Patent Abstract:
A fluid turbulence minimizing device includes a connection portion defining a connection cavity shaped to receive a tertiary fluid-supply conduit including a primary fluid-supply lumen and two secondary fluid-supply lumens and an intermixing portion having a longitudinal flow axis and defining an intermixing cavity that has an input orifice fluidically communicating with the connection cavity and a given area, an exit orifice having an area less than the given area, an inner surface having an upstream side adjacent the connection portion, a downstream side at a distance from the connection portion, and a cross-sectional area decreasing from the input orifice to the exit orifice to convey fluid supplied from the conduit to the connection cavity through the intermixing cavity and out the exit orifice, and guide fins inwardly projecting from the inner surface of the intermixing portion toward the longitudinal flow axis and having a longitudinal extent aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal flow axis.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/851,035 filed Oct. 11, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a turbulence minimizing connector for allowing multiple streams of liquid to enter the connector, flow together therein, and exit the connector with minimal mixing.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Heretofore, multiple fluid-carrying lumens (also referred to as extensions, catheters or multi-lumen catheters) have been proposed for mixing components therein prior to delivery of the mixture to a patient, i.e., a human body.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  depicts an intravenous extension system  10  described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,167 issued to the inventor of the instant application on Aug. 24, 2004 (the “&#39;167 Patent” or “&#39;167”). The &#39;167 Patent includes a multi-lumen intravenous extension  12  having a connector  14  at the proximal end  16  thereof. Connected to the proximal end  16  of the extension  12  is a main infusion conduit or tubing  18 . The tubing  18  is connected to an upstream connector  20  that, in turn, is fluidically connected to tubing  22  extending from a fluid source  24  (e.g., a bag of saline solution). Also connected to the connector  14  are first and second tubes  26 ,  27 , which are connected to first and second fluid sources  28 ,  29 , respectively (e.g., syringes). Each of the fluid sources  28 ,  29  can contain a selected drug, medication, or liquid in a predetermined amount that is to be infused into a body  28 .  
         [0007]     At a distal end  30  of the extension  12  is a coupling connector  32  that includes a mixing or “common” chamber  33  illustrated in FIGS.  2  to  4 . Distal connectors existing prior to the &#39;167 Patent were realized by an industry standard connector, referred to as a luer connector  32 . The &#39;167 Patent supplied the connector  32  to provide a fluidic interface between the extension  16  and an infusion needle or intravenous catheter  34 . The outlet of the connector  32  is connected to the needle/catheter  34 , which is inserted into the body  38  and is, typically, held therein by a wing tape or bandage  40 .  
         [0008]     FIGS.  2  to  4  illustrate that the mixing chamber  33  in the connector  32  has an outer cylindrical wall or tubular portion  42  that is received over the distal end  30  of the multi-lumen intravenous extension tubing  12 .  
         [0009]      FIG. 3 , in particular, shows that the tubular portion  42  of the connector  32  has a larger diameter to fit over the distal end  30  of the extension tubing  12 . The exit portion  44  at the distal end of the connector  32  fits over or is connected to a proximal end  46  of the catheter  34  or needle. As such, the connector  32  provides the mixing chamber  33  for liquids, including a main liquid such as a saline solution and one or more medications or other liquids provided through the tubes  26 ,  27 . This mixing chamber  33  is smooth-bored throughout. The diameter abruptly changes between the tubular portion  42  and the exit portion  44  at an interface  35  (indicated by dashed lines in  FIG. 3 ).  
         [0010]     With multi-lumen medical tubing (e.g., the multi-lumen intravenous extension  12  of the &#39;167 Patent), fluids exit the connector  14  (or the extension  16 ) along with the fluid passing through the main lumen  52 . It would be beneficial to have these fluids not intermix and remain separated for as long as possible, prior to vascular entry. If such intermixing is prevented, then the intended additionally added medication is administered with a minimal degree of dilution and/or interaction with other medications until it enters the vessel intended to receive such medications. As such, unwanted boluses of medication and interactions are avoided. It is known that medications, especially, injected anesthesia, should be administered with constancy and control, and not with randomly sized or chaotic boluses because differential administration of such medicines can have serious, if not deadly, consequences.  
