Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
  • B29C65/7802—Positioning the parts to be joined, e.g. aligning, indexing or centring
• • 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
  • A61M39/10—Tube connectors; Tube couplings
  • A61M39/16—Tube connectors; Tube couplings having provision for disinfection or sterilisation
  • A61M39/18—Methods or apparatus for making the connection under sterile conditions, i.e. sterile docking
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
  • B29C65/7841—Holding or clamping means for handling purposes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
  • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
  • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
  • B29C66/52—Joining tubular articles, bars or profiled elements
  • B29C66/522—Joining tubular articles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
  • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
  • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
  • B29L2031/7148—Blood bags, medical bags
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
  • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
  • B29L2031/753—Medical equipment; Accessories therefor
  • B29L2031/7542—Catheters

Definitions

• peritoneal dialysis and particularly continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) it is well known that extra effort must be exerted to maintain aseptic conditions during the course of the procedure in which peritoneal dialysis solution is passed into the peritoneal cavity and thereafter removed from the peritoneal cavity.
• Typical peritoneal dialysis procedures require disconnection and reconnection of a connector which terminates a set communicating with the interior of the peritoneal catheter and connectors on various bags or other containers of peritoneal dialysis solution. The slightest touch of a critical portion of the connector with a contaminated surface is believed to create a significant risk of peritonitis to the patient.
• Steri-Track device which has been used and which is described in an article entitled “CAPD for the Blind” from the periodical Nephrology Nurse, March/April 1981 pp. 53-54.
• This device is a self-contained, portable device. When doing bag exchanges, a fresh bag of dialysate is
• VATIO placed into a stationary end of a holder.
• the protective tab of the bag is removed, and a spike is taken from the discharge bag and fitted into the grooves of a movable plate.
• the patient now manipulates the sliding plate toward the bag with the result that the spike will plunge into the port of the bag with alleged 98 percent probability.
• an apparatus into which the transfer set for peritoneal dialysis or the like, while connected with the bag of spent dialysis solution, can be loaded into the device without breaking of the connection. Thereafter, the breaking of the connection and the making of the new connection can be done in a positive, mechanical manner while the patient can keep his hands entirely away from all of the connectors, so that the chance of accidental contamination by even a blind patient is greatly reduced.
• an apparatus for removing a first connector from a second connector and reconnecting the first connector with a third connector.
• the apparatus is contemplated for use in changing peritoneal dialysis solution bag connections, while providing added assurance that the user does not accidentally contaminate the connectors during the bag-changing process.
• the apparatus of this invention comprises first, second, and third retention means for respectively carrying first, second, and third connectors.
• Platform means are provided for carrying the first, second and third retention means, and track means on the platform means are present for permitting controlled movement of the first retention means along the track means between a first position permitting disconnection between the first and second connectors and a second position permitting connection between the first and third connectors, when the first, second, and third connectors are respectively carried in the first, second, and third retention means.
• the track means typically may comprise separate forward and rear segments. Means may be provided for movably retaining the first retention means in the forward and rear segments. Each of the forward and rear segments may include first and second end portions which are straight, and respectively parallel to the axis of a second connector and a third connector carried in the second and third retention means. As the result of this, the first retention means moves into and out of its first and second positions in a direction parallel to the carried second and third connectors.
• the rear segments of the track means may define an arcuate track portion between its straight end portions, while the forward segment may be V-shaped.
• the first retention means may also carry handle and rotatable gear means, while toothed rack means engaging the gear means may be defined along the track means as a part thereof, to permit positive, mechanically controlled movement of the first retention means along the track means.
• the handle and rotatable gear means may carry a flexible cable member, for connection to a port protector
• Gripping jaws may be provided on the third retention means to grip and transversely press third connectors carried by the third retention means.
• This has particular advantage for alignment purposes when the connectors are respectively spikes and sleeves adapted for receiving the spike.
• the first connector may be a spike while the second and third connectors are flexible plastic sleeves of typically conventional design adapted for receiving the spike in sealing manner for connection with the contents of solution bags.
• the spike will typically have a point on it. In the specific embodiment the point is positioned downwardly. Accordingly, the jaws can squeeze the sleeve which is the target for reconnection with the spike, to, in the specific embodiment, vertically elongate the inner area of the lumen of the spike.
