Abstract:
A female piercing member protection device for connection with a male connection part, and a method for connecting the device to a male connection part. The device includes an outer casing and a connection member at least partly enclosed in the outer casing. The outer casing is moveable between first and second positions. In the first position, the connection member is substantially locked from movement along the longitudinal axis A, and in the second position the connection member is able to move along the longitudinal axis A. The device also has an activated position and an inactivated position. When the outer casing is in the second position, a deformable locking device is prevented from deformation by the outer casing to prevent disengagement of the male connection part. A secure piercing member protection device significantly minimizes the risk for a user to be exposed to contaminants and the piercing member itself.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention concerns a female piercing member protection device for connection with a male connection part, a male connection part, and a method for connecting the female piercing member protection device with the male connection part. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Administration of hazardous medicaments such as cytotoxins and the like, has long been a nuisance to the personal which on daily basis administrate the hazardous medicaments. During preparation of medicaments, administration or after treatment, nursing personal is exposed to the risk of contamination from the hazardous medicaments. Such contamination may be in the form of liquid medicaments, derived from spillage due to ill handling or just wrong handling of equipments or instruments. Leakage from technical equipment which has been used right is however also a problem, even if leakage occur in very small doses. Due to long exposure to hazardous medicaments nursing personal can still be ill from very small quantities of hazardous medicaments. It is therefore important to minimize leakage and minimize the risk of leakage. 
     One specific hazardous step is when e.g. nursing personal is transferring a medicament from one fluid container to another; such transfer usually involves the use of a piercing member such as a needle. To protect the nursing personal involved, piercing member protection devices are commonly used. Such devices are arranged to protect the user, not only from contamination but also from accidentally piercing themselves or any other third persons. 
     In the patent publication of U.S. Pat. No. 6,890,328 a connector device for establishing fluid communication between a diluents container having side walls and a drug vial is described. The drug vial may be selectively attached to the device without piercing the closure of the vial and without breaching the hermetic seal of the fluid accessing portions of the piercing member. Means are provided for connecting the vial receiving chamber to the liquid container. The device is movable from an inactivated position, where the piercing member is outside the sidewalls and no fluid flows between the liquid container and the drug vial, to an activated position, where fluid flows through the fluid pathway between the liquid container and the drug vial. The device is movable from the inactivated position to the activated position by a force applied to the device outside the liquid container. However at any time the drug vial and diluents container can be disconnected, leaving the needle exposed to the nursing personal. The needle at such stage is full of hazardous medicaments. 
     Another medical connector is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,117, for connecting transferring a fluid from a first fluid container to a second fluid container for administration of fluid to a patient. The medical connector is formed of two components. The first component includes a cannula hub to which a cannula is mounted, a base extending from the hub and fingers extending from the base. The second component is a collar including a support and bars extending therefrom. The collar is manually slideable along the first component in the direction the cannula extends between a retracted position and a locking position. The bars engage the fingers to flex into engagement with a junction terminal. The bars are elastically deformable to provide a spring force for locking the fingers on the junction terminal. The medical connector have however the drawback that the locking of the fingers easily can be unlocked by simply pulling apart either the collar or the junction terminal and thereby expose a user for contaminants. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to at least partly solve the above mentioned problems. More particularly, the mentioned problems are at least partly solved by a female piercing member protection device, having a longitudinal axis A, for connection with a male connection part. The female piercing member protection device comprises; an outer casing having a first and a second end and an inner and an outer side, a connection member having a first and a second end. The connection member is arranged to, and at least partly enclosed in, the outer casing. Further is the outer casing arranged to be moved between a first and a second position, wherein when the outer casing is in its first position, the connection member is substantially locked from movement along the longitudinal axis A, and when the outer casing is in its second position the connection member is able to move along the longitudinal axis A. The female piercing member protection device additionally comprises an activated position and an inactivated position. The connection member is arranged to connect to the male connection part by means of a deformable locking device, wherein when the outer casing is in the second position, the deformable locking device is prevented from deformation by the outer casing so as to prevent disengagement of the male connection part. 
