US2687871A

US2687871A - Stopcock for medical assemblies

Info

Publication number: US2687871A
Application number: US194529A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert E Krug
Original assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
Current assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
Priority date: 1950-11-07
Filing date: 1950-11-07
Publication date: 1954-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 1971-08-31

Description

Patented ug. 31, 1954 ED STATES ATENT CFFICE STOPCOCK FOR MEDICAL ASSEMBLIES Application November 7, 1950, Serial No. 194,529

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a stopcock particularly intended for use in medical assemblies and by means of which the flow of liquid may be controlled at the will of the operator.

It is an object of the invention to furnish a device of this character which may be economically produced and which will include relatively few parts, each individually simple and rugged in construction, such parts being capable of ready assemblage to furnish a unit operating over long periods of time with freedom from all diiculties.

A further object is that of furnishing a stopcock the parts of which may readily be operated, such parts remaining in the positions to which they have been adjusted and the assembly functioning over long periods of time with freedom from all diiculties.

With these and other objects in mind reference is had to the attached sheet of drawings illustrating practical embodiments of the invention and in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a syringe assembly showing a stopcock associated therewith and by means of which a ow of iiuid to and from a receptacle shown in section may be controlled;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken along the lines 2 2 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan View taken along the lines 3 3 and in the direction of the arrows as also indicated in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional side view taken along line l-t and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 2.

Referring primarily to Fig. 1 the numeral 5 indicates a syringe barrel of conventional construction and with which a plunger 6 may cooperate to expel or aspirate fluid. A needle is intended for connection with the syringe assembly and may, in the usual manner, include a body 'I to which a hub 8 is secured. As shown a stopcock is interposed between the syringe barrel and the needle. For purposes of illustration that valve assembly has been shown as connected to a tube 9 extending through to a receptacle l0. The lower end of the tube may be weighted as at l l so as to remain adjacent the base of the receptacle IB.

The body l2 of the unit is provided as shown with extensions i3 and i4, which are bored to provide passages. A further extension l is conveniently furnished with a ange i6 similar to the hub of the needle. Extension i3 is preferably of such configuration that it may extend (as shown in Fig. l) into and mount the needle hub. Extension l5 is also formed with a bore. The

asi- 181) inner ends of all of the bores extend through to a valve chamber, If extension I5 is formed as illustrated it may readily be associated with or removed from the coupling mounted at the nose portion of the barrel. If no coupling is so provided then extension iii may have its structure modied to include suitable seating surfaces. Extension id may be formed so as to receive and retain the end of tube 9.

The valve chamber as shown especially in Fig. 4 is tapered in a downward direction and receives a tapered plug il, the length of which is less than the length of the bore. rlhe upper end of body Il is formed with a flange or headed portion i3. Beyond this the plug provides a stem I9 to which a handle 29 is secured. That handle preferably has as an integral part a forward and downwardly projecting portion 2i. The end of the latter rides within an arcuate recessed surface formed on the upper face of body i2. Such surface preferably terminates in line with the plane which intersects the axis of the bore and valve body il.

That body is provided with a transverse passage 22 and an intersecting laterally extending passage 23. Such an arrangement of passages will usually prevail where the stopcocl: embraces three outlets for bores as illustrated in the present views. It will be apparent that if only a pair of bore extensions or outlets is involved then only the passage 22 will be necessary. Conversely, if a greater number of passages than herein illustrated are involved in the stopcock assembly, then the passages through the valve body may also include a greater number than those herewith shown.

In order to retain the valve body in position within the tapered bore of body l2, the present invention contemplates the use of a coupling member which may readily be associated with or detached from the assembly. That coupling member preferably takes the form of a strip of resilient or springy metal which is bent into a generally U-shape. One arm 24 of this unit may embrace a length greater than the width of body portion l2, Its outer end conveniently terminates in a laterally extending part 25 providing a detent or restraining portion extending around the base corner of body I2. The base 26 of the strip is perforated so that extension E5 may pass therethrough. As shown at 2l in Fig. 3 it may be contoured to conform to the adjacent side faces of body portion l2. The length of base portion 26 is in excess of the height of body I2 and arm 28 of the strip is accordingly curved or bent to extend in a direction converging with respect to arm 24.