         [0011]     Based upon the above considerations, it would be beneficial to provide a device that minimizes turbulence of the co-delivered fluids.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a turbulence minimizing device for multi-lumen fluid delivery systems and a method for minimizing turbulence in such systems that overcome the hereinafore mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that are configured to integrate with existing standardized infusion systems to minimize chaotic admixing of fluids that are to be transfused concomitantly.  
         [0013]     The present invention is an improvement upon prior art connectors for infusion systems. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention improves upon the multi-lumen intravenous extension described in the &#39;167 Patent. This extension is used for transmitting liquids in a body and for infusing the fluids individually undiluted and unprecipitated as close as possible to the point where they are injected into the blood stream, for example. While the turbulence minimizing device of the present invention can be used with the multi-lumen extension of the &#39;167 Patent, it is not limited to use with this device. The present invention, however, is particularly useful when combined with the &#39;167 device and, therefore, portions of the &#39;167 disclosure are included herein. For clarity, the &#39;167 disclosure is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Inclusion of the &#39;167 catheter herein should not be taken as applicable only to this exemplary embodiment of a medical fluid infusing device. Those having ordinary skill in the art of such devices will appreciate the improvement that the present invention may provide to other prior art devices that deliver medicinal fluids.  
         [0014]     The connector of the present invention is positioned between an intra-vascular or intravenous access site and an infusion system typically including a steady supply of saline and syringes or syringe connectors or medicinal fluid pumps predetermined for injecting amounts of drugs, medications, or other liquids. The connector of the present invention allows for organized and controllable delivery and administration of a wide variety of medications and pharmaceutical agents with a minimal amount of medication intermixing prior to entry into a body.  
         [0015]     The mixing connector forms the male half of a luer lock connector. The mixing connector has a size equal to the medical industry standard for insertion into a vascular access device. The term “standard,” as it is used herein, relates to the industry standard corresponding to ISO 594-1:1986.  
         [0016]     When used with the multi-lumen intravenous extension of the &#39;167 Patent, the connector of the present invention replaces the connector  32 , which is positioned between the intra-vascular or intravenous access site and the multi-lumen intravenous extension  12 .  
         [0017]     The Coanda Effect, also known as “boundary layer attachment”, is the tendency of a stream of fluid to stay attached to a convex surface, rather than follow a straight line in its original direction even if the surface&#39;s direction of curvature is directed away from the axis of the stream of fluid. The mixing connector of the invention utilizes the Coanda Effect when directing the stream of liquids exiting a multi-lumen interface (such as the distal end  30 ). In particular, the fluids exiting secondary lumens that are disposed adjacent the inner wall of the mixing connector will travel along that surface and remain substantially coherent along the convex surface with little or no mixing with the fluid exiting the primary lumen or other fluid(s) exiting secondary lumen(s). This laminar flow is maintained most or all of the way through the mixing connector. It can be appreciated that this laminar flow is enhanced when guiding fins project inwardly from the surface over which the fluids travel. The mixing connector contains features to take advantage of the Coanda Effect. In this way, different medications can be kept separate, independent of carrier flow rate and boluses. Because differing drugs are sometimes incompatible, e.g., due to differing drug solubilities that can cause undesirable precipitant or can cause drug inactivation, it is desirable to keep the drugs separate before introduction into a patient. Such separation is important to drugs like Dilantin/phenytoin, which precipitates when piggybacked into any dextrose-containing solution. The phenomenon relates, often, to the solute and the solvent (pH, concentration, temperature in solution, protein binding, etc.). Amphotericin B (Fungizone) similarly precipitates with solutions containing sodium chloride and Dopamine (Intropin, Revimine) is inactivated in solutions with a high pH and must not be piggybacked into any solution containing sodium bicarbonate. The mixing connector of the invention reduces the possibility of drug incompatibility to a point where mixture and common exposure is substantially eliminated and the possibility of drug precipitation is minimized.  
