GB2535498A

GB2535498A - Pivotable cover

Info

Publication number: GB2535498A
Application number: GB1502737.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Zislin Alex; Segev Michael; Toolan Martin; Plut Roman
Original assignee: Abbott Ireland Ltd; Elcam Medical ACAL
Current assignee: Abbott Ireland Ltd; Elcam Medical ACAL
Priority date: 2015-02-18
Filing date: 2015-02-18
Publication date: 2016-08-24
Also published as: GB201502737D0

Abstract

A medical connector including a connector housing 100, at least one port 104 connected to the connector housing 100 and at least one port cover 150 pivotably engageable with the at least one port 104. The port 104 may be integrally formed with the connecter housing 100. There may be a pivot axle 138 fixed with respect to port 140, which may be integrally formed with either port 104 or housing 100. The cover 104 may include an axle engagement portion 152. The at least one port 104 may be a luer port and/or may be a male or female port.

Description

PIVOTABLE COVER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to medical connectors generally and more particularly to medical connectors having luer ports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are known various types of medical connectors having luer ports which include removable covers. A problem has been noted with such removable covers in that they may become lost or easily contaminated and may be ingested by children.

Various solutions to this problem have been proposed, examples of which appear in the following prior art documents: US4,508,236; US4,963, I 32; US5,098,4I 0; US5, I 44,972; US5,382,242; US5,385,372.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved medical connector having a port cover.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a medical connector including a connector housing, at least one port connected to the connector housing and at least one port cover pivotably engageable with the at least one port.

Preferably, the at least one port is integrally formed with the connector housing.

Further preferably, the at least one pivot axle fixed with respect to the at least one port.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one pivot axle is integrally formed with at least one of the connector housing and the at least one port.

Preferably, the at least one port cover includes a pivot axle engagement portion for pivotable engagement with the at least one pivot axle.

Further preferably, the at least one port includes a luer port.

Still further preferably, the at least one port includes a male port.

Alternatively, the at least one port includes a female port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a simplified pictorial exploded view illustration of a stopcock constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E are respective pictorial, bottom planar view, front planar view, side planar view and sectional simplified illustrations of a stopcock housing forming part of the stopcock of Fig. I, Fig. 2E being taken along the lines E -E in Fig. 2A; Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are respective pictorial, bottom planar view, front planar view and sectional simplified illustrations of a port cover forming part of the stopcock of Fig. 1, Fig. 3D being taken along the lines D -D in Fig. 3A; Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C are simplified pictorial and sectional illustrations of the stopcock of Figs. 1 -3D in an uncovered operative orientation, Figs. 4B and 4C being taken along respective lines B -B and C -C in Fig. 4A; Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C are simplified pictorial and sectional illustrations of the stopcock of Figs. 1 -3D in a covered operative orientation, Figs. 5B and 5C being taken along respective lines B -B and C -C in Fig. 5A; Fig. 6 is a simplified pictorial exploded view illustration of a stopcock constructed and operative in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E are respective pictorial, bottom planar view, front planar view, side planar view and sectional simplified illustrations of a stopcock housing forming part of the stopcock of Fig. 6, Fig. 7E being taken along the lines E -E in Fig. 7A; Figs. 8A, 8B and 8C are simplified pictorial and sectional illustrations of the stopcock of Figs. 6 -7E and Figs. 3A -3D in an uncovered operative orientation, Figs. 8B and 8C being taken along respective lines B -B and C -C in Fig. 8A; Figs. 9A, 9B and 9C are simplified pictorial and sectional illustrations of the stopcock of Figs. 6 -7E and Figs. 3A -3D in a covered operative orientation, Figs. 9B and 9C being taken along respective lines B -B and C -C in Fig. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which is a simplified pictorial exploded view illustration of a stopcock constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and to Figs. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E, which are respective pictorial, bottom planar view, front planar view, side planar view and sectional simplified illustrations of a stopcock housing forming part of the stopcock of Fig. 1, Fig. 2E being taken along the lines E -E in Fig. 2A.

As seen in Fig. 1, the stopcock preferably comprises a stopcock housing 100 typically including three ports 102, 104 and 106. Stopcock housing defines a generally cylindrical chamber 110 communicating with ports 102, 104 and 106, which cooperates with a selectable flow connector element 120 having a handle portion 122, preferably integrally formed with a flow connector portion 124, for connecting port 102 selectably with either of ports 104 and 106, according to the azimuthal position of the handle portion 122 with respect to an axis 126 of cylindrical chamber 110.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that an axis 130 is defined by an axis defining portion 132 associated with at least one port of the stopcock housing 100, in the illustrated example, port 104. The axis defining portion preferably comprises a collar portion 134 which surrounds part of port 104 and is preferably integrally formed therewith, although it could alternatively be a separate part, fixed or fixable thereto. Preferably, collar portion 134 is integrally formed with an intermediate transverse portion 136 which terminates in a pivot axle 138, which extends in parallel to axis 130. A pivot axis 140 of pivot axle 138 and axis 130 of port 104 are preferably mutually spaced and mutually parallel.

