Connecting apparatus for medical conduits

A connecting apparatus for medical conduits including a valve body defining a first duct and having a connector for coupling to a first conduit. A valve is incorporated within the first duct and is a ball and spring type valve normally biased in closed position. An adaptor is releasably connectable to the body and has a female coupling for connection to a second conduit having a male coupling. A valve actuator is received within the adaptor and is arranged such that by connecting the adaptor to the valve body and then connecting the second conduit to the adaptor, the male coupling automatically moves the valve actuator towards the valve member thereby opening the valve against the action of the spring. When the adaptor is disconnected from the valve body, the valve member assumes a closed position in which an exposed surface portion of the spherical valve member is substantially flush with the end face of the valve body. The apparatus is suitable for connecting medical conduits such as those used in intravenous delivery.

This invention relates to connecting apparatus for connecting medically 
used conduits and in particular but not exclusively to connecting 
apparatus for use in the intravenous delivery of liquids. 
It is known to provide connecting apparatus for joining end-to-end conduits 
in a delivery line, a first conduit typically being connected to the 
patient by a cannulation device and a second conduit being attached to a 
source of liquid. 
It is a common requirement to be able to disconnect the first and second 
conduits from one another when changing to a new source of liquid and 
typically a new second conduit is then to be presented for connection to 
the first conduit. It is highly desirable for this connection process to 
be simple and to avoid the ingress of air into the conduits since the 
presence of air is hazardous to the patient. The ingress of air is a 
particular problem where the connection is to be made upstream of an 
infusion pump such that a degree of suction is developed within the first 
conduit. A commonly used form of connector employs a valve mechanism to 
seal the first conduit during periods in which it is disconnected from the 
second conduit and typically a valve mechanism is provided of a type in 
which a needle penetrates a septum to provide liquid communication in the 
open condition of the valve. 
The disadvantage of such valves is that there is an associated hazard in 
using such needles in that the operative may sustain injury during 
handling the apparatus or there may be a hazard associated with incorrect 
disposal after use. 
It is also desirable for the connecting apparatus to be provided with a 
valve mechanism which can be readily cleansed of any residual liquid after 
disconnection of the conduits to avoid bacterial growth which could 
contaminate infusion liquid when the conduits are reconnected. 
The valve mechanism should also preferably be suited to preventing the 
ingress of air when suction is developed within the first conduit. Certain 
types of valve such as duckbill valves are therefore unsuitable for this 
purpose. 
According to the present invention there is disclosed apparatus for 
connecting medical conduits comprising a valve body defining a first duct 
and having first connecting means for connecting a first conduit in 
communication with the first duct, the valve body comprising a valve 
having a valve member and biassing means which biasses the valve member 
into a position in which it closes a mouth of the first duct, an adaptor 
defining a second duct and having a female coupling for connecting a 
second conduit having a co-operating male coupling in communication with 
the second duct, connector means operable to releasably connect the valve 
body and the adaptor such that the mouth of the first duct is presented to 
a mouth of the second duct, and a valve actuator located within the second 
duct and movably engageable with the valve member when the valve body and 
adaptor are operatively connected, wherein the valve actuator is 
displaceable relative to the adaptor by insertion of the male coupling 
into operative engagement with the female coupling so as to move the valve 
member into a position in which the valve is opened. 
An advantage of such an arrangement is that it does not involve the use of 
a needle and is therefore inherently safe. 
Preferably the valve member includes an exposed surface portion which, when 
the adaptor is separated from the valve body, is exposed via the mouth of 
the first duct and wherein the exposed surface portion is convex so as to 
project at least partially through the mouth of the first duct. 
An advantage of such an arrangement is that it avoids the formation of any 
recess in the region of the mouth of the first duct which might otherwise 
result in the accumulation of congealed liquid after the separation of the 
adaptor from the valve body. It also makes possible the cleaning of the 
exposed surface portion. 