     The present invention provides for a secure piercing protection device which permits a fluid container to be connected to the piercing device, secured and thereafter activated so as to permit for a fluid communication to be established. The deformable locking device provides for an easy connection, which actually permits a user to, after connection to the piercing device, let go of the fluid container. The piercing member protection device can thereafter substantially lock the connected fluid container so that accidental disconnection is effectively prevented. Only after the piercing member device has been locked to the fluid container, via the male connection part, is it possible to move it to its activated position, hence, a very safe drug or medicament administration and transfer can be achieved with this device, since the needle is never exposed. Further no orientation of the male connection part is needed before connection; this enables a fast and simple connection. 
     For additional safety, the connection member is preferably arranged between the first and second end of the outer casing. The outer casing will then function as a protective sleeve, covering the interface between the piercing member protection device and the connected fluid container. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the deformable locking device comprises at least one deformable locking flange, which may or may not form an integrated part of the connection member. It is from a manufacturing point of view however easier to manufacture the deformable locking flange as an integrated part, i.e. in one piece. The connection member may be equipped with at least two, at least three or at least four deformable locking flanges. Alternatively, a plurality of 5 to 15 deformable locking flanges may be present. 
     The outer casing may comprise at least one aperture, which when the connection member is in the first position, the at least one aperture and the at least one deformable locking flange is substantially aligned, so that the deformable locking flange can deform into the aperture during connection with the male connector. When the outer casing is in the second position, the deformable locking flange is displaced from the aperture in the outer casing, so that the deformable locking flange is substantially unable to disengage from the male connector. Alternatively, the aperture may be replaced with a cavity arranged on the inner side of the outer casing. A combination of apertures and cavities are of course also possible. Cavities may be preferred since the outer casing will protect the deformable locking flanges, however, apertures permits a user to more readily watch and control the connection which is established. The number of apertures, cavities, or apertures and cavities should preferably, although not necessarily, be equal to the number of locking flanges, e.g. two locking flanges can easily be in working cooperation with one aperture or one cavity which can embrace them both. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the female piercing member protection device comprises a second locking device, which can substantially lock the connection member from movement along the longitudinal axis A, when the connection member is in the activated position. The second locking device enables a user to safely let go of the piercing device without fear or risk of a disengagement of the piercing member after fluid communication has been established. Preferably, the second locking device comprises a locked position in which the connection member is substantially unable to slide along the longitudinal axis A, and an unlocked position in which the connection member is substantially able to slide along the longitudinal axis A. The second locking device may be in the form of a turnable locking ring which encompasses the outer casing. The turnable ring is preferably provided with a locking protrusion which is in working cooperation with the outer casing, and a channel arranged in the outer casing, as will be described below. 
     The connection member comprises at least one barrier member, preferably two barrier members. The two barrier members may be arranged substantially parallel with respect each other and so as to intersect the longitudinal axis A. Additionally they may be arranged so as to form a piercing tip protection chamber between the two barrier members. The barrier members provide for a leakage safe arrangement, both during fluid transfer and after fluid transfer, at which medicament residuals may be present inside the protection device. 
     The present invention also concerns a method for connecting a female piercing member protection device with a male connection part. The female piercing member protection device having a longitudinal axis (A), an outer casing and a connection member arranged inside the outer casing, the method comprising the steps of: 
     Connecting the connection member to the male connection by means of a deformable locking device and moving the outer casing with respect to the connection member from a first position, in which the female piercing member protection device is in an inactivated state and in which the connection member is substantially unable to slide along the longitudinal axis A, to a second position, in which the female piercing member protection device is in an inactivated state and in which the connection member is substantially able to slide along the longitudinal axis A. Further, when the outer casing is in the second position, the fluid container is substantially unable to disengage from the piercing member protection device. 
     The method according to the present invention provides for a safe connection between the male connection part and the female piercing member protection device. The female piercing member protection device may thereafter be activated by moving the connection member to the activated position and thereafter be substantially locked in the activated position by means of a locking ring arranged around the outer casing. 
     The present invention also concerns a male connection part for connection with the female piercing member protection device. The male connection part comprises a longitudinal cylinder like body having a longitudinal axis C, a first and a second side, an outer and an inner surface. A barrier member is arranged at the centre of the first side of the male connection member, intersecting the longitudinal axis C. Further is a fluid communication channel formed by the inner surface, said fluid communication channel extends from the barrier member of the male connection part to the second side of the male connection part. The male connection part further comprises at least one turning grip protrusion to provide for an increased turning friction between the female piercing member protection device, after assembly. The male connection part provides for a safe connection, in terms of leakage protection, with the female piercing member connection device. Further may a circumferential wall surround the first end of the male connection part. The wall permits a rigid coupling while, at the same time, prevent direct exposure of the barrier member to e.g. improper handling. 