         [0018]     The mixing connector can be used in a number of medical applications, such as with delivery of anesthesia during operations. The mixing connector allows for infusion of anesthetic agents, vaso-active agents, antibiotics, and antiarrhymics, whether in adults or children (both neonatal and pediatric) and can be used with a patient controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. Also, the mixing connector can be used in an intensive care unit for vaso-active medications, antiarrhymics, potassium, antibiotics, insulin, etc.  
         [0019]     The &#39;167 Patent describes an over-pressure danger that exists at a vascular entry point when fluid is being introduced into a patient. As can be understood from the description of the mixing connector herein, replacement of the &#39;167 connector  32  with the mixing connector does not adversely impact the over-pressure protection that exists when the mixing connector is utilized with the &#39;167 system  10  and, therefore, is particularly suited for improving that system  10 .  
         [0020]     Because turbulence of the intermixed fluids at the mixing connector is minimized, all of the advantages provided by the &#39;167 system remain with the connector of the present invention. More specifically, delivering the pharmaceutical agents with less change to the normal fluid dynamics improves patient safety as compared to prior art infusion systems. Additionally, the infusion of liquid agents through the satellite lumens remains independent upon carrier fluid rates for delivery. Because the liquids from the satellite lumens are delivered with greater control in volume, time of onset of the action of the agents delivered is decreased and the concentration of those agents remains virtually constant. Less intermixing of the fluids also means that delivery of the agents infused through the satellite lumens will not be altered by the carrier fluid rate. Like the &#39;167 system, the mixing connector decreases priming volume even more by further reducing the “tubing dead space.” The mixing connector also allows and enhances independent infusion of multiple agents and reduces carrier fluid rate requirements.  
         [0021]     Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0022]     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a turbulence minimizing device for multi-lumen fluid infusing devices and a method for minimizing turbulence in such systems, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.  
         [0023]     The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]     In the following, the invention will be described in more detail by exemplary embodiments and the corresponding figures. By schematic illustrations that are not true to scale, the figures show different exemplary embodiments of the invention. The same or equally functioning parts are characterized with the same reference numerals. Shown are sections in schematic cross-section.  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a fragmentary, perspective and partially cut-away view of a prior art multi-lumen intravenous extension coupled at its input to a bag of saline solution and to two syringes and coupled at its output end to an infusion catheter inserted into a body;  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a mixing chamber connector of  FIG. 1  along section line  2 - 2 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the mixing chamber connector of  FIG. 2  along section line  3 - 3 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a mixing chamber connector according to the present invention viewed along section line  4 - 4  with a fluid supply input having a main lumen and two satellite lumens;  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a connector according to the invention coupled to a downstream female luer connector;  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a first alternative exemplary embodiment of a portion of the connector of  FIG. 5  with two satellite lumens and a primary lumen with fins separating the openings of the two satellite lumens from one another;  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a second alternative exemplary embodiment of a portion of the connector of  FIG. 5  with two satellite lumens and a primary lumen with fins separating the openings of the two satellite lumens from one another;  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a third alternative exemplary embodiment of a portion of the connector of  FIG. 5  with three satellite lumens and a primary lumen with fins separating the openings of the three satellite lumens from one another;  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a fourth alternative exemplary embodiment of a portion of the connector of  FIG. 5  with four satellite lumens and a primary lumen with fins separating the openings of the four satellite lumens from one another;  
         [0034]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a fifth alternative exemplary embodiment of a portion of the connector of  FIG. 5  with four satellite lumens and a primary lumen with fins separating the openings of the four satellite lumens from one another;  
         [0035]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a sixth alternative exemplary embodiment of a portion of the connector of  FIG. 5  with six satellite lumens and a primary lumen with fins separating the openings of the six satellite lumens from one another;  
