Patent Publication Number: US-2009227954-A1

Title: Multisegment Interconnect Device for Elastic Tubing

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present patent application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/034,317, filed Mar. 6, 2008, and entitled Interconnect Device for Elastic Tubing, which prior application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a multisegment interconnect device permanently connecting adjacent elastic tubes, catheter ends, or other transportation conduits. More specifically, the present disclosure generally relates to a multisegment interconnect device with a push-lock device with where tubes are locked over locking lips and the interconnect can be adapted using an interface to different lengths or geometries. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Catheters and other polymer-based or flexible tubes are used during medical interventions in a wide variety of biomechanical applications. Medical treatment relies on highly specialized devices adapted to meet unique needs associated with precise and constantly evolving procedures. Because medical mistakes often result in health consequences, long-term disability, or even death, devices used in this field, while often derived from other well-known fields, must be specifically designed with unique biomedical requirements in mind. For example, medical saws used to cut bone, while derived from carpentry devices, are adapted for doctors in many important ways. 
     Some tubes are designed to be fully or partly implanted in the human body. One type of tubing is the medical catheter, which is a small, hollow tube introduced within a patient&#39;s body to extract bodily fluids from the body, circulate fluid from the body to an external piece of equipment, or even provide access to the internal body elements. For example, some catheters can be used during the dialysis process where an external device filters a plurality of chemicals and compounds such as urea from blood, or an external device adjusts the volume of said fluid in a patient. A catheter may also be inserted in the urethra when the conduit is damaged, in the abdomen in the case of an abdominal abscess, for the administration of intravenous fluids during angioplasty, angiography, or balloon septostomy, for administration of anesthetic medication, or for the subcutaneous administration of insulin or other medication for medical treatment such as chemotherapy. 
     Catheters or other tubes inserted in the body are often damaged when they are connected and disconnected from equipment. These tubes are also cut by physicians to specific lengths adapted to their application. As medical conditions evolve or change, the lengths of these tubes must be adapted precisely. Devices placed within a body can also be provided with a fixed length of tubing that requires adjustment at a later stage of placement. For example, if a patient gains weight, a catheter adapted to reach the outer layer of skin may require an adjustment in length. Accordingly, physicians require tools designed to shorten, lengthen, or connect with precision different catheters and tubes. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are taken from U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,183 directed to a connector device that is placed subcutaneously in the groin area as part of a penile prosthesis. This connector includes a rigid connector component over which end tubing is pushed until it reaches a middle portion. A stop is placed in the middle portion of the body and since the body of this device is not designed to hold the tube in place over the rigid connector, two locking clips are pushed inwardly until they lock the tube in place over the middle portion of the rigid connector. 
     This prior art device requires the use of locking clips. If these clips are moved out of position, for example after use or if the system is jarred, they can disengage or leak. The locking clips also increase the weight, size, and cost of the device. Since this connector is placed in the groin area, a shock such as a kick can result in the unlocking of the device leading to surgical intervention to reconnect the tubes to the connector. This prior art device provides for the removal of the rigid connector from the tube endings, and ultimately, reuse of the end portions of connecting tubes. Such a capacity for disconnection may be desirable by the physician in some cases but may also not be in other obvious conditions of operation. 
     What is needed is a connector capable of quickly and permanently joining tubes, where the connector can be quickly adapted for placement in different configurations. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an multisegment interconnect device for permanently connecting adjacent elastic tubes, catheter ends, or other transportation conduits where tubes are push-locked over conical outer, ends each with a locking lip, the segments are connected at an interface, and the segments are adapted in length or geometry to permanently connect the tubes and hold a different length of tube over the body of the multisegment interconnect device. This disclosure also relates to methods of modifying an elastic tube connection at the above multisegment interconnect device and methods of modifying the length of an elastic tube equipped with the above multisegment interconnect device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. However, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. 
         FIG. 1  taken from the prior art is an elevation view illustrating the method of attaching a tubing with a connector in an implanted prosthesis device. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connector of  FIG. 1  from the prior art. 
         FIG. 3  is a front sectional view of an interconnect device for elastic tubing in a short configuration according to one contemplated embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view illustrating the method of attaching elastic tubing with the connector shown in  FIG. 3  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the device shown as  FIG. 3  along lines  5 - 5 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front section view of an interconnect device for elastic tubing in a long configuration according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in a working configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is a front section view of a single-piece interconnect device as shown in  FIG. 6  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is an elevation view illustrating an interconnect device with a different male adaptor according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic representation of a method of modifying an elastic tube connection at a connector where elastic tubes are permanently affixed to each of the opposite connecting ends of a multisegment interconnect device. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic representation of methods for modifying the length of an elastic tube by changing a segment of a multisegment interconnect device. 
         FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic representation of a method for connecting an internal catheter equipped with a multisegment interconnect device to an implanted port or an external catheter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principles disclosed herein, reference is now made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language is used to describe the same. It is nevertheless understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is hereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and such further applications of the principles disclosed and illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure relates. 
     The ending of subcutaneous devices, when in contact with one of the fluid systems of the human body, such as blood, is connected via the interconnect device as defined hereafter and shown in  FIGS. 3-8  to either a subcutaneous device such as a port for recurring dialysis treatments, a tube, and the like, or to external vascular access interfaces or devices or any external device or tube. For example, a catheter may be used in the case of chemotherapy or dialysis treatments that result from a temporary or extraordinary condition that does not warrant or allow the use of an implanted subcutaneous device. The interconnect device then connects at one end to the catheter and at the other end to any and all types of interfaces found in the medical field or tubes. 
       FIG. 3  is a front sectional view of an interconnect device  1  for elastic tubing in a short configuration according to one contemplated embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4  is an elevation view illustrating the method of attaching elastic tubing with the connector shown in  FIG. 3  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Tubes  12 ,  13  are slipped  14 ,  15  over locking lips  30  until they joint at a midportion of the body of the device  1 .  FIG. 6  shows a long configuration of the device  1  where the tubes  12 ,  13  cover the greater portion of the body. 
       FIG. 3  shows a front sectional view of an interconnect device  1  for connection of two opposing elastic tubes  10 ,  11 . The tubes  10 ,  11  have an internal opening through which fluid such as blood passes. When the tubes  10 ,  11  connect the interconnect device  1 , their openings align with a middle passage  4  made in the device  1  that allows fluid to pass from a first tube through the device  1  and out the second tube  12 ,  13  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The interconnect device  1  as shown is symmetrical, which allows connection of tubes  12 ,  13  with similar internal and external diameters and with internal diameters of approximately the same internal diameter of the middle passage  4 . The use of nonsymmetrical devices  1  where one end is larger in size to accommodate a larger or thicker tube, or even a curved or angled device to accommodate a connection that is not along a single axis, is also contemplated. In one preferred embodiment, the interconnect device  1  is made of titanium alloys of grade Ti-6Al-4V ELI ASTM F-136. While one type of biocompatible alloy is provided, the use of any rigid, semirigid, or flexible material capable of holding the tubes  10 ,  11  is contemplated. 
       FIG. 7  shows a configuration where the interconnect device  1  is made of a single rigid connector  39 .  FIGS. 3 ,  6 , and  8  show a configuration where the interconnect device  1  is made of two connecting parts. In  FIG. 3 , a long female connector  2  is connected to a short male connector  3 , whereas in  FIG. 6 , the long female connector  2  is connected to a long male connector  37 , and in  FIG. 8 , the long female connector  2  is connected to a short end connector  40 . Each end connector is connected at an interface by a threaded section mated to each opposite connector in the embodiment shown. A seal  20  is shown in  FIG. 3  on the interface  7  between the mating sections of the connectors. While one type of mating or connection is shown that enables the two opposite connectors to be connected into the interconnect device  1 , the use of any connecting system, such as clips, locks, tabs, screws, magnets, hooks, or the like that allows for the unobstructed passage of the fluid in the middle passage  4  without creating a leak between the middle passage  4  and the external surface of the interconnect device  1  is contemplated. 
     In the disclosed system, the tubes  10 ,  11  as shown in  FIG. 4  are slid  12 ,  13  over a conical portion  22  with a locking lip  30  having an angle able to lock in place the deformable tubes  10 ,  11 . The use of any other equivalent system where the tubes  10 ,  11  are inserted over the end portions of the interconnect device  1 , such system including but not limited to adhesives, thermo or ultraviolet chemical processes, deformable tubes, and the like, is also contemplated. The locking lip  30  as shown has a right angle and is immediately connected to the upper portion of the conical portion  22 . The back end  31  of the conical portion  22  as shown is perpendicular to the body  5  of the interconnect device  1 . If the lip  30  must be made more pronounced to retain tubes  10 ,  11  made of a more rigid material, then the back end  31  may be angled inwardly to form an arrowhead. 
