lever arms. Since the guide elements engage guide slots formed lengthwise in the lever arms, it is possible to move the pivoting axis -- as defined by the guide elements.

" CA 02297217 2000-O1-26 As regards a simple actuation of the expanding attachment, it will be of advantage, when the annular disks comprise gripping regions on their outer edge for a better handling. These gripping regions could be profilings in the outside wall of the annular disks. In particular when the expanding attachment is intended for actuation by persons with limited function of their fingers, it would be possible to provide special actuation mechanisms. To this extent, the annular disks could be oppositely rotatable, in response to pressure, by means of a rotational/pressure mechanism surrounding same, whereby a linear movement is converted into a rotational movement of the annular disks. Thus, the person using the expanding attachment would have to insert only the expanding fingers into the orifice of the condom and to compress the rotational/pressure mechanism from the outside, thereby rotating the annular disks oppositely to each other and moving the expanding fingers to an annular arrangement with a larger radius. It should be possible to lock the expanding fingers in this position.
In particular in view of a simple constructional configuration, it will be of advantage, when each annular disk comprises an eye jointed to its outer edge for actuating the expanding ring in the fashion of scissors. To this extent, it would be possible to operate the expanding attachment like a pair of scissors. One would have to insert only two fingers into the eyes and perform a cutting movement or a compression of the eyes. In this instance, it will be quite especially advantageous, when the expanding attachment is adapted for being secured in each angular position of the annular disks, i.e., in each position of the expanding fingers, to have both hands available g for hygienic treatment and subsequent catheterization.
To this end, the expanding device could be designed and constructed preferably as a spring-biased, self-locking system, so that a contraction of the orifice of the condom can occur exclusively by a deliberately caused, opposite movement of the annular disks.
As previously mentioned, the expanding attachment is a tool or aid for multiple or permanent use. Insofar it will be of advantage, when the expanding attachment consists of a sterilizable material, such as, for example, metal or even stainless steel. Likewise, however, it is possible to make the expanding attachment substantially of plastic. In this instance, a plastic that can be processed by the injection molding technique will be especially suitable from a manufacturing viewpoint.
A further essential part of the device for the combined drainage of urine and catheterization is the condom with the orifice in its front region, which is provided in a quite especially advantageous manner with a reinforcement bead for avoiding unwanted tearing. As a.n alternative or in addition, the region of the condom around the orifice could be made thicker, so that likewise to this extent an unwanted tearing is effectively avoided when engaging the expanding attachment.
A third essential part of the device in accordance with the invention is a connector, which is used for draining urine between catheterization phases and for releasing the orifice of the condom for catheterization. This connector comprises an insertion member that is insertable through the orifice of the condom, and comes to lie against the inside wall of the condom around the orifice, and a clamping member that can be pressed from the outside against the insertion member, thereby ensuring a leakproof connection of the urine drainage system to the condom. The clamping member could be pressed against the insertion member under the bias of a spring force.
Furthermore, for a material-protecting connection to the condom, it will be quite especially advantageous, when the insertion member comprises on its insertion side a nose and a contact surface that conically widens toward its free end for contacting the inside wall of the condom. In a corresponding manner, the clamping member could comprise a clamping surface approximately complementary thereto, or a clamping ring, or an annular clamping bead. In the case of two surfaces, it is desired that same extends parallel or slightly slope toward each other.
On its connection side, the insertion member could comprise a connection adapter for inserting a line, preferably constructed as a hose, which leads to the urine collector. In a corresponding manner, the clamping member could be slipped over the connection adapter onto the insertion member. In this instance, the clamping member could be adapted for moving away from its clamping position on the contact surface against the force of an elastic means, preferably against the force of a spring.
Based on the foregoing construction, the connector could comprise an actuation element for releasing the clamping member, with the actuation element counteracting the spring force.
With respect to its above-described function, the connector could comprise a closing element that is actuatable from the outside, so that it is possible to block the flow through the connector. A closing of the connector could be desired, if the hose is to be pulled off the connection adapter. In any event, the arrangement of a closing element increases the flexibility of the system quite considerably.
