Abstract:
A fluid line connector to establish fluid communication with a conventional male luer fitting. The fluid line connector includes a housing with a hub member having a proximal opening adapted to receive a distal portion of the male luer fitting, a threaded profile circumscribing the proximal opening, and a cam member. The cam member engages the threaded surface of the male luer fitting collar to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the male luer fitting from the housing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/036,164, filed Jan. 14, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,347,458, which is incorporated by reference into this application as if fully set forth herein. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Typical luer lock connectors, which are commonly utilized in medical and industrial settings, do not have a locking mechanism to prevent accidental disconnections. The typical luer lock connection interface comprises (1) a male luer connector having a rounded and tapered mating surface and a threaded locking collar, and (2) a corresponding female luer connector having a lumen to receive the rounded and tapered mating surface on the male luer connector and ears or threads on an outer surface for engaging the threaded locking collar on the male connector in order to achieve a positive connection. However, once the male luer connector is threaded onto the female luer connector, there are no built-in mechanisms to prevent the connection from loosening and disconnecting from each other. 
   There are a variety of conditions where secured fluid connection interfaces capable of preventing accidental disconnection are desirable. For example, in the hospital setting, medication infusion lines may be accidentally disconnected due to patient movements, inadequate tightening of the luer connector fitting, etc. These unintentional disconnections of catheter lines may affect the outcome of patient treatment, and in certain situations could result in death. In industrial settings, vibrations, stress on the fluid lines, inadequate tightening of the luer connector fitting, etc., may also result in loosening and eventual separation of the connection interface. A compromise of the fluid lines can result in leakage of chemicals into the environment. In situations where the fluid lines are carrying toxic materials, the consequence could be detrimental. 
   Therefore, a luer fitting connection with a built-in mechanism to prevent accidental disconnection of the luer connection is desirable. In addition, interfaces designed to assist the user in achieving proper tightening of luer fittings are also desirable. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Luer connection interfaces utilizing various mechanisms to prevent inadvertent disconnections are disclosed herein. In one variation, a rotating thread section allows a secure connection to be maintained after attachment. This design may incorporate a rotating thread section on the female luer fitting that permits the male luer fitting to be threaded thereon, but revolves with the male luer fitting when the male luer fitting rotates to disconnect. This rotation in the opposite direction causes the rotating thread portion to ‘lock’ against the threads of the male luer fitting and prevent disconnection. To remove the male luer fitting, a locking mechanism (e.g., locking slide or pin, latch, etc.) is introduced to engage the rotating thread section and prevent the rotation thereof, so that the user can unthread the male luer fitting and disengage the male luer fitting from the female luer fitting. In one variation, a one-way latch is utilized as a locking mechanism to engage the rotating thread section. 
   In another variation, a rotating thread luer lock design incorporates a partially rotatable lower thread segment that can be rotated in the opposite direction of the thread rotation and effectively lock the threads on the male luer connector in a fixed position in relation to the female luer connector. To release the male luer connection, the lower thread segment on the female luer connector is aligned with the top portion of the thread segment, thereby allowing the male luer connector to be unscrewed. 
   In yet another variation, the locking mechanism comprises a locking cam is slidably disposed on the female luer connector. The slidable cam engages the threads on the male luer connector when it is rotated onto the female luer connector. The displacement of the slidable cam locks the male luer connector in place and prevents loosening of the connection interface. To disconnect the male luer connector, the slidable cam is displaced to release the cam action, allowing the male connector to be rotated and detached from the female connector. 
   These and other embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art when taken with reference to the following more detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that are first briefly described. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  shows a side view of one variation of a locking luer fitting comprising a male luer connector (top) and a corresponding female luer connector with a rotatable collar (bottom). 
       FIG. 1B  shows a frontal view the locking luer fitting of  FIG. 1A . A locking slide is positioned on the female luer connector for engaging the rotatable cuff. 
       FIG. 1C  shows a cross-sectional view of the locking luer fitting of  FIG. 1A . 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates one variation of a female luer connector with rotatable collar positioned at the neck portion of the housing. 
       FIG. 2B  shows a side view of the rotatable collar from  FIG. 2A . The rotatable collar is shown detached from the main housing. 
       FIG. 2C  shows a cross-sectional view of the rotatable collar of  FIG. 2B . 
       FIG. 2D  shows the bottom view of the rotatable collar of  FIG. 2B . The rotatable collar is viewed along its longitudinal axis into the lumen opening. 
       FIG. 3A  shows a frontal view of another variation of a locking luer fitting comprising a male luer connector (top) and a corresponding female luer connector with a rotatable collar (bottom). In this variation, a spring loaded locking slide is implemented to restrain the clockwise rotation of the rotatable collar so that a male luer connector can be threaded thereon. The receiving notch on the rotatable collar is profiled to allow rotation of the rotatable collar unless the locking slide is being held in place by the user. 
