LUER LOCK INTRAVENOUS CONNECTOR

Luer lock connectors are provided that include an inner core of a hard material, the inner core sized and shaped to mate with an inner portion of an opposing luer lock connector, an outer layer of a soft material disposed on an outer surface of the inner core, and a plurality of grip features disposed on an outer surface of the outer layer, wherein the plurality of grip features are configured to provide a slip resistant grip surface. Infusion sets and infusion set luer lock connectors are also provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to infusion set intravenous (IV) connectors, in particular luer lock IV connectors.

BACKGROUND

Typical infusion or intravenous (IV) sets are constructed by joining polymeric tubing segments to polymeric components, many of which use luer lock connectors. These IV sets are then used with infusion pumps or gravity systems to provide fluids to a user, such as a patient. However, typical luer lock connectors are made of hard plastic that is slippery when the connector is wet or when a user's hand is wet, thus making it difficult to grip and undo the connector when changing out an IV component or IV set. In addition, the hardness of the typical connectors can cause skin tears and pressure sores when the connectors are pressed against a patient's skin for a prolonged period of time.

In order to deal with this issue, some typical solutions are to use pliers or forceps to forcibly grip the connector in order to disconnect or connect IV components or IV sets. However, this solution can damage the connector and requires the user to have pliers or forceps on hand. In addition, the large amount of force required to disconnect the connector may cause the catheter to pull or rip out of the patient. Other solutions have been to wrap the connector in cotton gauze and tape to help create come type of padding between the connector and the patient's skin. This solution requires additional time from the user to connect and prepare IV components or IV sets, as well as an increased cost for the additional gauze and tape materials for every connector.

For these reasons, it is desirable to provide luer lock connectors for use with IV components and IV sets that are easy to grip and cushioned.

SUMMARY

In one or more embodiments, a luer lock connector includes an inner core comprising a hard material, the inner core sized and shaped to mate with an inner portion of an opposing luer lock connector, an outer layer disposed on an outer surface of the inner core, the outer layer comprising a soft material, and a plurality of grip features disposed on an outer surface of the outer layer, wherein the plurality of grip features are configured to provide a slip resistant grip surface.

In one or more embodiments, an infusion set includes an infusion set component and a luer lock connector. The luer lock connector includes an inner core formed from a hard material comprising at least one of polycarbonate, nylon and polyethylene, an outer layer disposed on an outer surface of the inner core, the outer layer formed from a soft material comprising at least one of silicone, polyurethane and latex free silicone rubber, and a plurality of grip features disposed on the outer layer, the plurality of grip features nfigured to provide a slip resistant grip surface.

In one or more embodiments, an infusion set luer lock connector includes an inner core formed from a hard material comprising at least one of polycarbonate, nylon and polyethylene, the inner core sized and shaped to mate with a receiving portion of an opposed gender luer lock connector, an outer layer disposed on an outer surface of the inner core, the outer layer formed from a soft material comprising at least one of silicone, polyurethane and latex free silicone rubber, and a plurality of grip features disposed on the outer layer, the plurality of grip features comprising at least one of a plurality of raised features and a plurality of recessed features, wherein the grip features are configured to provide a slip resistant grip surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the present disclosure includes examples of the subject technology and does not limit the scope of the appended claims. Various aspects of the subject technology will now be disclosed according to particular but non-limiting examples. Various embodiments described in the present disclosure may be carried out in different ways and variations, and in accordance with a desired application or implementation.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like or corresponding elements among the several views, there is shown inFIG. 1a patient care system20having four infusion pumps22,24,26, and28each of which is fluidly connected with an upstream fluid line30,32,34, and36, respectively. Each of the four infusion pumps22,24,26, and28is also fluidly connected with a downstream fluid line31,33,35, and37, respectively. The fluid lines can be any type of fluid conduit, such as an IV administration set, through which fluid can flow through. It should be appreciated that any of a variety of pump mechanisms can be used including syringe pumps.

Fluid supplies38,40,42, and44, which may take various forms but in this case are shown as bottles, are inverted and suspended above the pumps. Fluid supplies may also take the form of bags or other types of containers including syringes. Both the patient care system20and the fluid supplies38,40,42, and44are mounted to a roller stand, IV pole46, table top, etc.