5 It would likewise be possible to make the connector substantially of a metal, preferably a high-quality stainless steel. In any event, this would favor a hygienic handling of the connector. Likewise, however, it is easily possible to make the connector 10 substantially of plastic, preferably of a plastic that can be processed by the injection molding technique, thereby enabling a cost-favorable manufacture by way of injection molding.
There exist various possibilities of improving and further developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. To this end, reference is made on the one hand to the dependent claims, on the other hand to the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing. In conjunction with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and further developments of the teaching are also explained. In the drawing:
Figures 1-12 are each a schematic view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention for a combined drainage of urine and catheterization of incontinent male persons, namely of individual steps in the course of the handling from the separation of a connector from an applied condom, via the handling of an expanding attachment, via the catheterization, to the closing of an orifice of the condom by reattaching the connector for a subsequent drainage of urine;

Figure 13 is a schematic top view of an embodiment of an expanding attachment;
Figure 14 is a schematic sectional side view of the subject matter of Figure 13;
Figure 15 is a schematic top of the subject matter of Figure 13 with extended expanding fingers;
Figure 16 is a schematic sectional side view of the subject matter of Figure 15;
Figure 17 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a connector;
Figure 18 is a schematic, partially sectioned side view of the subject matter of Figure 17 rotated by 90°; and Figure 19 is a front view of the subject matter of Figures 17 and 18.
Figures 1-12 illustrate the use of a device according to the invention for a combined drainage of urine and catheterization of incontinent male persons, in particular paraplegic males. The device comprises a condom 2 that has an orifice 1 in its front region, and is attached to.the penis body 3 by an adhesive. At the orifice 1 of the condom 2 a connector 4 is provided for a releasable connection to a urine collector not shown in the Figures. A catheter 5 is used., for self-catheterization by the patient. Before doing so, it is necessary to remove the connector 4, and clean and disinfect a glans 6.
In accordance with the invention, an expanding attachment 7 is provided, which serves to stretch the orifice 1 of condom 2. With the aid of expanding attachment 7, it is possible to stretch the orifice 1 so far as to permit sliding the condom 2 from the orifice 1, together with the expanding attachment 7, over the g7ans 6 and at least over a portion of the penis body 3 toward the patient's body.
Figure 1 shows the position of the connector 4 joined to the orifice 1 of condom 2, to which a hose 8 connects that leads to a urine collector not shown.
In an annular adhesive region 9, the condom 2 is attached to the penis body 3 in a reflux-proof manner by means of an adhesive.
According to the illustration of Figure 2, the connector 4 is removed from the orifice 1 of condom 2, so that orifice 1 is exposed.
Figures 3 and 4 show the condition shortly before applying the expanding attachment 7, with the orifice 1 still being exposed.
According to the illustration of Figure 5, the expanding attachment 7 with a plurality of expanding fingers 10 is inserted into the orifice 1.
By actuating the expanding attachment 7, the expanding fingers 10 are moved apart from one another and stretch orifice 1 so far that it is possible to slide back the expanded orifice 1 and, thus, the front region of condom 2, together with the expanding attachment 7, over the plans 6 along the penis body 3 toward the body. According to the illustration of Figure 7, after this procedure, the plans 6 is exposed and can be hygienically treated or disinfected. As further indicated in Figure 7, catheterization by means of a catheter 5 is possible after exposing plans 6 and treating it hygienically.
Figure 8 shows a subsequent situation, in which the expanding attachment 7 is again pulled forward over the plans 6, with the orifice 1 however remaining still stretched by means of expanding fingers 10. By actuating the expanding attachment 7, the expanding fingers 10 move toward the center, thereby relieving the condom 2 in the region of orifice 1.
After a total retraction of the expanding fingers according to Figure 9, it is possible to remove the expanding attachment 7, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, so that it is possible to reinsert the connector 4 with urine drainage hose 8 into orifice 1 and to secure it there in leakproof manner, as finally shown in Figure 12.
Figures 13-16 show in detail an embodiment of an expanding attachment 7, wherein the previously mentioned expanding fingers 10 are coaxially arranged in an annular shape. To stretch orifice 1 of the condom 2, it i~ possible to move expanding fingers 10 apart from one another to a larger radius, as shown in particular in Figures 15 and 16. Figures 13 and 16 show jointly that the expanding fingers 10 can be moved apart from and toward one another in the fashion of a diaphragm.
