MXPA97004237A - Med connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medical connector characterized in that it comprises: (a) a cylindrical body having an upper cavity and a lower cavity, the upper cavity has a valve seat at one end, b) a valve stem slidably mounted within of the upper cavity having a plug at one end adapted to fit in a sealed manner within the seat; c) a spring mounted around the stem to push the plug against the seat, thereby closing the valve; the stem at the end opposite the stopper to move the stem against spring thrust to move the stopper away from the seat by opening the valve e) a cylindrical extension mounted axially on the lower end of the body, defining an annular space between the outer surface of the extension and the inner surface of the lower cavity, f) threads on the inner surface of the lower cavity for coupling with a hermetic connector or male luer, and g) a rubber cover on the upper body that covers the operating medium

Description

MEDICAL CONNECTOR DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to medical connectors used in the introduction of liquids into patients by means of intravenous solutions. More particularly, the invention relates to a needleless connection for use with syringes or other apparatus having a standard luer lock type connection. It is a common practice in the treatment of patients, particularly patients who must be cared for under emergency conditions, to use medications introduced into the patient intravenously. An intravenous solution, commonly referred to as parenteral fluid, is fed from a container or an I.V. bag. through a pipe and a catheter, which has been inserted into the patient's vein. The catheter is secured to the patient by a strip of adhesive tape. The medication that is to be administered is usually added to the parenteral fluid through a Y connector in the tubing. The conventional practice has been to inject the fluid using a hypodermic syringe and a needle through a sealed inlet port on a Y connector in the tubing. Generally, the seal in the hole is a generic latex puncture pad, which for a limited number of uses, will reseal itself when the needle is i and irada. A problem with this conventional practice is that the needle can be loosened by pulling it from the sealed hole very easily. Another problem is stings with the needle. From time to time a nurse in an attempt to insert the needle into the hole, will accidentally sting with the needle. Although there is little risk of infection for the nurse, if the needle is new and sterile, the process may be slow until the needle has been replaced. Lopez et al in U.S. Patent 4,752,292 have presented a solution to the problem. The connector of López et al assumes that the needle connector can be easily attached to the source of the drug. When measured doses are necessary, the syringes most frequently used and the connector Lopez is not practical. It is an object of the present invention to provide a needleless connector for administering medication through a Y-connector of an I.V. In its simplest form, the present invention comprises a connector adapted to receive the syringe and having a valve for sealing the hole in place of a puncture pad. The valve comprises a rod with a plug at one end. The rod is deflected by a spring, in such a way that the plug is normally seated. When a syringe or other device having a male connection is coupled to the connector, the rod is depressed by opening the valve that allows the medicament to flow through the connector in the tubing and thus to the patient. The invention can be described as a connector for adding a fluid to an intravenous solution, comprising: (a) a valve housing having a seat at one end; (b) a valve stem slidably mounted within the housing having a plug on one adapted to engage in seal form on the seat; (c) a spring mounted around the rod to deflect the plug against the seat, thereby closing the valve; and (d) an actuator means on the rod at the opposite end, the plug for moving the rod against the deflection spring, to move the plug away from the seat, whereby the valve is opened. Another variation is the use of the valve in a universal connector that has a male luer connection on one end and a female luer connection on the other. This mode allows the use of the valve adapter for any standard luer connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of an I.V. conventional and an adapter connector of the present invention and a syringe. FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an adapter connector using the valve of the present invention. FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the adapter connector of FIGURE 2. FIGURE 4 is a top view of the adapter connector of FIGURE 2. FIGURE 5 is a view of the adapter connector taken along the line 5-5 in FIGURE 3. FIGURE 6 is a bottom view of the adapter connector of FIGURE 2. FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional plan view of the adapter connector of FIGURE 2 with a syringe attached and the valve open. FIGURE 8 is a schematic view of an I.V. with the valve of the present invention included in the Y-connector. FIGURE 9 is a view of the Y-connector taken along the line 9-9 in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional plan view of the valve inside the Y-connector of FIGURE 8. FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional plan view of the valve in the Y connector of FIGURE 10 with a syringe joined and the valve open. FIGURE 12 is an isometric view of a universal pipe connector using the valve of the present invention. FIGURE 13 is a cross-sectional plan view in the pipe connector of FIGURE 12, taken along line 13-13. FIGURE 14 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a universal tubing connector utilizing the valve of the present invention. FIGURE 15 is a cross-sectional plan view of the pipe connector of FIGURE 14 taken along line 15-15. FIGURE 16 is a top plan view of the pipe connector of FIGURE 15 taken along line 16-16. For a detailed description of the preferred embodiment, the reader is directed to the accompanying figures in which similar components are given similar numbers for ease of reference.

