CONNECTOR FOR ATTACHMENT TO A DRAIN TUBE

Abstract: The connector includes a socket (14) attachable to the proximal end of the drain tube so that the socket is in fluid flow communication with the drain tube. An adapter (38) having opposite tapered ends is provided for connecting the socket to the suction/collection device. The adapter is flexibly connected to the socket to be movable between first and second positions. In the first position, one end of the adapter is inserted into the socket. In the second position, both ends are removed from the socket. A cap (22) is flexibly connected to the socket for substantially closing-off the socket. The cap may cover one end of the adapter while the other end of the adapter is inserted in the socket, or the cap may be inserted directly into the socket.

Description: CONNECTOR FOR ATTACHMENT TO A DRAIN TUBE Field ofthe Invention The present invention relates generally to medical equipment, and more particularly to medical equipment adapted for receipt or delivery of a fluid through a tube inserted through an orifice into the body of a patient. Background ofthe Invention Typically, in a surgical procedure the distal end of a drain tube is placed at the surgical site in the patient's body. The proximal end ofthe drain tube extends out of the patient's body and is detachably connected to a suction collection device. Thus, if fluids accumulate at the surgical she, the fluids may be removed through the drain tube. A connector is generally attached to the proximal end of the drain tube. The connector includes an enlarged sleeve for slidably receiving a tube extending from the suction/collection device. Oftentimes the size of the connector and the size of the tube extending from the suction/collection device are not compatible. In these situations, an adapter is inteφosed between the connector and the tube extending from the suction collection device to mate these two items in fluid communication. Frequently, it is desirable to temporarily disconnect the drain tube from the suction/collection device, such as when the patient is moved. When the drain tube is disconnected from the suction/collection device, usually a plug is inserted into the connector. There are two principal problems with the above-described procedure for using a drain tube that the present invention addresses. First, many times the adapter, and/or plug is misplaced and cannot be readily found when required. Second, drain tubes, the connectors attached thereto, and tubes extending from suction collection devices vary in size. Thus, sometimes the correct size adapter and/or plug cannot be located. The present invention provides a solution for both of these problems. Summary ofthe Invention The present invention provides a connector attachable to the proximal end of a drain tube for connecting the drain tube to a suction/collection device to provide drainage of fluids from a site within a patient. The connector includes a socket attachable to the proximal end of the drain tube so that the socket is in fluid flow communication with the drain tube. An adapter having opposite ends is provided for connecting the socket to the suction/collection device. The adapter flexibly connects to the socket, and is also movable from a position having one end inserted in the socket, to a position with both ends removed from the socket. A cap is provided for capping an end ofthe adapter, and for serving as a plug for insertion into the socket. The cap flexibly connects to the socket and is movable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the cap receives the end of the adapter, while the end other end of the adapter is inserted in the socket, substantially sealing the end of the adapter. In the second position, the cap is removed from the end ofthe adapter. The cap includes a tip, and a base opposite the tip. The base has a cross- sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the tip, wherein the cross- sectional area decreases in the direction towards the tip. This permits the tip to be inserted into the socket to function as a plug. The adapter includes a section adapted for connection to the suction/collection device. The section includes a base and a tip. The base has a cross-sectional area greater than the tip, wherein the cross-sectional area decreases in the direction towards the tip. The advantage of this is that the adapter section can therefore be connected to tubes of many different sizes. Both the adapter and the cap connect to the socket with flexible members. The flexible members are flexibly doubled over to use the cap and adapter. More particularly, the flexible member for the adapter is flexibly doubled over to insert one end ofthe adapter into the socket. Thereafter, the flexible member for the cap can be flexibly doubled over to place the cap over the opposite end ofthe adapter. The cap includes a recess which receives the end ofthe adapter, and substantially seals the end of the adapter. Thus, when one end of the adapter is inserted in the socket, and the cap covers the opposite end ofthe adapter, the socket is substantially sealed. If the adapter is removed from the socket, the cap can be directly inserted into the socket. More particularly, the flexible member for the cap is twisted, and flexibly doubled over for inserting the tip ofthe cap into the socket, and thereby substantially sealing the socket. Tabs or grasping members extend from the cap and adapter to facilitate applying pulling or pushing forces to these items. Brief Description ofthe Drawings The foregoing aspects and many ofthe attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 