         [0036]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a seventh alternative exemplary embodiment of a portion of the connector of  FIG. 5  with two satellite lumens and a primary lumen with fins bisecting the openings of the satellite lumens;  
         [0037]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a eighth alternative exemplary embodiment of a portion of the connector of  FIG. 5  with six satellite lumens and a primary lumen with fins bisecting the openings of the satellite lumens;  
         [0038]      FIG. 14  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the connector according to the invention along section line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 15  and coupled to a downstream female luer connector;  
         [0039]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the connector of  FIG. 14  along section line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of the connector of  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 17  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the connector according to the invention coupled to a downstream female luer connector;  
         [0042]      FIG. 18  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of still another alternative embodiment of the connector according to the invention coupled to a downstream female luer connector; and  
         [0043]      FIG. 19  is a fragmentary, enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the connector of  FIG. 18  with a bi-curved flow chamber. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0044]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the different fluids entering the chamber  33  of the connector  32  from input lumen  18 ,  26 ,  27  travel towards the catheter  34  and contact the inner distal face  36  of the chamber  33 . These fluids, therefore, are forced to interface together on their way into and through the entry orifice  39  of the catheter  34 . This uncontrolled mixing is turbulent and transitory and cannot assure a constant and controlled delivery of each of the differing fluids being delivered simultaneously. This is especially true where the fluids have similar viscosities. In some circumstances, gravity could have a pronounced affect on the denser fluids being concomitantly delivered, especially as the diameter of the chamber  33  increases.  
         [0045]     Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a fluid intermixing connector  100  that minimizes or substantially avoids unnecessary or undesired mixing of any combination of the secondary lumen fluids and the primary lumen fluid before being co-delivered, for example, through the intravenous needle/catheter  34  to a patient.  
         [0046]     The connector  100  has an outer diameter that can be of a standard size to fit multi-lumen supply lines such as the three-lumen configuration  18 ,  26 ,  27  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . One exemplary size for the outer diameter of the connector  100  has the same outer shape of connector  14 . Of course, as long as the fluid supplying lumens can be inserted into the inflow side of the connector  100 , the outer diameter of the connector  100  can be any desired size.  
         [0047]     The body of the connector  100  defines an interior chamber  110  having two parts, a proximal connection portion  120  and a distal intermixing portion  130 .  
         [0048]     The proximal connection portion  120  has a substantially cylindrical interior cavity  122  for receiving therein one or more of the fluid supplying lumens, for example, the primary and secondary lumens  18 ,  26 ,  27  illustrated in  FIG. 1  or the catheters illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,968,308 to Dake et al. or 5,833,652 to Preissman et al. If the distal ends of the fluid supplying lumens do not, together, have a cylindrical outer shape, then the interior cavity  122  can be of any shape for receiving these ends. The fluid supplying lumens can be separately inserted into the proximal connection portion  120  or can be bundled into an integral distal end  140  shown, for example, in  FIG. 5  and having an outer shape substantially corresponding to the interior shape of the proximal interior cavity  122 . In either configuration, these lumens are fluid-tightly fixed to the proximal connection portion  120  within the proximal cavity  122  so that all fluid flow therefrom travels from the input side  102  to the output side  104  of the connector  100 .  
         [0049]     The interface between the proximal cavity  122  and the distal intermixing portion  130  can include a limiting shelf  124  having an internally projecting radial extent less than or equal to a distance D between the outer circumference of the distal end of the multi-lumen tube assembly and the radially outer-most edge of an opening of any of the lumens within the distal end  140 . For example, if there is a distal end  140  with three lumens aligned along a single diameter as shown in  FIG. 5  (secondary  144 , primary  142 , secondary  144 ), then the shelf  124  can be as thick as the distance D between the outer-most edge of the secondary lumen  142  and the outer edge of the distal end  140 . In such a configuration, the outer-mist lumen  144  would not be obstructed in any way by either the shelf  122  or the internal cavity  132  of the distal intermixing portion  130 .  
