Patent ID: 7507336

Claim:
A connector for an analytical instrument, said connector comprising: a sealing member configured to receive a fluid conduit; a connector element having first and second ends of different cross sectional dimensions, the connector element including: (a) a cavity wall defining a cavity dimensioned to receive the sealing member so that an end portion of the sealing member contacts the cavity wall in a sealing region of the cavity wall to form a seal between the cavity wall and the sealing member, and a side of the sealing member is spaced apart from the cavity wall when the sealing member is fully seated in the cavity; (b) an access hole positioned in a side of said connector element and spaced apart from the sealing region, that provides access to the side of the sealing member when the sealing member is disposed in said cavity to allow an external dislodging tool to pass through the connector element and contact the sealing member to overcome sealing forces between the cavity wall and the sealing member and thereby dislodge the sealing member when the sealing member is lodged or stuck in the connector element; and (c) an external dislodging tool sized and dimensioned to pass through said access hole.