Surgery – Means for introducing or removing material from body for... – Treating material introduced into or removed from body...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-05
2001-08-21
Mancene, Gene (Department: 3732)
Surgery
Means for introducing or removing material from body for...
Treating material introduced into or removed from body...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06277103
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to medical devices, and, more particularly relates to Luer lock connectors which feature a flat side.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Luer lock connectors having different constructions and functions are used with a variety of medical devices, one common medical device being an intravenous catheter. Two basic types of Luer lock connectors are commonly associated with an intravenous catheter. One type functions as a coupler which has one end configured for connection to the intravenous catheter and the other end configured for connection to a supply tube, this type being simply termed a Luer lock connector. The other type likewise has one end configured for connection to the intravenous catheter but is configured at the other end to provide an injection site, this type being more specifically termed a Luer lock injection site connector. The Luer lock connectors or Luer lock injection site connectors are taped to the skin near the site of a puncture to firmly anchor and secure the intravenous catheter within the epidermis. The tape is applied over and about the body of the Luer lock connector or Luer lock injection site connector, each of which is oriented at an angle with respect to the patient's epidermis, which causes one edge of the Luer lock connector or Luer lock injection site connector to be in intimate and forced contact with the epidermis. Such orientation and pressure often causes the one edge of the Luer lock connector or Luer lock injection site connector to dig into and to cause an indentation in the epidermis. Such an indentation can be a source of irritation and discomfort to the patient and could even be a source of localized cellulitis. Clearly what is needed is both a Luer lock connector and a Luer lock injection site connector which can be attached to the epidermis without causing trauma, stress and irritation at the region of contact with the epidermis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The general purpose of the present invention is to provide Luer lock connectors which can be attached and secured to a patient such that no irritation or at most minimum irritation occurs at the attachment site. Such is accomplished by the instant invention which provides in one embodiment a Luer lock connector having a flat side which is oriented to align parallel to and to rest comfortably against the patient's epidermis and in an alternative embodiment a Luer lock injection site connector also incorporating a flat side.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a flat-sided Luer lock connector including a cylindrical body truncated by a flat planar surface, a truncated disk-shaped panel extending across one end of the truncated cylindrical body, a cylindrical extension extending distally from the truncated disk-shaped panel for connection to a supply tube, and a tapered tubular member extending proximally from the interior of the truncated cylindrical body.
According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector which includes many of the same features found in the flat-sided Luer lock connector of the first embodiment, but which is configured differently at its distal end. More specifically, rather than having a cylindrical extension at the distal end for connection to a supply tube, as does the first embodiment, the alternative embodiment has provision at its distal end for serving as an injection site.
One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat-sided Luer lock connector having a flat planar surface which in use is oriented parallel to and substantially flush with a patient's epidermis.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat-sided Luer lock connector having a profile which minimizes or produces no epidermal irritation.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat-sided Luer lock connector having a surface configured for gripping while tightening.
Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat-sided Luer lock connector which can be readily and easily and economically produced.
A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector, an alternative embodiment, which incorporates the above-listed significant aspects and features.
Having thus briefly described embodiments of the present invention and enumerated certain significant aspects and features thereof, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a Luer lock connector and a Luer lock injection site connector which when utilized with an intravenous catheter and anchored to the skin at a puncture site, will rest comfortably against the epidermis and minimize, if not entirely eliminate, trauma, stress and irritation at the region of contact with the epidermis.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5651776 (1997-07-01), Appling et al.
patent: 5928204 (1999-07-01), Lopez
patent: 5947954 (1999-09-01), Bonaldo
patent: 6050978 (2000-04-01), Orr et al.
Jaeger Hugh D.
Mancene Gene
Robert Eduardo C.
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