Connection device

Abstract: A connection device having an intermediate member (212), a first connector (214), and a second connector (216). The first and second connectors (214, 216) are releasably retained to the intermediate member (212), and the first and second connectors are rotatable with respect to the intermediate member. The first and second connectors have a plurality of separate annular channels (236a-d; 237a-d), and the intermediate member (212) has a plurality of annular channels (220a-d). The channels of the first and second connectors (214, 216) communicate with the channels of the intermediate member (212) in all rotatable positions of the first and second connectors, such that fluid may be passed through the separate channels (220a-d) of the intermediate member (212) into the separate channels (236a-d, 237a-d) of the first and second connectors (214, 216). The device is used in particular for the distribution of fluid under pressure to the chambers of a multichamber sleeve adapted to be placed around a limb of a patient.

Description: The present invention relates to a connection device for connecting a source of fluid to a location or locations requiring fluid e.g. with a plurality of chambers in a pair of sleeves. An example is the distribution of fluid under pressure to the chambers of a multichamber sleeve adapted to be placed around a limb so that pressure can be applied to the limb in a desired manner. The velocity of the flow of blood in a patient's limbs markedly decreases during confinement in bed of the patient. This decrease in the velocity of blood in the extremities causes a pooling or stasis of blod which is particularly pronounced during surgery, immediately after surgery, and when the patient has been confined to bed for extended periods of time. This stasis of blood is a significant cause of the formation of thrombi in the patient's extremities which may have a severe deleterious effect on the patient. Additionally, in certain patients, it is desirable to move fluid out of interstitial spaces in the tissues of the extremities, in order to reduce the swelling associated with edema in the extremities, or for the treatment of ulcers caused by insufficient venous return. In the past, a sequential intermittent compression device, such as disclosed in United States Patent No. 4,013,069, was used to apply compressive pressures from a source of fluid to the patient's limb by sleeves having a plurality of chambers. However, it is found that it is frequently desirable to facilitate the connection of the sleeves to a controller in the compression device for applying the compressive pressures from the source of fluid. Compression devices concerning the flow of blood are also disclosed in United States Patents 4,013,069; 4,338,923; 3,862,629; 4,030,488; 4,402,312; and 4,320,746. US-A-3415327 discloses an hydraulic coupling composed of a central plate sandwiched between an upper and a lower plate. Only the central plate has channels formed in it. A principal feature of the present invention is the provision of an improved connection device of simplified construction for connecting a source of fluid to the chambers in a plurality of sleeves. A connection device in accordance with the present invention comprises an intermediate member having a pair of opposed first and second sides, and a plurality of spaced annular walls defining a plurality of separate annular channels extending substantially peripherally around the intermediate member, and first and second walls covering the opposed first and second sides of the intermediate member and closing the channels of the intermediate member, with each of the walls having opening means extending therethrough and separately communicating with each of the channels of the intermediate member; a plurality of first conduits separately communicating with each of the channels of the intermediate member to permit passage of fluid to the channels; and at least a first connector positioned adjacent the first wall and having a plurality of annular walls defining separate annular channels extending substantially peripherally around the first connector, with each of the channels of the first connector separately communicating with the opening means of the first wall such that the channels of the first connector separately communicate with the channels of the intermediate member, with the first connector preferably being rotatable with respect to the intermediate member. The device preferably has a plurality of second conduits separately communicating with each of the channels of the first connector to permit passage of fluid from the channels. The device preferably has a second connector positioned adjacent the second wall and having a plurality of annular walls defining separate annular channels extending substantially peripherally around the second connector, with each of the channels of the second connector separately communicating with the opening means of the second wall such that the channels of the second connector separately communicate with the channels of the intermediate member, with the second connector preferably being rotatable with respect to the intermediate member. The device preferably has a plurality of third conduits separately communicating with each of the channels of the second connector to permit passage of fluid from the channels. In a preferred form of the invention the device has means for releasably retaining the first connector at a plurality of positions relative to the intermediate member, and preferably means for releasably retaining the second connector at a plurality of positions relative to the intermediate member. An advantage of the present invention is that the connector may be readily assembled and disassembled in order to connect or disconnect a sleeve which is attached to the first or second connector. A further advantage is that the first and second connectors may be rotated to a desired position relative to the intermediate