illustrates a connector constructed in accordance with the present invention attached to the proximal end of a drain tube; and FIGURE 2 illustrates an adapter from the connector of FIGURE 1 inserted into one end ofthe connector. Detailed Description ofthe Preferred Embodiment Illustrated in FIGURE 1 is a preferred embodiment of a connector 10 formed in accordance with the present invention. The connector 10 includes a hollow sleeve, or socket 14 attached to the proximal end of a drain tube 12. The socket 14 is generally frusto-conical in shape, having a base 18 at one end that narrows to a smaller diameter tip 20 at the opposite end. Preferably, the tip 20 connects to the drain tube 12. In the preferred embodiment, the connector 10 is formed separately from the drain tube 12. In this regard, the diameter ofthe tip 20 is preferably sized to coaxially surround the outer circumference ofthe drain tube 12. In alternate embodiments, the tip 20 may be sized for slidable insertion into the end ofthe drain tube 12, sized to be generally the same diameter as the drain tube for an abutting, rather than an overlapping connection, or may be formed integrally with the drain tube. With all of these embodiments, the result is a path of fluid communication extending from the tube 12 through the socket 14. Preferably, the connector 10 is composed of a polymer material, such as plastic, which is the same material used to form most drain tubes. The socket 14 may be attached to the drain tube 12 by any method that serves to substantially seal the circumference ofthe tip 20 to the circumference ofthe drain tube 12. In the preferred embodiment, a radial compression force is applied to the outer circumference of the tip 20, along with heat, to heat seal the tip 20 to the drain tube 12. Other methods may be used as well, such as ultrasonic or electronic welding, adhesives, and etc. A generally frusto-conically shaped cap 22 is connected to the socket 14. The cap 22 includes a distal tip 23 that widens to a larger diameter base 24. A frusto- conically shaped recess 25 extends concentrically downward from the base 24 towards the tip 23. The recess 25 does not extend through the tip 23. Rather, the tip 23 seals the end ofthe recess 25. A generally rectangularly-shaped flexible member 26 connects the cap 22 to the socket 14. The flexible member 26 extends radially from the base 18 of the socket 14. Ideally, the end 32 ofthe flexible member 26 attaches to the base 18 of he socket 14 a short distance below the rim 34 of the base, such that the rim extends above the surface ofthe flexible member. Ideally, the width ofthe flexible member 26 is greater than the radius ofthe base 24 ofthe cap 22, but less than the diameter ofthe base ofthe cap. The reason for this is so that the flexible member 26 will be narrower enough in width so that a second flexible member (as described below) can be also be connected to the socket 14. The flexible member 26 includes an enlarged, annular circular section 28 having an inner diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the base 24 of the cap 22. The central axis ofthe annular circular section 28 lies substantially along the longitudinal centeriine of the flexible member 26. The base 24 of the cap 22 extends from around the circumference of the annular circular section 28. Thus, the central axis ofthe cap 22 generally aligns with the central axis ofthe annular circular section 28, through which the recess 25 in the cap is exposed to the environment. The outer periphery ofthe annular circular section 28 circularly flares out beyond the outer periphery ofthe base 24 ofthe cap 22 to define a lip 30. The cap 22 is not located at the distal end ofthe flexible member 26. Rather, the flexible member 26 extends beyond the cap 22 to form a tab or grasping member 36. However, the cap 22 is located closer to the distal end of the flexible member 26, than it is to the socket 14. The connector 10 also includes an adapter 38 connected to the socket 14. The adapter 38 comprises two sections 40 and 42 that are both generally frusto- conical in shape. A central passageway 43 for fluid communication is formed generally axially through the sections 40 and 42. The sections 40 and 42 each respectively include a base 44 and 46 that narrows to form a tip 48 and 50, respectively, at the opposite ends of each section. Preferably, the sections 40 and 42 are substantially identical in size and/or shape to one another, but in alternate embodiments they may differ in size and/or shape from each other. The bases 44 and 46 of the sections 40 and 42 are attached to one another and substantially coaxially aligned with each other. A second flexible member 54 attaches the adapter 38 to the socket 14. The second flexible member 54 is generally rectangular in shape. The second flexible member 54 includes an enlarged circular portion 56 generally coaxially surrounding the bases 44 and 46 ofthe two adapter sections 40 and 42. Ideally, the width of the second flexible member 54 is greater than the radius of the base 44 or 46 of the two adapter sections 40 and 42, but less than the diameter of the bases. The reason for this is so that the second flexible member 54 will be narrow enough in width to attach to the socket 14, along with the first flexible member 26. The adapter 38 passes centrally through the enlarged circular portion 56, which attaches to the bases 44 and 46 of each of the adapter sections 40 and 42. The enlarged circular portion 56 circularly flares out from the bases 44 and 46 of the two adapter sections 40 and 42 and defines an annular lip 58 around the