Abstract:
The present invention relates to a connector element for connecting lengths of tubing, cannulas and catheters to a second connector element. The connector element includes a sealing part that is movable relative to a flow conduit portion of the connector, and which enables the conduit to be sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere. A sterile connection is therefore ensured.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a connector element for connecting tubes, cannulas and catheters to a second connector element. In particular, the present invention relates to a connector element that provides a sterile connection by remaining sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere until the connection is made. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     An important field of applications for connectors is the connection of multiple lengths of tubing, cannulas and catheters, as well as the connection of storage containers to medical working means, such as the connecting ports of a dialysis machine. To minimize any risk to the patient, high demands are placed on the strength and quality of the connectors as well as on maintaining the sterility of the connection to be established. It is important to ensure that there can be no contamination of the components before, during or after the operation of establishing the connection. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,508 describes generic connector elements provided with a part sealed before use, to thereby ensure that the portions of the connectors through which media flows remain sealed with respect to the atmosphere and are thus protected from contamination. The sealing parts are inserted into the connector elements to form a seal before use. Then the connector elements are sterilized in a partially assembled state in a heat sterilizer. Following this procedure, the connector elements are joined in such a way that the sealing parts are punctured by a mandrel provided in one of the connector elements, thereby opening a passage for the medium to be conveyed. In this process, the tip of the mandrel first punctures the inside of the sealing part of a connector element and then punctures the adjoining sealing part of the other connector element. One disadvantage of such an arrangement is that any contamination present on the side of the sealing part facing the mandrel could enter the area exposed to the medium once the sealing parts are punctured, and thus the contamination might enter the medium carried through the connector. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a connector element for connecting tubes, cannulas, catheters or other types of fluid lines that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art and that has a sealing part that includes a membrane. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the apparatus and method particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. 
     To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, the invention is connector element that ensures a sterile connection between the connector element and a second connector element attached to the tube or device to be connected. 
     The connector element according to the invention has an opening element designed so that the sealing part does not come in contact with the area of the connector used as a conduit for conveying the medium, in either the closed or open position of the sealing part. According to the invention, the opening of the sealing part is not accomplished during the connection operation by contact with the areas or conduits through which the medium passes, but instead through opening elements which are designed and arranged to open the sealing part without allowing it to come in contact with the conduits, either when the sealing part is in the closed, open, or in any intermediary position. In this way, a sterile connection between the two connector elements is always achieved. A sterile connection is also obtained when contaminants might have reached the inside of the sealing part. For example, while establishing the connection, the sealing part is moved in an open position not by a part of the conduit conveying the medium, but instead is opened by a separate opening element, to preclude any contact between the parts of the connector coming in contact with the medium and the sealing part that may be contaminated. 
     It is especially advantageous if the sealing part includes a base body with a membrane extending over the cross section of the base body. The sealing part can be designed as a cap which is movable relative to the areas for conveying the medium, and its membrane must be opened to allow flow of the fluid during the connection. According to the present invention, the membrane of each connector element is opened by an opening element of the other connector element. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base body of the sealing part is a cylindrical shell and the membrane is arranged on one end of the base body. The sealing part is advantageously used in such a way that the end area of the base body provided with the membrane of one connection element is oriented away from the “connection side”, which is the side of the connector element where the second connector element is inserted. This offers the advantage that a significant portion of the base body protects the membrane from contact, because the membrane is set back from the connection side end portion of the connector element by approximately the length of the base body. It is thus possible to prevent inadvertent contact between the membrane and the opening element of the second connector element. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, the membrane has a straight or cross-shaped slit for the purpose of facilitating opening of the sealing part. This slit is such that the areas for conveying the medium are sealed when the connector elements are disconnected, and only when the connector elements are actuated or joined is the slit opened, to ultimately permit flow through the connector. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the membrane is a silicone membrane. Such a membrane will close and form a sufficient seal even after slitting, while on the other hand it can easily be folded open and penetrated. 
