Piping systems with anti-reassembly mechanisms

By designing locking collars and locking tabs for the male and female modules, the risk of reconnection after disconnection of the medical access device pipeline is resolved, achieving rapid sealing and leakage prevention during disconnection and reducing the risk of infection.

CN115968311BActive Publication Date: 2025-10-28LINEAR HEALTH SCIENCES LLC
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202180039184.0
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2020-05-30
Filing Date
2021-05-31
Publication Date
2025-10-28
Estimated Expiration
2041-05-31

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing medical access devices have a risk of reconnection after disconnection, which increases the possibility of contamination and infection.

Method used

A pipe connector system was designed, including a male module and a female module. Through the cooperation of a locking collar and a locking tab, the pipe is prevented from being reconnected in a non-sterile environment, and the valve assembly is ensured to seal quickly when disconnected to prevent fluid leakage.

Benefits of technology

It effectively prevents the reconnection of pipelines in a non-sterile environment, reduces the risk of infection, ensures that fluid does not leak when disconnected, and improves the safety of medical operations.

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Abstract

A tubing connector system is configured to connect a first and a second medical tubing. The tubing connector system includes a male module and a female module. The female module is maintained connected to the male module by a plurality of locking mechanisms. The locking mechanisms are configured to prevent reconnection of the male and female modules after the male module has been separated from the female module. The tubing connector system also includes a valve assembly comprising a first valve member contained within the male module and a second valve member contained within the female module. The first and second valve members are interconnected in a universal joint.
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Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 032,609, filed May 30, 2020, entitled “Pipe System with Anti-Reassembly Mechanism,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to medical access devices, and more particularly, to a disconnection system for medical tubing. Background Technology

[0004] Medical access devices are used to treat hospitalized patients for a variety of purposes, including intravenous catheters, feeding tubes, Foley catheters, chest tubes, and various surgical drainage tubes. Many of these medical access devices deliver or remove fluids from the patient and use various flexible tubing to allow the patient a range of motion during treatment. Unfortunately, because some patients exhibit freedom of movement, the tubing associated with medical access devices is often subjected to forces that can cause damage to the tubing, the patient, or both. For example, tubing commonly used for intravenous infusions is often several feet long and can become entangled in the bed or other medical equipment around the patient. As the patient moves, the tubing can be stretched and disconnected. In extreme cases, fluids administered to the patient or the patient's own bodily fluids may spill, posing a risk of contaminating the patient's treatment environment and potentially exposing the patient to infection.

[0005] To mitigate these concerns, numerous different tube connectors and adapters have been developed, designed to "disengage" under sufficient tension. In some cases, these connectors include internal valves to prevent fluid from flowing through the disengaged connector. While these products generally effectively mitigate leakage from the disengaged adapter, these prior art connectors pose a risk of contamination if a patient or caregiver attempts to reconnect the tube adapter. Reassembly of the adapter once it has been disconnected and exposed to a non-sterile environment carries a significant risk of contamination, potentially increasing the likelihood of patient infection. Therefore, there is a need for an improved tube adapter that combines the advantages of a leak-proof disengagement design with reduced risks of contamination and infection associated with reconnecting the disengaged adapter. This embodiment addresses these and other shortcomings of the prior art. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 A perspective view of a pipe connector system constructed according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0007] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A detached perspective view of the tube connector system.

[0008] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the tube connector system, showing that the disconnected component has been disconnected.

[0009] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A separate view of the disconnected components of the pipe connector system.

[0010] Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 End view of the pipe connector system.

[0011] Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 Side view cross-sectional view of the pipe connector system.

[0012] Figure 7 It shows Figure 1 End view of the pipe connector system.

[0013] Figure 8 It shows Figure 7 Side view cross-sectional view of the pipe connector system.

[0014] Figures 9A-9C Showing from Figure 1 A separate view of the valve assembly of the pipe connector system.

