Abstract:
A connector for use with a conduit to supply gases to a user is disclosed. The connector comprises a pair of connectors, adapted to fit together and swivel relative to one another. More particularly, the connector may comprise a female and male connector assemblies, adapted to be push fit together. The female connector assembly preferably has an extended shoulder and a number of triangular guide slots, the slots being shaped so as to be wider at one end. The male connector assembly preferably comprises a connector and a sleeve that when joined, cannot be easily separated by axial or torsional tension applied to either, but may rotate freely relative to each other. The sleeve preferably has a number of guide ridges running axially along its outside surface that slidably mate with the guide slots on the female connector.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to a connector for gas delivery hoses, and in particular to a connector that allows for a delivery hose to rotate relative to another.  
         [0003]     2. Summary of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     There are currently a wide variety of swivels available for many applications, from fishing line to high pressure hydraulic lines. Many of the swivels that can be used for fluid conveyance can also be used for gas conveyance. Most of these swivels are sealed, commonly by “O” rings or gaskets, and lock together, either by capture with a threaded part, pinion mechanism or circlip.  
         [0005]     In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 626,932 describes two sections of pipe joined by a collar. A shoulder on one pipe (female expanded section) and a pinion on the other (male reducing section) are utilised to enable mating. The female pipe is captured by the collar, the pinion on the other pipe then locks into a “T” shaped groove in the collar, allowing the female pipe to rotate. Captured between the two pipes are two washers. This invention is intended for rigid pipes as a replacement for threaded couplings used in plumbing.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,471 is very similar to the above swivel, but this swivel utilises two pinions and two grooves along with different placement of the washers. The intended use for this joint is in the dairy industry, for removing torsion in milking lines.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,034 discloses an elbow swivel used for patient gas delivery. It has components that swivel relative to each other and are all mated using a circlip or similar device to capture one part within another. This swivel may not be airtight and the circlip must be removed to break the connection between swivel components. This complicates the attachment and detachment of parts.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is an object of the present invention to attempt to provide a connector which goes some way to overcoming the above mentioned disadvantages in the prior art or which will at least provide the industry with a useful choice.  
         [0009]     Accordingly in a first aspect the invention consists in a connector for use with a conduit to supply gases to a user comprising: 
        a pair of connectors, adapted to fit together and swivel relative to one another, and     a collar enclosing the connection between said pair of connectors, said collar capable of swivelling relative to each of said pair of connectors.        
 
         [0012]     Preferably said collar includes an aperture capable of receiving a lanyard or the like.  
         [0013]     Preferably said collar and said pair of connectors are made from a plastics material.  
         [0014]     Preferably said collar includes interference ridges to retain said pair of connectors together.  
         [0015]     Preferably said pair of connectors is a male connector or male assembly and a female connector.  
         [0016]     Preferably said pair of connectors is a male connector and a female connector.  
         [0017]     Preferably said female connector includes a plurality of guide slots for use with said male connector.  
         [0018]     Preferably said plurality of guide slots are shaped so as to be wider at one end than they are along the remainder of their length.  
         [0019]     Preferably said plurality of guide slots has a cross-sectional profile that is rectangular.  
         [0020]     Preferably said male connector includes a sleeve and a male portion, where said sleeve is capable of being attached to said male portion.  
         [0021]     Preferably said sleeve is permanently attached to said male portion yet rotates about said male portion and is capable of rotating relative to said collar.  
         [0022]     Preferably said sleeve includes a plurality of guide ridges running axially along its outside surface, said plurality of guide ridges corresponding to said guide slots on said female connector, such that upon connection of said male connector and said female connector said plurality of guide ridges slidably mate with said plurality of guide slots on said female connector.  
         [0023]     Alternatively said male connector includes a plurality of guide slots and said female connector has a sleeve clipped to it that includes a plurality of guide ridges that mate with said guide slots on said male connector. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]     The preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a ventilation and humidifying circuit as might be used in conjunction with the connector of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the connector of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the connector of the  FIG. 2 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-section of the connector of  FIG. 2  showing the interference connection between the patient end connector, the collar and the humidifier end connector of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the connector of  FIG. 2 , where the connector is attached to the humidifier side conduit and patient side conduit.  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the connector of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  shows the male portion and sleeve that combine to form the patient end connector assembly used in the alternative embodiment of the connector of the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the connector of the present invention in an assembled state.  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  shows the mating arrangement of an alternative embodiment in cross-section.  