         [0050]     The distal intermixing portion  130  is the downstream portion of the chamber  110 . This region receives the fluids that exit the fluid supplying lumens. In one exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the distal intermixing portion  130  is a conical- or funnel-shaped chamber that directs fluid flow from the primary and secondary lumen(s) to the single output bore  106  of the connector  100 . In this exemplary embodiment, the distal intermixing portion  130  has a longitudinal length greater than a longitudinal length of the proximal intermixing portion  120 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the longitudinal length of the distal intermixing portion  130  can be approximately equal to the longitudinal length of the proximal intermixing portion  120  or it can be even shorter than the proximal portion  120 , as is illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . In cross-section, the cavity  132  can be paraboloid, spherical, or polygonal in its funnel shape. In the latter configuration, the polygonal funnel can have a number of sides equal to, less than, or greater than the number of lumens supplying fluid into the cavity  132 .  FIG. 17 , for example, shows a paraboloidal-shaped funnel.  
         [0051]     Consistent with the Coanda Effect, the fluids exiting secondary lumens that are disposed adjacent the inner wall  132  of the funnel will travel along that surface and remain substantially coherent along the inwardly curved/slanted wall  132  with little or no mixing with the primary lumen fluid (or other secondary fluids). This laminar flow is maintained due to the streamlining (described as the Coanda Effect above) that is created by the wall  132  of the proximal intermixing portion  130  from the lumen exit to the bore  106 .  
         [0052]     It can be appreciated that laminar flow can be enhanced if guiding fins  134  project inwardly from the inner wall  132 . Such fins  134  are illustrated, first, within the distal cavity  132  of the connector  100  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . By extending radially into the funnel shaped chamber, these fins  134  partition the flows. If the number of fins  134  is equal to the number of fluid supplying lumens, then the distal cavity  132  can be divided into portions that enhance the laminar flow of each fluid being supplied by the lumens.  FIG. 6 , for example, shows such a configuration. In this exemplary embodiment, the fins have a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. Of course, any cross-sectional shape can be used, such as the rectangular shape of the fins  134  in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the curved I-beam shape of the fins  134  in  FIG. 7 , or the complex-curved flower-like shape the fins  134  create in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0053]     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the fins  134  have a height that is approximately equal to the radial distance between the inner surface of the cavity  132  and the inner-most edge of the secondary lumen  54 ,  56 . These fins  134  can be any height and can even touch at a center point between the three lumens  52 ,  54 ,  56  as shown in  FIG. 6 , for example. The touching/connection of the fins  134  at the center point can occur either only at the distal end of the fins  134  or can extend most of the way to the exit  135  of the distal cavity  132  so that, when viewed from a downstream end of the connector  100 , the bore  106  has a pie-chart cross-section as illustrated in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0054]     The fins  134  have differing configurations depending upon the spatial orientation of the primary and secondary lumens. FIGS.  6  to  13  illustrate various exemplary configurations of the fins  134  within the distal cavity  132  numbering fins from 2 to 6. Of course, manufacturing limitations and needs of the user will determine whether or not a given number of fins  134  is practical for the desired use.  
         [0055]     The interior edges of the fins  134  can be sharpened with a beveled edge  136  like a knife to improve segregation and decrease turbulence thereat. Such an embodiment is shown, for example, in  FIGS. 5 and 19 .  
         [0056]     Each of the fins  134  in FIGS.  6  to  11  and  13  are illustrated as being disposed to a side of a secondary lumen. If desired, one or more fins  134  can bisect one or more of the secondary lumens.  FIG. 12  illustrates a bisection of two secondary lumens  54 ,  56 . Such a configuration may be useful where the viscosity(ies) of one or more of the fluids to be delivered through the connector  100  make the fluids difficult to intermix. If, for example, the first fluid of the primary lumen  52  is significantly less viscous than the second and third fluids exiting from the secondary lumens  54 ,  56 , it may be desirable to “pre-mix” portions of the second and third fluids with the first fluid and, thereby, “increase” the viscosity of the first fluid. In this way, when the mixtures at the distal end of the fins  134  approach the exit  135  of the distal cavity, the less viscous fluid does not “beat out” the other fluids in the “race” through the exit and, thereby, prevent the more viscous fluid(s) from exiting the connector  100 .  