[0015] Figure 10 An end view of a separate, disconnected component in a connected state is shown.

[0016] Figure 11 It shows Figure 10 A side cross-sectional view of the independent detached component.

[0017] Figure 12 An end view of the independent, disconnected component in a disconnected state is shown.

[0018] Figure 13 It shows Figure 12 A side cross-sectional view of the independent detached component.

[0019] Figure 14 An end view of the independent, disconnected component in a disconnected state is shown.

[0020] Figure 15 It shows Figure 14 A side cross-sectional view of the independent detached component.

[0021] Figure 16 A close-up cross-sectional view of the engagement between the locking collar and the locking ring in the connected state is shown.

[0022] Figure 17A close-up cross-sectional view of the engagement between the locking collar and the locking ring in the disconnected state is shown.

[0023] Figure 18 A close-up view shows the engagement between the stabilizer, alignment tab, and locking collar.

[0024] Figure 19 A perspective view showing the engagement between the female module and the assembly tool is shown.

[0025] Figure 20 A close-up perspective view of the assembly tool is shown.

[0026] Figure 21 An end view of the engagement between the assembly tool, the female module, and the male module is shown.

[0027] Figure 22 A side cross-sectional view of the joint between the assembly tool, the female module, and the male module is shown.

[0028] Figure 23 A close-up cross-sectional view shows the engagement of the wedge-shaped part of the assembly tool with the locking tab of the locking collar. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Figure 1 An embodiment of a tubing connector system 100 is shown, configured to connect two medical tubing segments. The tubing connector system 100 includes a first tubing adapter 102, a second tubing adapter 104, and a central connector 106 between the first and second tubing adapters 102, 104. The tubing connector system 100 is generally designed as a disposable disengagement mechanism connecting two segments of medical tubing between a patient and an upstream fluid source (e.g., an IV bag) or a downstream fluid container (e.g., a drainage tube or Foley catheter). It should be understood that the tubing connector system 100 is particularly suitable for connecting an upstream bag of medication solution to a patient via an intravenous line. In some embodiments, the first and second tubing adapters 102, 104 are attached to the central connector 106 in a manner that allows the central connector 106 to rotate relative to the first and second tubing adapters 102, 104.

[0030] As used in this disclosure, it should be understood that the tube connector system 100 is generally cylindrical and symmetrical about a longitudinal axis that extends through the middle portion of the central connector 102 between the first and second tube adapters 102, 104. "Longitudinal" refers to a direction or axis parallel or collinear with the central longitudinal axis extending through the tube connector system 100. References to radial directions or radial axes will be understood as directions substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. References to rotational motion or direction will be understood as references to clockwise or counterclockwise motion about the longitudinal axis (unless another axis or rotation is specified). When describing features within the tube connector system 100, internal features or inward directions refer to a point (radial or longitudinal) toward the middle portion of the central connector 106, while external features or outward directions refer to a point (also radial or longitudinal) away from the center of the tube connector system 100. Unless otherwise stated, the components of the tube connector system 100 are made of medical-grade plastic that is easily sterilized during manufacturing.

[0031] A first tube adapter 102 is configured to connect to a first medical tubing (T1). A second tube adapter 104 is configured to connect to a second medical tubing (T2). As shown, the first tube adapter 102 includes a first compression fitting 108 that holds the first tube fitting 110 connected to the central connector 102. Similarly, the second tube adapter 104 includes a second compression fitting 112 that holds the second tube fitting 114 connected to the central connector 106. In some embodiments, the first and second tube adapters 102, 104 are configured to connect to conventional "Luer" adapters that rely on friction-fit connection with the medical tubing. It should be understood that the first and second tube adapters 102, 104 can be configured to connect various medical tubing fittings to the central connector 106.