Arm 28 terminates in a forked portion 29, the fingers or ends of which preferably curve upwardly to a slight degree as indicated at 3!! As is apparent, extension I5 may be introduced through the opening in base portion 25 so that this part of the strip lies in intimate contact with the side face of body I2. When so positioned arm 24 will lie immediately adjacent the base of that body and detent or latch 25 will restrain the parts from moving accidentally with respect to each other. The fingers of forked portion 29 Will glide over the upper surface of flange I8 and yieldingly bear against such surface. The length of body I'I and its general contour being such that its inner portion does not extend below the base of body I2, it follows that the yielding engagement of the clip member bearing against flange I8 will cause the valve body to be maintained in fully seated position within the tapered bore of the assembly. In such position a leakproof connection will be furnished. As will also be apparent the clip member may readily be detached from the assembly. Under those circumstances valve body II may be freely withdrawn from the bore of body I2. Thereafter, the parts may again be assembled with facility. As a consequence of this structure it is unnecessary to, for example, form the lower face of valve body I'I with a. threaded recess, introduce a screw into that recess, employ a washer or other element, etc. etc. in order to maintain the assembly of the parts. Rather, as afore brought out, the parts will be maintained in assembled condition under all circumstances while at the same time being capable of ready separation and reassembly by deliberate manipulation of the operator. Also the present structure will serve to automatically take up any wear which may occur in that it serves constantly to urge valve body II into the bore of the valve housing.

If the unit is to be employed as shown in Fig. 1 then extension I5 may be coupled with the nose of syringe barrel 5 to establish a fluid tight seal. Tube 9 may be connected to extension I4. Needle 'I is mounted upon extension I3. Now, by suitable shifting handle 20, liquid may, for example, be drawn through the bore of cannula 'I into the barrel 5 of the syringe if plunger 6 is retracted. Therefore, with handle 20 again shifted, this liquid may be discharged through extension I4 and tube 9 into receptacle IIJ. Another mode of operation would involve, for example, leaving the handle in the position to which it has last been adjusted and retracting plunger 6. Under these circumstances liquid would be drawn from receptacle I0 into barrel 5. Thereupon, by shifting handle 20 that liquid could be discharged through extension I3 and thence through the bore of the cannula if a needle were mounted on that extension. Various other methods of operation and application of the stopcock will be obvious.

As the valve body rotates its movements will be limited by engagement of the projecting portion 2I with the ends of the recess formed on the face of body I2. As Will be noted in Fig. 4 the lower end of the valve chamber has its maximum point of constriction short of the lower surface of body I2. By such structure the plug I'I will not wear a groove in the otherwise tapered seat surface.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specifically afore noted are achieved. Obviously, numerous changes in construction and rearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claim.

I claim:

A stopcock including in combination a housing body formed with a transverse and flared bore, an extension projecting from Said housing, a tapered valve unit rotatable in said bore and sealingly engaging the surface of the latter, said unit having an outer end disposed adjacent the surface of said body, said extension and body being formed with passages and said unit being formed with a transverse opening to establish communication between said passages when said valve is rotated to a predetermined position within said bore, a U- shaped spring having its base formed with an opening, said base bearing against the outer face of said housing and conforming to the same with said extension projecting through said base opening, a forked portion comprising one arm of said spring and slidably bearing against the outer end of said unit with its fingers disposed one to each side of the axis of rotation of the latter, the second arm of said spring bearing against that surface of the housing body opposite to the one adjacent which the outer end of said unit is disposed, the length of such second arm being greater than the adjacent surface of the housing body and a detent portion formed adjacent the outer end of said latter arm to override the edge of said housing body and thus retain said spring in position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 854,007 Ullmann May 21, 1907 930,017 Yankauer Aug. 3, 1909 1,505,729 Robertshaw Aug. 19, 1924 1,858,054 Miller May 10, 1932 2,074,355 Bates Mar. 22, 1937 2,255,543 Fisher Sept. 9, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 241,668 Great Britain 1925 365,908 Great Britain Jan. 28, 1932