         [0034]      FIG. 10  is a cross-section of a further mating arrangement of the alternative embodiment.  
         [0035]      FIG. 11  is an alternative exploded perspective view of the humidifier end part and patient end part of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]     While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a ventilation and humidifying circuit as might be used with the connector  1  of the present invention is shown. A patient  13  is receiving humidified and pressurised gases through a nasal cannula  12  connected to a humidified gases transportation pathway or inspiratory conduit  3  that in turn is connected to a humidifier  8  (including humidification chamber  5 ) supplied with gases from a blower  15  or other appropriate gases supply means. In other forms of the invention gases may be supplied to the patient by alternative patient interfaces, such as a nasal or full-face mask.  
         [0038]     The inspiratory conduit  3  is connected to the outlet  4  of the humidification chamber  5  that contains a volume of water  6 . Humidification chamber  5  is preferably formed from a plastics material and may have a highly heat conductive base (for example, an aluminium base) which is in direct contact with a heater plate  7  of humidifier  8 . The humidifier  8  is provided with control means or electronic controller  9 , which may comprise a microprocessor based controller, executing computer software commands stored in associated memory. Gases flowing through the inspiratory conduit  3  are passed to the patient through a connector  1  that connects the inspiratory conduit  3  to the patient end conduit  14  that attaches to the nasal cannula  12 .  
         [0039]     Controller  9  receives input from sources such as user input means or dial  10  through which a user of the device may, for example, set a predetermined required value (preset value) of humidity or temperature of the gases supplied to patient  13 . In response to the user set humidity or temperature value input via dial  10  and other possible inputs such as internal sensors that sense gases flow or temperature, or by parameters calculated in the controller, controller  9  determines when (or to what level) to energise heater plate  7  to heat the water  6  within humidification chamber  5 . As the volume of water  6  within humidification chamber  5  is heated, water vapour begins to fill the volume of the chamber above the surface of the water and is passed out of the humidification chamber  5  outlet  4  with the flow of gases (for example air) provided from a gases supply means or blower  15  which enters the humidification chamber  5  through inlet  16 . It should be noted that it is possible to obtain the relationship between the humidity of the gases in humidification chamber  5  and the temperature of the heater plate  7 . Accordingly, it is possible to utilise the heater plate temperature in an algorithm or a look-up table to determine the humidity of the gases. The blower  15  may be provided with a variable speed pump or fan  2  that draws air or other gases through the blower inlet  17 . The speed of the variable speed pump or fan  2  may be controlled by a further control means or electronic controller  18  that responds either to inputs from controller  9  or to user set predetermined required values (preset values) of pressure or fan speed, via dial  19 . Alternatively the function of this controller  18  can be combined with the other controller  9 .  
         [0040]     A heating element  11  may be provided within the inspiratory conduit  3  to help prevent condensation of the humidified gases within the conduit. Such condensation is due to the temperature of the walls of the conduit being close to the ambient temperature, (being the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere) which is usually lower than the temperature of the humidified gases within the conduit. The heater element effectively replaces the energy lost from the Oases through conduction and convection during transit through the conduit. Thus the conduit heater element ensures the gases delivered are at an optimal temperature and humidity  
         [heading-0041]     Swivel Connector  
         [0042]     With reference to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , the preferred embodiment of the connector of the present invention will now be described.  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the connector  1  is a swiveling connector and is preferably attached to the patient via a lanyard  20 , which sits around the patient&#39;s  13  neck. Although the connector  1  may be attached to the patient by other means this arrangement eliminates the necessity of clipping the system to the patients clothing or bedclothes. The connector  1  is preferably comprised of three main components; a collar  21 , humidifier end part  23  and a patient end part  22 . All of these components are tubular in shape. The lanyard  20  is connected to the swivel connector  1  by way of the collar  21 , for example by the loop or aperture  24  formed in the collar  21 , and any mechanical load that might arise from carrying the weight of the conduits, or from movement of the patient, is carried by the collar  21 . Consequently, little or no load is placed on the conduit  14 , or patient interface (in this case, the nasal cannula  12 ). The inspiratory conduit  3  and patient end conduit  14  are sealably mated to the free ends of the patient end and humidifier end parts  22 ,  23 .  