       FIG. 3B  shows a cross-sectional view of the locking luer fitting of  FIG. 3A . 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates the capability for the male luer connector to freely rotate while connected to the female luer connector on the female luer. The male luer connector is able to maintain the connection without unthreading from the rotatable collar. 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates a positive pressure being applied on the sliding lock to engage the rotatable collar and prevent the rotatable collar from rotating in either direction, such that the male luer can be unthreaded from the rotatable collar. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates another variation of a locking luer fitting. In this variation, the rotatable collar is provided with a jagged interface for engaging a locking slide with a corresponding jagged surface. This variation is configured such that the rotatable collar is able to rotate freely unless the locking slide is displaced proximally to engage the rotatable collar. 
       FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the locking luer fitting of  FIG. 5A  with the male luer connector detached from the female luer connector. The cross-section is taken along “A-A” as shown in  FIG. 5A . 
       FIG. 5C  is the locking luer fitting of  FIG. 5B  shown with the male luer connector attached to the female luer connector. 
       FIG. 6A  is the side view of the female luer connector of  FIG. 5A  illustrating the freely revolving rotatable collar. 
       FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the female luer connector of  FIG. 6A , shown with the parts disassembled. In this variation, an elastomeric ring is implemented to maintain a seal between the male and the female connector. 
       FIG. 7  shows the female luer connector of  FIG. 5A  with the locking slide detached from its corresponding hosing. 
       FIG. 8A . is a cross-sectional view illustrating the rotatable collar from  FIG. 5A . 
       FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable collar of  FIG. 8A  taken at “B-B”. The rotatable collar is viewed along its longitudinal axis toward its proximal end. 
       FIG. 9A  illustrates another variation of a locking luer fitting where the rotatable collar is spring loaded and displaced proximally. The male connector is shown detached from the female connector. 
       FIG. 9B  illustrates the locking luer fitting of  FIG. 9A  with the male connector connected to the female connector. 
       FIG. 10A  illustrates another variation of a locking luer fitting utilizing a one way latch. 
       FIG. 10B  is a cross-sectional view of the locking luer fitting of claim  10 A. The cross-section is taken along “C-C” as shown in  FIG. 10A . 
       FIG. 11A  illustrates the male connector and female connector of  FIG. 10A  connected to each other. The one way latch allows the male connector to rotate axially in relation to the female connector in both the clockwise and the counterclockwise direction. 
       FIG. 11B  illustrates the detachment of the male connector from the female connector. A positive pressure is applied to compress the male and female connector interface in order to engage the one way latch. The engagement of the one-way latch permits the user to unthread the male connector from the rotatable collar on the female connector. 
       FIG. 12A  illustrates another variation of the locking luer fitting with a partially rotatable thread segment that can be rotated in the opposite direction of the thread rotation, thereby effectively locking the engaging thread on the male connector in position. 
       FIG. 12B  shows the side view of the locking luer fitting of  FIG. 12A . 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of the female luer connector of  FIG. 12A , shown with the rotating locking collar rotated to displace the thread segment on the rotating locking collar from the upper thread segment on the housing of the female connector. 
       FIG. 14A  illustrates another variation of a locking luer fitting implementing a sliding cam mechanism to prevent unintentional detachment of the male luer connector form the female luer connector. 
       FIG. 14B  shows a cross-sectional view of the locking luer fitting of  FIG. 14A . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates the female connector of  FIG. 14A  in a disassembled condition. 
       FIG. 16A  shows a side view of the internal hub from  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 16B  shows a cross-sectional view of the internal hub of  FIG. 16A . 
       FIG. 16C  shows a top view of the internal hub of  FIG. 16A . 
       FIG. 16D  shows a bottom view of the internal hub of  FIG. 16A . 
       FIG. 17A  shows a top view of the locking ring from  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 17B  shows a side view of the locking ring of  FIG. 17A . 
       FIG. 17C  shows a bottom view of the locking ring of  FIG. 17  A. 
       FIG. 18A  shows a top view of the rotary spring from  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 18B  shows a side view of the rotary ring of  FIG. 18A . 
       FIG. 18C  shows a bottom view of the rotary ring of  FIG. 18A . 
       FIG. 19A  is a side view of the rotating hub from  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 19B  is a cross-sectional view of the rotating hub of  FIG. 19A . 
       FIG. 19C  is a top view of the rotating hub of  FIG. 19A . 
       FIG. 19D  is a bottom view of the rotating hub of  FIG. 19A . 
       FIG. 20A  is a top view of the retaining ring from  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 20B  is a side view of the retaining ring of  FIG. 20A . 
       FIG. 21A  illustrates the locking ring (i.e., slidable cam) in its default un-engaged position. This sectional view is taken at “D-D” as shown on  FIG. 14B ; the luer threads has been omitted in this illustration. 