     According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conduit for conveying a flowing medium is defined by an inner socket connector. The socket connector borders the parts of the connector element coming in contact with the media, and can be inserted in a fluid-tight manner into the socket connector of another connector element when the connection is established. It is especially advantageous to form the opening element as an outer socket connector, also surrounding the area for conveying the medium. 
     The area or conduit for conveying the medium and the opening element may be formed by a concentric arrangement of socket connectors, with the outer socket connector which forms the opening element projecting slightly beyond the inner socket connector bordering the area for conveying the medium. This yields a relatively simple arrangement, with the outer of the concentric tubes forming the opening element and the inner concentric tube bordering the area for conveying the flowing medium. According to the present invention, the required opening of the sealing part is achieved by the opening elements, because these are arranged on the outside of the inner socket connectors thereby effecting an opening of the moving sealing part before it comes in contact with the areas exposed to the media. It is also advantageous if the outer socket connector of the opening element projects slightly above the inner socket connector of the area for conveying the medium, or even terminates it. It is essential for the sealing part to be guided or opened in such a way as to prevent contact with the areas for conveying the medium in all stages of movement of the sealing part. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the connector element has a housing, with the area for conveying the medium as well as the opening element being accommodated in the housing. It is especially advantageous if an annular gap is formed between the housing and the opening element to accommodate the sealing part when it is moved. Accordingly, the sealing part is guided between the housing and the wall of the opening element while the connection is made, and is moved by the opening element of the second connector element into-a position which causes the sealing part to be opened. At the same time, or subsequently, the sealing part of the second connector element may also be moved back in a corresponding annular gap of the second connector element in an equivalent manner, so that ultimately the areas for conveying the medium of the two connector elements can come in contact with one another without ever being in contact with the inside or outside of the sealing parts. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing part can be secured in the housing by a lock. This makes it possible to manufacture the connectors and the sealing parts in two separate operations, to insert the sealing parts into the housing after their manufacture and to secure them in the desired position using the lock. The lock may be constituted of a projection extending away from the housing and a matching recess in the sealing part. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the area for conveying the medium can be sealed by a shut-off element. The shut-off element causes fluid-tight sealing of the areas for conveying the medium and can be opened by appropriate penetration elements, when needed, while making the connection. For example, it is thereby possible for the conduit to be filled with liquid from a storage container, up to the shut-off element, before the connection is made. 
     It is especially advantageous if a penetration body movable relative to the shut-off element is provided and is arranged so that the shut off element can be opened by the penetration body. The penetration body can thus be moved by one of the connector elements during the making of the connection, in such a manner that first the shut-off element of one of the two connector elements to be joined is opened, and then the shut-off element of the other connector element is penetrated, thus permitting flow through the connector. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the area for conveying the medium is formed by an inner socket connector, and the penetration body is arranged in the inner socket connector. Such a connector element is assembled by first inserting the penetration body into the inner socket connector in a suitable position and then inserting the sealing parts. The penetration body may include a projection which can be connected with the inner socket connector of the second connector element. When the projection of the penetration body of one connector element comes in contact with the other connector element while the connection is being established, the penetration body is moved as the connection operation continues, thereby opening the shut-off element. 
     According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shut-off element is designed as an injection molded membrane, preferably made of polypropylene. Due to the use of injection molded membranes, the corresponding areas of the connector elements are hermetically sealed, free of dead space and made of a single material. A particular advantage of using injection molded membranes is the fact that these can be produced together with the other components of the connector element by injection molding in a single operation, thus eliminating subsequent welding of film membranes or subsequent welding or snap assembly of individual components fitted with membranes. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantages, and principles of the invention. 