[0032] The central connector 106 includes a two-piece release assembly 116, in Figure 2 Shown separately, it includes a male module 118 connected to a female module 120, allowing the male module 118 and female module 120 to separate when sufficient tension is applied. A separating central connector 106 is depicted in... Figure 3 Within the tube connector system 100, the detachable disengagement assembly 116 of the central connector 106 is... Figure 4 The central connector 106 is shown separately. The central connector 106 holds a two-piece valve assembly 122, which includes a first valve member 124 within a male module 118 and a second valve member 126 within a female module 120.

[0033] Go to Figure 5-7The image shows an end view and a cross-sectional view of the pipe connector system 100. The male module 118 includes a male valve housing 128 and a male module rod 130 extending from the male valve housing 128 into the first pipe fitting 110. (See image for details.) Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the first compression fitting 108 is configured to rotate about the male module rod 130 while simultaneously pulling the first tubular fitting 110 into the central connector 106 via a threaded engagement. The male module rod 130 includes a first fluid passage 132 extending through a middle portion of the male module rod 130, from an outer end 134 of the male module rod 130 to an inner end 136 of the male module rod 130 within the male valve housing 128. The male module rod 130 includes one or more male module holes 138 near the inner end 136 of the male module rod 130. The one or more male module holes 138 are orifices in the male module rod 130 that allow the first fluid passage 132 to fluidly communicate with a first annular space 140 within the male valve housing 128. Figure 6 and 8 As shown, the male module rod 130 includes an inner end wall 142 that forces fluid exchange between the first annular space 140 and the first fluid channel 132 to occur through one or more male module holes 138.

[0034] The female module 120 includes a female valve housing 144 and a female module rod 146 extending from the female valve housing 144 to the second pipe fitting 114. For example... Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the second fitting 114 is configured to be fitted inside the female module rod 146, and the second compression fitting 112 is configured to be threadedly connected to the outside of the female module rod 146 to capture the second fitting 114 into fluid communication with the second fluid channel 148 within the female module rod 146.

[0035] The second fluid passage 148 extends through the middle portion of the female module rod 146, from the outer end 150 of the female module rod 146 to the inner end 152 of the female module rod 146 within the female valve housing 144. The female module rod 146 includes one or more female module holes 154 near the inner end 152 of the female module rod 146. The one or more female module holes 154 are orifices in the female module rod 146 that allow the second fluid passage 148 to fluidly communicate with the second annular space 156 of the female valve housing 142. Figure 6 and 8 As shown, the female module rod 146 includes an inner end wall 158 that forces fluid exchange between the second annular space 156 and the second fluid channel 148 to occur through one or more female module holes 154.

[0036] First and second valve members 124 and 126 are held in first and second annular spaces 150 and 156, respectively. The male valve housing 128 includes an inner valve flange 160, a foot wall 162, and an outer wall 164, which cooperate to hold the first valve member 124. A first annular space 140 is located between the outer wall 164 and the male module rod 130. Similarly, the female valve housing 144 includes an inner valve flange 166, a foot wall 168, and an outer wall 170, which cooperate to hold the second valve member 126. A second annular space 156 is located between the outer wall 170 and the female module rod 146.

[0037] like Figures 9A-9C As shown, the first valve member 124 and the second valve member 126 are generally cylindrical and made of a flexible polymer or plastic. In some embodiments, the first and second valve members 124, 126 are made of an elastic material, such as USPVI type silicone rubber. The first valve member 124 includes a first valve foot 172, a first valve bellows 174, and a first valve head 176. The outer diameter of the first valve head 176 is larger than the outer diameter of the first valve bellows 174. The first valve head 176 includes a first valve shoulder 178 and a protrusion 180 extending longitudinally inward from the first valve head 176.

[0038] The first valve member 124 includes a first valve bore 182 extending axially through its interior. During installation, the first valve member 124 is placed into the male module 118 such that the inner end 136 of the male module rod 130 is located within the first valve bore 182. Figure 9A As shown, the first valve member 124 includes a first valve seal 184 formed by the narrowed portion of the first valve orifice 182, which is radially internal to the first valve shoulder 178. When the first valve member 124 is in a relaxed state (e.g.) Figure 9A As shown, the dimensions and construction of the first valve sealing part 184 are configured to cover the male module hole 138.