Referring first to FIGURE 1, an intravenous fluid delivery system is shown. A first tube 400 is attached at one end to a source of parenteral solution (not shown) and at the end opposite a Y-connector 200. A second tube 600 is connected at a first end to the lower end of the Y-connector and the lower end is connected to an intravenous catheter 500. Since the fluid is administered by gravity flow, the upward, downward, upper and lower direction have definite meanings. The Y connector is shown having three connection points or holes. The first orifice 203 is for receiving the medicament, which is injected from a syringe 300 and must be angled upwards from the horizontal to allow the injected fluid to flow by gravity inside the Y connector and the 600 tube. The second orifice 202 is connected to the catheter tube 600. The third connection hole 201 is for connection to the parenteral fluid tube 600. The first orifice 203 extends at an angle from the Y connector 200, such that it is less than 90. ° from the vertical or from the third hole 201. The first hole 203 is sealed by a puncture pad 210, which in normal systems is punctured by a hypodermic needle mounted on a syringe. In one embodiment of the present invention, an adapter connector 100 is provided, which includes a cannula 128, which pierces the puncture pad 210. The adapter connector also includes standard luer connections 106 and 108 for the normal threaded coupling with the syringe . Additionally, as shown in FIGURE 2, the adapter connector includes flexible fins 102 and 104, which can couple and close around the puncture pad. Once the adapter connector 100 is installed, there is no need to use a hypodermic needle with the syringe and thus, the risk of sting with the accidental needle is reduced. The puncture pad normally provides a resealable access for the connector Y. To replace the function of the puncture pad, the valve is provided within the connector 100, the details of which are shown in FIGS. 3-7. Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, the adapter connector 100 with the valve contained therein is shown. The adapter connector is noted to have a body having two axially aligned cylindrical barrels - the longest diameter barrel 138 and the smallest barrel 140, which are connected by the projections 150. Extending from the lower end there are two flexible fins 102 and 104, each having internal surfaces 122 and 124 respectively, for engagement with the puncture pad (not shown in FIGS. 3-6). The central cannula 128 is extending centrally from the lower body 138. The upper end of the adapter connector 100 is shown to have standard luer 106 and 108 connections., which attach to the luer threads 310 of the syringe 300. As shown in the syringe 300, it includes a standard plunger 330 for injecting the fluid through the adapter connector 100 into the Y-connector 200. Internally the body is observed to have two axially aligned cylindrical cavities - the upper cavity 118a, which is larger in diameter than the lower cavity 118b. A channel 120 is provided through the cannula, which allows the passage of fluid from the lower cavity 118b and out of the holes of the cannula 130a, 130b and 130c. As shown, the valve is shown to be a separate entity, which can be assembled first and then inserted into the upper body cavity 118a. The valve includes a cylindrical housing 142, which snaps into the upper cavity 118a and is secured there by an appropriate cement. A lower opening 134 in the valve allows fluid communication to the lower cavity 118b, when the valve is open. If desired, the housing may have external threads, which may engage with the internal threads of the upper cavity 118a. The threaded coupling is not shown. Within the housing 142, the valve is shown to include a rod 112, which has a plug at the lower end. A spring 110 is mounted around the rod 112 and held in place between the bottom portion of the valve housing and a horizontal bar 126 secured to the rod 112. Upward movement of the rod is limited by the plug, which sits on the rod. bottom side of the valve housing. The spring 110 provides an upward deflecting force to keep the cap 114 seated and the valve closed. Stem guide 136 is provided for stability of movement along the axis of the valve. The rod 112 is connected to a "round nut" actuator 160 at the upper end by two support rods 162 and 163. The upper surface of the "round nut" actuator is flush with the upper surface of the valve housing, the which in turn is flush with the upper surface of the barrel of the upper body. The upper part of the connector adapter in this way still facilitates cleaning. Now with reference to FIGURE 7, the adapter connector 100 is shown attached to a Y-connector 200. The cannula 128 is made to peck through the puncture pad 210 and the surfaces 122 and 124 have mated surfaces 230 of the needle pad. puncture to secure the connector adapter to the connector 200 in Y. The threads 330 in the syringe, couple the luer connection 106 and 108 on the upper end of the adapter connector and the extension 320 in the syringe is forced down against the "nut" actuator. "round", which in turn forces the rod 112 downwards to remove the cap 114 from the seat and open the valve in the lower cavity 118b. The fluid flow can be followed by the arrows. In a second embodiment, the valve is placed directly in the first hole of the Y-connector. This intravenous fluid delivery system is shown in FIGURE 8. As in the previous embodiment, there is shown an IV intravenous supply tube connected to the IV. hole 201 of Y connector 200A. A second tube 600 is connected to a second hole 202 of the Y connector and to the catheter 500. The first hole 203 is provided for administration of the medicament within the parenteral fluid. As in the previous Y connector, the first orifice 203 extends at an