         [0044]     The connector  1  of the present invention allows components in a patient connection system to be connected or disconnected from each other easily, thus enabling easy disconnection and reconnection of the patient interface  12  and gases supply with minimal disturbance to the patient or system.  
         [0045]     In the preferred embodiment of the connector  1  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the humidifier end connector  23  and patient end connector  22  mate by way of a male/female connection. In the preferred form of the connector of the present invention the humidifier end part  23  is a female connector and the patient end part  22  a male connector. To assemble the connector  1  a male connection portion  25  on the patient end connector  22  passes through the central opening of the collar  21  into the female aperture  26  of the humidifier end part  23  In other forms of the connector  1  of the present invention the humidifier end part  23  may have a male fitting and the patient end part  22  a female fitting.  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIG. 3  and  4 , when assembled, the patient end connector  22 , humidifier end connector  23  and collar  21  freely rotate relative to each other. The clearance distance  27  between the surfaces of the collar  21  and humidifier end part  23  and collar  21  and patient end part  22  is typically 0.1 mm on the radius. As there is free movement between these three components, there is a reduced risk of the components twisting and also a reduced risk of twisting, kinking, or pinching of the air supply hoses (inspiratory conduits  3 ,  14 ) from the gases delivery system to the patient interface  12 . This has the advantage of ensuring the gas flow will not be inadvertently shut off because a conduit in the system has been pinched shut, and there is also less likelihood of any of these three components becoming damaged through excessive torsion stresses.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the patient end part  22  and humidifier end part  23  are held together by a pair of interference protrusions  28 ,  29  formed on the inner surface of the collar  21 . The interference protrusions  28 ,  29  allow positive capture of the circular interference ridges  30 ,  31  formed on the patient end part  22  and humidifier end part  23 , respectively. On assembly of the connector  1 , or on disconnection and reconnection of the patient interface  12  and/or inspiratory conduit  3 , the patient end part  22  and humidifier end part  23  are pushed into (on assembly or connection), or pulled out of (on disconnection) collar  21  so that the interference ridge  30  engages with or disengages from the protrusion  28  and the ridge  29  engages with or disengages from the protrusion  31 . The interference radius  32  is typically 0.2 mm.  
         [0048]     In the preferred embodiment, the interference ridge  31  on the humidifier end part  23  is an extended circular shoulder that provides accurate alignment of the humidifier end part  23  with the collar  21  and prevents loss of capture between the collar  21  and the humidifier end connector  23  when the patient end connector  22  is removed.  
         [0049]     The collar  21  does not form a perfect seal with either the humidifier end part  23  or patient end part  22 ; the connector  1  therefore has a low leak rate. The connector  1  is therefore ideal for low-pressure systems.  
         [0050]      FIG. 5  shows the connector  1  in use with the inspiratory conduit  3  and the patient end conduit  14 . The patient end part  22  is mated (by push fit, threading to or other appropriate fastening mechanisms) into the end of the patient end conduit  14 . The humidifier end connector  23  is similarly mated to the inspiratory conduit  3 .  
         [heading-0051]     Alternative Embodiment of the Connector  
         [0052]     The connector of the present invention may be provided in an alternative embodiment as shown in FIGS.  6  to  10 . This embodiment provides unique mating for user safety. Some systems may become dangerous to the user if inappropriate equipment is attached. There is therefore a need for connecting parts to have unique mating so that only parts with the correct geometry will fit together.  