As can be noted from Figures 14 and 16, the expanding fingers extend orthogonally from the expanding attachment 7, and are jointed to the expanding attachment by means of a lever arrangement.
Concretely, each expanding finger 10 is stationarily connected to a pivoting lever arm 11, with the lever arrangement ard, thus, the lever arms 11 extending between two annular disks 12, and the annular disks 12 oppositely engaging guide elements 13, and being interconnected for rotation.
Figures 13-16 show especially clearly that the lever arms 11 are pivotally jointed to one of the annular disks 12 and guided on the other annular disk 12 by guide elements, which are pins 14 that engage guide slots 15 in lever arms 11.

By oppositely rotating annular disks 12, the lever arms 11 are pivoted, thereby displacing in turn expanding fingers 10 from an annular arrangement with a small radius, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, to an annular arrangement with a larger radius, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, and vice versa.
As further indicated in Figures 13-16, each annular disk 12 comprises an eye 17 jointed to its outer edge 16 for actuating the expanding attachment 7 in the fashion of scissors. With the eyes 17 spaced apart as shown: in Figures 13 and 14, the expanding fingers 10 are in their inner position. With abutting eyes 17, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the expanding fingers 10 are moved apart from one another for stretching orifice 1.
Figures 17, 18, and 19 show in detail a further, essential part of the device according to the invention, namely connector 4 which is used for connecting to the urine collector not shown. This connector 4 comprises an insertion member 18 that can be inserted through orifice 1 to come to lie against the inside wall of condom 2 around orifice 1, and a clamping member 19 that can be pressed from the outside against insertion member 18. The clamping member 19 can be pressed against insertion member 18 under the bias of an elastic force. Such an arrangement is omitted in Figures 17-19 for the sake of simplicity.
As jointly shown in Figures 17 and 18, the insertion member 18 comprises on the insertion side a contact surface that conically widens toward the free end for contacting the inside wall of condom 2, and the clamping member 19 has a clamping edge 21, which may here be an approximately complementary clamping surface. In the selected embodiment, the clamping edge " CA 02297217 2000-O1-26 IS
21 serves to clamp the edge region around the orifice 1.
As further shown in Figures 18 and 19, the insertion member 18 comprises a lead-in nose 22, which facilitates entering or inserting the insertion member 18 into orifice 1 due to its noselike configuration.
As furthermore jointly shown in Figures 17 and 18, the insertion member 18 comprises on its connection side a connection adapter 23 for receiving the hose 8 that leads to the urine collector not shown.
Finally, as can be noted from Figures l7-19, the clamping member 19 is slid onto insertion member 18. Against the force of an elastic means not shown, it is possible to move the clamping member 19 away from its clamping position on contact surface 20. To this end, the connector 4 comprises an actuating element 24 for releasing or actuating clamping member 19. As regards further details, the general description of the specification is herewith incorporated by reference for purposes of avoiding repetitions.
Lastly, it should quite explicitly be referred to the fact that the foregoing embodiment serves only t~ explain the claimed teaching, but without limiting same to the embodiment.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS.

1. Device for a combined drainage of urine and catheterization of incontinent male persons, in particular in the case of paraplegia, with a condom (2) having an orifice (1) in its front region and being adapted for adhering to a penis body (3), a connector (4) adapted for connecting in leakproof manner to the orifice (1) of the condom (2) and detachably connecting to a urine collector, and a catheter (5), wherein the connector (4) is to be removed for catheterization, characterized by an expanding attachment (7) designed and constructed as an expanding ring and serving to stretch the orifice (1) of the condom (2), the expanding attachment (7) assisting in stretching the orifice (1) so far that the condom (2) can be slipped, together with the expanding attachment (7), from the orifice (1) over a glans (6) and at least over a portion of the penis body (3) toward the body, wherein the expanding attachment (7) comprises expanding fingers (10) arranged approximately coaxially in an annular shape for insertion into the unstretched orifice (1) of the condom (2), and wherein the expanding fingers (10) are adapted for moving apart from one another for stretching the orifice (1) to a larger radius.
4. Device of claim 3, characterized in that the expanding fingers (10) are adapted for moving apart from and toward one another in the fashion of a diaphragm.
