Patent ID: 7381207

Claim:
A disposable assembly having quick disconnect capabilities when utilized with a reusable assembly, comprising: a) a stem section; b) a finger lock element, comprising: i. a distal finger lock element section having a threaded inner surface for engagement with a threaded outer surface of said stem section; and, ii. a plurality of radially spaced fingers extending proximally from said distal finger lock element section, each finger having a) a ramped surface for operatively engaging an associated ramp section on said stem section during use; and, b) a female lip at a proximal end thereof; and c) a detachable handle assembly, comprising: i. a proximal handle section having a distal end having an inner surface that is operatively engaged with an outer surface of said finger lock element so as to resist relative rotation and axial motion therebetween; ii. a distal handle section having an inner surface that is operatively engaged with another outer surface of said stem section so as to resist relative rotation and axial motion therebetween; and, iii. a breakaway collar positioned between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section, wherein, 1) when the disposable assembly is attached, said breakaway collar is an integral unit which prevents relative rotation between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section, said female lip engaging a male lip at a distal end of a reusable assembly, thereby securing the reusable assembly to said disposable assembly; 2) during an initial stage of detachment of said disposable assembly, rotation of said proximal handle section in a first direction relative to said distal handle section breaks away breakaway surfaces of said breakaway collar, allowing said breakaway collar to radially expand; 3) during an intermediate stage of detachment of said disposable assembly counter rotation of said distal handle section in an opposite second direction relative to said proximal handle section, the relative rotation between said proximal handle section and said distal handle section provides axial movement of said distal handle section toward said proximal handle section via said engagement of said threaded inner surface of said distal finger lock element section and said threaded outer surface of said stem section, said axial movement being enabled by said radial expansion of said breakaway collar, said ramped surfaces of said radially spaced fingers engaging said associated ramp section on said stem during said axial movement thereby urging said fingers to open; and, 4) during a final stage of detachment said fingers open sufficiently to allow disengagement of the male lip from said female lip, thus enabling said disposable assembly to be detached from the reusable assembly.