[0039] The second valve component 126 includes a second valve foot 186, a second valve bellows 188, and a second valve head 190. The outer diameter of the second valve head 190 is larger than the outer diameter of the second valve bellows 188. The second valve head 190 includes a second valve shoulder 192 and a receiver 194, which is configured to receive the first valve protrusion 180 from the first valve head 176 with tight tolerances.

[0040] The second valve member 126 includes a second valve bore 196 extending axially through its interior. During installation, the first valve member 124 is placed into the female module 120 such that the inner end 152 of the female module rod 146 is located within the second valve bore 196. Figure 9AAs shown, the second valve member 126 includes a second valve seal 198 formed by the narrowed portion of the second valve orifice 198, which is radially internal to the second valve shoulder 192. When the second valve member 126 is in a relaxed state (e.g.) Figure 9A As shown), the dimensions and construction of the second valve sealing part 198 are configured to cover the female module hole 154.

[0041] During the assembly of the pipe connector system 100, the male module 118 and the female module 120 are connected (e.g., Figure 6 (as shown), and the first and second valve members 124, 126 are engaged such that the first valve protrusion 180 is captured within the receiver 194 of the second valve member 126 (as shown). Figure 9B (As shown). When the first valve head 176 and the second valve head 190 are engaged in this manner, an intervalve flow path 200 is formed between and inside the first and second valve members 124, 126.

[0042] As the male module rod 130 and female module rod 146 move closer together during assembly, the first valve head 176 and the second valve head 190 remain stationary. This forces the inner end 136 of the male module rod 130 to move beyond the first valve seal 184 of the first valve member 124, thereby exposing the male module hole 138. Simultaneously, the inner end 152 of the female module rod 146 is pressed beyond the second valve seal 198 of the second valve member 126, thereby exposing the female module hole 154. In this retracted position, the first valve bellows 174 and the second valve bellows 188 are compressed, and a spring force is applied to maintain the sealed connection between the first valve head 176 and the second valve head 190. This ensures that the fluid flowing between the male module hole 138 and the female module hole 154 through the intervalve flow path 200 is contained within the connected first and second valve members 124, 126 (e.g., Figure 9B (As shown). When the male module 118 and the female module 120 separate, the first and second bellows 174 and 188 move the first valve seal 184 and the second valve seal 198 from their retracted positions. Figure 9B Push it to the unfolded position. Figure 9A ), to seal the male module hole 138 and the female module hole 154.

[0043] Importantly, the first and second valve components 124 and 126 are configured such that the first valve head 176 and the second valve head 190 are omnidirectionally connected to the first valve bellows 174 and the second valve bellows 188, respectively. For example... Figure 9CAs shown, the plug-and-socket connection between the first valve protrusion 180 and the receiver 194 of the second valve head 190 allows the first and second valve components 124, 126 to remain engaged without impairing the intervalve flow path 200, even if the male module rod 130 and the female module rod 146 become misaligned when the pipe connector system 100 experiences a disconnection event. This ensures that potentially hazardous fluid is contained within the pipe connector system 100, even if the first and second valve components 124, 126 are twisted during a disconnection event.

[0044] Go to Figure 10-18 as well as Figure 1-4 Various views of the detached assembly 116 are shown, particularly the interconnecting external elements of the male module 108 and female module 120 (detailed internal elements of the male module 108 and female module 120 have been removed for clarity). Typically, the male module 118 and female module 120 include multiple locking engagement features that cooperate to provide a restricted range of longitudinal linear movement when locked together during assembly. In addition to limiting rotational, bending, or radial movement between the male module 118 and female module 120, these features also prevent reconnection of the male module 118 and female module 120 after a disconnection event. This prevents the reuse of the tube connector system 100 once the male module 118 and female module 120 are disconnected in a non-sterile environment.