         [0057]     The shape of the sides of the fins  134  can take many forms, triangular, rectangular, polygonal, blade- or knife-shaped, and/or a combination of one or more shapes.  FIG. 5 , for example, shows a triangular blade-shaped side in the lower of the two fins  134  and a curvilinear blade-shaped side in the upper of the two fins  134 . One particularly well-performing fin configuration is shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0058]     In the fins  134  extend all the way to the distal surface  146  of the distal end  140  of the fluid supplying lumens, then the fins  134  can abut the distal surface  146  (as shown at the lower of the two fins  134  of  FIG. 5 ) and entirely replace the limiting shelf  124 . In such a configuration, the proximal surfaces of the fins  134  will form the limiting shelf  124  that prevents the distal end  140  from entering the cavity  132  of the distal portion  130 . Of course, if the fins  134  extend any part of the way towards the center of the cavity  132  at the interface  126  of the proximal  122  and distal  132  cavities, the proximal surface of the fins  134  lying in a plane transverse to the longitudinal extent of the connector  100  will prevent further movement of the distal end  140  into the cavity  132 .  
         [0059]     FIGS.  14  to  16  illustrate another alternative embodiment of a connector  200  of the present invention.  FIG. 14  is a cross-section through the section line illustrated in  FIG. 15 . The connector  200  has an interior chamber  210  with two parts, a proximal connection portion  220  and a distal intermixing portion  230 . The connector  200  has an input side  202  for receiving the distal end  140  in the proximal cavity  222  and an output side  204  for delivering the intermixed fluids out from the exit bore  206 . The configuration of FIGS.  14  to  16  has a distal cavity  232  with a smaller longitudinal extent than the cavity  132  of the connector  100  shown in  FIG. 5 . The proximal portion  220  has a cylindrical proximal cavity  222  with a distal stopping shelf  224  that prevents distal insertion of the distal end  140  into the distal cavity  232 . Of course, the fins  234  can provide the distal stopping shelf on their upstream side.  
         [0060]      FIG. 17  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a connector  300  of the present invention. The connector  300  has an interior chamber  310  having two parts, a proximal connection portion  320  and a distal intermixing portion  330 . The connector  300  has an input side  302  for receiving the distal end  140  in the proximal cavity  322  and an output side  304  for delivering the intermixed fluids out from the exit bore  306 . In this cross-section, the distal cavity  332  has a smaller longitudinal extent than the cavity  132  of the connector  100  shown in  FIG. 5 . The distal cavity  332  does not have fins and is funnel shaped with a linear inwardly sloping wall  334 . The proximal portion  320  has a cylindrical proximal cavity  322  with a distal stopping shelf  324  that prevents distal insertion of the distal end  140  into the distal cavity  332 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 18  is the connector  300  of  FIG. 17  but with eight fins  334  spaced evenly about a non-curvilinear funnel-shaped cavity  332 .  FIG. 19  is an enlarged portion of one of the fins  334  and illustrates a height of the fins  334  that is increasing from the proximal side of the distal cavity  332  towards the distal side thereof. This fin  334  also illustrates a distal cavity  332  that is paraboloidal concave with a convex exit to create a smooth transition at the exit of the cavity  332 .  