     In the short version shown in  FIGS. 3 and 8 , the body  5  has an external diameter of 0.115 inch and a length of 0.25 inch. In the long version shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the external diameter of the body  5  remains 0.115 inch, but the length is increased to 0.50 to allow for a cover zone of the tubes  10 ,  11  over the body  5  of 0.25 inch per tube. In the preferred embodiment, the conical portion  22  has a length of 0.108 inch and a rim  23  of 0.033 inch in length with a break edge of 0.005 inch at 45 degree in chamfer. The locking lip  30  in one preferred embodiment has a radius of 0.003 inch. While one set of dimensions is provided, the use of other functional dimensions is also contemplated. 
       FIG. 4  also shows with arrows  14 ,  15  how the tubes  10 ,  11  slide over the locking lip  30  of the interconnect device  1  and over the body  5 . Once the tubes  10 ,  11  are pulled back, the inner portion of the tubes  10 ,  11  lock as shown by arrows  16 ,  17  against the locking lip  30 . In the system shown, the tubes  10 ,  11  must be cut open or partly removed from the body  5  and the locking lip  30  area. 
     Finally, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , one of the two ends of the interconnect device  1  can include a short end connector  40 , such as a connector that can fit into different devices or machines such as a subcutaneous port. In one embodiment, the interconnect device  1  includes an inner passage  4  for connection to elastic tubes  10 ,  11 , each with a central passage shown by the dashed lines in  FIG. 4 , which is in fluidic communication with the inner passage. The device  1  includes a body  5  with a first end  61 , a second end  62  in opposition, a first end segment  2  comprising a first connection surface  63  with an outer edge  64  with a first locking lip  30 , a first end surface  66  with a first external periphery  67 , and a first conical surface  68  with a large opening  70  and a small opening  71  connected at the large opening  70  to the first locking lip  30  and connected at the first external periphery  67  to the small opening  71 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-8 , the external radius of the large opening  70  is greater than the external radius of the small opening  71 . The device  1  also includes a second end segment  3  comprising a second connection surface  81  with an outer edge  82  with a second locking lip  130 , a second end surface  83  with a second external periphery  84 , and a second conical surface  85  with a large opening  87  and a small opening  88  connected at the large opening  87  to the second locking lip  130  and connected at the second external periphery  84  to the small opening  88 , wherein the external radius of the large opening  87  is greater than the external radius of the small opening  88 . 
     In one embodiment, a multisegment interconnect device  1  has opposing connecting ends  2 ,  3 , described as the long female connector and the short male connector in  FIG. 3 , for the permanent connection of elastic tubes  11 ,  12  at the connecting ends  2 ,  3 . The device  1  includes a first end segment  2  with a first body portion  51  with a first interface  53  and a first connecting end  55  to connect to a first elastic tube  13  having a first end surface  66  adjacent to the first connection surface  63  to guide the first tube  13  over the first end surface  66  to the first connection surface  63 . The first connection surface  63  forms a first acute outer edge with a first locking lip  30 , the first end surface  66  comprises a first external periphery  67 , and a first conical surface  68  defining a large opening  70  and a small opening  71  at each end thereof and where the large opening  70  connects to the first acute outer edge. 
     The device  1  further includes a second end segment  3  shown in  FIG. 3  as the short male connector with a second body portion  52  with a second interface  54 , and a second connecting end  56  to connect to a second elastic tube  11  having a second end surface  83  adjacent to the second connection surface  81  to guide the second tube  11  over the second end surface  83  to the second connection surface  81 . The second connection surface  81  forms an outer acute edge with a second locking lip  130 , the second end surface  83  comprises a second external periphery  84 , and a second conical surface  85  defining a large opening  87  and a small opening  88  and wherein the large opening  87  connects to the second acute outer edge. Finally, the first end segment  2  is connected to the second end segment  3  at an interface  7  formed by the first  53  and second  54  interfaces. 
     The length of the first body portion  51  and the second body portion  52  may be equal as shown in  FIG. 6 . In another embodiment, the length of the first body portion  51  may be greater than the length of the second body portion  52  as shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  also shows that the first interface  53  is a male interface with threads and the second interface  54  is a female interface with counter-threads. A seal  20  is shown in the interface  7  to prevent leakage from the inside to the outside of the multisegment interconnect device  1 . While the seal  20  is shown at the bottom of the threaded female interface, the use of any and all fluid tightening technologies, including different placement of the seal, the use of tape, spraying, or lowering of tolerances is contemplated. 