       FIG. 21B  illustrates the locking ring of  FIG. 21A  being rotated counterclockwise by 10 degrees and resulting in a camming force being exerted radially. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates another variation of a sliding cam comprising a wedge slidably disposed on the female connector to engage the threads from the male connector. 
       FIG. 23  illustrates another variation where a rolling cam is implemented to engage the threads on the male luer connector. 
       FIG. 24  illustrates another variation of female connector with a luer locking mechanism. In this variation, a slidable sleeve with a proximally positioned cam is provided to engage the male luer connector once the male luer connector is threaded onto the female luer connector. 
       FIG. 25  illustrates yet another variation of a female connector with a luer locking mechanism. In this variation, a locking slide is provided to engage the threads on the male connector and lock the threads on the male connector in place. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which identical reference numerals refer to like elements through out the different figures. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The detailed description illustrates by way of example, not by way of limitation, the principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. 
   Before describing the present invention, it is to be understood that unless otherwise indicated this invention need not be limited to applications in humans. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, variations of the invention may be applied to other mammals as well. Moreover, it should be understood that embodiments of the present invention may be applied in combination with various tubing, catheters, drug pumps, infusion devices, etc. 
   Medical applications, such as connecting a male luer connector to a female luer connector on a catheter hub, are used herein as example applications. One of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure would appreciate that the various locking luer fitting described herein may be applicable in industrial settings and other situations where fluid line connection is needed. 
   It must also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term “a lumen” is intended to mean a single lumen or a combination of lumens, “a fluid” is intended to mean one or more fluids, or a mixture thereof. 
   The locking luer fitting may be implemented on a catheter assembly to facilitate the establishment of a fluid channel for the introduction/removal of a fluid into/from a patient&#39;s body. The female or male portion of the locking luer fitting may be temporarily attached to the proximal end of the catheter or it may be integrated within the proximal portion of the catheter body. In one aspect of the invention, a female luer connector with a locking luer interface may be attached to the proximal end of a catheter, such that the catheter can be easily accessed by connecting a male luer connector to establish a secured fluid connection. Bi-directional flow may be achieved with the implementation of multi-lumen male/female luer connectors. For example, corresponding male and female locking luer fitting connectors having two, three, or four lumens may be utilized to establish a secured fluid connection interface for multi-lumen catheter connections. 
   In one aspect of the invention, a fluid line connector is integrated with a safety feature to prevent unintentional disconnection. In one variation, the fluid line connector  2  comprises a male portion  4  and a female portion  6 , as shown in  FIG. 1A . The male portion  4  comprises a hollow elongated cylinder  8 . The distal  10  portion of the hollow elongated cylinder includes a tapered mating surface  12 . A locking collar  14 , which includes a threaded inner surface  16 , is positioned around the distal portion of the hollow elongated cylinder  8  to engage the female portion  6  of the connector. The locking collar  14  may be fixedly or rotatable disposed around the hollow elongated cylinder  8 . The female portion  6  comprises a housing  18  including a lumen  20  configured to receive the distal section of the hollow elongated cylinder  8  from the male connector  4 . The lumen  20  includes an inner surface  22  which matches the tapered mating surface  12  on the hollow elongated cylinder  8 . A rotatable collar  24  is disposed at a proximal portion  26  of the housing  18 . The rotatable collar  24  includes an outer surface profile  26  matching the threaded inner surface  16  on the male connector&#39;s locking collar  14 . In one variation, the outer surface profile  26  on the rotatable collar  24  comprises a projecting helical rib  28 . In another variation, the outer surface profile  26  on the rotatable collar  24  comprises a plurality of ears extending radially for engaging the locking collar  14  on the male portion  4  of the connector  2 . 
   In the particular variation introduced above, a locking mechanism  30  is provided on the female portion  6  of the fluid line connector  2  for engaging the rotatable collar  24  and allowing the user to selectively prevent the rotation of the collar  24 , as shown in  FIG. 1B . In  FIG. 1C , a cross-sectional view of the fluid line connector  2  is illustrated. The locking mechanism  30  may comprise one or more of the various mechanical interlocks for engaging the rotatable collar  24  and keeping the rotatable collar  24  in place. For example, the locking mechanism may comprise a locking slide  30 , as shown in  FIG. 1B , or a pin slidably disposed on the housing  18 . Other mechanical interfaces well known to one of ordinary skill in the art that can be coupled to the housing and configured for engaging the rotatable collar are also contemplated herein. In this variation of the present invention, a surface indentation  32  is provided on the rotatable collar  24  for receiving the locking mechanism  30 . The surface indentation  32  may comprise a notch or gap and may include a profile matching the surface profile at the proximal end  34  of the locking mechanism  30 . 