The valve member may be spherical and typically may be a stainless steel 
ball. 
The valve member may alternatively be formed of an elastomeric material and 
may be generally cylindrical in shape with a conically tapering surface 
projecting through the mouth of the first duct. 
Preferably the mouth of the first duct is formed in an end face of a first 
end of the valve body and the end face is substantially free of 
projections and indentations. 
This simplifies cleaning and avoids the accumulation of congealed liquid. 
Preferably the end face is planar. 
Conveniently the apparatus comprises limiting means operable to limit 
travel of the actuator relative to the adaptor. The limiting means may be 
provided by a radial projection of the actuator and a cooperating axially 
extending groove of the adaptor. 
Preferably the adaptor is provided with an annular seal operable to provide 
a continuous seal peripheral to the mouth of the first duct between the 
actuator and the end face of the valve body. 
Preferably the seal is also operable to provide a continuous seal 
peripheral to the second duct between the actuator and the adaptor. 
Alternatively the actuator may be provided with an integral annular seal 
member projecting radially into slidable sealing engagement with the 
adaptor and the adaptor may be provided with a bore receiving the 
actuator, the bore having a stepped diameter defining an annular shoulder 
cooperable with the annular seal member to constitute the limiting means. 
Conveniently the apparatus comprises a further annular seal member formed 
integrally with the valve body or the adaptor and operable to provide a 
seal between an external cylindrical surface of the valve body and an 
internal cylindrical surface of the adaptor.

In FIG. 1 an apparatus 1 includes a generally tubular valve body 2 of a 
plastics material which defines a first duct 3. A first end 4 of the valve 
body 2 has a planar end face 5 in which is centrally formed a circular 
aperture 6 constituting a mouth of the first duct 3. 
A spherical stainless steel valve member 7 is located within the first duct 
3 and is biassed by a coil compression spring 8 with the first duct 3 into 
a position in which it normally obturates the aperture 6. The valve member 
7, spring 8 and aperture 6 thereby constitute a valve 9 which is closed as 
shown in FIG. 1 thereby preventing the flow of liquid through the first 
duct 3. 
The valve body 2 has a second end 10 of reduced external diameter defining 
a tubular sleeve 11 which constitutes means for connecting a tube of 
plastic material defining a first conduit (not shown in FIG. 1) through 
which liquid is to be delivered to a patient. The first conduit typically 
forms one branch of a Y connector having a second branch connected to a 
liquid supply, the Y connector being connected with the inlet of an 
infusion pump so that a degree of suction is developed within the first 
conduit. Such an arrangement is suited to situations where a continuous 
supply of liquid is infused and an intermittent supply is to be connected 
via the first conduit. 
The apparatus 1 further comprises an adaptor 12 which is generally tubular 
and defines a second duct 13. The adaptor 12 has a first end portion 14 
having a flared aperture 15 communicating with the second duct 13 and 
receiving an annular elastomeric seal 16. 
The first end portion 14 is provided peripherally with female connecting 
formation 17 which is co-operable with male connection formations 18 
provided on the first end 4 of the valve body 2. The connection formations 
17 and 18 constitute connector means 19 which releasably connect the valve 
body 2 to the adaptor 12 such that the end face 5 of the valve body 2 is 
sealed to the adaptor by the annular seal 16 at a location peripheral to 
the aperture 6. 
The adaptor 12 has a second end portion 20 defining a conically tapered 
internal surface 21 and an external coupling formation 22 which together 
provide a female coupling 23. 
A valve actuator 24 of generally tubular shape is axially slidably received 
within the second duct 13 and has a leading end portion 25 which projects 
axially from the valve actuator into contact with the valve member 7. The 
actuator 24 has a radial projection 45 which locates in an axially 
extending groove 46 which is provided on a cylindrical internal surface 47 
of the adaptor 12. The axial extent of the groove 46 is such as to provide 
limited axial movement of the valve actuator 24. The valve actuator 24 
defines an internal passageway 26 which extends axially and communicates 
with an annular space 27 surrounding the leading end portion 25 via 
circumferentially spaced ports 28 which are formed adjacent to the leading 
end portion. The actuator is peripherally sealed to the adaptor 12 by 
sliding contact with the seal 16. 