• Means may also be provided to open the gripping jaws as the first retention means moves into the second position, by means of a cam or the like. As. the result of this, the gripping jaws cannot engage a first connector carried in the first retention means, since the jaws are forced open as the first connector comes within range. Also, this means that the third connector can be easily removed from third retention means after connection with the first connector, since the jaws are open in that circumstance.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of this invention in which a peritoneal set in connection with the peritoneal cavity of a patient and two peritoneal dialysis solution bags are emplaced on the apparatus for changing of connection from one bag to another.
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of this invention in a position midway between disconnection of the first and second connectors and connection of the first and third connectors.
• Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the apparatus in its position connecting the first and third connectors.
• Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the device, shown in the position of Figure 1.
• Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the device, shown in the position of Figure 3.
• Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 4, with certain portions removed for clarity.
• Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 4.
• Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 5.
• FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 5, showing how jaws 52 are opened when the first retention means moves into the second position.
• apparatus 10 of this application comprising a platform member 12 of milled plastic which defines forward track segment 14 which may be of V shape and rear track segment 16.
• First retention means 18 is shown to comprise a plate upon which a retainer 20 is positioned for holding a conventional spike connector 22 of a peritoneal dialysis set 24, which may be of a design as currently sold by Travenol Laborato ies, Inc. of Deerfield, Illinois.
• Spike connector 22 can fit into slot 26 of retainer 20, also defining transverse slot 28 for receiving a flange 30 of the spike connector.
• Second retention means 32 is also provided, being fixed in position on platform 12 in a position so that port 34 of solution bag 36 can project through slot 38.
• the width of slot 38 may be proportioned so that port 34 fits through with a relatively tight fit in a conventional design of solution bag sold by Travenol Laboratories, Inc, where port 34 defines an outer tube of lesser inner diameter than an inner tube which holds the outer tube. Thus the inner tube of slightly larger inner diameter cannot pass through slot 38. This provides stability against longitudinal motion as spike 22 is withdrawn from port 34.
• Port 34 may be closed with a conventional CAPD gripper clamp member 40, of a design sold by Travenol
• Bag gripper member 40 may be of the design disclosed in U.S. Patent
• OMPI No. 4,227,730 carrying a flange 44, and transverse slot and bevel 46 may be provided to receive flange 44. This also provides further longitudinal stability to port 34 for ease of removal of spike 22.
• Third retention means 48 is also provided, being fixed to platform 12, and is shown to carry third connector 50, which in this embodiment is a tube for receiving spike 22 being attached to fresh solution bag 53.
• Connector 50 is also closed with another bag gripper clamp 40a, which may be of similar design to bag gripper 40. Alternatively, other kinds of clamps or closures may be used as desired in lieu of bag grippers 40, 40a.
• Third retention means 48 carries a pair of spring jaws 52 which may be a one-piece connection through spring members 54 to the remainder of third retention means 48.
• the purpose of jaws 52 is to properly position port 50, and also press on the end of port 50, which may be made out of flexible plastic, to slightly elongate its inner diameter in the vertical direction. Since the tip of spike 22 has a point which is typically positioned in the downward postion, jaws 52 can cause the inner diameter of port 50 to assume a slight vertical oval shape by the action of cut-outs 53. This improves the quality of port 50 as a target for connection with spike 22, providing greater reliability of connection.
• jaws 52 may be designed to hold tubing 50 in a round configuration, rather than an oval one.
• First retention means 18 carries a pair of pins 56, 58, each of which operate respectively in the grooves of track segments 14, 16.
• Pin 58 carries a rotatable gear 59 which engages with rack 55 and, in turn, pin 58 is connected to handle 60 carried on first retention means 18. Accordingly, as the operator rotates handle 60, gear 59 rotates, traveling along rack 55 and causing first retention means 18 to move.
• forward track segment 14 may be V shaped, having straight arms 41, 49.
• Rear track segment 16 on the other hand, may have end portions 43, 51 which are straight and an arcuate central section 45. Portions 41, 43 and portions 49, 51 are parallel to each other and to the axes respectively of second connector 34 and third connector 50, to permit first retention means 18 to move connector 22 in a colinear manner with the axis of each of connectors 34, 50 when in the proper track portion to do so, for ease of disconnection and reconnection of spike 22.