   The housing  18  is configured with a neck portion  36  for supporting the rotatable collar  24 . A ledge  38  extends radially at the proximal end  40  of the housing  18  to maintain the rotatable collar  24  on the housing  18 .  FIG. 2B  is a side view of the rotatable collar  24  implemented in  FIG. 2A . As shown, threads  28  are implemented on the outer surface  26  of the rotatable collar  24 . The threads  28  may be configured to match the typical threads that are implemented on a standard male luer lock connector.  FIG. 2C  shows the cross-sectional view of the rotatable collar  24 , and  FIG. 2D  is the bottom view of the rotatable collar  24 . Other mechanisms may also be utilized to maintain the rotatable collar on the housing. For example, the outer surface of the neck portion  36  and the inner surface  44  of the rotatable collar  24  may include matching surface profiles to prevent the rotatable collar  24  from dislodging from the housing  18 . 
   In the variation shown in  FIG. 1A , the collar  24  is allowed to freely rotate 180 degrees or more around a longitudinal axis  46  of the female connector  6 . To engage the male portion  4  of the connector, the locking slide  30  is displaced in the proximal direction and into the notch  32  on the rotatable collar  24  to prevent the rotatable collar  24  from revolving so that the locking collar  14  on the male portion  4  of the connector can be threaded onto the rotatable collar  24  on the housing  18 . Once the male portion  4  is secured onto the rotatable collar  24 , the locking mechanism  30  is retracted and the male portion  4 , along with the rotatable collar  24 , can rotate freely about the longitudinal axis  46  of the fluid line connector. An optional elastomeric ring or valve may be positioned within the lumen of the housing to provide additional sealing action between the hollow elongated cylinder and the lumen wall. 
   When the user is ready to disconnect the male portion  4  from the female portion  6 , the user can displace the locking slide  30  to engage the notch  32  on the rotatable collar  24  again. Once the rotatable collar  24  is held in place, the male portion  4  can be unthreaded from the female portion  6 . The locking slide  30  may be actively displaced (e.g., biased, etc.) in the distal direction such that a force in the proximal direction is needed to displace the locking slide  30  in the proximal direction into the notch  32  on the rotatable collar  24 . This may prevent the locking slide  30  from accidentally engaging the rotatable collar  24 . For example, the locking slide may be spring loaded. In another design, an elastic connection is utilized to couple the locking slide to the housing. In addition, one or more surface indentations may be provided on the rotatable collar  24  for receiving the locking mechanism  30 . For example, a plurality of notches may be distributed around the circumference at the distal end of the rotatable collar. Having more than one notch capable of receiving the locking slide may allow the user to easily engage the rotatable collar without much effort in aligning the notch with the locking slide. 
   In another variation, the rotation of the rotatable collar may be limited (i.e., confined within a limited range). For example, the range of rotation may be limited to within 90 degrees, to within 60 degrees, to within 30 degrees, or to within 20 degrees or less. The partial rotation range may provide some capacity for the threaded interface on the rotatable collar to yield to unexpected rotational force or strain, but still position the collar within a range for easy engagement of the locking mechanism. Active biasing elements (e.g., elastic or spring loaded connections) may also be implemented to couple the rotatable collar to the housing, such that the receiving notch on the rotatable collar is aligned with the locking mechanism when no external rotation force is applied on the rotatable collar. 
   In another variation, the fluid line connector  2  comprises a safety connector locking luer fitting  48  designed to interface with a standard male locking luer fitting  50 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . A rotating thread section  52  freely rotates on the female connector housing barrel section  54 . A cross-sectional view is provided in  FIG. 3B . The rotation may be limited within a range for locking slide  56  engagement. In another variation, the rotating thread section  52  may rotate freely. A plurality of notches may be implemented on the rotating thread section for receiving the locking slide. The rotating thread section may be configured on a rotatable collar. 
   In this particular variation, the locking slide  56  is spring biased in the distal direction. The receiving notch  58  is configured with a slanted profile  60  matching the proximal end  62  of the locking slide  56 . In the retracted position, the tip of the locking slide  56  engages part of the receiving notch  58 . In this position the rotating thread section&#39;s clockwise rotation is restrained, allowing the male luer connector  50  to be threaded thereon. Once the male luer connector  50  is threaded onto the rotating thread section  52 , the rotating thread is displaced proximally, and the rotation force overcomes the resistance from the proximal tip of the locking slide to allow the rotating thread section and the male luer connector to continue to rotate as a unit in the clockwise position. The design may prevent the user from over or under tightening of the threaded interface. The user may be instructed to rotate the male luer connector until the rotation tension overcomes the locking slides resistance such the further rotation result in free rotation in the clockwise direction. Thus, the user knows that proper tightening has not been achieved if clockwise rotation of the male luer connection continues to result in advancement of the male luer onto the female connector. Once the male luer connector  50  fully engages the rotating threads  52 , further torque being applied by the user will result in free rotation of the male luer connector  50  in the clockwise direction, and prevent further tightening of the thread. 