[0045] The male module 118 includes a plurality of stabilizers 202 projecting longitudinally inward toward the female module 120. Each stabilizer 202 is typically configured as a finger or tab with a radial curvature that matches the cylindrical shape of the male module 118. In an exemplary embodiment, the stabilizers 202 are evenly distributed around the circumference of the male module 118. The male module 118 also includes a plurality of alignment tabs 204 extending radially outward from an abutment ring 206, which extends circumferentially around the outer side of the male module 118. The male module 118 also includes a locking ring 208 extending circumferentially around the male module 118 on the inner side of the abutment ring 206. Figure 4 As shown, stabilizer 202 can be connected to and extend from locking ring 208.

[0046] The female module 120 includes a locking collar 210 extending circumferentially around its inner end. The locking collar 210 is attached to the exterior of the female module 120 via a plurality of collar supports 212. The locking collar 210 includes a plurality of locking tabs 214 extending inwardly toward the male module 118. Each locking tab 214 is generally configured as a U-shaped member, with two proximal ends secured to adjacent collar supports 212, cantilevering the transverse member 216. Thus, each locking tab 214 has a stabilizer recess 218 between adjacent collar supports 212 to which it is attached.

[0047] like Figure 11 and 13 As best shown, the locking tab 214 is attached to the collar bracket 212, which has a reinforced curved interior that restricts the outward bending of the cantilevered locking collar 210. Furthermore, because the locking collar 210 is constructed as a circular member, the distal free end of the locking collar exhibits further "hoop strength" against outward radial bending. Thus, the locking collar 210 exhibits spring-force resistance to forces applied in the radially outward direction.

[0048] Each locking tab 214 has a transverse member 216 including a plurality of teeth 220 projecting radially inward from the transverse member 216. As shown, each transverse member 216 includes a pair of teeth 220, which are spaced apart on the outer end of the transverse member 216. The teeth 220 are spaced rearward from the distal end of the transverse member 216. The transverse member 216 also includes an alignment tab recess 222 located on the inner side of the middle portion of the transverse member 216. Each alignment tab recess 222 is configured to receive a corresponding one of five alignment tabs 204 extending radially outward from the abutment ring 206 of the male module 118. The locking tabs 214 and teeth 220 have cylindrical profiles to match the circular shape of the corresponding locking feature of the male module 118.

[0049] As shown, the female module 120 includes five locking tabs 214 extending from the locking collar 210, which creates five stabilizer recesses 218 to receive five stabilizers 202 from the male module 118. It should be understood that these locking features may be equidistantly spaced and distributed around the circumference of the male module 118 and the female module 120. Although five locking tabs 214, five stabilizers 202, and five alignment tabs 204 are depicted in the illustrated embodiment, it should be understood that more or fewer of these features are considered within the scope of these embodiments. For example, it may be desirable to include 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 locking tabs 214, stabilizers 202, and alignment tabs 204. For some applications, an odd number of each of these locking features is preferred over an even number.

[0050] like Figure 16-18 As best shown in the close-up view, the abutment ring 206 includes an abutment surface 224 that extends radially outward in a plane substantially orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis extending through the tube connector system 100. The locking ring 208 includes an inclined locking surface 226, an inclined release surface 228, and a blocking surface 230. Referring to a plane extending perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis passing through the peak of the locking ring 208, the locking surface 226 extends outward and radially inward at an angle between 10 and 80 degrees. As shown, the locking surface 226 extends longitudinally outward away from the female module 120 and radially inward at approximately 45 degrees. Referring to the same orthogonal plane, the release surface 228 is radially inward and longitudinally inclined towards the female module 120 at approximately 45 degrees. In other embodiments, the release surface 228 may be configured to have an angle between 10 and 80 degrees. The locking surface 226 and the release surface 228 meet at a circular peak 232. The blocking surface 230 extends radially outward in a plane substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the longitudinal length of the locking ring 208 is substantially the same as the longitudinal length of each alignment tab 204.

