Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20040249349?ie=ISO-8859-1
Timestamp: 2015-03-30 09:40:02
Document Index: 160768792

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 124', 'arts 124', 'arts 110', 'arts 110', 'arts 110', 'arts 110', 'arts 110']

Patent US20040249349 - Sealing luer - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA connector for a medical device is disclosed. The connector includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passage extending therethrough between the proximal end and the distal end. The passage fluidly connects the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end includes a connecting...http://www.google.com/patents/US20040249349?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20040249349 - Sealing luerAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20040249349 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/857,427Publication dateDec 9, 2004Filing dateMay 28, 2004Priority dateJun 4, 2003Also published asUS7988128Publication number10857427, 857427, US 2004/0249349 A1, US 2004/249349 A1, US 20040249349 A1, US 20040249349A1, US 2004249349 A1, US 2004249349A1, US-A1-20040249349, US-A1-2004249349, US2004/0249349A1, US2004/249349A1, US20040249349 A1, US20040249349A1, US2004249349 A1, US2004249349A1InventorsAngela WentlingOriginal AssigneeMedical Components, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (11), Classifications (10), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetSealing luer
US 20040249349 A1Abstract
A connector for a medical device is disclosed. The connector includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passage extending therethrough between the proximal end and the distal end. The passage fluidly connects the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end includes a connecting portion for releasably connecting the connector to an external device. The distal end is fluidly connected to a conduit. A cylinder is rotatably disposed in the passage between first position and a second position, wherein the cylinder includes an opening extending generally diametrically therethrough. Images(5) Claims(24)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0016] In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The words �proximal� and �distal� refer to directions closer to and away from, respectively, the catheter extension connected to the locking luer according to the present invention. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. The following describes preferred embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments described herein. [0017] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a sealing luer 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The sealing luer 100 may be used to restrict fluid flow through a fluid system, such as a hemodialysis catheter, or any other medical device through which fluid flows. The sealing luer 100 connects a fluid conduit, such as a catheter 102, to a medical device, such as a hemodialysis machine (not shown). Alternatively, when the catheter 102 is not connected to the medical device, a cap (not shown) may be releasably disposed over a proximal end 114 of the sealing luer 100 to further restrict fluid flow through the fluid system. [0018] The sealing luer 100 includes a body 110 having a distal end 112 and the proximal end 114. A longitudinal passage 116 extends through the body 110 between the distal end 112 and the proximal end 114. The distal end 112 is preferably fixedly connected to the catheter 102. The distal end 112 may be connected to the catheter 102 by an interference fit or an adhesive. Alternatively, the distal end 112 may include a barbed fitting (not shown), or other suitable connection, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. The proximal end 114 may include a fitting, such as a luer fitting 119 shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the fitting may be a slip lock fitting, or some other suitable fitting. While a female luer fitting is shown, those skilled in the art will recognize that the fitting may be a male luer fitting instead. The luer fitting 119 releasably connects the sealing luer 100 to an external device, such as a hemodialysis machine (not shown). The luer fitting 119 includes a threaded male connection 120 for releasably retaining a cap (not shown) thereon when the catheter 102 and the luer 100 are not in use. [0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the body 110 further includes a valve body 121 disposed along the longitudinal passage 116 between the distal end 112 and the proximal end 114. The valve body 121 includes a proximal body end 121 a and a distal body end 121 b. Preferably, the valve body 121 is constructed from polyvinylchloride (PVC) or some other suitable, biocompatible material, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. The valve body 121 includes a valve passage 125 that extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal passage 116. A valve 122 is rotatably disposed in the valve passage 125. Preferably, the valve 122 is constructed from nylon or some other suitable, biocompatible material, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. The valve 122 includes a cylinder 124 having a longitudinal axis 126 that extends generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal passage 116, such that the cylinder 124 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis 126. An enlarged view of the cylinder 124 is shown in FIG. 5. [0020] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the cylinder 124 includes an opening 128 that extends generally diametrically through the cylinder 124, generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 