   Once the male luer connector  50  engages the rotating thread section  52 , counterclockwise rotation of the male luer connector results in the rotation of the rotating thread section  52 . Since the notch  58  has a slanted profile  60  matching the proximal end of the locking slide  56 , the locking slide  56  provides only minimal resistance to the counterclockwise rotation of the rotating thread section  52 , thus preventing the male luer connector  50  from unthreading. Once the male luer connector  50  fully engages the rotating thread section, the male luer connector  50  can be freely rotated in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction while continuing to maintain the fluid channel established between the male  50  and the female  48  luer connector, as shown in  FIG. 4A . Removal of the male luer connector  50  is accomplished by advancing the locking slide  56  proximally to engage the receiving notch  58  on the rotating thread section  52  to prevent any rotation. The male luer connector  50  can then be removed by rotating it counterclockwise in relation to the female luer connector  48 , as shown in  FIG. 4B . 
   In another variation, the under cut  64  of the ledge  66 , which secures the rotatable collar  52  to the housing  68 , may include a surface profile configured to minimize friction between the rotatable collar  52  and the ledge  66 . For example, the under cut  64  of the ledge  66  may include a surface profile comprising a plurality of valleys  70 ,  72 , such that contacting surface between the rotatable collar  52  and the ledge  66  is decreased in comparison to a flat surface interface. This decrease in surface contact can reduce the friction between the rotatable collar and the ledge, thereby allowing the rotatable collar to revolve more readily. 
   In yet another variation, the locking slide  56  shown in  FIG. 4A  may be spring biased such that the distal end of the locking slide  56  is partially positioned within the receiving notch  58  on the rotating thread section, and displacement of the locking slide  56  in the distal direction requires a positive force to overcome the spring bias. In this particular design, when the rotating thread section  52  is being rotated in the clockwise direction, the right edge of the locking slide  56  engages the notch  58 , preventing the rotating thread section  52  to rotate and allowing the male luer connector  50  to be threaded onto the rotating thread section  52 . When the rotating thread section  52  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the rotation force is directed onto the slanted profile  62  at the distal end of the locking slide  56 , forcing the locking slide  56  out of the receiving notch  58 , and allowing the rotating thread section  52  to rotate, thereby preventing the unthreading of the male luer connector  50 . In order to disconnect the male luer connector  50 , a positive pressure in the proximal direction is directed to keep the locking slide  56  in the receiving notch  58 . As a result, the rotating thread section  52  is prevented from rotating and the male luer connector  50  can be unthreaded. In another variation, a plurality of receiving notches with slanted profiles may be implanted on the rotating thread section, such that when the rotating thread section is being rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the displaced sliding lock may engage an adjacent receiving notch after it has been displaced form the first receiving notch. 
   In another variation, the proximal end  73  of the rotatable collar  24  is configured with a jagged surface (e.g., sawlike, multi-tooth configuration, etc.). A locking slide  30  with a corresponding jagged surface  74  is provided such that the locking slide  30  can engage the rotatable collar  24  independent of the orientation of the rotatable collar  24 , as shown in  FIG. 5A . The rotatable collar  24  is allowed to freely rotate about the longitudinal axis  46  of the female luer connector  6 . An optional elastomeric ring  76  may be provided in the lumen  20  of the female luer connector  6  to enhance the seal between the male luer  4  and the female luer  6  fitting, as shown in  FIG. 5B .  FIG. 5C  illustrates the male luer connector  4  being fully threaded onto the female luer connector  6 . 
     FIG. 6A  is a side view of the female luer connector  6  illustrating the full rotation capability of the rotatable collar  24 . This design allows the male luer connector  4 , which is threaded onto the rotatable collar, to freely rotate about the longitudinal axis  80  of the female luer connector  6  in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Thus, inadvertent disconnection of the luer connection may be prevented. In addition, since this design allows the male luer connector  4  to turn freely in relation to the female luer connector  6 , kinking of the tubing lines attached to the male and the female luer connectors may also be minimized.  FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view showing the various parts that comprises the female luer connector  6  shown in  FIG. 6A .  FIG. 7  illustrates one variation where the locking slide  30  can be detached from the housing body  18  by sliding it out of its receiving channel  78  on the female luer connector  6 . In another variation, the locking slide is either spring loaded or elastically coupled such that a positive pressure keeps the locking slide in the distal position within its receiving channel on the housing. To activate the locking slide, the user can apply a force to displace the locking slide in the proximal direction.  FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable collar  24  from  FIG. 6A .  FIG. 8B  is the cross-sectional view taken at “B-B” of  FIG. 8A , illustrating the jagged engagement interface  80  on the rotatable collar  24  being distributed circumferentially around the lumen  82  of the rotatable collar. 