member and retained in place. Preferably the first and second walls comprise elastic members in order to provide seals between the intermediate member and the first and second connectors. The invention may be put into practice in various ways and one specific embodiment will be described by way of example to illustrate the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view of a connection device of the present invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of an intermediate member, taken partly in section, and taken substantially as indicated along the line 2-2 of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a connector, taken partly in section, and taken substantially as indicated along the line 3-3 of Figure 1. Referring now to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a connection device generally designated 210 having an intermediate member 212, a first connector 214, and a second connector 216. The intermediate member 212 has a pair of opposed first and second sides 221 and 223, and a plurality of spaced annular walls 218a, 218b, 218c, 218d, and 218e defining a plurality of separate annular channels 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d extending substantially peripherally around the intermediate member 212. The intermediate member 212 has first and second generally circular elastic walls 222 and 224 covering the opposed first and second sides 221 and 223 of the intermediate member 212 and enclosing the channels 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d. As shown, the walls 222 and 224 have a plurality of openings 226 and 227 respectively extending therethrough separately communicating with each of the channels 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d of the intermediate member 212. Also, the intermediate member 212 has a pair of opposed bosses 228 which are received in apertures 230 of the first and second walls 222 and 224 in order to retain the first and second walls 222 and 224 in place on the intermediate member 212. In this configuration at least one of the openings 226 in both the walls 222 and 224 communicate with each of the channels 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d in the intermediate member 212. The intermediate member 212 has a plurality of conduits 232a, 232b, 232c and 232d including associated passageways in the intermediate member 212 which communicate with a source of fluid which passes through the conduits 232a, b, c, and d and separate ports 234a, 234b, 234c, and 234d into the channels 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d. The first connector 214 is adjacent the first wall 222, and the second connector 216 is adjacent the second wall 224. Since the first and second connectors 214 and 216 are substantially identical in structure, like reference numerals will be used to designate like parts in the connectors 214 and 216. The first and second connectors 214 and 216 have a plurality of separate annular walls 238a, 238b, 238c, 238d and 238e defining separate annular channels 236a, 236b, 236c, and 236d extending substantially peripherally around the connector 214 and 216. Each of the channels 236a, b, c, and d of the first connector 214 separately communicate with the openings 226 in the first elastic wall 222 associated with the channels 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d of the intermediate member 212. Similarly, each of the channels 236a, b, c and d of the second connector 216 separately communicate with the openings 227 of the second elastic wall 224 such that the channels 236a, b, c, and d of the second connector 216 communicate with the channels 22a, b, c, and d of the intermediate member 212. The first and second connectors 214 and 216 each have a set of conduits (first conduits 240a, b, c, and d and second conduits 241a, b, c and d) which communicate respectively through respective ports (242a, b, c, and d and 243a, b, c and d) with the separate respective channels 236a, b, c, and d and 237a, b, c and d. Thus, in use, the fluid under pressure passes through the conduits 232a, b, c, and d into the channels 220a, b, c, and d of the intermediate member 212, through the openings 226 of the walls 222 and 224 into the channels 236a, b, c, and d of the first and second connectors 214 and 216 and through the conduits 240a, b, c, and d into separate chambers of a pair of sleeves, with each sleeve being associated with one of the connectors 214 and 216. The first and second connectors 214 and 216 have a bore 244 and 245, respectively, extending therethrough, the first and second walls 222 and 224 have bores 246 and 248, extending therethrough, and the wall 218a of the intermediate member 212 has a bore 250 extending therethrough. The connection device 210 has an elongated bolt 252 having a knob 254 at one end, and a threaded portion 256 adjacent the other end. The bore 245 of the second connector 216 is threaded 257 to receive the threaded portion 256 of the bolt 252. Thus the bolt 252 may be utilized to releasably assemble the first and second connectors 214 and 216 to the intermediate member 212 while permitting rotation of the first and second connectors 214 and 216 relative to the intermediate member 212. However, in all rotational positions of the first and second connectors 214 and 216, the channels 220a, b, c, and d of the intermediate member communicate through the openings 226 of the first and second walls 222 and 224 with the respective channels 236a, b, c, and d of the first and second connectors 214 and 216. The first and second connectors 214 and 216 have an outer annular wall 270 having a plurality of spaced inwardly directed teeth 258 which are releasably received in associated notches 260 of the intermediate member 212 in order to releasably retain the first and second connectors 214 and 216 at a plurality of desired rotational positions relative to the intermediate member 212. Thus, the first and second connectors 214 and 216 may be moved