Tool for engaging and disengaging connectors

A tool for engaging and disengaging connectors. The tool includes a longitudinal member and at least one aperture extending through the member. The aperture is sized and shaped to receive and retain a connector, and is configured to rotate the connector to engage and disengage the connector with a mating connector. In some of the embodiments a pair of such tools are utilized, one tool holding a first connector and a second tool holding a second connector. In these embodiments one tool may be held stationary while the other tool is rotated to engage and disengage the connectors as desired. Alternatively, both tools may be simultaneously rotated in opposite directions engage and disengage the connectors as desired.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to tube fittings, connectors, extension lines, caps, and other medical grade equipment used in intravenous therapy.

BACKGROUND

Equipment used for intravenous therapy usually includes a catheter inserted into a vein of a patient and connected to a sterile dispensing container via tubing. In addition to the tubing, intravenous therapy equipment includes various connecting devices such as, without limitation, needle-free caps, extension lines, flushing caps and syringe caps, hereafter referred to generally as “connectors.” As one example, BD brand intravenous lines and associated products incorporate such connectors. A pair of connectors are typically engaged or disengaged by placing mating features of the connectors in contact with one another and rotating one of the connectors to engage and disengage them. Alternatively, both connectors may be simultaneously rotated in opposite directions, i.e., clockwise and counter-clockwise, to engage and disengage them.

Medical personnel and patients usually engage and disengage the connectors by hand. To prevent leakage or contamination of fluids from an intravenous system it is necessary to securely couple the connectors together. However, a drawback of these intravenous connecting devices is that they can be difficult to tighten when being engaged. Furthermore, once engaged, the connectors can be difficult to loosen and disengage from one another by hand. This is particularly the case for medical personnel and patients with challenges such as arthritis, limited hand movement, loss of strength, and fatigue. There is a need for a way for persons with such limitations to easily engage and disengage intravenous connectors.

SUMMARY

A tool to engage and disengage intravenous connectors is disclosed. The tool includes a longitudinal member and at least one aperture extending through the member. The aperture is sized and shaped to receive and retain a connector. In some embodiments of the present invention a plurality of apertures may be formed in the tool, the apertures each being sized and shaped to receive and retain a certain type of connector. Such a “multi-tool” can be configured to rotationally engage or disengage a variety of types of connectors.

The disclosed invention describes a tool for engaging and disengaging connectors. The tool includes a longitudinal member and at least one aperture extending through the member. The aperture is sized and shaped to receive and retain a connector. The tool is rotated to rotate a select connector to engage and disengage the connector with a mating connector. The at least one aperture may be a number of sizes and shapes and include a number of types of engagement features, as detailed below.

In an embodiment of the present invention a user holds a connector in one hand while using the tool with the other hand to rotate a mating connector to either engage or disengage the connectors as desired. Alternatively, a pair of said tools may be used, each connector being retained by a corresponding tool. One tool, holding a first connector, may be kept relatively stationary while the other tool is rotated to engage or disengage a second connector with the first connector as desired. Alternatively, both tools may be simultaneously rotated in opposite directions, i.e., clockwise and counter-clockwise, to engage or disengage the connectors as desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The general arrangement of a tool10for engaging or disengaging connectors is shown inFIGS.1through7according to an embodiment of the present invention. Tool10includes a generally planar member12having a first side14, a second, opposing side16, an edge18extending between the first and second sides, a first distal end20and a second distal end22.

As further shown in the figures, tool10preferably includes one or more apertures extending through member12, the apertures being sized and shaped to receive and retain a not-shown connector. The types of apertures may vary in size, shape and features to accommodate a particular connector, as discussed further below.

Referring toFIGS.1,2,5,6and7, a first type of aperture24extends through first and second sides14,16of member12. Aperture24includes a sidewall26extending between the first and second sides14,16and a plurality of spaced-apart, tooth-like projections28extending away from the sidewall. The size and shape of aperture24as well as the number, size, shape, spacing and locations of tooth-like projections28are selected to receive and engage a connector having a corresponding size and complementary features. Aperture24may extend to edge18as shown and form a gap30. Alternatively, aperture24may be spaced away from edge18. Two examples of aperture24with larger and smaller aperture and gap30size to receive and retain a first and a second type of connector respectively are shown in the figures.

A second type of aperture32is shown inFIGS.1,6and7. Aperture32extends through first and second sides14,16of member12. Aperture32includes a sidewall34extending between the first and second sides14,16. Aperture32further includes a set of detents36extending away from sidewall34. The size and shape of aperture32as well as the number, size, shape, spacing and locations of detents36are selected to receive and engage a third type of connector having a corresponding size and complementary features. Aperture32may extend to edge18in a manner similar to aperture24, or may be spaced away from the edge as shown.

