CONNECTION SITE PROTECTOR

Abstract: A protector for a flanged connector comprises a pair of hollow shell halves (32, 34) connected together by longitudinal hinge means (36). The shell halves are capable of pivoting about the hinge means to a closed position to form a tubular member. Latch means (44, 46) is provided for releasably retaining the shell halves in a closed position. In accordance with this invention, a pair of spaced, laterally extending ribs (38, 40) are positioned in the inner surface of at least one shell half adjacent to one end thereof, to receive and hold a flange (36) of a connector (12) between them. Accordingly, the shell halves may be closed about the flange of the connector to be releasably retained on the connector.

Description: CONNECTION SITE PROTECTOR Technical Field In Dennehey et al. U.S. Patent 4,340,052, a connection site protector is disclosed which has found use in peritoneal dialysis to protect the connection between the peritoneal dialysis solution container and a tubular member that communicates with the patient's peritoneal cavity. In the well known procedure of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), the connection site protector closes around the connection site between a dialysis solutfon bag and the patient's transfer set to provide added protection to the connection, which is usually worn under the patient's clothes as he goes through his daily activities. Rogers Patent No. 4,354,490 discloses another type of protector for an ambulatory dialysis system. The protector may be a cylindrical member which is filled with absorbent, packed material saturated with a disinfectant. A portion of a mating connector member penetrates through an aperture, passing through the disinfectant material within the cylindrical member to enter into connection. An interlocking sleeve connection may be used between the pair of connectors, or the cylindrical member may be a separate member, open at both ends, for receiving a pair of tubular connectors. The protectors shown are cylinders only, and not hinged "clam shell" type containers. The AMBu-FLEX 1 " connection shield sold by Travenol Laboratories, Inc., is of the overall design described in the "~ " Dennehey et al. patent cited above, comprising a hinged clam shell type casing with pieces of sponge attached inside, which are soaked with an antiseptic such as povidone iodine. The antiseptic sponges surround the connection site and bathe it in the antiseptic, to provide additional protection against the migration of bacteria into the connection site area. The connection shield currently sold by Travenol Laboratories is intended for use with a connection formed between a spike on the end of the transfer set and a flexible port of a solution container, to help hold the spike in its connected position. To do this, a flange defined in the connection shield closes outside of a flange of the spike handle, so that the connection shield helps to hold the spike in its closed relation with the tubing port. It can be seen from an examination of the Dennehey et al. patent that the connection shield member there also serves to retain the connected members that it encloses in connected relationship. The connection shield defines a flange at each end which fits outside of flanges on each of the connectors as shown in that patent, so that the system cannot be disconnected without removal of the connection shield. However, in many ci cumstances, it becomes desirable to provide a means for the easy disconnection of a pair of connectors without the inconvenience of removing the connection shield. In accordance with this invention, a clam shell type connection shield is disclosed which can be carried on one connector in closed position, and can serve as a removable protecting sleeve for that connector, while permitting connection and disconnection with another connector. This provides significantly increased convenience and reliability of use to patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, or for any other medical or other purpose as may be desired. Description of the Invention In accordance with this invention, a protector for a flanged connector is provided. The protector comprises a pair of hollow shell halves, connected together by longitudinal hinge means. The shell halves are capable of pivoting about the hinge means to a closed position to form a tubular member. Latch means are provided for releasably retaining the shell halves in closed position. In accordance with this invention, a pair of spaced, laterally extending ribs are positioned in the inner surface of at least one shell half adjacent one end thereof, to receive and hold a flange of a connector between them. As the result of this, the shell halves may be closed about a flange of the connector, to be releasably retained on the connector. At the same time, the other end of the shell halves may be substantially free of any flange, to permit access of a second connector through the other end to enter into engagement with the connector which is surrounded by the closed protector. Similarly, disengagement of the two connectors can take place without removal of the protector from its releasable retention on its connector The protector member of this invention may be substantially filled with antiseptic-carrying porous material. For example, pieces of sponge may be attached by heat welding or other adhesion to inner surfaces of the shell halves, with the sponge being soaked with povidone-iodine, or any other desired antiseptic material . Preferably, each shell half carries a pair of spaced, laterally extending ribs, each positioned in registry with a rib of the other shell half. These ribs provide a channel between them which can receive the flange of the connector upon which the protector member is carried. Description of the Drawings In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pair of connectors, one, for example, connecting with a peritoneal dialysis solution bag, and the other connecting with tubing which communicates with the peritoneal cavity of a patient. An open protector member in accordance with this invention is shown prior to attachment to one of the connectors. Figure 2 is a perspective view, shown partly schematically, in which the protector member of Figure 1 is shown in locked position on the connectors. Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3 - 3 of Figure 2. Description of Specific Embodiment Referring to the drawings, connectors 10, 12 are shown to be of the threaded connector type, in locked relationship with each other. Connector 10 may communicate by flexible tube 14 to a peritoneal dialysis solution bag 16. Internal frangible member 18 closes flow through tube 14 and connector 10 until broken. Frangible member 18 may be of the design shown in U.S. Patent 4,340,049, or any other openable seal device may be used as desired. Connector 12 may carry a tubular projecting member 20, with screw threads 21, which fits telescopically into tubular member 22 of connector 10, and mates with internal screw threads positioned on the inner wall thereof. If desired, the interior design of connector 10 within sleeve 22 may be similar to that shown in Dennehey et al. U.S. Patent 4,346,703. An inner projecting member within sleeve 22 passes into the bore of tubular projecting member 20 to form a luer type sealing connection, while sleeve 22 forms a second seal against annular land 24. Projecting member 20 and annular land 24 may be made of stainless steel or titanium, for example, while rear portion 26 of connector 12 may be made of molded plastic in which projecting member 20 is embedded. As shown, connector 12 may communicate at its rear end with flexible tubing 28, which in turn may ultimately communicate with a peritoneal catheter 31, by means of another connection. In accordance with this invention, protector member 30 may comprise a pair of molded plastic hollow shell halves 32, 34, which are held together by a plastic hinge 36 to permit the shell halves to assume an open position as shown in Figure 1 , or a closed position as in Figure 2 in which shell halves 32, 34 are receiving and holding a flange 36 of connector 12. As shown in Figure 1, each of shell halves 32, 34 of protector member 30 define a pair of spaced, laterally extending ribs 38, 40 in the case of shell half 32, and 38a, 40a in the case of shell half 34. These spaced ribs respectively define grooves 42, 42a between them which serve as a receiving slot for flange 36, when protector member 30 is closed about connector 36. Latch member 44 may close about stud 46 for releasable latching of the two shell halves together. Each shell half 32, 34 carries on its inner surface a piece of sponge 48 or the like, which in turn may be soaked with an antiseptic such a povidone iodine. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 3, sponge portions 48 may surround and protect the exposed projecting member 20 when connector 12 is enclosed with protector member 30. Furthermore, when connector 10 is brought into threaded, connected relation with connector 12, sleeve 22 can preferably pass through the inner bore 50 of closed protector 30, with antiseptic being thus applied from sponge 48 to the outer surface of sleeve 22 for sterilizing purposes. The free end 52 of sleeve 22 passes around annular sealing projection 24 to provide the second seal described above, with the result that the sealed connection is surrounded with antiseptic-carrying, resilient, spongy material for protection of the connection from contamination by the patient as he engages in his daily activities, carrying this connection under his shirt, as would be a typical procedure by a CAPD patient. The free, open end 54 of protector 30 may be free of spaced, laterally extending ribs on the inner surface thereof to permit entry to connector 10. Nevertheless, in accordance with this invention, the removable protector member 30 does not have to be removed as the connection between connectors 10, 12 is made and broken. However, at any desired time, protector member 30 may be removed simply by opening latch 44 away from projection 46 for easy removal . The above has been offered for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention of this application, which is as defined in the claims below.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. In a protector for a flanged connector, which comprises: a pair of hollow shell halves connected together by longitudinal hinge means, said shell halves being capable of 5 pivoting about said hinge means to a closed position to form a tubular member, and latch means for releasably retaining said shell halves in closed position, the improvement comprising in combination: a pair of spaced, laterally extending ribs positioned in 10 the inner surface of at least one shell half adjacent one end thereof, to receive and hold a flange of a connector between them, whereby said shell halves may be closed about the flange of said connector to be releasably retained on said connector. 2. The protector of Claim 1 which is substantially filled " 5 with antiseptic-carrying porous material. 3. The protector of Claim 1 in which each shell half carries a pair of spaced, laterally extending ribs, each positioned in registry with a rib of the other shell half. 4. The protector of Claim 1 in which the other end of 0 each shell half is free of spaced, laterally extending ribs on the inner surface thereof. 5. A protector for a flanged connector, which comprises: a pair of hollow shell halves connected together by longitudinal hinge means, said shell halves being capable of pivoting about said 5 hinge means to a closed position to form a tubular member, and"- latch means for releasably retaining said shell halves in closed position, the improvement comprising, in combination: Each shell half carrying a pair of spaced, laterally extending ribs positioned in the inner surface of said shell halves adjacent to one end thereof, each rib positioned in registry with a rib of the other shell half to receive and hold a flange of a connector between said ribs, whereby said shell halves may be closed about a connector, the other end of each shell half being free of ribs on the inner surface thereof. 6. The protector of Claim 5 which is substantially filled with antiseptic-carrying, porous material.

Inventors: KNAB WILLIAM R, KNAB, WILLIAM, R.
Applicants: BAXTER TRAVENOL LAB, BAXTER TRAVENOL LABORATORIES, INC.
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A61M3
IPC codes: A61M1, A61M39