adapter 38. The flexible member 54 extends radially from the base 18 of the socket 14, opposite the first flexible member 26. Ideally, the end 60 of the second flexible member 54 attaches to the socket 14 at the same elevation as the first flexible member 26. Thus, the rim 34 of the socket 14 extends above the surface of the second flexible member 54. The adapter 38 is not located at the distal end of the flexible member 54. Rather, the flexible member 54 extends beyond the adapter 38 to form a tab or grasping member 62. However, the adapter 38 is located closer to the distal end of the flexible member 54, than it is to the socket 14. The second flexible member 54 permits the adapter 38 to be moved into and out of engagement with the socket 14. The flexible member 54 is flexibly doubled over itself to snugly insert one end ofthe adapter 38 into the socket 14. When one end of the adapter 38 is inserted into the socket 14, the other flexible member 26 can be flexibly doubled over to fit the cap 22 over the other end of the adapter. More particularly, the recess 25 in the cap 22 snugly receives the end of the adapter 38, thereby sealing the end ofthe adapter and thereby substantially sealing the proximal end of the drain tube 12. Additionally, the flexible member 26 can be twisted and doubled over to insert the tip 23 ofthe cap 22 directly into the socket 14. When the tip 23 of the cap 22 is inserted into the socket 14, the cap snugly fits into the socket 14. This substantially seals the socket and closes off the proximal end of the drain tube 12 without use ofthe adapter 38. Thus, the cap 22 can also function as a plug for the adapter. The annular lip 54 around the adapter 38 serves to facilitate removing the adapter 38 from the socket 14. More particularly, when the adapter 38 inserts into the socket 14, lip 54 abuts the rim 34 of the socket. A flat object, such as a knife blade, can be slid between the lip 54 and the rim 34 and used to lever the adapter 38 out ofthe socket 14. Moreover, the lip 54 facilitates grasping for applying a pulling or pushing force to the adapter 38 for insertion and removal of the adapter to and from the socket 14. Further, the tab, or grasping member 62 of the adapter 38 also acts as a finger grip to facilitate insertion and removal ofthe adapter 38 to and from the socket 14. Additionally, the lip 54 serves as a stop to limit the depth the adapter 38 may be inserted into the socket 14. The lip 30 extending from around the circumference of the base 24 of the cap 22 serves substantially similar functions. Namely, when the cap 22 is inserted into the socket 14, the annular lip 30 ofthe cap abuts the rim 34 of the socket 14. A flat object, such as a knife blade, can be slid between the lip 30 and the rim 34 and used to lever the cap 22 out ofthe socket 14. The lip 30 also facilitates grasping for applying a pulling or pushing force to the cap 22. This aids in applying the cap 22 to, and removing the cap from the end of the adapter 38. It also aids in inserting and removing the cap 22 in and from the socket 14. The tab, or grasping member 36 extending beyond the cap 22 additionally serves as a finger grip. This facilitates application and removal ofthe cap 22 to and from the adapter 38, and insertion and removal ofthe cap in and from the socket 14. Further, the lip 30 serves as a stop for limiting the depth the cap 22 can be inserted into the socket 14, when the cap functions as a plug for the socket. As described previously, each section 40 and 42 ofthe adapter 38 is generally frusto-conical in shape, with the narrower tip 48 and 50 of each section extending transversely away from the flexible member 54. The advantage of this is that the adapter 38 can connect the socket 14 with many different sizes of tubes that may extend from a suction/collection device. More particularly, the adapter 38 can be used with tubes having an inside diameter ranging from slightly greater than the diameter of the tip 50, up to tubes having an inside diameter nearly as large as the diameter of the base 46. When such a tube is slid over the narrower tip 50 of the adapter 38 towards the base 46, the diameter ofthe adapter increases. Eventually, the tube is slid far enough over the tip 50 that a diameter is reached which forms a seal between the tube and the adapter 38. In alternate embodiments adapter sections 42 and 40 may include reverse barbs or ferrules (not shown). The barbs or ferrules serve to maintain adapter 38 in an insertion position when the adapter is inserted into a tube. The cap 22 is also generally frusto-conical in shape, and therefore, can be used with tubes of many different sizes. The cap 22 may include both internal and external reverse barbs or ferrules (not shown). Another advantage ofthe connector 10 is that cap 22 and adapter 38 are both attached thereto so that these items do not become separated from the connector and misplaced. Further, the system of attachment is such that the cap 22 and adapter 38 can be used while attached to the connector 10. That is, the cap 22 and adapter 38 do not have to be de-attached from the connector 10 to be used. The different elements forming the connector 10 may be made separately and attached together. Alternatively, the connector may be made of integral one-piece construction or some elements may be made integrally with one another, and attached to other elements to form the connector 10. Preferably, as much as possible, the elements forming the connector are made of integral one-piece construction to n inimize manufacturing costs. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe mvention.