A separate infusion pump22,24,26, and28is used to infuse each of the fluids of the fluid supplies into the patient. The infusion pumps are flow control devices that will act on the respective fluid line to move the fluid from the fluid supply through the fluid line to the patient48. Because individual pumps are used, each can be individually set to the pumping or operating parameters required for infusing the particular medical fluid from the respective fluid supply into the patient at the particular rate prescribed for that fluid by the physician. Such medical fluids may include drugs or nutrients or other fluids. The infusion pumps22,24,26, and28are controlled by a pump control unit60.

Fluid supplies38,40,42, and44are each coupled to an electronic data tag81,83,85, and87, respectively, or to an electronic transmitter. Any device or component associated with the infusion system may be equipped with an electronic data tag, reader, or transmitter.

Typical infusion sets may also be gravity sets that do not require use of an infusion pump. For example, any of fluid supplies38,40,42, and44may be directly connected to the patient48via a gravity IV set, wherein gravity causes the fluid to flow through the infusion set and into the patient48without the aid of a pump.

Typically, medical fluid administration sets have more parts than are shown inFIG. 1, such as those shown inFIGS. 2A-2C. Infusion sets may be formed from any combination of infusion components and tubing. Typically, the infusion components and tubing are disposable products that are used once and then discarded. The infusion components and tubing may be formed from any suitable material (e.g., plastic, silicone, rubber), many or all of which are clear or translucent so that the fluid flow or levels inside can be seen.

As shown inFIGS. 2A, an infusion set120may include a drip chamber130, a check valve140and a roller clamp150connected together by tubing160. The infusion set120may also include a Y-site170having a Y-shaped junction with a needleless connector175, as well as a luer lock connector180at the end of the infusion set120. The luer lock connector180may be used for connection to a catheter inserted into a patient, for example. The infusion set120may include additional infusion components and may be formed of any combination of components and the tubing160.

As shown inFIG. 2B, an IV extension set120amay be used to connect any two infusion components or devices, such as IV sets, infusion pumps, syringe pumps and the like. IV extension set120aincludes a luer lock connector180aand a flow controller155a. Similarly, as shown inFIG. 2C, another IV extension set120bincludes a luer lock connector180band a flow controller155b.

As shown inFIG. 3, a luer lock connector200is provided according to aspects of the disclosure. Luer lock connector200has an inner core210formed from a hard material, such as polycarbonate, nylon, polyethylene, and the like. The inner core210may mate with a standard receptacle of an infusion set device or component (e.g., needle free port, catheter set, pump port) that is configured to connect with a luer lock connector.

An outer layer220is disposed around the inner core210, the outer layer220being formed of a material that is soft and cushioned. For example, the outer layer220may be formed of any suitable material, such as silicone, polyurethane, a latex free silicone rubber, and the like, or any combination thereof. The soft cushioning property of the outer layer220allows the luer connector200to be pressed against a patient's skin for a prolonged period of time without causing skin tears or pressure sores.

The outer layer220may be latex free, providing for use in a wide range of medical applications, including those that proscribe latex contact with the patient's skin (e.g., patient has latex allergy). The outer layer220may be slip resistant when wet and may be textured and/or contoured to provide for an improved grip when the luer lock connector200is to be loosened or tightened. The outer layer220may be formed to hold up to gas sterilization and gamma sterilization.

As shown inFIG. 4, outer layer220may include raised features222, such as the bumps as shown, which may provide texturing for non-slip and/or easy grip properties. The raised features222may be any suitable feature, such as ridges or other raised areas, for example. Similarly, as shown inFIG. 5, outer layer220may include recessed features224, such as the indentations shown, which may provide texturing for non-slip and/or easy grip properties. The recessed features224may be any suitable feature, such as channels or valleys, for example. Outer layer220may include any combination of raised features222, recessed features224and any other suitable features that provide a non-slip or low slip grip, as well as an easy and comfortable grip.

In aspects of the disclosure, luer lock connector200may be formed in any suitable manner. For example, an outer layer material may be overmolded onto a standard luer lock connector (e.g., connector180,180a,180b) to form a luer lock connector200with a soft, non-slip and easy gripping outer layer220. Here, the luer lock connector200may be a larger size and or shape than the standard luer lock connector.

As another example, a standard luer lock connector (e.g., connector180,180a,180b) may be trimmed, peeled, shaved or any other manner of removing an outer portion of the standard luer lock connector body, and then a new outer layer material may be overmolded onto the trimmed standard luer lock connector to form a luer lock connector200with a soft, non-slip and easy gripping outer layer220. The outer layer220may be sized to equal the removed outer portion of the standard luer lock connector so that the newly formed luer lock connector200has the same size and shape as the original standard luer lock connector.