In FIG. 2 the apparatus 1 is shown with a first conduit 29 connected to the 
sleeve 11 for the delivery of liquid to a patient. 
A male coupling 30 is connected to a second conduit (not shown) which is 
connected with a supply of liquid (not shown) comprises an insertion 
member 31 and a locking member 32. The male coupling has an internal bore 
corresponding in aperture to the passageway 26. 
The insertion member 31 has a conically tapering external surface 33 which 
is sealingly engaged with the tapered internal surface 21 of the adaptor 
12. 
The locking member 32 engages the coupling formation 22 of the adaptor 12, 
the male coupling 30 being moved into this locked position by inserting 
the insertion member 31 into the second duct 13 and rotating the male 
coupling 30 to lock the locking member 32 on to the coupling formation 22. 
During insertion to this fully inserted coupled position as shown in FIG. 2 
the valve actuator 24 is moved axially from its initial rest position as 
shown in FIG. 1 into an actuated position. In this actuated position the 
valve member 7 is depressed by compression of the spring 8 into a position 
in which it no longer obturates the aperture 6. The valve 9 is therefore 
opened and in this position the first duct 3 is placed in communication 
with the second duct 13 via the aperture 6. Movement of the valve actuator 
24 continues until the external surface 33 of the insertion member 31 
makes sealing engagement with the internal surface 21 of the adaptor 12. 
During a last portion of this travel of the valve actuator 24 the valve 9 
progressively opens before sealing contact is made between the insertion 
member 31 and the adaptor 12 but the ingress of air into the internal 
passageway 26 of the valve actuator 24 is prevented by continuous 
circumferential contact with the insertion member 31 which makes end to 
end contact with the actuator. Any suction developed within the first 
conduit is therefore communicated to the second conduit during this phase 
of insertion rather than allowing ambient air to be drawn into the first 
conduit. 
In use the adaptor 12 is connected to the valve body 2 by the connector 
means 19 and the male coupling 30 is then coupled to the female coupling 
23 thereby moving the actuator 24 and opening the valve 9. Liquid flowing 
through the second conduit via the bore of the male coupling 33 then 
passes through the passageway 26 of the valve actuator 24, through the 
ports 28 into the annular space 27, through the aperture 6 and into the 
first duct 3. The liquid is then conducted from the first duct 3 into the 
first conduit 29 so that liquid communication is thereby provided between 
the first and second conduits. 
When it is required to discontinue the flow the male coupling 30 is 
uncoupled from the female coupling 23 and the valve actuator 24 returns to 
its rest position by action of the spring 8 as shown in FIG. 1 thereby 
closing the valve 9. 
If infusion is to be discontinued for some time then the adaptor 12 is 
disconnected from the valve body 2. This disconnection disposes the planar 
end face 5 which can be swabbed clean. An exposed surface portion 34 of 
the valve member projects from the aperture and can also be swabbed clean. 
In this way the build-up of deposits with associated bacterial risk is 
avoided. 
It is envisaged that the adaptor 12 would be regarded as a disposable item 
so that a new adaptor would be fitted with each subsequent connection of 
liquid supply. 
An alternative apparatus 40 is shown in FIG. 3 and will be described using 
corresponding reference numerals to those of preceding Figures where 
appropriate for corresponding elements. 
The apparatus 40 includes a valve body 2 and an adaptor 12 of similar 
proportions to those of the apparatus 1 and further includes an annular 
seal 16 and valve actuator 24 of like dimensions. 