     In the drawings, 
     FIG. 1 is a cross section showing two connector elements according to the present invention, in an initial position before the connection; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross section showing the connector elements after inserting the connector element on the right until it comes in contact with the sealing part of the left connector element; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross section showing the connector elements after opening the sealing part of the connector element shown at the left; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross section showing the connector elements after opening both sealing parts; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross section showing the connector elements after further insertion of the connector elements until the membrane of the right connector element comes to rest against the penetration body; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross section showing the connector elements after opening the shut-off element of the connector element shown at the right; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross section showing the connector elements after opening both shut-off elements; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional diagram showing the connector elements according to another embodiment of the present invention, having a penetration body designed as a mandrel. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a sectional diagram of two connector elements  10 ,  20 . Both connector elements  10 ,  20  have a housing  108 ,  208  which has a connection for tubing or other working means on one side and a connection opening on the connection side of the connector element. A sealing part  110 ,  210  is provided on the side of connector elements  10 ,  20  facing the connection opening. Sealing parts  110 ,  210  include an essentially cylindrical base body with membranes  112 ,  212  extending across one end area of the base body. The other end area is advantageously arranged at a distance from the membrane in such a way that an effective protection from contact is assured for the membrane. This result is achieved by having membranes  112 ,  212  arranged at a distance from the connecting side of the cylindrical base body facing the connection opening. 
     Base bodies  110 ,  210  are secured by the first lock  50  in a desired position on housing  108 ,  208 . This offers the advantage that the sealing parts  110 ,  210  are arranged exactly in the desired position. First lock  50  consists of a projection extending on the inside of the housing  108 ,  208  and a groove on the outside of the cylindrical base body of sealing parts  110 ,  210 . 
     An opening element  114 ,  214  consisting of outer socket connectors  116 ,  216  is arranged according to the present embodiment in housing  108 ,  208 . Between the outside surface of outer socket connectors  116 ,  216  and the inside surface of housing  108 ,  208 , there is an annular gap in which the movable sealing part  110 ,  210  is displaceably accommodated. 
     Areas or conduits  102 ,  202  for accommodating a flowing medium are defined by inner socket connectors  106 ,  206  which extend concentrically with and on the inside of outer socket connectors  116 ,  216 . The portions of outer socket connectors  116 ,  216  near the connection side define opening elements  114 ,  214 . Conduit  102  of connector element  10 , shown on the left in FIG. 1, is sealed by a membrane serving as shut-off element  104 . A corresponding shut-off element  204  is also provided in socket connector  206  of connector element  20 , shown on the right in FIG.  1 . 
     In the basic position shown in FIG. 1, membranes  112 ,  212  of sealing parts  110 ,  210  are closed, forming a tight seal of conduits  102 ,  202 . Thus, corresponding conduits  102 ,  202  are effectively protected from contamination due, for example, to coughing, and from exposure to unwanted liquid or solid particles. 
     As FIG. 1 shows, the ends of outer socket connectors  116 ,  216  project slightly above and beyond inner socket connectors  106 ,  206 . This makes it possible to achieve an opening of membranes  112 ,  212  with the movement of sealing parts  110 ,  210  before they come in contact with conduits  102 ,  202  or with inner socket connectors  106 ,  206 . This ensures that a sterile connection is possible even in the event pathogens or other particles are present on the inside of membranes  112 ,  212 , because a contacting of membranes  112 ,  212  with conduits  102 ,  202  and especially, with the end areas of inner socket connectors  106 ,  206  is effectively prevented according to the present invention. 
     A penetration body  30  is arranged in socket connector  106  of connector element  10  and is held in a suitable position in socket connector  106  by a second lock  40  disposed in the middle portion of the penetration body  30 . Penetration body  30  also has a projection  302  extending from its outside circumference. 
     FIG. 2 shows the next step as the connection between connector elements  10 ,  20  is made. Connector elements  10 ,  20  according to the present invention are in a position where housing  208  of connector element  20  and sealing part  110  are facing each other and are in contact in their end areas. Up to this point there has not yet been any movement of sealing parts  110 ,  210 , and membranes  112 ,  212  are still closed. 
     From the position shown in FIG. 2, the connector elements  10 ,  20  are further pushed together, and FIG. 3 illustrates a condition where connector element  20  has been inserted further into connector element  10 . Housing  108  of connector element  10  accommodates housing  208  of connector element  20 . Contact of housing  208  with sealing part  110  at the connection side and the movement of connector element  20  causes sealing part  110  to be pushed into the annular gap between housing  108  and socket connector  116  which forms opening element  114 . Membrane  112  is kept at a distance from the end area of socket connector  116 , so that there can be no contact between those parts at any connection stage. The opened membrane parts are also accommodated in the annular gap without coming in contact with Conduit  102  or socket connector  106  and, in particular, with the end area of socket connector  106  before or during the opening. This reliably prevents contact with membrane  112  and thus contamination of the conduit for conveying media, regardless of whether there is contamination on the inside or outside surfaces of membrane  112 . 
