Abstract:
A Luer lock connector and a Luer lock injection site connector each featuring a flat surface for placing parallel to and substantially flush against the epidermis of a patient and for use generally with an intravenous catheter attached to the epidermis. Such orientation presents a wide contact surface with the epidermis which minimizes or prevents epidermal irritation.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/632,123 entitled “Suction Catheter System” filed Aug. 3, 2000, pending. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to medical devices, and, more particularly relates to Luer lock connectors which feature a flat side. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Luer lock connectors having different constructions and functions are used with a variety of medical devices, one common medical device being an intravenous catheter. Two basic types of Luer lock connectors are commonly associated with an intravenous catheter. One type functions as a coupler which has one end configured for connection to the intravenous catheter and the other end configured for connection to a supply tube, this type being simply termed a Luer lock connector. The other type likewise has one end configured for connection to the intravenous catheter but is configured at the other end to provide an injection site, this type being more specifically termed a Luer lock injection site connector. The Luer lock connectors or Luer lock injection site connectors are taped to the skin near the site of a puncture to firmly anchor and secure the intravenous catheter within the epidermis. The tape is applied over and about the body of the Luer lock connector or Luer lock injection site connector, each of which is oriented at an angle with respect to the patient&#39;s epidermis, which causes one edge of the Luer lock connector or Luer lock injection site connector to be in intimate and forced contact with the epidermis. Such orientation and pressure often causes the one edge of the Luer lock connector or Luer lock injection site connector to dig into and to cause an indentation in the epidermis. Such an indentation can be a source of irritation and discomfort to the patient and could even be a source of localized cellulitis. Clearly what is needed is both a Luer lock connector and a Luer lock injection site connector which can be attached to the epidermis without causing trauma, stress and irritation at the region of contact with the epidermis. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present invention is to provide Luer lock connectors which can be attached and secured to a patient such that no irritation or at most minimum irritation occurs at the attachment site. Such is accomplished by the instant invention which provides in one embodiment a Luer lock connector having a flat side which is oriented to align parallel to and to rest comfortably against the patient&#39;s epidermis and in an alternative embodiment a Luer lock injection site connector also incorporating a flat side. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a flat-sided Luer lock connector including a cylindrical body truncated by a flat planar surface, a truncated disk-shaped panel extending across one end of the truncated cylindrical body, a cylindrical extension extending distally from the truncated disk-shaped panel for connection to a supply tube, and a tapered tubular member extending proximally from the interior of the truncated cylindrical body. 
     According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector which includes many of the same features found in the flat-sided Luer lock connector of the first embodiment, but which is configured differently at its distal end. More specifically, rather than having a cylindrical extension at the distal end for connection to a supply tube, as does the first embodiment, the alternative embodiment has provision at its distal end for serving as an injection site. 
     One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat-sided Luer lock connector having a flat planar surface which in use is oriented parallel to and substantially flush with a patient&#39;s epidermis. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat-sided Luer lock connector having a profile which minimizes or produces no epidermal irritation. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat-sided Luer lock connector having a surface configured for gripping while tightening. 
     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat-sided Luer lock connector which can be readily and easily and economically produced. 
     A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector, an alternative embodiment, which incorporates the above-listed significant aspects and features. 