   In another variation, the female luer connector further comprises a biasing mechanism (e.g., spring-loaded device, elastic materials, etc.) configured to actively displace the rotatable collar in the distal direction.  FIG. 9A  shows one particular design where the biasing mechanism  84  comprises a wave compression ring positioned between the ledge  66 , which extends radially at the proximal end of the female housing, and the rotatable collar  24 . The rotatable collar  24  is designed to interface with a standard locking luer fitting  86 , as shown in  FIG. 9B . When the male connector  4  is disconnected from the female connector  6 , the rotatable collar  24  is fully displaced in the distal direction, as shown in  FIG. 9A . As a result, a solid interaction may be established between the proximal end  34  of the locking slide  30  and the receiving notch  32  on the rotatable collar  24 . This interaction prevents the rotation of the rotatable collar in the clockwise direction, thereby allowing the male luer connector to be threaded on the rotatable collar. As the male luer connector is being threaded onto the female luer connector, the rotatable collar is gradually displaced in the proximal direction due to the transfer of torque from the rotation of the male luer connector. As the rotatable collar is displaced in the proximal direction, the contacting surface between the locking slide  30  and the receiving notch  32  gradually decreases. Eventually, the rotatable collar  24  is displaced far enough in the proximal direction to allow the male luer lock connector  4  and the rotatable collar  24  to rotate in the clockwise direction. As a result, the connection between the male and the female luer connector cannot be further tightened. At this point, the male luer connector can be rotated freely in either the counterclockwise or the clockwise direction. To disconnect the male luer connector  4 , the locking slide  30  is slid proximally toward the rotatable collar  24 . The locking slide  30  locks the rotatable collar  24  into an aligned position allowing the male luer  4  thread to rotate in the counterclockwise direction and disconnect from the female connector  6 . 
   In another variation, a one-way latch  88 , which permits the counterclockwise rotation of the rotatable collar  24 , is implemented, as shown in  FIG. 10A .  FIG. 10B  is a cross-sectional view of the male  4  and female  6  connectors of  FIG. 10A . The, clockwise rotation of the rotatable collar  24  is limited by the one-way latch  88 , allowing a standard male luer connector to be threaded onto the rotatable collar on the female luer connector. As the locking collar  14  on the male connector  4  is threaded onto the rotatable collar  24  on the female connector  6 , the rotatable collar  24  is gradually displaced in the proximal direction. Eventually, the rotatable collar  24  disengages from the one-way latch  88 , such that the male luer connector  4  can rotate in both the counterclockwise and the clockwise position without unthreading the male and female luer connection. This helps to prevent the male luer connector  4  from unthreading when the male luer is subjected to unintended counterclockwise rotation. Removal of the male connector  4  is accomplished by pushing the male connector  4  against the female connector housing  18  while simultaneously rotating the male fitting  4  counterclockwise. The compression applied on the male connector  4  forces the rotatable collar  24  to engage the one-way latch  88  such that the male connector  4  can be unthreaded from the rotatable collar  24 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11B . 
   As one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure would appreciate, other one-way latch mechanisms commonly know in the industry may also be implemented in the above design. For example, mechanisms commonly utilized in the child proof bottle cap designs may also be utilized as a one-way latch in variations of the locking luer fitting. 
   In another variation, the female luer connector has a threaded portion that comprises two segments. The lower thread segment can be rotated to misalign its threads with the corresponding threads on the upper segment. The misalignment of the threads on the female connector can cause a camming action that locks the threads on the attached male connector to the lower segment of the misaligned threads on the female connector. 