     In the position illustrated in FIG. 3, membrane  112  of sealing part  110  in connector element  10  is already open, while membrane  212  of sealing part  210  in connector element  20  is still closed. The end areas of outer socket connector  116  and of sealing part  210  are in contact with one another in this position. 
     FIG. 4 shows the position of connector elements  10 ,  20 , when connector element  20  has been inserted further into connector element  10 , starting from the position illustrated in FIG.  3 . This insertion movement results on the one hand in the opened sealing part  110  being pushed further into the annular gap. On the other hand, this movement also results in displacement of sealing part  210  into the annular gap between outer socket connector  216  and housing  208  of connector element  20 , due to the contact of outer socket connector  116  with this sealing part  210 . In particular, the relative movement of the connector elements leads to membrane  212  of sealing part  210  being opened by the end portion of outer socket connector  216  which defines opening element  214 , so that membrane  212  also does not come in contact with the conduits conveying the media, and especially not with the end area of inner socket connector  206  of connector element  20 . 
     This embodiment according to the invention affords the possibility of inner socket connectors  106 ,  206  coming in contact with one another while at the same time no parts of inner socket connectors  106 ,  206  or of conduits  102 ,  202  enter in contact with sealing parts  110 ,  210  or membranes  112 ,  212 . 
     FIG. 4 also shows that opening element  214  and inner socket connector  206  of connector element  20  are inserted into the corresponding parts of connector element  10 . However, at the same time it is also possible for the inner and outer socket connectors of connector element  10  to be accommodated in the corresponding parts of connector element  20 . 
     When the connector elements are joined further by pushing them together from the position shown in FIG. 4, the position shown in FIG. 5 is reached, where sealing parts  110 ,  210  have been inserted further into their respective annular gaps and penetration body  30  is in contact with shut-off element  204  of connector element  20 . Shut-off element  204  can be designed as an injection molded membrane, preferably made of polypropylene, and is resistant to all known sterilization methods. Such a membrane not only provides protection against leakage and protection against bacteria but also remains permanently leakproof up to a pressure difference of several bar. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shut-off element  204  is approximately 0.2 mm thick. 
     FIG. 6 shows the position of the two connector elements  10 ,  20  after the shut-off element  204  has been penetrated by penetration body  30 . In a preferred embodiment, penetration body  30  can be an injection molded part which is integrally molded on both sides and is inserted at the time of manufacture into the tube of inner socket connector  106 , where it is secured by a second lock  40  to prevent it from falling out. Penetration body  30  can be manufactured very inexpensively in manifold dies, which allows a great deal of latitude in design. In the position shown in FIG. 6, penetration body  30  is still held by second lock  40  in inner socket connector  106  of connector element  10 . Second lock  40  is shown in the middle of penetration body  30 . 
     FIG. 7 shows the final position of the attached connector elements, where penetration body  30  has been moved out of its initial position as held by second lock  40 , and has severed the membrane which serves as shut-off element  104 . The movement of penetration body  30  is caused by the peripheral projection  302  of the penetration body coming in contact with the end area of inner socket connector  206 , so that penetration body  30  is pushed into the position shown in FIG.  7 . Penetration body  30  thus has the function of penetrating the two shut-off elements  104 ,  204  and then widening the openings so that an adequate cross-section is available for flow of the medium. 