     Having thus briefly described embodiments of the present invention and enumerated certain significant aspects and features thereof, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a Luer lock connector and a Luer lock injection site connector which when utilized with an intravenous catheter and anchored to the skin at a puncture site, will rest comfortably against the epidermis and minimize, if not entirely eliminate, trauma, stress and irritation at the region of contact with the epidermis. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a flat-sided Luer lock connector; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a proximal end view of the flat-sided Luer lock connector; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the flat-sided Luer lock connector and an intravenous catheter aligned therewith prior to mutual engagement; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the use of the flat-sided Luer lock connector with the intravenous and catheter; 
     FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment, illustrates an isometric view of a flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a proximal end view of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector and an intravenous catheter aligned therewith prior to mutual engagement; and, 
     FIG. 8 illustrates the use of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector with the intravenous catheter. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a flat-sided Luer lock connector  10 . The view presented in FIG. 1 is inverted to show the features of the flat side in full. The Luer lock connector  10  features a truncated cylindrical body  12  defined by a radiused wall  14  truncated along a chord represented by a flat planar surface  16 . The wall  14  intersects the circular edge of a planar disk-shaped panel  18 , which is also truncated. The planar and truncated disk-shaped panel  18  extends across one end of the truncated cylindrical body  12 . Wall  14  is grooved or otherwise suitably configured to allow the practitioner to effectively grip the flat-sided Luer lock connector  10 . A plurality of threads  20   a - 20   n  are located on and extend inwardly from the inner curved surface  22  of the truncated cylindrical body  12 , as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, to mate with a suitable intravenous catheter  34  (FIG.  3 ). After engagement of the intravenous catheter  34  with the flat-sided Luer lock connector  10 , the intravenous catheter  34  and the flat-sided Luer lock connector  10  are orientated with the flat planar surface  16  parallel to and substantially flush against the epidermis  46  (FIG.  4 ). A tapered tubular member  24  extends proximally and concentric to and along the centerline of the truncated cylindrical body  12  for subsequent frictional engagement to and with the intravenous catheter  34 . Extending distally and in opposition to the tapered tubular member  24  and from the planar and truncated disk-shaped panel  18  is a cylindrical extension  26  the center of which accommodatingly serves as an attachment fixture for a supply tube  28 . Tapered tubular member  24  and cylindrical extension  26  include a common passage  32  (FIG. 2) which also extends through the planar and truncated disk-shaped panel  18  for passage of medicinal fluids through the flat-sided Luer lock connector  10 . An annular space  30  (FIG. 2) is included between the inner curved surface  22  and the tapered tubular member  24  for accommodation of an intravenous catheter. The truncated parts  12  and  18  impart an overall low profile to the flat-sided Luer lock connector  10 . Alternatively, the truncated cylindrical body  12  and the attributes thereof can be incorporated into use with a slip Luer lock connector (not illustrated). A slip Luer lock connector is a Luer lock connector that can slide back and forth about one-third of an inch toward the end of the supply tube to engage an intravenous catheter. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a proximal end view of the flat-sided Luer lock connector  10 . Illustrated in particular is the common passage  32  passing through the tapered tubular member  24 , the planar and truncated disk-shaped panel  18 , and the cylindrical extension  26 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the flat-sided Luer lock connector  10  and an intravenous catheter  34  aligned therewith prior to mutual engagement. The intravenous catheter  34  includes a tapered body  36  having a tapered interior  38 , a slender cylinder  40  extending from the tapered body  36 , and a passage  42  in the cylinder  40  connected to and communicating with the tapered interior  38 . A flange  44  is located at one end of the tapered body  36  for engagement with the interior threads  20   a - 20   n  of the truncated cylindrical body  12 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the use of the flat-sided Luer lock connector  10  with the intravenous catheter  34 . In use, the slender and flexible cylinder  40  of the intravenous catheter  34  is inserted through the epidermis  46 , and the flat-sided Luer lock connector  10  is anchored in place by taping it to the epidermis  46  with the flat planar surface  16  thereof oriented such that it lies substantially flush against the epidermis  46 . Due to the flat planar surface  16  lying substantially flush against the epidermis  46 , adverse effects such as trauma, irritation, stress and the like resulting from impingement of the epidermis  46  by the flat-sided Luer lock connector  10  are either non-existent or exceedingly minor in nature. 
     FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment, illustrates an isometric view of a flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50 . The view presented in FIG. 5 is inverted to show the features of the flat side in full. The flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50  features a truncated cylindrical body  52  defined by a radiused wall  54  truncated along a chord represented by a flat planar surface  56 . The wall  54  intersects the circular edge of a disk-shaped panel  58 , which is also truncated. The truncated disk-shaped panel  58  extends across one end of the truncated cylindrical body  52 . It should be noted that the flat planar surface  56  is angled or canted upwardly, as shown, from the proximal portion of the flat planar surface  56  to meet the level of or to rise above the level of a raised thread  72  on a cylindrical extension  70  extending distally of the truncated disk-shaped panel  58 . Such an arrangement ensures that the profile of the raised thread  72  does not extend beyond the general profile of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50 , thus preventing the raised thread  72  from depressed contact with the epidermis. The truncated disk-shaped panel  58 , of a larger radius than the radius of the wall  54 , extends across and along one end of the wall  54  to form a lip  62 . Optional gussets  60  may be placed between the lip  62  and the wall  54  for adding strength to the lip  62 , as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8. A plurality of threads  64   a - 64   n  are located on and extend inwardly from the inner curved surface  66  of the truncated cylindrical body  52 , as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As with the threads  20   a - 20   n  of the flat-sided Luer lock connector  10 , the threads  64   a - 64   n  of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50  are located and oriented to mate with a suitable catheter, such as intravenous catheter  34  or intravenous catheter  80  (FIG.  7 ). Subsequent to proper engagement of the intravenous catheter  80  with the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50 , the combined intravenous catheter  80  and flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50  are oriented to align the flat planar surface  56  parallel to the epidermis  46 . Proper orientation of the threads  20   a - 20   n  of the flat-sided Luer lock connector  10  and the threads  64   a - 64   n  of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50  is desirable in that either the flat-sided Luer lock connector  10  or the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50  can be suitably oriented, interchanged and attached to a catheter such as intravenous catheters  34  and  80 . The threads  20   a - 20   n  of the flat-sided Luer lock connector  10  and the threads  64   a - 64   n  of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50  can be properly constructed and oriented during the manufacturing process to ensure proper orientation. A tapered tubular member  68  extends proximally and concentric to and along the centerline of the truncated cylindrical body  52  for subsequent frictional engagement to and with an intravenous catheter. Extending distally and in opposition to the tapered tubular member  68  and from the truncated disk-shaped panel  58  is the aforementioned cylindrical extension  70  having the raised thread  72  located therealong. A puncturable, self-sealing membrane  74  is fitted over and about the portion of the cylindrical extension  70  outboard of the raised thread  72  and covers the distal end of the cylindrical extension  70 . The raised thread  72  can function as a stop for attached membrane-puncturing members or can serve to attach an intravenous fitting which can align over and about the membrane  74  while at the same time puncturing the membrane  74 . Alternatively, an annular ring without a thread can be incorporated in lieu of the raised thread  72 . Tapered tubular member  68  and cylindrical extension  70  include a common passage  78  (FIG. 6) which also extends through the truncated disk-shaped panel  58  for passage of medicinal fluids through the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50 . An annular space  76  (FIG. 6) is included between the inner curved surface  66  and the tapered tubular member  68  for accommodation of an intravenous catheter. Wall  54  is grooved to allow the practitioner to effectively grip the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50 . The truncated parts  52  and  58  impart an overall low profile to the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a proximal end view of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50 . Illustrated in particular is the common passage  78  passing through the tapered tubular member  68 , the truncated disk-shaped panel  58 , and the cylindrical extension  70 . 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50  and an intravenous catheter  80  aligned therewith prior to mutual engagement. The intravenous catheter  80  includes a tapered body  82  having a tapered interior  84 , a slender and flexible cylinder  86  extending from the tapered body  82 , and a passage  88  in the cylinder  86  connected to and communicating with the tapered interior  84 . A flange  90  is located at one end of the tapered body  82  for engagement with the interior threads  64   a - 64   n  of the truncated cylindrical body  52 . 
     FIG. 8 illustrates the use of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50  with the intravenous catheter  80 . In use, the slender cylinder  86  of the intravenous catheter  80  is inserted through the epidermis  46 , and the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50  is anchored in place by taping it to the epidermis  46  with the flat planar surface  56  thereof oriented such that it lies substantially flush against the epidermis  46 . Due to the flat planar surface  56  lying substantially flush against the epidermis  46 , adverse effects such as trauma, irritation, stress and the like resulting from impingement of the epidermis  46  by the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  50  are either non-existent or exceedingly minor in nature. 
     Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof. 
     Flat-Sided Luer Lock Connectors Parts List 
       10  flat-sided Luer lock connector 
       12  truncated cylindrical body 
       14  wall 
       16  flat planar surface 
       18  planar and truncated disk-shaped panel 
       20   a-n  threads 
       22  inner curved surface 
       24  tapered tubular member 
       26  cylindrical extension 
       28  supply tube 
       30  annular space 
       32  common passage 
       34  intravenous catheter 
       36  tapered body 
       38  tapered interior 
       40  cylinder 
       42  passage 
       44  flange 
       46  epidermis 
       50  flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector 
       52  truncated cylindrical body 
       54  wall 
       56  flat planar surface 
       58  truncated disk-shaped panel truncated 
       60  gusset 
       62  lip 
       64   a-n threads 
       66  inner curved surface 
       68  tapered tubular member 
       70  cylindrical extension 
       72  raised thread 
       74  membrane 
       76  annular space 
       78  common passage 
       80  intravenous catheter 
       82  tapered body 
       84  tapered interior 
       86  cylinder 
       88  passage 
       90  flange