     To increase the turning friction, at least one turning grip protrusion is arranged on said circumferential wall. This will permit the male connection part to be inserted only a moderate distance into the female piercing member protection device, while still give the above mentioned advantages of the circumferential wall. In fact, the at least one turning grip protrusion will stiffen the circumferential wall even more, and thereby provide for a rigid and secure connection. The male connection part may comprise between 1-20 turning grip protrusions, one preferred embodiment comprises three turning grip protrusions. The at least one turning grip protrusion runs substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis C, this may e.g. provide additional rigidity to the circumferential wall of the male connection part. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will hereafter be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein; 
         FIG. 1  show the female piercing member protection device according to the present invention in perspective; 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the female piercing member protection device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross section of the female piercing member protection device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4   a - 4   b  shows, in perspective, a male connection part for connection with the female piercing member protection device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross section of the female piercing member protection device and the male connection part after connection; 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross section of the female piercing member protection device and the male connection part in the activated position; 
         FIG. 7  shows a cross section of the female piercing member protection device and the male connection part in the activated position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following section different embodiments according to the present invention will be described in greater detail.  FIG. 1   a  shows a female piercing member protection device  100  having a longitudinal axis A and a transverse axis B, for providing a fluid communication between a first and a second fluid container. The female piercing member protection device  100  comprises a connection member  101  to connect to the first fluid container via a male connection part. The connection member  101  is at least partly enclosed by a turnable outer casing  102 , which can be turned between a first and a second position. The first position in which the connection member  101  is substantially unable to slide along the longitudinal axis A, and a second position in which the connection member  101  is it substantially able to slide along the longitudinal axis A. The first position is an inactivated position in which the female piercing member protection device  100  fully protects the piercing member from exposure and at the same time is protected in terms of that the connection member  101  is substantially unable to slide to an activated position. The female piercing member protection device  100  also comprises an activated position in which the piercing member is exposed so as to provide for a fluid communication between the first and the second fluid container. The activated position can only be reached when the outer casing  102  has been turned to the second position, and the connection member  101  is moved along the longitudinal axis A to the activated position. 
     The outer casing  102  is arranged to cover the connection member  101  so as to provide for a protective sleeve, in which the connection member may slide. A locking ring  103  is arranged around the periphery of the outer casing and function as a second locking device which can substantially prevent the connection member from sliding between the activated and inactivated position by means of being turned between a locked position and an unlocked position. Connection means  104  is arranged opposite the connection member  102  to the outer casing  102  so as to allow for the connection to the second fluid container. A piercing member (not shown) is arranged to the connection means  104  so as to provide for fluid communication between a first and a second fluid container. 
     In  FIG. 2 , each component is shown in an exploded view along the longitudinal axis A, and will be described in greater detail below. 
     Turning first to the outer casing  102 , the outer casing  102  comprises a first and a second side  110 ,  111 , an inner and an outer side  112 ,  113  and have substantially the form of a hollow cylinder. At least one aperture  114  is arranged in the proximity of the second end  111  of the outer casing  102 . The aperture  114  is substantially rectangular with a first and a second longitudinal side  115 ,  116  and a first and a second transverse side  117 ,  118 . 
     The aperture  114  is intended to be assembled in working cooperation with a locking flange arranged on the connection member  101 . 
     A straight channel  120  having a first and a second end  121 ,  122  is arranged in the outer casing  102 , extending trough the outer casing  102 . The straight channel  120  further extends from the first side  110  of the outer casing towards the second end  111  of the outer casing  102  and passes the middle of the outer casing  102 , with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the outer casing  102 . The straight channel  120  stops just above the aperture  114 , with respect to the longitudinal axis A. The straight channel  120  comprises an assembly part  123  and a working part  124 . The assembly part  123  and the working part  124  are separated by a connection member locking channel  125  which extends substantially perpendicular from the middle of the straight channel  120 , along the outer casing  102 . Additionally, an activation and inactivation positioning channel  126  extends substantially perpendicular along the outer casing  102 , from the second end  122  of the straight channel  120 . The connection member locking channel  125  extends slightly shorter along the outer casing  102  than the positioning channel  126 . Altogether, the straight channel  120 , the connection member locking channel  125  and the positioning channel  126  substantially form an F-shaped channel system. The outer casing can preferably be turned 5-180°, more preferably 20-120°, most preferred 40-95°, between the first and second position. 