angle of the Y-connector 200, such that it is less than 90 ° from the vertical or from the third orifice 201. The first orifice 203 is for receiving the medication, which is injected from a syringe 300 and should be angled to horizontal, to allow:] e] Injected fluid flow by gravity dentio of the Y connector and tube 600. Instead of the puncture pad, valve 100a is provided. At the end of the first hole 203 are the luer connections 206 and 208, which can be threadably coupled with the luer connection of the syringe 300 having the shoulder 330 for injecting the fluid into the Y-connector. Now with reference to FIGS. and 10, the construction of the orifice 203 containing the valve 100a is shown. The detail of the valve assembly is the same as in the adapter connector. The valve includes a cylindrical housing 242, which snaps into the upper cavity 218a and is secured there by an appropriate cement. A lower opening 234 in the valve allows fluid communication to the lower cavity 218b, when the valve is open. If desired, the housing may have external threads, which may engage internal threads of the upper cavity 218a. The threaded arrangement is not shown. Within the housing 242, the valve is shown to include a rod 212 which has a plug 214 at the lower end. A spring 210 is mounted around the rod 212 and held in place by the bottom of the valve housing and a horizontal bar 226 secured to the rod 212. The upper movement of the rod: It is limited by the plug, which sits on the underside of the valve housing. The spring 210 provides a vertical deflection force to keep the plug 214 seated and the valve closed. The rod guide 236 is provided for the stability of movement along the axis of the valve. The rod 212 is connected to a "round nut" actuator 260 at the upper end by two support rods 262 and 263. The upper surface of the "round nut" actuator is flush with the upper surface of the valve housing, the which in turn is flush with the upper surface of the upper body barrel. The top of the hole in this way is level for easy cleaning. Referring now to FIGURE 11, the syringe 300 is shown connected to the hole 203 of the Y-connector 200. The threads 330 in the syringe engage in the luer connection 206 and 208 on the upper end of the adapter connector and the extension 320 in the The syringe is forced down against the "round nut" actuator, which in turn forces the rod 212 downwardly to remove the plug 214 from the seat and open the valve in the lower cavity 218b. The fluid flow can be followed by the arrows. Now with reference to FIGURES 12 and 13 is shown the adapter connector, universal 700 which has 1 I d valve contained in it. The adapted connector is noted to have a body that has two axially aligned barrels - the larger diameter tapered barrel 738 and the smaller cylindrical barrel 740 which are connected by the projection 750. Extending centrally from the barrel. inside, the lower body 738 is the cylindrical extension 728. Internally of the lower body 738 are the standard threads 702, which can couple any standard male luer connection. The upper end of adapter connector 700 is shown to have standard luer connections 706 and 708, which can be used to couple any standard female luer connection as in a syringe. Internally, the body is observed to have two axially aligned cylindrical cavities - the upper cavity 718a which is larger in diameter than the lower cavity 718b. A channel 720 is provided through the cylindrical extension 728, which allows the fluid conduit from the lower cavity 118b and outside the connector adapter. As shown, the valve is shown to be a separate entity, which can be assembled first and then inserted into the upper body cavity 718a. The valve includes a cylindrical housing 742, which snaps into the upper cavity 118a and is -M secured there by an appropriate cement. A lower opening 734 fii the valve, allows fluid communication to the lower cavity 718b, when the valve is open. If desired, the housing can have external threads which can couple the internal threads of the upper cavity 718a. The threaded coupling is not shown. Within the housing 742, the valve including a rod 712, which has a plug at the lower end, is observed. A spring 710 is mounted around the rod 712 and held in place by the bottom of the valve housing and a horizontal bar 726 secured to the rod 712. Vertical upward movement of the rod is limited by the plug, which settles on the underside of the valve housing. The spring 710 provides a vertical deflection force to keep the plug 714 seated and the valve closed. The rod guide 736 is provided for stability of movement along the axis of the valve. The rod 712 is connected to a "round nut" actuator 760 at the upper end by two support rods 762 and 763. The upper surface of the "round nut" actuator is flush with the outer surface of the valve housing, the which in turn is flush with the upper surface of the upper body barrel. The upper part of the adapter connector in this way is uniform for ease of cleaning. Finally, FIGURES 14-16 represent a second embodiment of the universal pipe connector. The connector is essentially the same as that shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, except that a rubber cover 740A is provided on the barrel 740 and the end of the barrel. A pre-cut groove 74 OB is provided in the rubber cover 740A on the end of the barrel for the insertion of the luer connector. The remaining reference numbers are the same as in FIGS. 12 and 13. The adapter connector is designed to be used with existing Y-connectors, while the second mode is preferred with the valve that is integrated within the Y-connector. The third adapter connector is designed to be used with any luer connection. In addition, the rubber cover shown in FIGS. 14-16 can be placed on the luer receiving end of any of the connectors shown in the figures.