126 of the cylinder 124. The opening 128 is preferably cylindrical in shape and is approximately the same diameter as the smallest diameter of the longitudinal passage 116 so that, when the opening 128 is aligned with the longitudinal passage 116, as shown in FIG. 2, fluid communication within the passage 116 between the distal end 112 and the proximal end 114 and through the opening 128 is minimally restricted. The cylinder 124 is rotatably disposed within the body 121 so that, when the opening 128 is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal passage 116, fluid communication within the passage 116 between the distal end 112 and the proximal end 114 and through the opening 128 is restricted. [0021] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, the cylinder 124 includes a first end portion 130 that extends in a first plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 126 of the cylinder 124 and, optionally, a second end portion 132 that extends in a second plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 126 of the cylinder 124. The first end portion 130 includes a generally arcuate first tab 134 extending therefrom. As shown in FIG. 1, the first tab 134 defines an arc that extends preferably approximately 90 degrees around the outer perimeter of the first end portion 130, although those skilled in the art will recognize that the first tab 134 may define an arc that extends more or less than approximately 90 degrees around the outer perimeter of the first end portion 130. A slot 136 is inscribed in the first end portion 130. The slot 136 is sized to allow a tool (not shown), such as a flat head screwdriver or a side of a coin, to be inserted into the slot 136 to rotate the cylinder 124 within the valve body 121. As seen in FIG. 5, the cylinder 124 further includes a pair of grooves 137 that extend around a circumference of the cylinder 124 on either side of the opening 128. An o-ring 138 is disposed within each groove 137. The o-rings 138 seal any space between the exterior of the cylinder 124 and the interior of the body 121, preventing blood or other fluids from leaking out of the valve body 121. The o-rings 138 also act as a frictional stop between the cylinder 124 and the valve body 121 so that the cylinder 124 does not rotate freely within the valve body 121 absent an eternal rotational force to rotate the cylinder 124 relative to the valve body 121. Preferably, the cylinder 124 is formed from cylinder parts 124 a, 124 b that are bonded together after the o-rings 138 are inserted into their respective grooves 137. The cylinder parts 124 a, 124 b may be bonded together by an adhesive, ultrasonic welding, or other suitable method known to those skilled in the art. [0022] The body 110 may be formed by body parts 110 a, 110 b that are formed separately and bonded together during manufacture of the luer 100. The body 100 may be separated along the plane formed by section line 3-3 in FIG. 1. During manufacture, before joining the body parts 110 a, 110 b together, the cylinder 124 is inserted between the body parts 110 a, 110 b. After the cylinder 124 is inserted between the body parts 110 a, 110 b, the body parts 110 a, 110 b are connected together, such as by adhesive, ultrasonic bonding, or other suitable method known to those skilled in the art. [0023] In an alternative embodiment of a cylinder 224, shown in FIG. 6, in lieu of the slot 136, a handle 236 may extend from the first end 230. The handle 236 is sized to allow a user to grasp the handle 236 to rotate the cylinder 224 within a valve body 221 without the need to use a tool. A second handle 236 may optionally extend from a second end 232 of the cylinder 224. [0024] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 4, the valve body 121 proximate to the first end portion 130 of the cylinder 124 includes a stop 140 that extends preferably approximately 180 degrees around the exterior of the valve body 121. The stop 140 serves to engage the first tab 134 to stop rotation of the cylinder 124 within the body 121. As shown in FIG. 1, the first tab 134 is engaged with a first end portion 140 a of the stop 140, and, as seen in the sectional view of FIG. 2, the opening 128 is aligned with the longitudinal passage 116, allowing fluid flow through the sealing luer 100. Rotation of the cylinder 124 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 rotates the first tab 134 toward a second end portion 140 b of the stop 140, as shown in FIG. 7, rotating the opening 128 out of alignment with the longitudinal passage 116, and securing fluid flow through the sealing luer 100. Those skilled in the art will recognize that rotating the cylinder 124 partially between engagement with the first and second end portions 140 a, 140 b of the stop 140 will allow between no fluid flow and maximum fluid flow through the sealing luer 100, depending upon the degree of rotation of the cylinder 124 within the body 121. [0025] While the stop 140 preferably extends approximately 180 degrees around the valve body 121 and the first tab 134 extends approximately 90 degrees around the first end portion 130 of the cylinder 124, those skilled in the art will recognize that the stop 140 may extend more or less than 180 degrees and that the first tab 134 may extend more or less than 90 degrees, so long as a difference between the arcuate lengths of the stop 140 and the first tab 134 is approximately 90 degrees. [0026] Optionally, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 7, indicia may be printed on the body 121 to indicate the status of the valve 122 within the body 121. A first indicia, such as the letter �O� may be printed proximate to the first end portion 