     A stop flange  127  is arranged between the connection member locking channel  125  and the positioning channel  126 . The stop flange  127  extends around the periphery of the outer casing  102  and crosses the working part  124  of the straight channel  120 . After the outer casing  102  has been assembled with the connection member  101 , a locking ring  103  is placed adjacent the stop flange  127  and around the periphery of the outer casing  102 . The stop flange  127  prevents the locking ring  103  from sliding along the longitudinal axis A in a direction towards the second side  111  of the outer casing  102 . 
     Further shown in  FIG. 2  is the connection member  101 . The connection member  101  comprises a substantially hollow cylinder sleeve which has an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the outer casing. During assembly with the outer casing  102 , the connection member  101  is inserted into the outer casing from the first side  110  of the outer casing  102 . The connection member  101  comprises a first and a second side  130 ,  131  and an inner and an outer side  132 ,  133 . A circumferential flange  134  extends around the periphery of the connection member  101  at the first side  130  of the connection member  101 . A protrusion  135  protrudes out from the periphery of the circumferential flange  134  of the connection member  101 . The protrusion  135  is during assembly intended to slide into the assembly part  123  of the straight channel  120  and to operate in the connection member locking channel  125  and the positioning channel  126  as well as the working part  124 , during use of the female piercing member protection device  100 . 
     At least one deformable locking flange  136  is arranged substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis A. The deformable locking flange  136  comprises a first and a second longitudinal side  137 ,  138  and a first and a second transverse side  139 ,  140 . The first transverse side  139 , which is an integrated part of the connection member  101 , is arranged in the proximity of the middle of the connection member  101 , with respect to the longitudinal axis A. Hence the deformable locking flange  136  is an integrated part of the connection member  102 . The deformable locking flange  136  extends from the middle of the connection member  101  to the second side  131  of the connection member  101 . Small channels separate, and form, the first and the second longitudinal side  137 ,  138  from the connection member  101 . After assembly, the deformable locking flange  136  of the connection member  101  is intended to be in working cooperation with the aperture  114  of the outer casing  102 , and to lock onto a male connection member, as will be described below. 
     The aperture  114  of the outer casing and the deformable locking flange  136  of the connection member  101  has been described in singular; however, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer casing comprises at least two opposing apertures  114  and at least two opposing deformable locking flanges  136 . 
     The locking ring  103  is in the form of a ring-like sleeve member comprising an outer and an inner surface  150 ,  151  and a first and a second transverse side  152 ,  153 . A locking protrusion  154  (shown in  FIGS. 3 to 7 ) protrudes between the first and the second side  152 ,  153  from the inner surface  151  of the locking ring  103 . The locking ring comprises an inner diameter  155  which is large enough for the locking ring  103  to snugly fit around the outer casing  102  after assembly. The distance between the first and the second side  152 ,  153  of the locking ring  103  is substantially smaller than the length of the inner diameter  155  providing the substantially ring-like form to the locking ring  103 . The outer surface  150  of the locking ring  103  comprises at least one grip protrusion  156  which extends out from wall of the locking ring  103 . Preferably is a plurality of grip protrusions arranged on the locking ring  103 . Such a grip protrusion aids a user during turning of the locking ring  103 . Alternatively, the grip protrusion is replaced with a see-through opening which would in the shown embodiment of the present invention be aligned with the protrusion  154  and run substantially parallel with the protrusion  154 . Such see-through opening can be covered with a protective window if necessary. The purpose of the see through opening  156  is for a user to have an indication of whether the locking ring  103  is in the locked or unlocked position. As an alternative to a see through opening, the locking ring  103  can be manufactured from a transparent material. 
     A piercing member  105  in the form of a hollow needle comprises a first and a second end  160 ,  161  and an envelope surface  162 . The first end  160  comprises a piercing tip  163  intended to pierce a male connector of a fluid container during use. A fluid outlet opening  164  is arranged in the proximity of the piercing tip  163 , a fluid inlet opening  165  is arranged at the second end  161 . Although the terms outlet and inlet openings are used, the openings and the piercing member  105  are not restricted to a one way flow. 