         [0053]     With reference to  FIG. 6 , the alterative connector  33  is shown. As with the earlier embodiment this connector has a humidifier end part  36 , a collar  35  (with aperture  52 ) and patient end part  34 . The patient end part  34  is shown in more detail and exploded in  FIG. 7 . As shown the patient end part  34  is comprised of two parts, a male portion  27  (similar to the male side connector of the first embodiment) and a ridged tubular sleeve  38 . The tubular sleeve  38  is fitted over the male portion  37  of the patient end part  34  and the end  39  of the sleeve  38  makes an interference snap fit with a lip  40  formed on the male portion  37 . This connection between the sleeve  38  and lip  40  allows the male portion  37  and sleeve  38  to rotate freely relative to each other. Once made, this connection is permanent (i.e. it is not intended that this connection be undone when the patient interface and gases supply is disconnected and reconnected during normal working operations).  
         [0054]     In a similar manner to previously described, and with reference to FIGS.  6  to  8 , the patient end part  34 , consisting of the male portion  34  and sleeve  38 , is mated to the humidifier end part  36 . In this alternative embodiment, the sleeve  38  has a number of ridges  41 ,  42  formed in it. Preferably the sleeve  38  has three ridges spaced equidistant on its circumference, although only two are shown in  FIG. 6 . These ridges  41 ,  42  are aligned longitudinally with the axis of the sleeve  38 . The ridges  41 ,  42  correspond to guide slots  43 ,  44  moulded into the surface of the humidifier end part  36 . These guide slots  43 ,  44  are open at the end  45  of the humidifier end part  36 , such that when the patient end part  34  is assembled with it, the ridges are aligned into the slots  43 ,  44  the parts  34 ,  36  are slid together, The parts  34 ,  36  are therefore mated in a non-rotating manner. This mating arrangement is shown in cross-section in  FIG. 9 . At the end  45 , the guide slots  43 ,  44  may be wider as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8  in order to facilitate alignment and mating between the two parts  34 ,  36 .  
         [0055]     This ridge and slot arrangement is intended to prevent insertion of mismatched connectors, which may lead to dangerous operation of equipment. The cross-sectional profile of the ridges and slots, or the number of matched ridges and slots, can therefore be varied, and the user can choose different profiles for different applications. One possible alternative profile is shown in cross-section in  FIG. 10 . Here, the ridges  46  and slots  47  may be triangular in profile not trapezoidal as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0056]     In the alternative embodiment, the connection between the patient end part  34  and humidifier end part  36  is similar to that described above in relation to  FIG. 4 , that is, with an interference fit between the collar  35  and the parts  34 ,  36 .  
         [0057]     Alternatively, the sleeve  38  and the humidifier end part  36  may clip together directly. Here the collar  35  is still present, allowing attachment of the lanyard  20 , and enabling the transfer of the mechanical load to the collar  35  as before.  
         [0058]     Again, the collar  35  can rotate freely relative to the connectors  34 ,  36 . Thus this alternative embodiment of the connector  33  retains the advantages of ensuring the gas flow will not be inadvertently shut off, and a reduced likelihood of component damage.  
         [0059]     Furthermore, to prevent mating of inappropriate connectors about either the humidifier end part  36  or patient end part  34 , these parts are moulded such that they would leak if a foreign part was connected to them. For example, in  FIG. 6 , the end  45  of the humidifier end part  36  is moulded such that the circumference is not completely circular but is provided with at least one flat side (for example see flat side  48  on  FIG. 6 ) about the circumference of the end  45 . Similarly, at least one cut out  49  may be provided on the patient end part  34 . Therefore, in the event that a foreign circular connector is attached to either the humidifier end part  36  or patient end part  34  the flat side(s)  48  or cut out(s)  49  will cause a leak to occur between the foreign connector and part  34 ,  36 .  
         [0060]     Similarly, axial ridges may be provided on internal non-mating surfaces of the humidifier end part  36  and/or patient end part  34 . For example, in  FIG. 11  the humidifier end part  36  is shown having internal axial ridges  50 ,  51 . Ridges such as these will provide leak paths and cause poor mating if inappropriate connectors are forced into either the humidifier end part  36  or patient end part  34 .