         [0062]     The desired orientation of the multi-lumens with respect to the fins  134 ,  234 ,  334 , may require exact placement of the distal end  140  of the multiple lumens. Exact rotational orientation can be assured by providing at least one recess on the exterior surface of the distal end  140  of the multi-lumen plug that is to be inserted into the proximal cavity  132 ,  232 ,  332  of the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300 . If the proximal cavity  132 ,  232 ,  332  is provided with at least one protrusion extending radially inward into the center of the cavity  132 ,  232 ,  332 , then the distal end  140  of the lumens to be inserted therein will not occur unless the protrusion is aligned with the recess—much like a key and keyhole. Of course, this configuration can be reversed if desired. If only one recess and only one protrusion is provided according to such a configuration, then the distal end  140  cannot enter the proximal cavity  132 ,  232 ,  332  except in proper rotational alignment. An example of this single recess/protrusion assembly  400  is illustrated in the cross-section of  FIG. 12 . When there exist more than one accepted rotational orientation of the distal end, such as the symmetric configurations of  FIGS. 7, 8 ,  9 , and  11 , it is possible to include more than one recess/protrusion. For example, the configuration of  FIG. 7  can have two symmetrical recesses/protrusions, the configuration of  FIG. 8  can have three symmetrical recesses/protrusions, the configuration of  FIG. 9  can have four symmetrical recesses/protrusions, and the configuration of  FIG. 11  can have six symmetrical recesses/protrusions.  
         [0063]     The protrusion on the inside of the chamber  132 ,  232 ,  332  can be displayed to the user, if desired, in directions for use or can be permanently marked on the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300 .  
         [0064]     There are many kinds of luer connector fittings that can be used with the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300 . Only a few exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures of the drawings and, therefore, the possible luer fittings should not be limited to that which is shown. The fittings typically include round male and female interlocking tubes, slightly tapered to hold together better with a simple pressure or twist fit, referred to in the art as a luer slip and a luer lock. In the latter configuration, an outer threading rim improves the secure, fluid-tight connection of the luer connector.  
         [0065]     One advantage to each of the above-mentioned configurations over the &#39;167 device is that the volume of the intermixing chamber  132 ,  232 ,  332  is smaller than the pill-shaped chamber  32 . Therefore, the amount of medicinal fluid necessary to fill the chamber  132 ,  232 ,  332  is reduced, thereby, decreasing the time for any injectate to exit the connector and enter the catheter  34 . Also the volume of priming/flushing fluids is reduced as well as the time taken to prime or flush.  
         [0066]     The connector  100  of the present invention can be used in a number of medical applications. For example, it can be used in anesthesia during operations for infusion of anesthetic agents, vaso-active agents, antibiotics, and antiarrhymics, whether in adults or children (both neonatal and pediatric). The connector  100 ,  200 ,  300  also can be used with a PCA pump and can be used in an intensive care unit for vaso-active meds, antiarrhymics, potassium, antibiotics, insulin, etc.  
         [0067]     The &#39;167 Patent describes an over-pressure danger that exists at a vascular entry point when fluid is being introduced into a patient. As can be understood from the description of the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300 , replacement of the &#39;167 connector  32  with the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300  does not adversely impact the over-pressure protection that exists when the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300  is utilized with the &#39;167 system  10  and, therefore, is particularly suited for improving that system  10 .  
         [0068]     Because turbulence of the intermixed fluids at the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300  is minimized, all of the advantages provided by the &#39;167 system remain with the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300 . More specifically, delivering the pharmaceutical agents with fewer changes to the normal fluid dynamics improves patient safety as compared to prior art infusion systems. Additionally, the infusion of liquid agents through the satellite lumens remains independent of carrier fluid rates for delivery. Because the liquids from the satellite lumens are delivered with greater control in volume, the time of the onset of the action of the agents delivered is decreased and the concentration of those agents remains virtually constant. Less intermixing of the fluids also means that delivery of the agents infused through the satellite lumens will not be altered by the carrier fluid rate. Like the &#39;167 system, the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300  of the present invention decreases priming volume even more by further reducing the “tubing dead space.” The connector  100 ,  200 ,  300  also allows and enhances independent infusion of multiple agents and reduces carrier fluid rate requirements.  
         [0069]     From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the connector of the present invention provides a number of advantages, some of which have been described above and others of which are inherent in the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0