     The connection means  104  comprises a threaded portion  170  extending along the longitudinal axis A and arranged so that a fluid container can be attached to the connection means  104 . The threaded portion  170  comprises an opening (not shown) into which the second end  161  of the piercing member  105  can be arranged so that the fluid inlet opening  165  is in fluid communication with a fluid container after connection. The threaded portion  170  is in the shown embodiment a conventional luer-lock arrangement. A sleeve member  171  is arranged to the threaded portion  170 . The sleeve member  171  comprises a first and a second transverse side  172 ,  173  extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis A, an outer and an inner surface  174 ,  175 . The threaded portion is arranged substantially in the centre of the first transverse side  172  of the sleeve member  171  which comprises a larger diameter than the threaded portion  170 . The sleeve member  171  is further arranged with an assembly opening (not shown) at the second end  173  of the sleeve portion. The assembly opening extends substantially from the second transverse side  173  to the proximity of the first transverse side  172  of the sleeve member  171 . After assembly, the assembly opening is intended to partly encompass at least the first side  110  of the outer casing  102 . 
     Additionally in  FIG. 2  is a first and a second barrier member shown; which will be described in greater detail below. 
       FIG. 3  shows a cross section of the earlier described embodiment of the present invention after assembly. More specifically  FIG. 3  shows the female piercing member protection device  100  with a longitudinal axis A, and comprising a connection member  101 , an outer casing  102  arranged to cover the connection member  101  so as to provide for a protective sleeve. A locking ring  103  is arranged around the periphery of the outer casing  102  and function as a second locking device which can substantially prevent the connection member from sliding between an activated and an inactivated position along the longitudinal axis A. Connection means  104  is arranged to the outer casing  102  so as to permit for the connection to the second fluid container. A piercing member  105  is arranged to the connection means  104  so as to provide for fluid communication between a first and a second fluid container during use. 
     The connection member  101  comprises as described above a first and a second side  130 ,  131  and an inner and an outer side  132 ,  133 . A circumferential flange  134  extends around the periphery of the connection member  101  at the first side  130  of the connection member  101 . A protrusion  135  protrudes out from the periphery of the circumferential flange  134  of the connection member  101 . 
     The locking flange  136  which is arranged substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis A, comprises, as mentioned, a first and a second transverse side  139 ,  140 . In the proximity of the second transverse side  140  of the locking flange  136 , the locking flange  136  comprises a hook like configuration, in the shown embodiment, the hook like configuration comprises a fold portion  141  which together with the locking flange  136  provide a snap-on connection to a male connection part. The second transverse side  140  of the locking flange comprises a substantially transverse portion, with respect to the longitudinal axis A, which continues with an angle towards the longitudinal axis A to a folding tip  142 , and then continues away from the longitudinal axis A, back to run substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis A. As mentioned, the folding tip  142  points towards the longitudinal axis A. 
     The locking flange  136  of the connection member  101  is as mentioned in working cooperation with the aperture  114  of the outer casing  102 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the connection member comprises two locking flanges  136  which are arranged to be in working cooperation with two apertures  114  on the outer casing  102 . This working cooperation will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 5  below. 
     The connection member  101  is further arranged with a first and a second barrier member  143 ,  144  arranged so as to intersect the longitudinal axis A. The first and the second barrier member  143 ,  144  each has a substantially disc shaped form and respectively comprises a first and a second transverse side  145 ,  146 ,  147 ,  148 . While being arranged substantially parallel with respect to each other, the space between the second transverse side  146  of the first barrier member  143  and the first transverse side  147  of the second barrier member  144  form a piercing tip protection chamber  149 . As is shown in  FIG. 3 , the second end  161  of the piercing member is attached to the connection means  104 , permitting the piercing member  105  to extend aligned with the longitudinal axis A, and partly through the first barrier member  143 , to the piercing tip protection chamber  149 . The piercing tip  163  of the piercing member  105  is arranged in the piercing tip protection chamber  149 . The outlet opening  164  of the piercing member  105  is positioned at least partly inside the first barrier member  143  so as to provide for a protective lid to the outlet opening  164  of the piercing member  105 . The piercing tip  163  may however be positioned fully inside the first barrier member  143 , or fully inside the piercing tip protection chamber  149 . 