[0051] Each tooth 220 includes an inclined surface 234, the angle of which is substantially the same as the angle of the locking surface 226 (e.g., Figure 16 (As shown). Each tooth 220 has a circular tooth tip 236 connecting the inclined surface 234 and the protective surface 238. Thus, the inclined surface 234 and the protective surface 238 are oriented at an angle between 10 and 80 degrees. Figure 16 The angle is approximately 45 degrees.

[0052] When the male module 118 and the female module 120 are connected, each stabilizer 202 is captured within a corresponding stabilizer recess 218. Each alignment tab 204 is captured within a corresponding alignment tab recess 222. Each tooth 220 engages in the locked position, wherein the inclined surface 234 contacts the inclined locking surface 226 of the locking ring 208 (e.g., Figure 1 , 2 (As shown in 6, 11, 16, and 18). The contact between the protective surface 238 and the adjacent surface 224 prevents further approach between the male module 118 and the female module 120. In this position, the captured stabilizer 202 and the captured alignment tab 204 prevent rotation, bending, or further approach between the male module 118 and the female module 120. The only permitted movement—linear separation of the male module 118 and the female module 120—is limited by the engagement of the teeth 220 on the locking ring 208.

[0053] When tooth 220 is pulled away from the locking surface 226 of locking ring 208, an attempt to separate male module 118 and female module 120 by pulling them in opposite directions along the central longitudinal axis causes locking collar 210 to bend radially outward. The rigidity of locking collar 210 resists this deformation until the tension between male module 118 and female module 120 causes tooth tip 236 to reach the peak 232 of locking ring 208 between locking surface 226 and release surface 228. Peak 232 and tooth tip 236 are designed such that the relative movement between male module 118 and female module 120 does not stop when peak 232 contacts tooth tip 236. When tooth tip 234 is pulled to contact peak 232, the inward pressure exerted by locking collar 210 on tooth 220 on the inward slope of release surface 228 causes male module 118 and female module 120 to spring back rapidly. This ensures that once the male module 118 and female module 120 are pulled apart by a "threshold longitudinal separation distance" in response to the "threshold separation force" (which could potentially jeopardize the seal provided by the valve assembly 122), the male module 118 and female module 120 quickly separate, and the first valve member 124 and the second valve member 126 return to the deployed state to prevent leakage or contamination through the male module hole 138 and the female module hole 154. Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal movement distance ("valve movement distance") of the first valve seal 184 and the second valve seal 198 is less than the threshold longitudinal separation distance to ensure that the valve assembly 122 deploys to the closed position before the male module 118 and female module 120 separate.

[0054] Importantly, the threshold longitudinal separation distance is optimally the same as the longitudinal length of the alignment tab 204 and the alignment tab recess 222. This prevents the male module 118 and the female module 120 from rotating relative to each other until both components have been unlocked and disengaged. The threshold separation force required to separate the male module 118 and the female module 120 can be adjusted by changing the geometry of the mating components of the locking ring 208 and the teeth 220. Increasing the slope of the locking surface 226 and the inclined surface 234 will increase the magnitude of the tension required to separate the male module 118 and the female module 120. Similarly, the threshold longitudinal separation distance can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the longitudinal distance of one or both of the locking surface 226 and the inclined surface 234.

