Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a connector hub assembly. The connector hub assembly includes a housing and a retention device. The housing has a connector bank having one or more input ports and one or more output ports, that are defined therein. The input ports are configured to operably connect to one or more first conduits and the output ports are configured to operably connect to one or more second conduits. The retention device is operably coupled to the housing. The retention device includes a flexible membrane that has one or more slits defined therethrough that form flexible segments in the membrane. The flexible segments are configured to selectively secure the connector hub assembly to a sheet-like material when the sheet-like material is fed through the slits.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to surgical connector hubs. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a connector hub assembly having a selectively engageable retention device to facilitate cable retention in an operating theater. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Typically in the medical field, particularly in the patient monitoring sector, a connector hub, which is also known as a connector bank, is commonly used in the medical field and is configured to join multiple conduits into one central distribution unit. The conduits typically include electrical components (e.g., EKG wiring, heart monitoring wire leads, etc.) disposed therein and/or other components (e.g., pneumatic passages, mechanical lines, etc.). The conduits are connected to the connector hub via various connectors that are received within receptacles of the connector hub. In most scenarios, the connector hub is conveniently located near the patient. 
         [0005]    During surgery and/or other medical treatments, a clinician is inclined to make quick and efficient connections near the patient, while at the same time, trying not to disturb or hurt the patient. Placing the connector bank far from the patient would be inconvenient for the clinician and the patient. Thus, the hub connector is typically positioned near and/or on the patient, for example, attaching the connector hub to the patient&#39;s gown, via a separate attaching device, for example, a surgical clip, an adhesive material, and/or hoop and loop fasteners. There are, of course, drawbacks in using a separate attaching device to attach the hub connector near the patient, such as, simply losing the secondary attaching device and/or, in some cases, the secondary attaching device not functioning properly. These drawbacks leave the clinician, in the midst of a medical treatment, to allow the hub connector to hang freely from the conduits, in which the connector hub is connected thereto. This results to an increased risk of damaging the conduit connections and/or discomforting the patient, which can possibly lead to unsuccessful medical treatment for the patient. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present disclosure relates to a connector hub assembly. The connector hub assembly includes a housing and a retention device. The housing has a connector bank having one or more input ports and one or more output ports, that are defined therein. The input ports are configured to operably connect to one or more first conduits and the output ports are configured to operably connect to one or more second conduits. The retention device is operably coupled to the housing. The retention device includes a flexible membrane that has one or more slits defined therethrough that form flexible segments in the membrane. The flexible segments are configured to selectively secure the connector hub assembly to a sheet-like material when the sheet-like material is fed through the slits. 
         [0007]    In embodiments, the housing may include a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion may include the retention device and the bottom portion may include the connector bank. The flexible membrane includes one or more slits forming a corresponding number of flexible segments. In addition, the flexible membrane may be selectively engageable with the housing. 
         [0008]    In embodiments, the top portion and the bottom portion may be monolithically formed into a one-piece configuration. Alternatively, the top portion and the bottom portion may be operably coupled by injection molding, gluing, snap fitting, hook or press forming. The housing may be constructed from a plastic material or a metallic material. 
         [0009]    The first conduits and/or the second conduits may be energy-transporting conduits, air-transporting conduits, or fluid-transporting conduits. Also, the input and output ports may be operably connected to the first and/or second conduits by quick-release-type connectors, luer-type connectors, detent-type connectors, screw-type connectors, or bayonet-type connectors. 
         [0010]    In embodiments, the housing may further include a finger grip for manipulating the connector hub assembly. The retention device includes a membrane having a central aperture defining the slits. The slits extend radially outwards from the central aperture towards an outer bead to form a corresponding number of flexible segments for receiving the sheet-like material. The outer bead is operably coupled to a retaining ring that is disposed within the housing. The membrane may be formed from a carbon fiber composites, plastic composites, flexible material composites, or epoxy composites. In addition, the retention device may be formed in a circular shape, a square shape, an elongate shape, a triangular shape, or a polygonal shape. 