     The first and second barrier members  143 ,  144  has been described as two separate barrier members, however, the two separate barrier member can be replaced with one barrier member comprising a piercing tip protection chamber, or with a barrier member without a piercing tip protection chamber. 
     In one embodiment, a piercing member protection device comprises a piercing member, wherein said piercing member comprises a fluid opening in the proximity of a piercing tip, at least one barrier member is arranged to the piercing member protection device wherein the fluid opening of the piercing member is fully enclosed in the barrier member, so that the barrier member provides a fluid leakage protection device for the piercing member protection device. The piercing member protection device is preferably a female piercing protection device. 
     The outer casing  102  can, as mentioned above, be turned between a first position and a second position, wherein when the outer casing  102  is in its first position; the male connection part can be attached with a snap-on connection to the connection member  101 . In the first position the male connection member may also be released from the snap-on connection, however, such detachment needs a certain force in order to overcome the snap-on connection. When the outer casing  102  is in its second position, the locking flanges  136  of the connection member  101  are displaced from the apertures  114  of the outer casing  102 , this will be described in greater detail below. 
     Further in  FIG. 3 , the locking ring  103  is arranged circumferentially around the outer surface  113  of the outer casing  102  and is positioned between the stop flange  127  of the outer casing  102  and the connection means  104 . The connection means  104  is attached in the proximity of the first side  110  of the outer casing  102 . 
     In  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  a male connection part will be described in greater detail. The male connection part may form a permanent or a temporarily connection part on e.g. a fluid container such as an infusion bag, infusion line, or the like, e.g. by means of a luer-lock, spike device, welding means, molding or adhesive means. The male connection part  200  comprises a longitudinal cylinder like body  201  having a longitudinal axis C. The male connection part  200  further comprises a first and a second side  202 ,  203 , an outer and an inner surface  204 ,  205 . At the first side of  202  of the male connection part  200  is a transverse locking flange  206  arranged. The transverse locking flange  206  extends around the periphery of the outer surface  204  of the male connection part  200  and is intended to cooperate with the locking flange  136  of the connection member  101 . 
     In the shown embodiment of the male connection part  200 , a circumferential wall  207  surrounds the first end  202  of the male connection part  200 , as shown in  FIG. 4   b . The circumferential wall  207  is arranged to at least partly encompass at least a part of the second barrier member  144  of the connection member  101  after connection, to provide for a steady and rigid connection between the parts, as well as provide a protective wall against negative handling, e.g. touching, which might lead to damages of e.g. a barrier member  208 . The barrier member  208  is arranged at the centre of the first side  202  of the male connection member  200 , intersecting the longitudinal axis C. The barrier member  208  of the male connection part  200  is after assembly with the female piercing member protection device  100  intended to provide for a double barrier member coupling together with the second barrier member  144  of the connection member  101 . A fluid communication channel  210  (not shown), formed by the inner surface  205 , extends from the barrier member  208  of the male connection part  200  to the second side  203  of the male connection part  200 . 
     The male connection part  200  can further be arranged with at least one turning grip protrusion. In the shown embodiment, the male connection part  200  is equipped with 3 turning grip protrusions  209 . The turning grip protrusions  209  are arranged on the outer surface of the circumferential wall  207 , permitting the turning grip protrusions  209  to interact with the inner side  132  of the connection member  101 . The tree turning grip protrusions  209  are symmetrically spread around the outer surface of the circumferential wall  207  so as to permit a good grip, and to prevent that more than one turning grip protrusions  209  will be positioned on the locking flange  136  of the connection member  101 . They further run substantially along the longitudinal axis C at least along a part of the circumferential wall  207 . 
     In those cases the male connection part  200  is arranged with turning grip protrusions, the inner side of the connection member is preferably arranged with corresponding turning grip grooves (not shown). The number of turning grip protrusions  209  on the male connection part  200  may be from 1 to 20, preferably 2-10, more preferably 3-8, generally symmetrically spread around the circumferential wall  207  or any other suitable part of the connection member  200 . The number of turning grip grooves, also they generally symmetrically spread around the inner surface  132  of the connection member  101 , may be from 1 to 19, preferably 1-9, more preferably 2-7. Most preferably, the number of turning grip protrusions  209  are more than the number of turning grip grooves, preferably one more. The purpose of the turning grip protrusions  209  is to prevent the connection member  101  from turning with respect to the male connection part  200  after assembly, this in turn will provide for a safe turning, with respect to the outer casing  102 . The male connection part thereby provides for an increased turning friction between the female piercing member protection device, and especially the connection member, after assembly. 
