Pipe joints or couplings – Frangible element – Score line or groove
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-07
2001-03-27
Wilson, Neill (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Frangible element
Score line or groove
C285S003000, C285S381400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206430
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the medical and dental fields, it is standard practice to use disposable tubing to connect multiple devices. For example, tubing delivers intervenious medication from a container of medicine to the patient and tubing provides a conduit from a dental tool to a vacuum supply. A luer fitting is commonly used in conjunction with tubing in these various medical and dental settings. Luer fittings are well known in the art and are preferred as they provide standardized connection to fluidly connect two devices. Luer fittings are commonly used in applications in which the connected components are to be reused. However, luer fittings have a drawback in that they too are easily re-usable. It has been heretofore observed that the luer fittings and the tubing extending therebetween has been disconnected, cleaned and re-used. The cleaning and re-using of the tubing does not constitute a safe and sterile practice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the medical and dental field and especially to an application where a piece of tubing is attached to a connector. A luer fitting is a standardized connector used in the medical and dental field to fluidly connect two devices. One of the advantages of utilizing a standard connector such as a luer fitting, is that the connector and tubing to which it is attached can be reused on multiple applications. However, sometimes it is not desirable for the tubing to be reused. The present invention comprises a novel way of connecting the tubing to a medical or dental device such that a portion of the tubing is destroyed when disconnected from the device. This will prevent the user from reconnecting the used tubing and advertently or inadvertently reusing it.
The invention comprises a barbed fitting, a flexible plastic collar, shrink wrap or shrink tubing, fluid delivery tubing, and suture wire or thread. The plastic collar is placed at the end of the fluid delivery tubing and is held in place by the shrink wrap. The suture wire or thread is located within the shrink tubing along the plastic collar-tubing interface. The fitting is provided with a barb. The tubing, along with its collar, slides over the barbed fitting and locks into place. To remove the tubing assembly, the user pulls the suture line and tear the shrink wrap, thereby breaking the connection between the collar and the fluid delivery line. With the shrink wrap removed, the collar can be easily slid back over the barbs on the luer fitting. After pulling the suture line, the end of the fluid delivery tubing will be destroyed and the tubing assembly will not be capable of reuse.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4194509 (1980-03-01), Pickering et al.
patent: 4629455 (1986-12-01), Kanno
patent: 4631056 (1986-12-01), Dye
patent: 4692150 (1987-09-01), Cianci et al.
patent: 4711473 (1987-12-01), Glover
patent: 4834706 (1989-05-01), Beck et al.
patent: 5145283 (1992-09-01), Gowen
patent: 5275612 (1994-01-01), Bales, Jr.
patent: 5531695 (1996-07-01), Swisher
patent: 2615266 (1988-11-01), None
Butler Michael S.
Pond Gary J.
Inter-Med, LLC.
Ryan Kromholz & Manion S.C.
Wilson Neill
LandOfFree
Connector and attachment mechanism for a lumen does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Connector and attachment mechanism for a lumen, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Connector and attachment mechanism for a lumen will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2500529