Patent ID: 7509956

Claim:
A tubular connection releasable locking device comprising: a first end sized and configured to attach at or near the terminus of a first tubular structure; a second end sized and configured to attach at or near the terminus of a second tubular structure, said second end being sized and configured to have a modified â€œUâ€shape such that said second end can be positioned around at least a portion of said second tubular structure, said â€œUâ€ shape being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said second tubular structure; at least one releasable locking member, said locking member being located on at least one of said first and second ends of said device; a bridging member connecting said first end to said second end, said device being manufactured of a resilient material having strength and shape retention memory and said first end and said second end being disposed in relative opposition one to the other such that two complementary connectors, each associated with one of said first or second tubular structures, can be connected one to the other so as to provide a connection between said tubular structures and said device being sized and configured to exert a bias holding said two connectors in a secure connected relationship one with the other, wherein said device is positioned on said two complementary connectors such that said first end of said device is sized and configured as an annular ring, which fits circumferentially around said first connector, said first connector extending from a breathing system, and said second end of said device being positioned around at least a portion of said second connector, said second connector being an endotrachael tube assembly.