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMS 3. A medical connector characterized in that it comprises: (a) a cylindrical body having an upper cavity and a lower cavity, the upper cavity has a valve seat at the lower end; (b) a valve stem slidably mounted within the upper cavity having a plug on an adapter for sealing fit within the seat; (d) a spring mounted around the rod to deflect the plug against the seat, thereby closing the valve; (e) an actuator means on the rod at the opposite end, the plug for moving the rod against the deflection of the spring to move the plug away from the seat, thereby opening the valve; (f) a cylindrical extension mounted axially on the lower end of the body, defining an annular space between the outer surface of the extension and the inner surface of the lower cavity; and (g) internal threads on the inner surface of the lower cavity for coupling with a male luer connector. 37
2. 2. The medical connector according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a male luer connection on the upper end of the body, for coupling with a female luer connector.
3. 3. The medical connector according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a rubber cover on the upper body that covers the actuator means. The medical connector according to claim 3, further characterized in that it comprises a groove in the rubber cover directly on the actuator means. 5. A connector for adding medicament from a syringe to an intravenous fluid, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a cylindrical, hollow body having (i) a first hole at one end for adding medicament to intravenous fluid, (ii) a second hole on the other end for connection to a catheter, which is inserted into the vein of a patient, and (iii) a third hole intermediate the first and second holes for attachment to an intravenous fluid source; ] 8 (b) a luer connection on the open end of the first hole; (c) a valve housing secured within the first hole and having a seat at one end; (d) a valve stem slidably mounted within the housing, having a plug at one end to fit in seal form within the seat; (e) a spring means mounted around the rod to deflect the plug against the seat, thereby closing the valve; and (f) an actuator means on the rod at the opposite end, the plug for moving the rod against the deflection of the spring to move the plug away from the seat, thereby opening the valve when a syringe is threadably connected to the luer connection. . 6. The connector according to claim 5, further characterized in that it comprises a rubber cover over the first hole. The connector according to claim 6, further characterized in that it comprises a self-closing groove at the end of the rubber cover. 8. A connector for adding medication from a syringe to an intravenous fluid, characterized in that it comprises: 1 - > (a) a hollow cylindrical body having (i) a first hole at one end for adding medicament to the intravenous fluid, (ii) a second hole on the other end for connection to a catheter, which is inserted into the vein of a patient, and (iii) a third intermediate hole to the first and second orifices for attachment to an intravenous fluid source; (b) a luer connection on the open end of the first hole; (c) a valve housing secured within the first hole and having a seat at one end; (d) a valve stem slidably mounted within the housing, having a plug at one end to fit in seal form within the seat; (e) a spring means mounted around the rod to deflect the plug against the seat, thereby closing the valve; (f) an actuator means on the rod at the opposite end, the plug for moving the rod against the deflection of the spring to move the plug away from the seat, thereby opening the valve when a syringe is threadably connected to the luer connection; (h) a rubber cover over the first-hole; and (i) a self-closing groove at the end of the rubber cover. The connector according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a pair of flexible fins mounted on the outer periphery of the body for coupling the end surface of a puncture pad and securing the connector thereon.