Claims: The embodiments ofthe invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. A connector attachable to the proximal end of a drain tube for connecting the drain tube to a suction/collection device to provide drainage of fluids from a site within a patient, the connector comprising: (a) a socket attachable to the proximal end of the drain tube so that the socket is in fluid flow communication with the drain tube; (b) an adapter having opposite ends for connecting the socket to the suction/collection device, the adapter being flexibly connected to the socket, and movable from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position one of one ofthe ends of the adapter is inserted into the socket, and in the second position the adapter is removed from the socket; and (c) a cap flexibly connected to the socket, and movable from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the cap engages over one end of the adapter to substantially seal the end of the adapter and in the second position the cap is removed from the end ofthe adapter. 2. The connector of Claim 1, wherein the cap receives one end of the adapter while the other end ofthe adapter is inserted into the socket. 3. The connector of Claim 2, further comprising a flexible member connecting the cap to the socket and wherein the socket including a first end to which the flexible member is attached and a second end opposite the first end attachable to the proximal end ofthe drain tube. 4. The connector of Claim 1, wherein the cap includes a recess for receiving an end ofthe adapter. 5. The connector of Claim 4, wherein the recess is generally frusto- conically shaped. 6. The connector of Claim 1, wherein the cap includes a tip and a base opposite the tip, the base having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area ofthe tip, wherein the cross-sectional area decreases in the direction towards the tip to permit the cap to be inserted into the socket and function as a plug. 7. The connector of Claim 6, further comprising an annular lip radially extending from around the base ofthe cap. 8. The connector of Claim 7, wherein the socket includes an open, distal end for insertion of the cap, the distal end having an annular, peripheral rim for abutting the annular lip ofthe cap when the cap is inserted into the socket for use as a plug. 9. The connector of Claim 1, wherein a recess is formed in the cap for receiving the end ofthe adapter, the recess being formed in the base ofthe cap. 10. The connector of Claim 9, wherein a flexible member connects the cap to the socket, the flexible member being connected to the base ofthe cap. - 11. The connector of Claim 1, wherein: (a) the adapter includes first and second sections, the first section being inserted into the socket when the connector is in the first position, and the second section being for connection to the suction/collection device; and (b) a flexible member connecting the adapter to the socket. 12. The connector of Claim 11, wherem the first section of the adapter includes a base and a tip, the base of the first section being connected to the second section and having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the tip, wherein the cross-sectional area decreases in the direction towards the tip of the first section. 13. The connector of Claim 12, wherein the second section includes a base and a tip, the base of the second section being connected to the base of the first section, wherein the base ofthe second section has a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the tip of the second section, and the cross-sectional area ofthe second section decreases in a direction towards the tip ofthe second section. 14. The connector of Claim 13, wherein the socket includes an open, distal end for insertion of the first section of the adapter into the socket, the distal end having an annular, peripheral rim to act as a stop for limiting insertion depth into the socket. 15. The connector of Claim 13, further comprising an annular lip radially extending from around the base ofthe first section ofthe adapter. 16. The connector of Claim 13, wherein the adapter first and second sections are generally axially aligned with one another. 17. The connector of Claim 13, wherein a path of fluid communication is defined axially through the first and second sections ofthe adapter. AMENDED CLAIMS [recei ved by the International Bureau on 23 May 1997 (23.05.97) ; original claims 1 -17 replaced by amended claims 1 -13 (3 pages) ] The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. A connector attachable to the proximal end of a drain tube for connecting the drain tube to a suction collection device to provide drainage of fluids from a site within a patient, the connector comprising: (a) a socket having a central passageway and having a first end for connecting to the proximal end of the drain tube so that the socket is in fluid flow communication with the drain tube and having a second end opposite the first end; (b) an adapter having opposite ends for connecting the socket to the suction/collection device, said adapter having a central passageway for fluid communication, the adapter being flexibly connected to the socket, said adapter further comprising a first section and a second section, wherein the first section and the second section each has a base and a tip, wherein the base of the first section is connected to the base of Λe second section, and wherein the base of each section has a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the tip of each section, the cross-sectional area decreasing in the direction towards the tip, said adapter being movable from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the tip of the first section of the adapter is inserted into the second end of the socket, and in the second position the adapter is removed from the socket; and (c) a cap having a recess for receiving the second section of the adapter, said cap being flexibly connected to the socket, and movable from a first position to a second position to a third position, wherein in the first position the cap engages over the tip ofthe second section of the adapter to substantially seal the end of the adapter, in the second position the cap is removed from the tip of the second section of the adapter, and in the third position the cap is inserted into the second end ofthe socket. 