The apparatus 40 has a valve member 41 of elastomeric material having a 
cylindrical body 42 with a conically tapered valve face 43 which normally 
obturates the aperture 6 formed in the planar end face 5 of the valve 
body. The valve face 43 projects slightly from the aperture 6 and is 
thereby accessible for cleaning when the adaptor is disconnected from the 
valve body 2. 
The valve member 41 has an axial projection 44 of reduced diameter about 
which the coil spring 8 is located. 
The apparatus 40 operates in like manner to the apparatus 1, differing only 
in the shape of the valve member 41. 
A further alternative apparatus 50 is shown in FIG. 4 which will be 
described using corresponding reference numerals to those of preceding 
figures where appropriate for corresponding elements. 
The apparatus 50 has a valve body 2 in which male connector formations 18 
are spaced axially from the end face 5 of the valve body. An adaptor 12 
includes a cylindrical extension 51 having female connection formations 17 
which are axially spaced forward of an end face 52 of the adaptor 12. The 
end face 52 is abutted by end face 5 of the body 2 when the adaptor 12 is 
connected to the body. 
The cylindrical extension 51 is provided with an integrally formed first 
annular seal 53 which projects radially inwardly into sliding sealing 
contact with an external cylindrical surface 54 of the valve body 2. The 
first annular seal 53 is in the form of a tapered rib which is inclined 
relative to the axial extent of the cylindrical extension 51, the 
direction of inclination being such that the first annular seal tapers in 
a direction extending away from the end face 52. 
The valve body 2 is provided with a chamfered edge 55 extending 
peripherally of the end face 5 to facilitate insertion of the valve body 2 
within the adaptor 12 and in particular to allow progressive outward 
deformation of the first annular seal 53. 
The apparatus 50 includes a valve actuator 24 which is provided with an 
integrally formed second annular seal 56 which projects radially outwardly 
into slidable sealing contact with a cylindrical bore surface 57 of a bore 
58. The second annular seal 56 is in the form of a tapered rib inclined to 
the longitudinal axis of the actuator 24 in a direction towards the valve 
body 2. The bore 58 is stepped in diameter at a shoulder 59 such that a 
cylindrical bore extension 60 of reduced diameter communicates between the 
bore 58 and the second duct 13. Axial movement of the valve actuator 24 in 
a direction away from the end face 52 is limited by contact between the 
second annular seal 56 and the shoulder 59. 
In use the adaptor 12 is coupled to the valve body 2 to which it is secured 
by action of the couplings 17 and 18. A male coupling of the type shown in 
FIG. 2 is coupled to the adaptor 12 such that an insertion member received 
within the second duct 13 urges the valve actuator 24 axially into 
engagement with spherical valve member 7. The leading end portion 25 bears 
against the valve member 7 which is depressed to a position in which the 
leading end portion projects through aperture 6 and fluid communication is 
established between the adaptor 12 and the valve body 2 in a similar 
manner to that described above with reference to FIG. 2. 
The first annular seal 53 prevents the escape of liquid or the entry of air 
between the valve body 2 and the adaptor 12 and the second annular seal 56 
similarly forms a seal between the adaptor 12 and the valve actuator 24. 
The apparatus 50 has the advantage of not requiring the additional 
component of a resilient seal 16 of the type shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. 
The need for radial projection 55 and groove 46 is also obviated by 
engagement between the shoulder 59 and the second annular seal 56 thereby 
simplifying construction. 
The couplings and connectors of the apparatus may conveniently be of 
standard luer type or may be of any equivalent construction. 
Apparatus in accordance with the present invention avoids the ingress of 
air during coupling of first and second conduits and because of the 
disposable nature of the adaptor it avoids problems associated with 
bacterial accumulation within residual infusate which can remain trapped 
within recesses in conventional apparatus for the same purpose. 
Apparatus in accordance with the present invention as described above is 
particularly easy to use and provides a low cost solution to the 
requirements for coupling medical conduits.