5, Device of claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the expanding fingers (10) project from the expanding attachment (7) approximately orthogonally, and that they are jointed via a lever arrangement to the expanding attachment (7).
6. Device of one of claims 3-5, characterized in that each expanding finger (10) is rigidly connected to a pivoting lever arm (11).
7. Device of one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the expanding attachment (7) comprises two oppositely rotatable annular disks (12).
8. Device of claim 7, characterized in that the annular disks (12) oppositely engage guide elements (13) and are rotatably interconnected.
9. Device of claim 8, characterized in that the rotational connection is produced by locking elements, detents, snap rings, or the like.
10. Device of one of claims 6-9, characterized in that the lever arrangement and, thus, the lever arms (11) extend between the annular disks (12).
11. Device of claim 10, characterized in that the lever arms (11) are jointed for pivoting to one of the annular disks (12) and guided by guide elements on the other annular disk (12), so that the lever arms (11) are pivoted by oppositely rotating the annular disks (12), and that in so doing, the expanding fingers (10) are displaceable from an annular arrangement with a small diameter to an annular arrangement with a larger diameter, and vice versa.
12. Device of claim 11, characterized in that the guide elements are designed and constructed as cover plates that guide the lever arms (11).
13. Device of claim 11, characterized in that the guide elements are designed and constructed as pins (14) engaging guide slots (15) in lever arms (11).
14. Device of one of claims 7-13, characterized in that the annular disks (12) comprise on their outer edge (16) gripping regions for a better handling.
15. Device of one of claims 7-13, characterized in that in response to pressure, the annular disks (12) are oppositely rotatable by way of a rotational/pressure mechanism surrounding same.
16. Device of one of claims 7-13, characterized in that each annular disk (12) comprises an eye (17) jointed to the outer edge (16) for actuating the expanding attachment (7) in the fashion of a pair of scissors.
17. Device of one of claims 7-16, characterized in that the expanding attachment (7) can be locked in position in any angular position of the annular disks (12), i.e., in any position of the expanding fingers (10).
18. Device of claim 17, characterized in that the expanding attachment (7) is designed and constructed preferably as a spring biased, self-locking system.
19. Device of one of claims 1-18, characterized in that the expanding attachment (7) is made substantially of metal, preferably stainless steel.
20. Device of one of claims 1-18, characterized in that the expanding attachment (7) is made substantially of plastic, preferably by the injection molding technique.
21. Device of one of claims 1-20, characterized in that the orifice (10 of the condom (2) is provided with a reinforcement bead.
22. Device of claim 21, characterized in that the region of the condom (2) surrounding the orifice (1) is made thicker.
23. Device of one of claims 1-22, characterized in that the connector (4) comprises an insertion member (18) adapted for insertion through the orifice (1), and abutting the inside wall of the condom (2) around the orifice (1), and a clamping member (19) that can be pressed from the outside against the insertion member (18).

24. Device of claim 23, characterized in that the clamping member (19) presses against the insertion member (18) under the bias of an elastic force.
25. Device of claim 23 or 24, characterized in that on the insertion side the insertion member (18) comprises a contact surface (20) that conically widens toward the free end, for contacting the inside wall of the condom (2), and that the clamping member (19) comprises a clamping surface or a clamping edge (21) approximately complementary thereto.
26. Device of one of claims 23-25, characterized in that on the connection side the insertion member (18) comprises a connection adapter (23) for receiving a line preferably in the form of a hose (8) leading to the urine collector.
27. Device of claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the clamping member (19) is slipped over the insertion member (18).
28. Device of one of claims 23-27, characterized in that the clamping member (19) can be moved away from its clamping position on the contact surface against the force of an elastic means, preferably against the force of a spring.
29. Device of one of claims 23-28, characterized in that the connector (4) comprises an actuation element (24) for releasing the clamping member (19).

30. Device of claim 29, characterized in that the actuation element (24) counteracts the elastic force.
31. Device of one of claims 23-30, characterized in that the connector (4) comprises an externally actuatable closing element.
32. Device of one of claims 23-31, characterized in that the connector (4) is made substantially of metal, preferably a high-quality stainless steel.
33. Device of one of claims 23-31, characterized in that the connector (4) is made substantially of plastic, preferably by the injection molding technique.