[0055] Once the male module 118 and the female module 120 have been separated (e.g.) Figure 3 , 4 As shown in Figures 8, 13, 15, and 17, the geometry of tooth 220 and locking ring 208 prevents reconnection of the central connector 106. Figure 17 As best shown, the protective surface 238 and the blocking surface 230 are each oriented such that pressing the male module 118 and the female module 120 together simply results in the protective surface 238 of the tooth 220 abutting the blocking surface 230. The blocking surface 230 prevents the tooth 220 from being pressed upward against the locking ring 208. Notably, the tooth 220 is positioned at a distance from the distal end of the locking tab 214, a distance large enough to cover the adjacent ring 206 when the central connector 106 is locked (e.g., ...). Figure 16 (as shown), or when the central connector 106 is separated, the locking surface 226 covering the locking ring 208 (as shown) Figure 17 (As shown). This prevents patients or caregivers from using tools to pry under the locking collar 210 in an attempt to lift the locking collar 210 and teeth 220 to separate or reconnect the male module 118 and female module 120 of the central connector 106.

[0056] During assembly, the male module 118 is joined to the female module 120 using assembly tool 240, such as... Figure 19-23As shown. The assembly tool 240 has a cylinder 242 with a tapered nose 244, which includes a series of wedges 246 and recesses 248. When the male module 118 passes through the assembly tool 240, the recesses 248 are sized and arranged to accommodate the alignment tab 204. The assembly tool 240 is inserted into the male module 118 such that the wedges 246 are positioned between the distal end of the locking tab 214 of the female module 120 and the adjacent ring 206 of the male module 118. The assembly tool 240 is pressed into the female module 120 such that the locking collar 210 is opened outward by a necessary amount to allow the peak 232 of the locking ring 208 to pass into the tooth tip 236 of each inwardly pointing tooth 220. The male module 118 can be pressed into the female module 120 using a separate tool. Once the locking ring 208 has been inserted into the outwardly flared teeth 220, the assembly tool 240 can be withdrawn while maintaining the position of the male module 118, thereby allowing the spring-loaded locking collar 210 to press the teeth 220 into a locking engagement with the locking ring 208. Figure 23 The retraction of the assembly tool 240 is depicted to lower the teeth 220 of the locking collar 210 into the locking ring 208.

[0057] It is evident that the present invention is highly suited to achieving its objectives and obtaining the aforementioned and inherent objects and advantages. Although the presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in various details for purposes of disclosure, it should be understood that many changes can be made, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are embodied within the spirit of the invention disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A tube connector system for connecting two medical tubing pieces, the tube connector system comprising: First tube adapter; Second tube adapter; as well as The central connector is located between the first tube adapter and the second tube adapter. The central connector includes: Positive module; Yin type module; A valve assembly, wherein the valve assembly includes: A first valve component, which is held within the male module; and The second valve component is held within the female module; and The male module and the female module are configured to prevent reconnection once the male module and the female module have been separated. The female module includes: a locking collar, wherein the locking collar includes: Multiple teeth, The male module includes a locking ring, wherein the locking ring is configured to engage with a plurality of teeth of the locking collar, the locking ring comprising: Lock face; Release surface; The peak between the locking surface and the releasing surface; and blocking surface, Each of the plurality of teeth includes: Inclined surface; Protective surface; and The tooth tip between the inclined surface and the protective surface. Specifically, when the inclined surface of each of the plurality of teeth contacts the locking surface of the locking ring, the locking collar is fixed to the locking ring. Specifically, when the tooth tip passes over the peak from the locking surface and reaches the release surface, the locking collar and the locking ring are forced to separate. Wherein, once the tooth tip passes the peak from the locking surface and reaches the release surface, the protective surface and the blocking surface prevent the locking collar from being reattached to the locking collar.

2. The pipe connector system according to claim 1, wherein, The positive module includes: Adjacent ring; Multiple alignment tabs extending radially outward from the adjacent ring; and Multiple stabilizers.

3. The pipe connector system according to claim 1, wherein, The locking collar includes: Multiple locking tabs that engage the locking ring; A plurality of alignment tab recesses, wherein each of the plurality of alignment tab recesses is configured to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of alignment tabs; Multiple locking tabs that engage the locking ring; and A plurality of stabilizer recesses, wherein each of the plurality of stabilizer recesses is configured to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of stabilizers.