It is a further particular feature of the present invention that a cover element 150 is pivotably mounted onto pivot axle 138 for selectable covering engagement with port 104. Pivot axle preferably includes a widened portion 151 for retaining rotational engagement with cover element 150. Preferably cover element 150 includes a socket or a throughgoing bore 152 for accommodating pivot axle 138 in rotatable, retained engagement therewith. Cover element 150 also preferably comprises a cover portion 154 having a port rim engagement surface 156 and a partially circumferential side wall portion 158, depending from cover portion 154 and defining an opening 160 arranged to allow passage of the outer end of port 104 therethrough as cover element 150 is pivoted about pivot axis 140 into and out of covering engagement with port 104. It is noted that a corner 162 of wall portion 158 adjacent opening 160 resiliently extends radially inwardly. The purpose of this structure is to removably retain the cover element 150 in covering engagement with port 104. Partially circumferential side wall portion 158 is preferably provided with a plurality of gripping protrusions 164 on an outer facing surface thereof.

Reference is now made to Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, which are respective pictorial, bottom planar view, front planar view and sectional simplified illustrations of a port cover forming part of the stopcock of Fig. 1, Fig. 3D being taken along the lines D D in Fig. 3A. It is noted, particularly with respect to Fig. 3B, that port rim engagement surface 156 is formed with a venting channel 166. it is also noted, particularly with respect to Fig. 3E, that throughgoing bore 152 is formed with an undercut 168 which cooperates with widened portion 151 of pivot axle 138 to retain cover element 150 in rotatable engagement with the pivot axle 138. The location of the undercut 168 and the location of the widened portion 151 along pivot axis 140 are selected to ensure touching engagement between the outer rim of port 104 and port rim engagement surface 156 when the cover element 150 is in port covering engagement therewith.

Reference is now made to Figs. 4A -4C, which are simplified pictorial and sectional illustrations of the stopcock of Figs. 1 -3D in an uncovered operative orientation, Figs. 4B and 4C being taken along respective lines B -B and C -C in Fig. 4A and to Figs. SA, 5B and 5C, which are simplified pictorial and sectional illustrations of the stopcock of Figs. 1 -3D in a covered operative orientation, Figs. 5B and SC being taken along respective lines B -B and C -C in Fig. 5A.

By comparing Figs SA -SC with Figs. 4A -4C, it is seen that the cover element 150 is rotated in a clockwise direction in the sense of Figs. 4A & 5A from a port uncovered operative orientation as seen in Figs. 4A -4C to a port covered operative orientation as seen in Figs. 5A -5C. It is noted that the outer diameter of collar portion 134 is generally same as the inner diameter of wall portion 158, such that as seen clearly in Fig. 5C, when the cover element 150 is in port rim covering engagement with port 104, the collar portion 134 fits snugly within wall portion 158. This snug fit is enhanced by the provision of resilient corner 162 of wall portion 158 adjacent opening 160, which, as noted above, resiliently extends radially inwardly to removably retain the cover element 150 in covering engagement with port 104.

Reference is now made to Fig. 6, which is a simplified pictorial exploded view illustration of a stopcock constructed and operative in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention and to Figs. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E, which are respective pictorial, bottom planar view, front planar view, side planar view and sectional simplified illustrations of a stopcock housing forming part of the stopcock of Fig. 6, Fig. 7E being taken along the lines E -E in Fig. 7A.

As seen in Fig. 6, the stopcock preferably comprises a stopcock housing 200 typically including one female luer port 202 and two male luer ports 204 and 206. Stopcock housing defines a generally cylindrical chamber 210 communicating with ports 202, 204 and 206, which cooperates with a selectable flow connector element 220 having a handle portion 222, preferably integrally formed with a flow connector portion 224, for connecting port 202 selectably with either of ports 204 and 206, according to the azimuthal position of the handle portion 222 with respect to an axis 226 of cylindrical chamber 210.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that an axis 230 is defined by an axis defining portion 232 associated with at least one port of the stopcock housing 200, in the illustrated example, port 206. The axis defining portion 232 preferably comprises a collar portion 234 which surrounds part of port 206 and is preferably integrally formed therewith, although it could alternatively be a separate part, fixed or fixable thereto. Preferably, collar portion 234 is integrally formed with an intermediate transverse portion 236 which terminates in a pivot axle 238, which extends in parallel to axis 230. A pivot axis 240 of pivot axle 238 and axis 230 of port 206 are preferably mutually spaced and mutually parallel.