• Feet 63 may also be provided to platform 12. # Accordingly, the apparatus of this invention functions in the following manner:
• the system is set up in the manner of Figure 1.
• the patient has been wearing bag 36 connected to set 24 under his clothes for a few hours, while the dialysis solution from the bag occupies his peritoneal cavity.
• the connection between spike 22 and port 34 is protected by hinged casing 62 ( Figure 1), which may be of the design as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,340,052.
• hinged casing 62 can be removed.
• the user who up to this time has been able to handle every aspect of the system, withdraws his hands, touching only handle 60, and begins to rotate the handle.
• gear 59 rotates along rack 55, spike 22 is withdrawn from port 34, moving along straight
• first retention means 18 is advanced along parallel portions 49, 51
• Handle 60 may carry a flange 64 defining a series of slots 66 or other retention means for cable means 69, specifically shown as a chain.
• Chain 69 may carry a hook or other fastener 70 which may be initially set up to connect to a port protector of third connector 50 which must be removed before connection can be made.
• This system can be particularly effectively used with the design of port protector used on the peritoneal dialysis solution bags sold by Travenol, which is a plastic sleeve which is peeled off the end of third connector 50. Accordingly, after chain 69 is connected to the port protector 72 as handle 60 is rotated, chain 69 winds about the handle so that tension is applied to port protector 72 causing it to be removed.
• first retention means 18 carries a cam foot member 68 on pin 56 ( Figure 4).
• Figures 1, 4, 6 and 7 show the structure of this invention in its first position.
• cam 68 is withdrawn until it clears wall 69 of cutaway area 71, in which slot 14 resides, to permit cam 68 to be rotated.
• cam 68 can corresponding swing along wall 69, so that as retention member IS is moved into its second position as shown in Figures 3, 5, 8, and 9, cam 68 can occupy its new position as shown in Figure 5.
• cam member 68 slides rearwardly in cutaway area 71 until rear end 84 of cam foot 68 is positioned in rounded area 86 of cutaway area 71. As stated, retention means 18 is then rotated into alignment with arm 49 of forward track segment 14 and advanced to the configuration of Figures 3 and 5.
• wall portion 88 which with wall portion 90 defines and substantially surrounds circular portion 86 of cutaway area 71, prevents pin 56 from accidentally slipping again up arm 41 of V-shaped track section 14 as retention means 18 is attempted to be advanced up arm 49 into its second position * While cam foot 68 points toward arm 49, wall portion 88 prevents end 84 of cam foot 68 from moving in a direction that would permit pin 56 from moving in that undesired direction.
• jaws 52 are shown gripping port tube 50, with jaws 52 being biased together by the action of spring plungers 73. Accordingly, jaws 52 are constantly biased toward the closed position to force port 50 into its oval cross section, for the reasons described above. Plunger 70 rests between jaws 52, being secured within the structure by strap member 76.
• cam 68 As cam 68 is advanced to its second position ( Figures 5, 8, and 9), it passes between strap member 76 and plunger 70, moving plunger 70 upwardly as shown particularly in Figure 8, with the result that jaws 52 are forced open by the action of the tapered end 80 of plunger 70 operating on shoulders 82 of jaws 52, to force jaws 52 to open against the action of spring plungers 73, thereby releasing tube 50 from their grip.
• the visually impaired patient or a patient with hand tremors can safely use the device of this invention by himself to make safe changes of peritoneal dialysis solution bags, for independent maintenance of the dialysis patient at home.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
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• 1983
  • 1983-07-25 JP JP58502731A patent/JPS59501498A/ja active Pending
  • 1983-07-25 WO PCT/US1983/001144 patent/WO1984000895A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1983-07-25 EP EP19830902663 patent/EP0118474A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1983-07-25 AU AU18831/83A patent/AU1883183A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1983-08-19 CA CA000434934A patent/CA1214030A/en not_active Expired
  • 1983-08-31 IT IT22710/83A patent/IT1164430B/it active
  • 1983-09-08 ES ES525519A patent/ES8405623A1/es not_active Expired

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