A third type of aperture38, shown inFIGS.1,2,6and7, extends through first and second sides14,16of member12. Aperture38includes a sidewall40extending between the first and second sides14,16and is generally T-shaped. Aperture38may extend to edge18as shown to form a gap42, or may be spaced away from the edge.

The size and shape of aperture38are selected to receive and engage a connector having a corresponding size and complementary features. For example, aperture38may vary in size and “T” shape as desired to receive and retain a corresponding connector. Two examples of aperture38of smaller and larger size to receive and retain fourth and fifth types of connectors respectively are shown in the figures.

A fourth type of aperture44extends through first and second sides14,16of member12. Aperture44includes a sidewall46extending between the first and second sides14,16. Aperture44further includes a set of detents48extending away from sidewall46. The size and shape of aperture44as well as the number, size, shape, spacing and locations of detents48are selected to receive and engage a sixth type of connector having a corresponding size and complementary features. Aperture44may extend to edge18in a manner similar to aperture24, or may be spaced away from the edge as shown.

FIG.8shows a tool10′ with a fifth type of aperture50according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Aperture50includes a through hole52extending through first and second sides14,16of member12, a counterbored portion54with a sidewall56extending between the counterbored portion and front side14, and a plurality of detents58extending away from the sidewall. The size and shape of aperture50and through-hole52as well as the number, size, shape, spacing and locations of detents58, and the depth of counterbored portion54are selected to receive and engage a connector having a corresponding size and complementary features.

Aperture50may extend to edge18, or may be spaced away from the edge as shown. In some embodiments of the present invention aperture50may comprise an opposing counterbore forming a second sidewall and detents similar to sidewall56and detents58.

The various apertures described above may be formed in member12in any suitable manner. Examples include, but are not limited to, machining, molding, water-jetting, casting, and stamping. It should also be noted that the present invention is not limited to the apertures described above. Apertures of any size, shape, surfaces, features, and spacings may be formed as needed to receive and retain a connector having a corresponding size and shape within the scope of the invention.

Tool10may be made as a generally planar substrate and from any suitable material. Example materials include, without limitation, metals such as medical grade steel, plastic, and composite materials. Tool10may further be finished as desired with a finish that is suitable for the select material, such as anodizing, conversion coatings, dyes, pigments, powder coating and paint.

With reference now toFIGS.1,6and7, in use a single tool10may be used to engage and disengage a pair of connectors. A user places a first one of the connectors (not shown) into an appropriate one of the apertures24,32,38,44,50of tool10such that the select aperture receives and retains the first connector. The user may then hold tool10(and the first connector) in one hand while rotatably engaging or disengaging a second not-shown connector to the first connector with the user's other hand as desired.

With continued reference toFIGS.1,6and7, a pair of tools10may also be used to join or uncouple a pair of connectors. A user places a first one of the connectors into an appropriate one of the apertures24,32,38,44,50of a first tool10such that the select aperture receives and retains the first connector. Likewise, the user places a second one of the connectors into an appropriate one of the apertures24,32,38,44,50of a second tool10such that the select aperture receives and retains the second, mating connector. The user may then hold one of the first or second tools10stationary in one hand while rotating the other tool with the other hand to rotatably engage or disengage the first and second connectors as desired. Alternatively, the user may simultaneously rotate both tools10in opposite directions, i.e., clockwise and counterclockwise, to engage or disengage the first and second connectors as desired.

An example use of tool10is shown inFIGS.9,10and11for further illustration. A first connector60is inserted into an aperture38of a first tool10a(FIG.9). An aperture44of a second tool,10b, is positioned to engage a second connector62that is coupled to first connector60(FIG.10). Either or both of tools10a,10bare then rotated as needed to loosen or tighten the engagement of connectors60,62. When loosening the connectors60,62the connectors may also be disengaged and detached from one another (FIGS.10,11).

Gap42may be used to pass an intravenous line64(FIGS.9,10,11) into and out of tool10a. Any of gaps30,42shown in the figures may likewise be used for this purpose when placing a connector into tool10or removing a connector from the tool.

From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes, and modifications in the invention. Such improvements, changes, and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered. For example, the tool described herein may be used to advantage with any type of connectors that are rotationally engaged and disengaged, whether or not associated with an intravenous system or other types of connectors.