   In one example, the female connector  90  comprises a rotating locking collar  92  disposed around the housing  94  of the female connector  90 . An upper thread segment  96  is positioned at the proximal end  98  of the housing  94 , while a corresponding lower thread segment  100  is positioned on the rotating locking collar  92 , as shown in  FIG. 12A .  FIG. 12B  shows the side view of the corresponding male  102  and female  90  connectors from  FIG. 12B . When the rotating locking collar  92  is aligned with the housing  94  of the female connector  90 , the upper thread segment  96  is misaligned with the lower thread segment  100 . To engage the male connector, the rotating locking collar  92  is first rotated as shown in  FIG. 13 , causing the threads on the upper thread segment  96  to align with the threads in the low thread segment  100 . In one variation, the rotational movement of the rotating locking collar  92  is limited to about 20 degrees. Once the upper  96  and lower  100  thread segments on the female luer are aligned, the male connector  102  can be threaded on to the two segments  96 ,  100  of aligned threads located on the female connector  90 . After the male connector  102  has been threaded onto the two aligned thread segments  96 ,  100 , the user then rotates the rotating locking collar  92  so that the rotating locking collar becomes aligned with the housing  94 , thereby causing the lower thread segment  100  to misalign with the upper thread segment  96 . The misalignment of the lower and upper thread segment causes the threads on the female connector to cam lock against the fitting threads on the male connector. This camming action prevents the male connector from being unthreaded from the female luer connector. To release the male connector  102 , the user first rotates the rotating locking collar  92  to align the threads on the upper  96  and lower  100  thread segments on the female connector  90 . Once the threads on the upper  96  and the lower  100  thread segments are aligned, the male connector  102  is unthread with only minimal resistance. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, the fluid line connector comprises a locking cam that prevents inadvertent disconnection of the luer connectors. The male portion of the connector comprises a hollow elongated cylinder with a tapered mating surface at a distal portion of the cylinder. A locking collar is positioned around the distal portion of the hollow elongated cylinder, and the locking collar includes a threaded inner surface. The female portion comprises a housing, including a lumen configured for receiving the distal portion of the hollow elongated cylinder. The lumen includes an inner surface which matches the tapered mating surface of the cylinder. The distal portion of the housing includes a cylindrical outer surface. On the cylindrical outer surface is a threaded profile for engaging the threaded inner surface on the locking collar. A cam is slidably disposed on the cylindrical outer surface of the housing. When the male portion is threaded onto the female portion, the cam can be displaced to apply a camming force on the male portion of the connector and prevent the male portion from inadvertent disengagement from the female portion of the fluid line connector. To disconnect the male portion, the cam is displaced in the opposite direction to release the camming force. Once the camming force is removed, the male portion can then be unthreaded from the female portion. 
   In one variation, the male portion of the connector comprises a traditional luer connector with a locking collar, and the female portion of the connector comprises a female luer fitting with a cam slidably positioned to engage the threads on the male luer connector. In one example, the cam comprises a partial ring with a tapered end that can be engaged to prevent loosening (i.e., counterclockwise rotation) of the male luer connector once it is secured onto the female luer connector. Mechanisms for applying a counter rotational force to disengage the cam may also be integrated into the female luer connector. 
   One particular design is illustrated in  FIG. 14A . A partial ring  110  (serving as the cam) is rotatably disposed on an internal hub  112 , and coupled to the rotating hub  114  for engaging the cam  110 . The user can grasp onto the rotating hub  114  to apply a counter rotational force to disengage the locking cam ring  110  from the thread interface between the male  120  and the female  122  connector.  FIG. 14B  is a cross-sectional view of the corresponding male  120  and female  122  connector of  FIG. 14A .  FIG. 15  illustrates the female luer connector  122  with its parts disassembled. The female luer connector  122  comprises an internal hub  112  with a locking ring  110 , a rotary spring  116 , and a rotating hub  114 , positioned over the outer circumferential surface  124  of the internal hub  112 . A retaining ring  118  connected to the distal portion of the internal hub  112  secures the locking ring  110 , the rotary spring  116 , and the rotating hub  114  on the internal hub  112 . The retaining ring  118  may be fixedly attached to the internal hub through solvent bonding, ultrasonic welding, or other methods that are well known to one of ordinary skill in art.  FIGS. 16A-D  illustrate various perspectives of the internal hub  112 .  FIGS. 17A-C  illustrate various perspectives of the locking ring  110 .  FIGS. 18A-C  illustrate various perspectives of the rotary spring  116 .  FIGS. 19A-D  illustrate various perspective of the rotary hub  114 .  FIGS. 20A-B  illustrate various perspectives of the retaining ring  118 . 
   The rotary spring  116  applies a torsional force that biases the locking (cam) ring  110  in a counterclockwise (cam engaged) direction. Although a rotary spring  116  is implemented in this example, one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure would appreciate that other biasing mechanisms may also be utilized in placed of the rotary spring  116 . Rotational movement of the locking ring  110  is limited by the slot  126  on the rotating hub  114 . The rotating hub&#39;s  114  movement is limited by the retaining ring tab  128 . As an assembly, the locking ring  110  is biased to slide over the hub cam surface  130  of the internal hub  112 . During the attachment of a male locking luer connection  120 , the locking ring  110  does not expand over the hub cam surface  130 . However, once the male connector  120  is attached, the camming action of the locking ring  110  prevents removal (unthreading) of the male luer connector  120 . The device is configured such that the male luer connector  120  can be removed by grasping the rotating hub  114  while turning the male luer connector  120 . This causes the locking ring  110  to be disengaged from the hub cam surface  130  and allowing free rotation of the threads  132 . 