2. The connector of Claim 1, further comprising a flexible member connecting the cap to the socket and wherein the socket including a first end to which the flexible member is attached and a second end opposite the first end attachable to the proximal end ofthe drain tube. 3. The connector of Claim 1 , wherein the recess of the cap is frusto-conically shaped. 4. The connector of Claim 1 , wherein the cap includes a tip and a base opposite the tip, the base having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the tip, wherein the cross-sectional area decreases in the direction towards the tip to permit the cap to be inserted into the socket and function as a plug when the cap is in the third position. 5. The connector of Claim 1, further comprising an annular lip radially extending from around the base ofthe cap. 6. The connector of Claim 5, wherein the socket includes an open, distal end for insertion of the cap, the distal end having an annular, peripheral rim for abutting the annular lip ofthe cap when the cap is inserted into the socket for use as a plug. 7. The connector of Claim 1, wherein the cap has a base end and a distal tip, and wherein the recess for receiving the tip of the second section of the adapter is formed in the base end ofthe cap. 8. The connector of Claim 1, wherein a flexible member connects the cap to the socket, the flexible member being connected to the base ofthe cap. 9. The connector of Claim 1, wherein: (a) the first section of the adapter is inserted into the socket when the adapter is in the first position, and the second section is for connection to the suction collection device; and (b) a flexible member connects the adapter to the socket. 10. The connector of Claim 1, wherein the socket includes an open, distal end for insertion of the first section of the adapter into the socket, the distal end having an annular, peripheral rim to act as a stop for limiting insertion depth into the socket. 11. The connector of Claim 1, further comprising an annular lip radially extending from around the base ofthe first section ofthe adapter. 12. The connector of Claim 1, wherein the adapter first and second sections are generally axially aligned with one another. 13. The connector of Claim 1, wherein a path of fluid communication is defined axially through the first and second sections ofthe adapter. STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 190 . Applicant notes that the following changes have been made to the originally filed Claims 1-17 in the attached substitute claim sheets. Original Claims 2, 4, 12, and 13 have been canceled, and the remaining claims have been renumbered in the attached replacement sheets. The substance ofthe canceled claims has been added to Claim 1. Claims 1. 3, 5, 6, 9. and 14-17 have been amended in the manner set forth above with the original text ofthe claim that is to be deleted by the present amendment enclosed within [brackets], and the text that has been added by the present amendment underlined. Each amended claim indicated above is to replace the originally submitted claim having the same original number. Claims 14-17 have been amended so that they depend from Claim 1 instead of from canceled Claim 13. To beπer clarify the description ofthe invention as claimed. Claim 1 has been amended to specify that both the socket and the adapter have central passageways. Support for adding a central passageway is found at page 3, lines 27-29, and at page 4, lines 30-31. Claim 1 has been further amended to specify that the socket has a first and a second end, the first end connecting to the drain tube, and the second end for receiving the adapter. Further amendments to Claim 1 specify that the adapter has a first and a second section, the first section being for inserting into the second end ofthe socket, and the second section being designed to receive the cap. In other amendments, the word "generally" was deleted from Claim 5, to eliminate any possible ambiguity in the intended meaning of this claim. The word "generally" has been added to the specification at page 4, line 2. Claim 9 has been amended also to conform with the language added to Claim 1. In addition, an amendment has been made to Claim 11 to correct an inadvertent error in the claim, wherein the applicant had intended to refer to the adapter and not to the connector. Taken together, the above-described amendments serve to clarify the description ofthe invention as claimed, and do not constitute new matter. Accordingly, the Examiner is respectfully requested to accept and to enter these amendments, as they are believed to put the claims in better condition for allowance.

Inventors: YARGER RICHARD J, YARGER, RICHARD, J.
Applicants: YARGER RICHARD J, YARGER, RICHARD, J.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A61M5
IPC codes: A61M25, A61M39