Patent ID: 7811278
Filing Date: 2010-10-12
Classification: A61M,F16L

Abstract:
1. A fluid connector for facilitating fluid communication between a first line and a second line, comprising: (a) a male housing including a male proximal end portion adapted to be in fluid communication with the first line and a male distal end portion, wherein a male longitudinal axis spans between said male housing proximal end portion and said male housing distal end portion, said male housing distal end portion, having an elastically deformable ring, said ring having an outside diameter, also a gradual radius that is adjacent to said outside diameter and adjacent to said distal end portion, a sharp radius that is adjacent to said outside diameter facing said male proximal end portion, and an axial fit interference interface that is positioned axially between said sharp radius and said male proximal end portion, wherein said axial fit interference interface is perpendicular to said male longitudinal axis; (b) a female housing including a female proximal end portion adapted to be in fluid communication with the second line and a female distal end portion, wherein a female longitudinal axis spans between said female housing proximal end portion and said female housing distal end portion, said female housing distal end portion having an elastically deformable annulus that includes an inner ridge adjacent to said annulus on said distal end portion, and an axial fit interference interface that is positioned axially at a termination of said female housing distal end portion, wherein said axial fit interference interface is perpendicular to said female longitudinal axis, wherein said male housing ring outside diameter having an interference fit with said inner ridge and said male housing ring outside diameter having a clearance fit with said annulus, further said gradual radius enters said inner ridge with a lower axial force required for engagement of said annulus and said ring along said female and male longitudinal axes, wherein once said male and said female housings are engaged when said male and female housing axial fit interference interfaces are in bearing contact preventing axial movement as between said male and female housings, said clearance results in a higher axial separating force as said sharp radius and said inner ridge having a more blunt interface then said gradual radius and said inner ridge to require more force to disengage said female and male housing than to engage said female and male housing along said female and male longitudinal axes, wherein said gradual radius, said male housing ring outside diameter, and said sharp radius are all disposed within a substantially matching profile of said annulus to said gradual radius, wherein operationally said male housing and said female housing are sized and configured at said annulus and ring engagement to have a high separating resistance coaxially substantially along said female and male longitudinal axes and a low separating resistance substantially transverse to said male and female longitudinal axes by manually applying a bending moment between said male and female engaged housings by application of a manual force substantially transverse to said male and female longitudinal axes at an axial fit between said male and female housings, said force applies to only a portion of an engagement circumference as between said male and female housings due to said axial fit, resulting in easier disengagement of said male and female housings; and (c) a means for substantially fluid sealing between said male housing and said female housing when said annulus and ring are engaged.