         [0011]    In other embodiments, the slits are formed in a serpentine manner within the flexible membrane to define one or more opposing flexible finger-like elements therewithin for engaging the sheet-like material when the sheet-like material is fed therethrough. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1 . is a front, perspective view of the connector hub assembly having a retention device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2 . is a top view of the connector hub assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a side, cross-sectional view of the connector hub assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a side, cross-sectional view of the connector hub assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the retention device having a material pulled therethrough; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a top view of another embodiment of the retention device in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  a top view of still another embodiment of the retention device in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  a top view of yet another embodiment of the retention device in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Particular embodiments of the present disclosure, namely, the connector hub assembly, are described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. As used herein and as is traditional, the tern “distal” refers to the portion that is furthest from the user/clinician and the term “proximal” refers to the portion that is closest to the user/clinician. In addition, terms such as “above”, “below”, “top”, “bottom”, etc. refer to the orientation of the figures or the direction of components and are simply used for convenience of description. 
         [0020]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a connector hub assembly is generally depicted as reference numeral  10 . Connector hub assembly  10  includes a housing  12  having a top portion  12   a  and a bottom portion  12   b . The top portion  12   a  and the bottom portion are monolithically formed to each other. In other embodiments, the top portion  12   a  and the bottom portion  12   b  may be separate components such that top portion  12   a  and bottom portion  12   b  may be operably coupled to each other. In this instance, a clinician or surgeon may opt to selectively engage a particular bottom portion to engage particular cabling or conduits. In addition, the clinician may opt for a different engagement portion, e.g., top portion  12   a , due to a particular operating environment. Housing  12  may be constructed, but not limited, from a durable plastic material, a metallic material, or any other durable housing material. 
         [0021]    The top portion  12   a  includes a pull-through retention device  14  that is configured to selectively attach the connector hub assembly  10  at a desired location that is convenient for the user and/or the patient. The pull-through retention device  14  is described in further detail below. Bottom portion  12   b  of housing  12  includes a connector bank  16  configured to allow selective engagement of multiple conduits and/or wires into a corresponding location defined thereon. For example, connector bank  16  includes one or more input ports  18   a  and one or more output ports  18   b , or vice versa. The connector bank  16  allows the input ports  18   a  and output ports  18   b  to be operably coupled to each other in a predetermined arrangement. The multiple conduits allow selective coupling of electrical and/or mechanical conduits  19   a  and  19   b  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0022]    In an exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , input port  18   a  is disposed centrally on the bottom portion  12   b  of the housing  12 . Bottom portion  12   b  may be configured to be selectively and mechanically coupled to an external device (not shown). The external device may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electrosurgical generator, heart monitoring device, pulmonary monitoring device, or any other medical device and/or instrument adapted to be utilized with connector bank  16 . Also shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , output ports  18   b  are also disposed on the bottom portion  12   b  of the housing  12 . Output ports  18   b  are disposed on both sides of input port  18   a . The locations of the input and output ports  18   a  and  18   b , respectively, may be disposed at any location on the housing  12 . 
         [0023]    Different types of input and output conduits  19   a  and  19   b , respectively, may be operably coupled to the one or more corresponding input and output ports  18   a  and  18   b , respectively. For example, energy-transporting conduits, (e.g., EKG wires, electrical wires, etc.) may be utilized and operably coupled in the one or more ports  18   a  and  18   b . Additionally or alternatively, air-transporting or fluid-transporting conduits may be operably coupled to the one or more input and output ports  18   a  and  18   b , respectively. Input and output conduits  19   a  and  19   b  may be operably coupled to input and output ports,  18   a  and  18   b , by any type of coupling means, for example, but not limited to, quick-release-type connectors, luer-type connectors, detent-type connectors, screw-type connectors or bayonet-type connectors. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , housing  12  may include indicia  22  disposed on portion  12   b  and a finger grip  36  to facilitate handling during use of connector  10 . Indicia  22  may be disposed on any side of the bottom portion  12   b  (e.g., front side  20   a ). Additionally or alternatively, indicia  22  may be monolithically formed upon fabrication of the housing  12 , or in the alternative, may be marked by a suitable marking means (e.g., stickers, laser etchings, etc.). Indicia  22  may represent to the user numbers, letters, words, symbols, pictures, or any other accommodating marking above the respective port assigned. For example, indicia  22  may indicate to a user an input port with the word of “in” and an output port with the word “out.” 
         [0025]    Finger grip  36  is disposed on the housing  12  to allow the user to firmly hold the connector hub assembly  10 , while manipulating the connector bank  16  around the patient. The finger grip  36  also allows the user to comfortably grip the connector bank  16  to facilitate firmly attaching and detaching the multiple conduits from input and output ports,  18   a  and  18   b , respectively. 