140 a of the stop 140 to indicate that, when the first tab 134 is engaged with the first end portion 140 a of the first stop 140, the valve 122 is open. Similarly, a second indicia, such as the letter �C� may be printed proximate to the second end portion 140 b of the stop 140 to indicate that, when the first tab 134 is engaged with the second end portion 140 b of the stop 140, the valve 122 is closed. [0027] Also optionally, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, a second tab 142 may be disposed on the second end portion 132 of the cylinder 124 and a second stop 144 may be disposed around the valve body 121 proximate to the second end portion 132 of the cylinder 124. The second tab 142 engages the second stop 144 in the same manner as described above with respect to the first tab 134 and the first stop 140. Corresponding indicia may also be printed on the body 121 proximate to the second end portion 132 of the cylinder 124 to indicate the status of the valve 122 as described above. A slot 136 may be disposed within the second end portion 132 to enable a user to insert the tool to rotate the cylinder 124 with respect to the valve body 121. [0028] Operation of the sealing luer 100 is as follows. With the proximal end 114 of the luer 100 connected to an external device, such as a hemodialysis machine, an infusion device, or other device (not shown), the external device is turned off after use according to standard operating procedures. At this time, the valve 122 is open, with the opening 128 and the longitudinal channel 116 being aligned with each other, permitting fluid communication between the proximal end 114 and the distal end 112 of the luer 100. Prior to disconnecting the luer 100 from the external device, a tool (not shown) is inserted into the slot 136 and the cylinder 124 is rotated within the valve body 121 approximately 90 degrees to close the valve 122, with the opening 128 being rotated to a position approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal channel 116, obstructing fluid communication between the proximal end 114 and the distal end 112 of the luer 100. The luer 100 may now be disconnected from the external device without the risk of blood flowing out of the catheter 102 from the proximal end 114 of the luer 100. [0029] After disconnecting the external device, a syringe (not shown) containing a locking solution may be connected to the luer fitting 119 in order to fill the catheter 102 with the locking solution between dialysis treatments. The tool is again inserted into the slot 136, and the cylinder 124 is rotated to reopen the valve 122. The syringe is depressed, dispensing the locking solution through the sealing luer 100 and into the catheter 102. The valve 122 is again closed as described above, and the syringe is removed from the luer fitting 119. A cap (not shown) is screwed over the connection 120 to provide a redundant closure to prevent the locking solution and blood from discharging from the sealing luer 100. The luer 100 is now sealed with the redundant protection of the cap over the connection 120 and with the valve 122 being closed. [0030] To open the luer 100, the cap is first unthreaded from the connection 120. A syringe (not shown) is connected to the luer fitting 119. The tool is inserted into the slot 136 and rotated approximately 90 degrees in a direction, such a counter-clockwise direction, to open the valve 122. The syringe is operated to draw any locking solution from the catheter 102 into the syringe. The valve 122 is then rotated approximately 90 degrees in an opposing direction, such as a clockwise direction, to close the valve 122 and to allow the syringe to be removed without allowing blood in the catheter 102 to drain from the proximal end 114 of the luer 100. The syringe is removed and the luer fitting 119 is connected to the external device for use. The valve 122 is then rotated approximately 90 degrees in a direction, such a counter-clockwise direction, to open the valve 122, so that the external device is in fluid communication with the catheter 102. [0031] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7351095 *May 10, 2006Apr 1, 2008Craig OlsenDisposable surgical connectorUS7585181 *Nov 29, 2007Sep 8, 2009Craig OlsenDisposable surgical connectorUS7842026 *Dec 28, 2006Nov 30, 2010Nmt Medical, Inc.Syringe activated-valve for flushing a catheter and methods thereofUS8221388Apr 9, 2010Jul 17, 2012Tyco Healthcare Group LpBiased clamping assembliesUS8366648Nov 4, 2008Feb 5, 2013Gambro Lundia AbMedical connector able to connect specific medical tube and input portUS8419694Dec 18, 2009Apr 16, 2013Covidien LpExtension tube clamps for use with a catheterUS8523828Dec 11, 2009Sep 3, 2013Covidien LpClamping assembly for use with a catheterUS8535244Jul 19, 2010Sep 17, 2013Medical Components, Inc.Guidewire and method of insertion of sameUS8636719Mar 19, 2007Jan 28, 2014Medical Components, Inc.Luer connector assembly with clamping sleeve and method of useUS20110133481 *Nov 1, 2010Jun 9, 2011Raymond MullinsEcologically Friendly GeneratorWO2011009127A1 *Jul 19, 2010Jan 20, 2011Medical Components, Inc.Guidewire and method of insertion of same* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification604/248, 251/149.2, 137/843International ClassificationA61M39/22, A61M39/10Cooperative ClassificationA61M39/10, A61M39/22, A61M2039/1033European ClassificationA61M39/22, A61M39/10Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionMay 28, 2004ASAssignmentOwner name: MEDICAL COMPONENTS, INC., PENNSYLVANIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WENTLING, ANGELA;REEL/FRAME:015411/0209Effective date: 20040505RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services