ARRANGEMENT IN A STERILIZING COUPLING

Abstract: Arrangement permitting sterilization during engagement of two coupling components. One coupling component comprises a coupling element (1) and the other a coupling housing (2) capable of connection thereto. The arrangement in accordance with the invention comprises a flexible casing arrangement (6) which surrounds at least one part of the coupling element (1). A disinfectant (9) is contained inside the casing arrangement. The casing arrangement is provided with a seal (6a, 7) to interact with an abutment (8) on the coupling housing (2) during an introductory coupling movement between the components, the casing arrangement (6) being capable of being rolled or pulled along the outside of the coupling element (1) during the progressive engagement between the coupling components until they reach a fully engaged position.

Description: ARRANGEMENT IN A STERILIZING COUPLING The present invention relates to an arrangement in a sterilizing coupling, more precisely to a coupling of the type described and illustrated in the International Application PCT/SE80/00019. Thus, in conjunction with FIG. 11 of the drawings in said Internat onal Application, a coupling is shown in which a sterilizing action is obtained by utilizing a. sealing ring prepared with a disinfectant, which gives off disinfectant to the coupling component which comes into contact with the ring during engagement. When using couplings of this type e.g. in conjunction with dialysis procedures the demands for sterility are extremely great. The object of the present invention is thus to pro¬ vide a coupling of the type referred to in the Interna¬ tional Application PCT/SE80/00019, which is self-steriliz¬ ing during use. This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention in that the coupling has obtained the characteristics ' specified in claim 1. To illustrate the invention this will be described in more detail in the. following with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 shows a vertical section of the coupling in accordance with the invention before the coupling- element is connected to the coupling housing; FIG. 2 shows the coupling components according to FIG. 1 during initial engagement; FIG. 3 shows the coupling in the engaged position which permits through-flow; and FIG. 4 illustrates the coupling in a position wherein the coupling element is being disengaged from the coupling housing. FIG. 1 shows the coupling element 1 and coupling housing 2 in a disengaged position. The coupling housing has a movable slide 3 in which at least one recess 4 is arranged for accommodating a cover, and the coupling element 1 has a cover 5 which is received for displace¬ ment in a groove. The more detailed design of the coupling is disclosed in the International Application PCT/SE80/00019. The new feature of the coupling in accordance with the present invention is the arrangement of a casing 6 which is located around the coupling element 1. The casing 6 is preferably made from an elastic material, e.g. latex rubber, and extends up and over the cover 5. Two ring-shaped elements 7a and 7b with L-shaped cross section are arranged on both sides of the casing adjacent to the free end 6a of the casing β. Instead of the two ring-shaped elements 7a and 7b a reinforcement can be moulded into the casing 6, which - similar to the elements 7a and 7b - is pushed in and sealingly rests against the internal peripheral surface of an abutment 8. Inside the upper section of the casing 6 there is a disinfectant, e.g. spirit, which forms a barrier in respect of bacteria and also has a sterilizing effect on the coupling components during their engagement. FIG. 2 illustrates the coupling components during initial engagement, whereby the disinfectant is present in the cavity 10. By making the casing 5 elastic, this will expand somewhat during the continued insertion of the coupling element 1 into the coupling housing 2. FIG. 3 illustrates the two coupling components 1 and 2 in an engaged and locked position, said locking being achieved by displacement of the slide 3, i.e. the coupling permits free passage through both coupling components. However, external locking can also be pro¬ vided between the coupling element 1 and the coupling housing 2, i.e. the coupling components should be capable of being locked in an engaged position without a free passage necessarily existing between the coupling components. This facilitates operation of the coupling by preventing the casing 6 pushing the coupling components apart. Such a locking device between the coupling components can for example comprise a spring lock, etc. - When separating the coupling components (FIG. 4), the disinfectant 9 collects in the folded portion 11 of the casing, which means that a thin film of disinfectant will be present between the outside wall of the coupling element 1 and the casing 6 when the coupling element is removed completely from the coupling housing 2. The coupling element 1 with the casing 6 arranged thereon can be supplied complete with liquid disinfec¬ tant, which means that a cover 12 (FIG. 1) of a suitable type has to be provided at the free end δa of the casing 6. Disinfectant is replenished as required in the casing 6.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Arrangement in a coupling comprising a coupling element (1) and a coupling housing (2) to be connected with this element, which permits sterilization of the coupling components, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by a flexible cover arrangement (6) surrounding at least a part of the coupling element (1) and containing a disinfectant (9), said arrangement (6) being provided with a seal (6a, 7) to interact with an abutment (8) at the coupling housing (2) during an initial coupling movement, the cover arrangement (6) being of such a nature and design that it is rolled or pulled along the sides of the coupling element (1) as the engagement of the coupling components continues until these components reach a fully engaged position. 2. Arrangement according to claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e i z e d in that a locking device holds the coupling components (1, 2) in the fully inserted posi¬ tion. 3. Arrangement according to claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e i z e d in that a cover (12) is provided at the free end (6a) of the casing arrangement (6).

Inventors: SVENSSON J
Applicants: SVENSSON J
Application year: 1980
Main classification: F16L21
IPC codes: A61L2, A61M1, A61M39, F16L21, F16L25, F16L37