     FIG. 7 also shows that sealing parts  110 ,  210  and opened membranes  112 ,  212  are arranged in the end areas of the respective annular gaps. Membranes  112 ,  212  each consist of a silicone membrane that in a preferred embodiment can be approximately 0.6 mm thick and is produced together with the polyamide injection molding edge in a special two-component injection mold. Typical dimensions of connector element  20  to be inserted include, for example, an outside diameter of approximately 12.6 mm and a depth of penetration of approximately 34 mm. In order for membranes  112 ,  212  to be able to close again after disconnecting the connector elements, reset elements may be provided to exert a suitable force on sealing parts  110 ,  210 . Such reset elements may be designed for example as springs arranged in the annular gaps between housing  108 ,  208  and outer socket connectors  116 ,  216 . It is also possible to provide springs which are guided through side slits in the wall adjacent to the annular gap, causing the sealing elements  110 ,  210  to be returned to a closed position after disconnection of the two connection elements. 
     The connection system according to the present invention offers the advantage of an initial seal that is tight on the connection sides of both connector elements  10 ,  20 . A safe connecting operation can be carried out whether the connectors are attached to a system filled with liquid or gas. Subsequent connection during disposable use, for example, is also possible. The direction of flow in the connected elements also has no effect on the connection elements. 
     The connection system according to the invention may be designed as a modular system. Without any changes in dimensions, the connector elements can be manufactured with or without the sealing part, with or without a shut-off element, or partly fitted with sealing and shut-off elements. In the case of disposable connector elements with a high complexity, it may not yet be possible to produce multiple membranes by injection molding in a single operation, due to limits of the current status of polypropylene injection molding technology. It is however possible to use modified designs where polypropylene membranes or elastomer membranes can be subsequently installed at the predetermined locations in a further operation. 
     FIG. 8 shows two connector elements  10 ,  20 ′ that include sealing parts  110 ,  210  and membranes  112 ,  212 . Connector element  10  has a shut-off element  104  consisting of an injection molded membrane disposed in inner socket connector  106 . Shut-off element  104  is opened by mandrel  30 ′ when connector elements  10 ,  20 ′ are connected, thereby establishing a fluid-tight connection. Mandrel  30 ′ is disposed in connector element  20 ′. 
     Before opening shut-off element  104 , sealing parts  110 ,  210  are displaced into the corresponding annular gaps, as described above. These are the annular gap of connector element  10 , extending between inner socket connector  106  and housing  108 , and the annular gap of connector element  20  extending between housing  208  and opening element  214  formed by outer socket connector  216 . When joining connectors  10  and  20 , first sealing part  210  is displaced by the housing  108  into the corresponding annular gap, with membrane  212  being opened by the end area of outer socket connector,  216 . According to the present invention, mandrel  30 ′ does not come in contact with membrane  212 . This offers the advantage that the mandrel  30 ′ can be kept in a sterile condition regardless of any contamination present on the inside of membrane  212 . Following the partial displacement of sealing part  210 , sealing part  110  and its membrane  112  are opened by contact of the end face of sealing part  110  with the end portion of outer socket connector  216 . This causes sealing part  110  to be inserted into the annular gap, membrane  112  to be opened, and mandrel  30 ′ to be inserted into socket connector  106  until shut-off element  104  is opened. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, sealing parts  110 ,  210  and membranes  112 ,  212  are designed preferably as silicone-polyamide composite injection molded parts, with for example the membranes being preferably approximately 1 mm thick, and being punctured subsequently to form a slot or other opening. This arrangement keeps bacteria and contaminants away from the conduit, and resists leakage of fluid up to approximately 0.05 bar of pressure of the fluid. The membrane, however, opens easily when displaced as described above. 
     In one embodiment according to the invention, connector element  10  may be designed as a delivery connector element connected to a bag, and connector element  20  can be designed as a receiving connector element connected to a disposable component. This layout according to the present invention, prevents contact with a user&#39;s fingers due to the set-back arrangement of membranes  112 ,  212  on both the bag side and on the disposable side. In addition, a hermetically sealed penetration membrane can be provided in the form of shut-off element  104  on the bag side, to seal the conduit until the connection is established. 
     Connector elements  10 ,  20  shown in FIG. 8 can include an elastomer-free mandrel connection system. Sealing parts  110 ,  210  and membranes  112 ,  212  provide effective protection from contamination due to, for example, coughing, solid or liquid particles, and also provide protection against leakage. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the structure and methodology of the present invention, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.