Patent Document

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a hermaphroditic coupling or connector useful in an anatomical thermal system and, more particularly, to the type of system employing two tubes for the conduction of the thermal fluid, i.e., for heating or cooling. 
     There has been widespread use of thermal pads for placement on the body of a patient so as to either heat or cool the area contacted. The pad is connected by supply and return tubing to a control mechanism which usually includes a pump or other prime mover. In the past, there have been instances of mis-connection whereby the return line was connected to the supply side and vice versa resulting in the need for readjustment. This significant drawback is avoided by the teachings of the instant invention. 
     The instant invention makes use of a pair of connecting elements having hermaphroditic ends, i.e., both male and female, which results in error-proof connection and operation. Additionally, the invention provides a novel squeezable latching means for releasably connecting together the two hermaphroditic elements. 
     Other objects and advantages of the invention may be seen in the details of the ensuing specification. 
    
    
     The invention is explained in conjunction with an illustrative embodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which-- 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a typical hospital installation featuring the use of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the coupled hermaphroditic elements of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the hermaphroditic elements separated so as to more clearly delineate the structural features of the hermaphroditic ends of the two elements; 
     FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the coupled elements; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the generally block-like body of each element; 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 are side elevational views of adapters introduced into the body of FIG. 5 so as to provide the connections to tubing away from the hermaphroditic end thereof; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view seen along the sight line 8--8 applied to FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 9 is a section view taken along the sight line 9--9 applied to FIG. 6. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 designates generally pad means of the nature used in thermal treatment of patients by application to the body and which is usually equipped with interior conduit means shown schematically as at 11. Supply tubing or conduit means for the thermal fluid (hot/cold) is provided at 12 and the return line at 13. These lines are coupled to a control unit 14 by means of a hermaphroditic connector or coupling 15. More particularly, the coupling 15 includes elements 15a and 15b which, in the illustration given are identical. The important aspect is that the connected ends, i.e., the hermaphroditic ends, be identical because where the element 15b is mounted on or in the control unit 14, the end opposite to the hermaphroditic end may be varied somewhat. However, for ease of presentation and understanding, the invention will be described in connection with elements 15a and 15b that are identical. These can be seen in larger scale in FIG. 2 and in greater detail insofar as the hermaphroditic ends are concerned, in FIG. 3. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, each of the elements 15a and 15b consist of a block-like body 16. The body 16 has a top wall 17 and a bottom or lower wall 18--see FIG. 8. In the illustration given, these walls are substantially planar and are flanked by sidewalls 19 and 20--see also FIG. 4. Finally, each body 16 is defined by end walls, one end wall being remote from the hermaphroditic coupling being designated 21 and the end wall carrying the hermaphroditic elements being designated 22--see particularly the element 15b at the right hand portion of FIG. 3. 
     Each element 16 has a pair of longitudinally extending lumens therein as can be readily appreciated from the elements designated 23 and 24 at the left hand portion of FIG. 4. The first and second lumens 23, 24 can be considered to be essentially longitudinally extending and further extend from one end 21 of the body 16 to the other end 22 so as to provide a through passage for the thermal fluid. Each lumen in each element is equipped with a check valve as at 25 in the upper left hand portion of FIG. 4. Check valves in the nature of poppets are conventional in thermal treatment systems and, therefore, a wide variety of specific designs are available for the person skilled in the art practicing the instant invention. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 5 where the numeral 26 designates generally the basic component of the body 16. The showing in FIG. 5 is essentially that of the element 15a--i.e., with the hermaphroditic end 22 being to the right. 
     The end wall 22 is seen to be stepped as at 27--compare FIG. 5 with the central portions of FIG. 3. This divides the wall 22 into a first portion 28 which is positioned closer to the end wall 21 than the second portion 29--for convenience compare the right hand portion of FIG. 3. 
     Referring again to FIG. 5, the step 27 is seen to be positioned along the longitudinal midplane of the body 16 or 26 and thus lies between the axis of the first lumen 23 and the axis of the second lumen 24. 
     Extending longitudinally away from the first portion 28 is a male projection 30 which is aligned with the first lumen 23. Extending inwardly, i.e., toward the end wall 21 from the end wall 22, is a recess 31 in the second portion 29. The interior contour of the recess 31 conforms to the external contour of the projection 30 and, in effect, is also a continuation of the second lumen 24. 
     Referring again to FIG. 3, it will be seen at the extreme left hand portion thereof that there are a pair of coupling elements 32 and 33 which couple the first and second lumens 23, 24 to the tubes 13, 12, respectively. These are advantageously provided in the form of adapters which are seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. The adapter of FIG. 6 is designated 34 and is seen to include a first end 35 which is relatively tapered so as to fit within the relatively tapered bore 36 of the body 26--see FIG. 5. The body 26 is also equipped with a second tapered bore 37 which receives the first portion 38 of the adapter 39 associated with the second lumen 24. This is shorter in extent than the tapered portion 35 due to the difference in length of the bores 36, 37. Outboard of the tapered portions 35, 38, the adapters 34, 39 are identical in providing second portions 40, 41 for the ensleeving receipt of the tubes 13, 12, respectively. It is advantageous to provide the tapered portions in the form of split fingers 42 as illustrated also in FIG. 9 so as to facilitate assembly. These are the portions of the adapters 34, 39 which contain the poppet check valves 25--see FIG. 4. 
     Another advantageous feature of the invention is the provision of squeezable latching means coupling the elements 5a, 15b. These again are essentially male and female as can be appreciated from a consideration of FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     Referring first to FIG. 3, the numeral 43 designates an arm which extends longitudinally away from the first portion 28 of the end wall 22--and on the side of the projection 30 remote from the second lumen 24. It will be noted that the free end 44 of the arm 42 is equipped with a barbed portion 45 which passes through a passage 46--see FIG. 3 at the right hand end thereof--for snap engagement against an intermediate wall 47 (compare FIGS. 4 and 5). It will be appreciated that an identical arrangement is provided on the element 15b as can be appreciated from the arm 48 in the upper right hand portion of FIG. 3. 
     Provided in connection with the latching mechanism is a cam release feature which includes a second arm 49 also extending longitudinally but not quite as far as the arm 42. At its free end, the arm 49--see the upper central portion of FIG. 5 is equipped with a camming surface 50 which bears against the barb 44--see FIG. 4. Thus, squeezing of the arms 43 and 49 brings about a disengagement without the need for squeezing the element 15b which may be enclosed within the control unit 14. 
     Advantageously, the bodies 16 are constructed of resilient plastic material which, because of the relatively thin section of the arms 43, 49, can be flexed so as to perform the squeezing action just referred to. It is also advantageous to groove the exterior of the arms as at 51 and 52--see FIG. 2. 
     While in the foregoing specification a detailed description of an embodiment of the invention has been set down for the purpose of illustration, many variations in the details hereingiven may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 4