   The mechanical interaction of the locking ring  110  in the above example is further illustrated in  FIGS. 21A and 21B .  FIG. 21A  shows the locking ring  110  in the default un-engaged position (i.e., unlocked from the threads). Rotation of the male connector to unthread the male connector from the female connector engages the locking ring. As a result the locking ring  110  is rotated counterclockwise and forces the distal portion  134  of the outer surface of the locking ring to be displaced radially as the locking ring applies a camming force onto the thread surface  132  of the male connector. In one variation, the rotation of the locking rings is limited to about 10 degrees. The camming action of the locking ring locks the male connector onto the female connector. To release the male connector, the locking ring  110  is displaced in the clockwise direction which releases the camming force, allowing the male connector  120  to be unscrewed from the female connector  122 . 
     FIG. 22  illustrates another variation of a locking cam. In this design, a wedge  140  is slidably positioned on a surface on the female luer connector  142  that interfaces with the male luer connector  144 . An optional biasing mechanism  146  may be implemented to predispose the wedge  140  such that the wedge engages the threads on the male connector  144  when the male connector is threaded onto the female connector  142 . In one variation the wedge  140  is spring loaded. In another variation, a pliable polymeric block  146  is positioned between the wedge and the female connector housing, as shown in  FIG. 22 . As the male connector  144  threads onto the female connector  142  through a clockwise rotation, the wedge  140  is also displaced in the clockwise direction and engages the thread on the male luer connector  144 . A counterclockwise rotational force on the male connector  144  faces a resistive force from the wedge  140  and loosening of the male connector  144  is averted. To release the male connector  144 , the wedge  140  is first displaced in the counterclockwise direction to release the camming action. For example, the user may force the wedge  140  against the biasing mechanism  146  and disengage the wedge  140  from the threads (not shown) on the male connector  144 . Once the cam  140  is disengaged, the user can rotate the male connector  144  in the counterclockwise direction to remove the male connector. 
   In another variation, a rolling cam  150  is implemented to prevent loosening of the male connector  152  once it is threaded onto the female luer connector  154 . One example is illustrated in  FIG. 23 , where a rolling cam  150  is positioned on a circumferential surface  156  of the female luer connector  154 . The rolling cam  150  is disposed within a pocket  158  including a curved profile. When the rolling cam  150  is in the cocked position  150 ′, it engages the locking collar of the male luer connector  152 . When the rolling cam  150  is displaced into the uncocked position  150 , it sinks into the deeper portion of the pocket  158  and disengages from the male luer connector  152 , allowing the removal of the male luer connector  152  through a counterclockwise rotation. The rolling cam  150  may be spring biased such that as the male connector is rotated onto the female connector, the rolling cam is activated. Levers or other coupling mechanisms may be implemented to allow the user to displace the rolling cam and keep it in the uncocked position, such that the male connector can be unthreaded from the female connector. 
   Coupling mechanisms well known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be implemented on the female luer connector, such that the user can apply the necessary force on the cam to displace and disengage the cam. In another variation, the female connector is designed so that a tool is needed to disengage the cam. For example, levers, which are coupled to the cam, may be integrated within the body of the female connector so that a tool is required activate the lever and release the cam. This design may prevent unintentional and/or unauthorized decoupling of the luer lock connection. 
   In another variation, a cam slidably positioned on the female connector is configured for insertion between the locking collar of the male luer connector and the housing of the female luer connector after the locking collar of the male connector is threaded onto the female connector of the housing. The camming action locks the locking collar of the male connector in place and prevents the male connector from any rotation. In one example, a sleeve  170  is slidably disposed over the housing  172  of the female luer connector  174 . The proximal portion  176  of the sleeve includes a camming surface  178 . The sleeve  170  can be displaced in the proximal direction, as shown in  FIG. 24 . Once the male luer connector is threaded onto the female luer connector, the sleeve  176  is advanced in the proximal direction and the camming surface  178  on the proximal end of the sleeve  176  is inserted between the locking collar and the threaded portion  180  of the female housing  172 . The camming force prevents the male luer connector from rotating in either direction and thus locking the male luer connector in place. To release the male luer connector, the sleeve  170  is displaced in the distal direction to release the camming action. Once the cam is removed, the male connector can then be unthreaded from the female connector. 
   In yet another design exemplified in  FIG. 25 , a locking slide  190  is utilized to engage the threads on the male connector to lock the male connector in place and prevent premature loosening of the male connector. The locking slide  190  may be biased in the proximal direction. To attach the male luer connector, the user first retracts the locking slide  190  in the distal direction and then screws on the male connector. Once the male connector is threaded onto the female connector  192 , the user can advance the locking slide  190  in the proximal direction to engage the threads on the male connector and lock the threads in place. To remove the male connector, the user first retracts the locking slide  190 . Once the camming action provided by the locking slide  190  is removed, the male luer connector can then be unthreaded from the female luer connector  192 . 
   This invention has been described and specific examples of the invention have been portrayed. While the invention has been described in terms of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. Therefore, to the extent that there are variations of the invention, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Finally, all publications and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually put forth herein.