As yet another example, an outer layer material may be overmolded onto an inner core210to form a luer lock connector200with a soft, non-slip and easy gripping outer layer220.

The inner core210may be sized and shaped to mate with the same standard receptacles as does the inner portion of a standard luer lock connector, while the outer layer220may be sized so that the luer lock connector200has the same size and shape as the original standard luer lock connector. In aspects of the disclosure, the inner core210and the outer layer220may be sized and shaped to provide a luer lock connector200with a smaller footprint and/or lower profile than a standard luer lock connector.

In one or more embodiments, a luer lock connector comprises an inner core comprising a hard material, the inner core sized and shaped to mate with an inner portion of an opposing luer lock connector, an outer layer disposed on an outer surface of the inner core, the outer layer comprising a soft material, and a plurality of grip features disposed on an outer surface of the outer layer, wherein the plurality of grip features are configured to provide a slip resistant grip surface.

In aspects of the disclosure, the inner core is formed from a hard material comprising at least one of polycarbonate, nylon and polyethylene. In aspects of the disclosure, the inner core comprises a male mating portion configured to sealingly mate with a female portion of the opposing luer lock connector. In aspects of the disclosure, the inner core comprises a female mating portion configured to sealingly mate with a male portion of the opposing luer lock connector. In aspects of the disclosure, the outer layer is formed from a soft material comprising at least one of silicone, polyurethane and latex free silicone rubber. In aspects of the disclosure, the outer layer is latex free. In aspects of the disclosure, the outer layer is configured to withstand gas sterilization. In aspects of the disclosure, the outer layer is configured to withstand gamma ray sterilization.

In aspects of the disclosure, the plurality of grip features comprises raised features. In aspects of the disclosure, the raised features comprise bumps. In aspects of the disclosure, the raised features comprise ridges. In aspects of the disclosure, the plurality of grip features comprises recessed features. In aspects of the disclosure, the recessed features comprise indentations. In aspects of the disclosure, the recessed features comprise channels. In aspects of the disclosure, the plurality of grip features comprises a combination of raised features and recessed features. In aspects of the disclosure, the outer layer is overmolded onto the inner core.

In one or more embodiments, an infusion set comprises an infusion set component and a luer lock connector. The luer lock connector comprises an inner core formed from a hard material comprising at least one of polycarbonate, nylon and polyethylene, an outer layer disposed on an outer surface of the inner core, the outer layer formed from a soft material comprising at least one of silicone, polyurethane and latex free silicone rubber, and a plurality of grip features disposed on the outer layer, the plurality of grip features nfigured to provide a slip resistant grip surface.

In aspects of the disclosure, the outer layer is latex free and is configured to withstand gas sterilization and gamma ray sterilization. In aspects of the disclosure, the grip features comprise one of raised features and recessed features.

In one or more embodiments, an infusion set luer lock connector comprises an inner core formed from a hard material comprising at least one of polycarbonate, nylon and polyethylene, the inner core sized and shaped to mate with a receiving portion of an opposed gender luer lock connector, an outer layer disposed on an outer surface of the inner core, the outer layer formed from a soft material comprising at least one of silicone, polyurethane and latex free silicone rubber, and a plurality of grip features disposed on the outer layer, the plurality of grip features comprising at least one of a plurality of raised features and a plurality of recessed features, wherein the grip features are configured to provide a slip resistant grip surface.

It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the methods of processes disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upon design or implementation preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes may be rearranged, or that all illustrated blocks be performed. In some implementations, any of the blocks may be performed simultaneously.

As used herein, the terms “provide” or “providing” encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, “providing” may include storing a value in a location of a storage device for subsequent retrieval, transmitting a value directly to the recipient via at least one wired or wireless communication medium, transmitting or storing a reference to a value, and the like. “Providing” may also include encoding, decoding, encrypting, decrypting, validating, verifying, inserting and the like via a hardware element.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations or processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations or processes may be rearranged. Some of the steps, operations or processes may be performed simultaneously. Some or all of the steps, operations, or processes may be performed automatically, without the intervention of a user. The accompanying method claims, if any, present elements of the various steps, operations or processes in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.