     In  FIG. 5 , the female piercing member protection device  100  and the male connection part  200  assembly, and the cooperation there between, will be described. As mentioned above, the outer casing  102  can be turned between a first and a second position. In its second position, the locking flanges  136  of the connection member  101  are displaced from the apertures  114  of the outer casing  102 .  FIG. 5  is illustrated after turning the outer casing  102  to the second position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the male connection part  200  has been inserted into the female piercing member protection device  100 . During insertion of the male connection part  200 , the locking flanges  136  will slightly deform out in a radial direction, with respect to the longitudinal axis A, leaving space for the male connection part  200 . The fold portion  141  is initially displaced by the transverse locking flange  206 , but as the folding tip  142  has been passed, the locking flanges  136  will return to its normal position and thereby hold the male connection part  200  in a firm grip. As the outer casing  102  has been turned to its second position and the apertures  114  has been displaced from the locking flanges  136 , the locking flanges  136  are substantially unable to deform out in a radial direction, with respect to the longitudinal axis A. The male connection part  200  is thereby effectively prevented from disconnecting from the connection member  101  and the female piercing member protection device  100 , a secure and firm connection is thereby established, which protects a user from accidentally disconnect a fluid container during a fluid transfer and thereby expose the piercing member. The connection member  101  is still in the inactivated position, i.e. the piercing member has not yet penetrated the barrier members  144  and  208  to provide for a fluid communication. 
     In  FIG. 6  the male connection member  101  is positioned in the activated position. As can be seen both the first and the second barrier members  143 ,  144  are penetrated by the piercing member  105 , the piercing tip  163  has reached inside the fluid communication channel  210  of the male connection part  200 . The connection member  101  is now in the activated position. 
     At this point, the locking ring  103  which is arranged circumferentially around the outer surface  113  of the outer casing  102  can be turned between a first position (as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) to a second position (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). While the locking ring is in the unlocked position, the connection member  101  can slide between the activated position (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) to the inactivated position (as shown in  FIG. 5 ), however, when the locking ring  103  is turned to the locked position the connection member  101  is substantially unable to slide between the activated position (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) to the inactivated position (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). The locking mechanism of the locking ring  103  is provided by means of the locking protrusion  154 , which has been described above. 
     The locking protrusion  154 , which protrudes at least partly between the first and the second side  152 ,  153  from the inner surface  151  of the locking ring  103 , runs in a part of the F-shaped channel system, which has been described above. More specifically, the locking protrusion  154  runs in the connection member locking channel  125  which extends perpendicular from the straight channel  120  of the outer casing  102 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6  the locking protrusion  154  is positioned in the connection member locking channel  125 , but displaced from the straight channel  120  so as to permit the connection member  101  to reach its activated position. In  FIG. 7  the locking ring  103  has been turned and the locking protrusion  154  has been moved to the connection member locking channel  125  so as to be positioned in the straight channel  120  and thereby effectively prevent the connection member  101  from being displaced from the activated position to the inactivated position. 
     The locking ring  103  or the locking protrusion  154  may further be arranged with a bias means (not shown), such as a spring, which will bias the locking protrusion  154  towards the straight channel  120  so as to provide for an automatic locking mechanism. If the locking protrusion  154  is properly formed, e.g. by making an angled surface towards the activation and inactivation positioning channel  126  of the outer casing  102 , the locking protrusion  154  can be made to automatically lock the connection member  101  in the active position. During movement of the connection member  101  to the active position, the locking protrusion is pushed way, however, after the connection member  101  has passed the locking protrusion  154 , the bias means bias the locking protrusion  154  back into the straight channel  120  and thereby effectively prevent the connection member  101  from returning to its inactive position. Hence the female piercing member protection device can be arranged with a manually second locking device, e.g. in which the user must turn the locking ring  103  himself to the locked position, or, an automatic second locking device, e.g. in which the locking ring  103  is automatically positioned in the locked position. 
     It is to be noted that the features described above may be combined in various ways, unless it is obviously inappropriate.