Surgery – Means for introducing or removing material from body for... – Treating material introduced into or removed from body...
Patent
1994-09-08
1996-05-28
McDermott, Corrine M.
Surgery
Means for introducing or removing material from body for...
Treating material introduced into or removed from body...
604246, 604249, 604905, A61M 2500
Patent
active
055206654
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to connecting apparatus for connecting medically used conduits and in particular but not exclusively to connecting apparatus for use in the intravenous delivery of liquids.
It is known to provide connecting apparatus for joining end-to-end conduits in a delivery line, a first conduit typically being connected to the patient by a cannulation device and a second conduit being attached to a source of liquid.
It is a common requirement to be able to disconnect the first and second conduits from one another when changing to a new source of liquid and typically a new second conduit is then to be presented for connection to the first conduit. It is highly desirable for this connection process to be simple and to avoid the ingress of air into the conduits since the presence of air is hazardous to the patient. The ingress of air is a particular problem where the connection is to be made upstream of an infusion pump such that a degree of suction is developed within the first conduit. A commonly used form of connector employs a valve mechanism to seal the first conduit during periods in which it is disconnected from the second conduit and typically a valve mechanism is provided of a type in which a needle penetrates a septum to provide liquid communication in the open condition of the valve.
The disadvantage of such valves is that there is an associated hazard in using such needles in that the operative may sustain injury during handling the apparatus or there may be a hazard associated with incorrect disposal after use.
It is also desirable for the connecting apparatus to be provided with a valve mechanism which can be readily cleansed of any residual liquid after disconnection of the conduits to avoid bacterial growth which could contaminate infusion liquid when the conduits are reconnected.
The valve mechanism should also preferably be suited to preventing the ingress of air when suction is developed within the first conduit. Certain types of valve such as duckbill valves are therefore unsuitable for this purpose.
According to the present invention there is disclosed apparatus for connecting medical conduits comprising a valve body defining a first duct and having first connecting means for connecting a first conduit in communication with the first duct, the valve body comprising a valve having a valve member and biassing means which biasses the valve member into a position in which it closes a mouth of the first duct, an adaptor defining a second duct and having a female coupling for connecting a second conduit having a co-operating male coupling in communication with the second duct, connector means operable to releasably connect the valve body and the adaptor such that the mouth of the first duct is presented to a mouth of the second duct, and a valve actuator located within the second duct and movably engageable with the valve member when the valve body and adaptor are operatively connected, wherein the valve actuator is displaceable relative to the adaptor by insertion of the male coupling into operative engagement with the female coupling so as to move the valve member into a position in which the valve is opened.
An advantage of such an arrangement is that it does not involve the use of a needle and is therefore inherently safe.
Preferably the valve member includes an exposed surface portion which, when the adaptor is separated from the valve body, is exposed via the mouth of the first duct and wherein the exposed surface portion is convex so as to project at least partially through the mouth of the first duct.
An advantage of such an arrangement is that it avoids the formation of any recess in the region of the mouth of the first duct which might otherwise result in the accumulation of congealed liquid after the separation of the adaptor from the valve body. It also makes possible the cleaning of the exposed surface portion.
The valve member may be spherical and typically may be a stainless steel ball.
The valve member may alternatively be formed of an elastomeric material and may be
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Bespak plc
McDermott Corrine M.
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