It is a further particular feature of the present invention that a cover element 250, which is preferably identical to cover 150, is pivotably mounted onto pivot axle 238 for selectable covering engagement with port 206. Pivot axle 238 preferably includes a widened portion 251 for retaining rotational engagement with cover element 250. Preferably cover element 250 includes a socket or a throughgoing bore 152 for accommodating pivot axle 238 in rotatable, retained engagement therewith. Cover element 250 also preferably comprises a cover portion 154 having a port rim engagement surface 156 and a partially circumferential side wall portion 158, depending from cover portion 154 and defining an opening 160 arranged to allow passage of the outer end of port 206 therethrough as cover element 250 is pivoted about pivot axis 240 into and out of covering engagement with port 206. It is noted that a corner 162 of wall portion 158 adjacent opening 160 resiliently extends radially inwardly. The purpose of this structure is to removably retain the cover element 250 in covering engagement with port 206. Partially circumferential side wall portion 158 is preferably provided with a plurality of gripping protrusions 164 on an outer facing surface thereof.

Reference is now made to Figs. 8A -8C, which are simplified pictorial and sectional illustrations of the stopcock of Figs. 6 -7E and Figs. 3A -3D in an uncovered operative orientation, Figs. 8B and 8C being taken along respective lines B -B and C -C in Fig. 8A and to Figs. 9A -9C, which are simplified pictorial and sectional illustrations of the stopcock of Figs. 6 -7E and Figs. 3A -3D in a covered operative orientation, Figs. 9B and 9C being taken along respective lines B -B and C -C in Fig. 9A.

It is noted, particularly with respect to Figs. 8B & 8C, as described in detail hereinabove with reference to Figs. 3A -3E, that port rim engagement surface 156 of cover 250 is formed with a venting channel 166. It is also noted that throughgoing bore 152 is formed with an undercut 168 which cooperates with widened portion 251 of pivot axle 238 to retain cover element 250 in rotatable engagement with the pivot axle 238. The location of the undercut 168 and the location of the widened portion 251 along pivot axis 240 are selected to ensure touching engagement between the outer rim of port 206 and port rim engagement surface 156 when the cover element 250 is in port covering engagement therewith.

By comparing Figs 9A -9C with Figs. 8A -8C, it is seen that the cover element 250 is rotated in a clockwise direction, in the sense of Figs. 8A & 9A, from a port uncovered operative orientation as seen in Figs. 8A -8C to a port covered operative orientation as seen in Figs. 9A -9C. It is noted that the outer diameter of collar portion 234 is generally same as the inner diameter of wall portion 158, such that, as seen clearly in Fig. 9C, when the cover element 250 is in port rim covering engagement with port 206, the collar portion 234 fits snugly within wall portion 158. This snug fit is enhanced by the provision of resilient corner 162 of wall portion 158 adjacent opening 160, which, as noted above, resiliently extends radially inwardly to removably retain the cover element 250 in covering engagement with port 206.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes also combinations and subcombinations of various features described and shown hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which are not in the prior art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A medical connector comprising: a connector housing; at least one port connected to said connector housing; and at least one port cover pi votably engageable with said at least one port.
2. A medical connector according to claim I and wherein said at least one port is integrally formed with said connector housing.
3. A medical connector according to either of claims 1 and 2 and comprising at least one pivot axle fixed with respect to said at least one port.
4. A medical connector according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said at least one pivot axle is integrally formed with at least one of said connector housing and said at least one port.
5. A medical connector according to either of claims 3 and 4 and wherein said at least one port cover includes a pivot axle engagement portion for pivotable engagement with said at least one pivot axle.
6. A medical connector according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said at least one port comprises a liter port.
7. A medical connector according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said at least one port comprises a male port.
8. A medical connector according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said at least one port comprises a female port.Amendments to the claims have been made as follows:CLAIMS1. A medical connector comprising: a connector housing; at least one port connected to said connector housing; an axis defining portion associated with said at least one port, said axis defining portion including a collar portion that is integrally formed with said at least one port, said collar portion being integrally formed with a pivot axle; and at least one port cover pivotably mounted onto said pivot axle for selectable covering engagement with said at least one port.2. A medical connector according to claim 1 and wherein said at least one port is integrally formed with said connector housing.3. A medical connector according to either of claims 1 and 2, wherein the at (r) least one pivot axle is fixed with respect to said at least one port.N*** 4. A medical connector according to any of the preceding claims and CD wherein said at least one pivot axle is integrally formed with at least one of said connector housing and said at least one port.O5. A medical connector according to either of claims 3 and 4 and wherein said at least one port cover includes a pivot axle engagement portion for pivotable engagement with said at least one pivot axle.6. A medical connector according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said at least one port comprises a luer port.7. A medical connector according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said at least one port comprises a male port.8. A medical connector according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said at least one port comprises a female port.