to a number of desired rotatable positions, such as eight, and may be releasably secured in place by tightening the bolt 252. At the same time, the first and second elastic walls 222 and 224 provide seals between the intermediate member 212 and first and second connectors 214 and 216 to prevent leakage in the connection device 210. The first and second connectors 214 and 216 have an outer generally circular recess 262 to receive associated generally circular plates 264, with the plates 264 being retained in place in a suitable manner, such as by adhesive. The plate 264 of the first connector 214 has an aperture 266 to permit passage of the bolt 252 therethrough. In use, the bolt 252 may be removed from the connection device 210 in order to readily disassemble the first and second connectors 214 and 216 and associated sleeves from the intermediate member 212, and permit easy assemblage of the first and second connectors 214 and 216 and the associated sleeves to the intermediate member 212 by securement of the bolt 252 in the connector device 210. The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims: A connection device, comprising: an intermediate member (212) having a pair of opposed first (221) and second (223) sides, and a plurality of spaced annular walls (218a-e) defining a plurality of separate annular channels (220a-d) extending substantially peripherally around the intermediate member, first (222) and second (224) walls covering the opposed first (221) and second (223) sides of the intermediate member (212) and closing the channels (220a-d) of the intermediate member (212), with each of the walls (222,224) having opening means (226,227) extending therethrough and separately communicating with each of the channels (220a-d) of the intermediate member (212); a plurality of first conduits (232a-d) separately communicating with each of the channels (220a-d) of the intermediate member (212) to permit passage of fluid to said channels; and at least a first connector (214) positioned adjacent said first wall (222) and having a plurality of annular walls (238a-e) defining separate annular channels (236a-d) extending substantially peripherally around the first connector (214), with each of the channels (236a-d) of the first connector separately communicating with the opening means (226) of the first wall (222) such that the channels (236a-d) of the first connector (214) separately communicate with said channels (220a-d) of the intermediate member (212), with the said first connector (214) being rotatable with respect to the intermediate member(212). A connection device as claimed in Claim 1 comprising: a plurality of second conduits (240a-d) separately communicating with each of the channels (236a-d) of the first connector (214) to permit passage of fluid from the said channels; a second connector (216) positioned adjacent the said second wall (224) and having a plurality of annular walls (238a-e) defining separate annular channels (237a-d) extending substantially peripherally around the second connector, with each of the channels of the second connector separately communicating with the opening means (227) of the second wall (224) such that the channels (236a-d) of the second connector (216) separately communicate with the said channels (220a-d) of the intermediate member (212), with the said second connector (216) being rotatable with respect to the intermediate member (212); a plurality of third conduits (241a-d) separately communicating with each of the channels (231a-d) of the second connector (216) to permit passage of fluid from the said channels such that the first conduits (232a-d) separately communicate with the second and third conduits (240a-d and 241a-d) at the rotatable positions of the first and second connectors (214 and 216). A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterised in that it includes means (254,256,257) for releasable securing the first connector, intermediate member, and second connector together to permit relative rotation thereof. A device as claimed in Claim 3 characterised in that the first and second connectors, intermediate member, and first and second walls each have a bore (244,245,248,250) extending therethrough, and in that the securing means comprises an elongated bolt (252) with the said bolt received through the said bores and having a threaded end (256), and in that the bore in one of the said connectors has inner threads which cooperate with the threaded end of the said bolt. A device as claimed in any one of Claim 1 to 4 characterised in that it includes means (250,260) for releasably retaining the first and second connectors at a plurality of rotatable positions relative to the intermediate member. A device as claimed in Claim 5 characterised in that the retaining means comprise a plurality of cooperating teeth (258) and notches (260) on the first and second connectors and the intermediate member. A device as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6 characterized in that the first and second connectors have an outer wall (270) having a plurality of inwardly directed teeth (258), and in which the intermediate member has a plurality of outer notches (260) disposed to receive the said teeth at the rotatable positions. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 characterized in that the first and second walls (222,224) each comprise an elastic member. A device as claimed in Claim 8 characterized in that it includes means for retaining the first and second walls at a fixed position relative to the intermediate member. A device as claimed in Claim 9 characterized in that the retaining means comprises a pair of outwardly directed bosses (228) on the intermediate member (212) and apertures (230) in the first and second walls (222,224) to receive the corresponding boss.

Inventors: DYE JOHN F, DYE, JOHN F.
Applicants: KENDALL & CO, THE KENDALL COMPANY
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A61H23
IPC codes: F16L39, A61H23