     In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the first acute outer edge on the first end segment  2  is connected to the first locking lips  30  and a back end  31 , and the back end  31  is substantially perpendicular to the first body portion. The first locking lips  30  engages plastically within the tube  11  constrained over the lip  30  and nonremovable engagement. 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the multisegment interconnect device  1  with opposing connecting ends includes a second end segment  40  in opposition to the first end segment  2  having a second body portion  41  with a second interface  44 , and a second connecting end  42  to connect to a device interface (not shown), wherein the first end segment  2  is connected to the second end segment  40  at an interface formed by the first and second interfaces  53 ,  44 . 
     This disclosure also contemplates a method of modifying an elastic tube connection  100  at a connector where elastic tubes are permanently affixed to each of the two opposing connecting ends of a multisegment interconnect device as illustrated schematically in  FIG. 9 . The device includes a first end segment  2  with a first body portion  51  having a male interface and a first interface  53  to connect to a first elastic tube  11 , and a second end segment  3  with a second body portion  52  having a female interface with a second interface  54  to connect to a second elastic tube  12 , where the first end segment  2  is connected to the second end segment  3  at an interface  7  formed by mating the male and the female interfaces. The method comprises the steps of disjoining  101  a first and second end segments of a multisegment interconnect device  1  at the male and female interfaces, selecting  102  a third end segment with a mating interface and a third body portion with a third interface to connect a third elastic tube, mating  103  the mating interface of the third end segment to one of the mating interface of either the first and second interfaces, and finally connecting  104  a third elastic tube to the third interface. In one embodiment, the third end segment is of equivalent type and geometry as the first and second end segments  2 ,  3 . During surgery, a physician can use a box with different types of segments to be used interchangeably as part of the multisegment interconnect device  1 . 
     In yet another embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , a method of modifying the length of an elastic tube  110  by changing a segment of a multisegment interconnect device  1 , the method includes the steps of disjoining  111  a first and second end segments of a multisegment interconnect device  1 , selecting  112  a third end segment with a mating interface and a third body portion with a third length with a third interface to connect a third elastic tube, then mating  113  the mating interface of the third end segment to one of the mating interface of either the first and second interfaces, and finally connecting  114  a third elastic tube to the third interface. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the mating interface of the third end segment is the male interface and is connected to the female interface of the second end segment, and the method  110  comprises further steps of removing  115  the first elastic tube to the first interface using a cutting device, removing  116  any damaged portion off the first elastic tube, and placing  117  the first elastic tube back on the third interface. 
       FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic representation of a method for connecting an internal catheter equipped with a multisegment interconnect device  1  to an implanted port or an external catheter. Catheters are types of tubes  11 ,  12  for the transportation of bodily fluids and can be located in the human body or can be partly located in the body and partly out of the body to connect external devices to the internal fluidic systems of the human body. Internal catheters can be connected to vascular access systems for extracorporeal treatment of blood such as a dialysis machine or to a port as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,098 filed by one of the inventors, which disclosure is hereby incorporated fully by reference. In fact, patients who begin a session of treatment using external devices often need to migrate to an internal port unless their condition changes. Internal catheters may have to be partly replaced for a plurality of health- and treatment-related reasons, and for this reason, internal catheters in a plurality of segments connected with the device  1  are not uncommon. 
     Implantable ports are designed to connect via an interface to catheters and may be equipped to receive connectors having an interface. One such interface is shown in  FIG. 8  as second end segment  40 . External equipment such as dialysis machines have inlets that also require the use of tubes that are then connected to a patient through interfaces such as, for example, element  40  as shown in  FIG. 8 . While one interface  40  is shown, use of any interface for connecting an external or internal tube of the device  1  to an external device or a port is contemplated. In one embodied method, a treating physician will need to adapt an internal catheter equipped with the device  1  to either a vascular access system or an external catheter for use by an external device. 
       FIG. 11  shows a method  130  of connecting an internal catheter  11 ,  12  equipped with a multisegment interconnect device  1  to an implanted port or an external device, the method comprising the steps of disjoining  131  a first and second end segments of a multisegment interconnect device  1  at an interface where the multisegment interconnect device includes the first end segment with a first body portion having a first interface to connect to a first internal catheter and a second end segment with a second body portion having a second interface to connect to a second internal catheter, removing  133  a useless portion of internal catheter and the attached segment of the multi-segment interconnect device, selecting  134  a third end segment with a port interface  40  and having a third interface for connection to the first or second interface, and mating  136  the third interface to the first or second interface, and finally connecting  135  the port interface to a port or an external device. In one alternate embodiment, a port must be implanted  132  in a patient before the connection of the third end segment is connected  135 . 
     It is understood that the preceding detailed description of some examples and embodiments of the present invention may allow numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments in accordance with the disclosure made herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention but to provide sufficient disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention without undue burden.