         [0026]    As mentioned above, housing  12  further includes a pull-through retention device  14  configured to retain a material “M” as it is passed therethrough. Retention device  14  includes a membrane  24  formed from a thin flexible material (e.g., carbon fiber composites, plastic composites, flexible material composites, composite epoxies, elastomers, etc.). Membrane  24  is provided with a central aperture  30  and a plurality of spaced slits  28 . Slits  28 , which may be equally spaced, extend radially outwardly from the central aperture  30  towards an outer bead  32  to form a plurality of flexible segments  26 . A retaining ring  34  (see  FIG. 3A ,  3 B) is enclosed within the housing  12  and is configured to secure membrane  24  within retention device  14  by mechanically coupling to outer bead  32  of membrane  24 . As mentioned above, different types of retention devices may be selectively coupled to the housing  12  depending upon a particular purpose. 
         [0027]    In use, material “M” is inserted through membrane  24  of retention device  14 , for example, through the central aperture  30  from the back side  20   b  of connector bank assembly  10 . Material “M” may be, for example, a patient&#39;s gown, a bed sheet, medical drapery, or any other type of fabric within the vicinity of the patient. Referring to  FIG. 3B , as material “M” is inserted through central aperture  30 , material “M” is further pulled from the front side  20   a  through central aperture  30  such that segments  26  are forced in the same direction the material “M” is being pulled through. As the user pulls the material “M” taut, this substantially secures the connector hub assembly  10  to the material “M”, thus causing the flexible segments  26  between slits  28  to flex in the direction of the inserted material “M”. Segments  26  thereby grip and secure material “M” within the central aperture  30 , thus operably coupling connector hub assembly  10  near the patient. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , other embodiments of a retention device  114 ,  214 , and  314  are shown.  FIG. 4  depicts a retention device  114  having a square-shaped membrane  124 . Membrane  124  is provided with a central aperture  130  and a plurality of equally spaced slits  128  defined between membrane  124 . Slits  128  extend outwardly from the central aperture  130  towards an outer bead  132  having a square shape to form a plurality of flexible segments  126  within membrane  124 . Outer bead  132  is configured to secure membrane  124  within a housing (not shown) in a similar fashion as membrane  24  secures to housing  12  discussed above. Retention device  114  is configured to attach to a material “M” in a similar fashion as retention device  14  secures material “M” discussed above. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  depicts a retention device  214  having an elongated rectangular-shaped membrane  224 . Membrane  224  is provided with serpentined pattern of equally spaced slits  228  running along the length of membrane  224 . Slits  228  extend outwardly from membrane  224  towards an elongate outer bead  232  to form a plurality of flexible segments  226 . Segments  226  are arranged in an opposing maimer along membrane  224  and essentially act as a plurality of teeth to secure a material “M” to the connector  10 . Elongate outer bead  232  is configured to secure membrane  224  within a housing (not shown) in a similar fashion as membrane  24  secures to housing  12  discussed above. Retention device  214  is configured to attach to a material “M” in a similar fashion as retention device  14  secures material “M” discussed above. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  depicts another embodiment of a retention device  314  having a generally triangular-shaped membrane  324 . Membrane  324  is provided with a central aperture  330  and a plurality of equally spaced slits  328  that extend outwardly therefrom defined in material  324 . Slits  328  extend outwardly from the central aperture  330  towards a triangular shaped outer bead  332  to form a plurality of flexible segments  326 . Outer bead  332  is configured to secure membrane  324  within a housing (not shown) in a similar fashion as membrane  24  secures to housing  12  discussed above. Retention device  314  is configured to attach to a material “M” in a similar fashion as retention device  14  secures material “M” discussed above. 
         [0031]    In the figures, namely,  FIGS. 1-3 , and the corresponding descriptions above, the retention device  14  of the connector bank assembly  10  has been described with the top portion  12   a  of housing  12  and the connector bank  16  has been described with the bottom portion  12   b  of the housing  12 . However, this configuration, as described above, may be reversed and/or altered. Also, the retention device  14  has been described as being fixedly attached to the housing  12 . This configuration may also be altered such that the retention device  14  may be detachable, monolithically formed within the housing  12   a , for example, injection molded, glued, pressed, or any other suitable attaching means. 
         [0032]    Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example, for purposes of clarity or understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.