4. The pipe connector system according to claim 1, wherein, The first valve component includes: First valve foot; First valve head; and The first valve bellows is located between the first valve foot and the first valve head.

5. The pipe connector system according to claim 4, wherein, The first valve component further includes a first valve protrusion extending from the first valve head.

6. The pipe connector system according to claim 5, wherein, The second valve component includes: Second valve foot; Second valve head; and The second valve bellows is located between the second valve foot and the second valve head.

7. The pipe connector system according to claim 6, wherein, The second valve member further includes a receiver located within the second valve head, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a protrusion of the first valve member.

8. The pipe connector system according to claim 1, wherein, The male module includes a male module rod, and the male module rod includes one or more male module holes.

9. The pipe connector system according to claim 8, wherein, The female module includes a female module rod, and the female module rod includes one or more female module holes.

10. The pipe connector system according to claim 9, wherein, The first valve component selectively seals one or more male module holes on the male module rod, and the second valve component selectively seals one or more female module holes on the female module rod.

11. A tube connector system configured to connect a first medical tubing and a second medical tubing, the tube connector system comprising: Positive module; A female module, wherein the female module is maintained connected to the male module by multiple locking mechanisms; and The plurality of locking mechanisms are configured to prevent the male module from reconnecting to the female module after the male module has been separated from the female module. The female module includes: a locking collar, wherein the locking collar includes: Multiple teeth, The male module includes a locking ring, wherein the locking ring is configured to engage with a plurality of teeth of the locking collar, the locking ring comprising: Lock face; Release surface; The peak between the locking surface and the releasing surface; and blocking surface, Each of the plurality of teeth includes: Inclined surface; Protective surface; and The tooth tip between the inclined surface and the protective surface. Specifically, when the inclined surface of each of the plurality of teeth contacts the locking surface of the locking ring, the locking collar is fixed to the locking ring. Specifically, when the tooth tip passes over the peak from the locking surface and reaches the release surface, the locking collar and the locking ring are forced to separate. Wherein, once the tooth tip passes the peak from the locking surface and reaches the release surface, the protective surface and the blocking surface prevent the locking collar from being reattached to the locking collar.

12. The pipe connector system of claim 11, wherein the locking collar comprises: Multiple collar brackets; as well as A plurality of locking tabs, wherein each of the plurality of locking tabs is supported by a corresponding pair of adjacent collar supports in a cantilever structure, wherein each of the plurality of locking tabs includes: Transverse members; and Stabilizer recess; and The plurality of teeth extend radially inward from the transverse member.

13. The pipe connector system according to claim 12, wherein, The positive module includes: A plurality of stabilizers extending from the locking ring, wherein each of the plurality of stabilizers is configured to extend longitudinally into a stabilizer recess of a corresponding locking tab.

14. A tubing connector system configured to connect a first medical tubing to a second medical tubing, the tubing connector system comprising: Positive module; Yin type module; as well as A means for releasably locking a male module to a female module, wherein the means for releasably locking the male module to the female module also prevents the male module from being reattached to the female module. The female module includes: a locking collar, wherein the locking collar includes: Multiple teeth, The male module includes a locking ring, wherein the locking ring is configured to engage with a plurality of teeth of the locking collar, the locking ring comprising: Lock face; Release surface; The peak between the locking surface and the releasing surface; and blocking surface, Each of the plurality of teeth includes: Inclined surface; Protective surface; and The tooth tip between the inclined surface and the protective surface. Specifically, when the inclined surface of each of the plurality of teeth contacts the locking surface of the locking ring, the locking collar is fixed to the locking ring. Specifically, when the tooth tip passes over the peak from the locking surface and reaches the release surface, the locking collar and the locking ring are forced to separate. Wherein, once the tooth tip passes the peak from the locking surface and reaches the release surface, the protective surface and the blocking surface prevent the locking collar from being reattached to the locking collar.

Citation Information

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