Coupling device for medical pumps

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling device for medical pumps, in particular for endoscopy gas injection pumps, for simultaneous closure of multiple hose connections. The coupling device comprises a sleeve-like element on the gas injector side with a gas injection piston as a connection element, and a hose sleeve set for connecting multiple hoses, which is compatible with the sleeve-like element, wherein the hose sleeve set has multiple hollow cylinders.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a coupling device for medical pumps, particularly for endoscopic air pumps, used to simultaneously close multiple tubular connections. Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, during endoscopic examinations, especially therapeutic interventions, fluid inflow is used to expand the corresponding body cavities. During laparoscopy, a gas (preferably CO2) is typically introduced into the abdomen to create an internal pressure higher than the external pressure. This causes the abdomen to expand, providing space for the insertion of surgical instruments. Modern systems also include suction devices to quickly remove fumes that obstruct the view while maintaining a relatively constant pressure within the body cavities during the procedure.

[0003] This situation presents a challenge in coupling the air injector with different pumps and measuring lines with the necessary hoses. For hygiene reasons, disposable items are involved. Multiple hoses need to be connected to the air injector for an extended period. Furthermore, using couplers with identical structures can lead to hose confusion. An alternative is to use different coupling systems, but this would be cumbersome for operators.

[0004] To overcome this technical challenge, the present invention proposes a coupling device, which will be described below, capable of establishing multiple hose connections simultaneously and ensuring the sealing of each connection. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention is based on a hose connection device for connecting n hoses through which gas flows to an injection machine, where n is one to five, wherein a sleeve-like element is constructed on the injection machine side, and wherein the sleeve-like element has n injection pistons serving as connecting elements in the region at the bottom of the sleeve.

[0006] The n air-injection pistons, which serve as connecting elements, can be extended from the bottom of the sleeve by means of spring tension and pressed against the bottom of the sleeve by the pressure of the hose, so that the surface of the air-injection piston is flush with the bottom of the sleeve when the hose is connected.

[0007] An elastic sealing element is arranged between each connecting element and each hose, and one or more snap-fit ​​elements are arranged in the area of ​​the sleeve opening to ensure the hose is snapped in and locks the hose connection.

[0008] Several connecting elements are arranged on the flexible hose side, which are compatible with the connecting elements at the bottom of the sleeve.

[0009] The component compatible with the tubular element serves as a hose assembly having n hollow cylinders, the n hoses being connected to the hollow cylinders, thereby ensuring fluid connection of all n hoses to the air injector.

[0010] The main advantage of the device of the present invention is that the number of hoses n is two or more.

[0011] Therefore, the hose connection device consists of two parts:

[0012] A sleeve-shaped component and a compatible connector are arranged as a receiving portion on the injector side. The connector is inserted into the sleeve-shaped receiving portion as a hose assembly. The sleeve-shaped receiving portion has an external connector leading to the injector, and n injector pistons are arranged inside the sleeve. The connector has external connectors for the n hoses, and n hollow cylinders compatible with the injector pistons of the sleeve are arranged inside.

[0013] By combining a resilient sealing element with another compatible resilient element (spring) to compensate for positional and tolerance deviations when the hose is connected to the air injector, tolerances can be compensated and an airtight connection can be established. This allows for larger manufacturing deviations and reduces the costs associated with the high precision requirements of the hose assembly. The tolerances absorbed by the sealing material itself can be increased many times over.

[0014] The elastic element (spring) is constructed to first generate a preload that ensures the desired sealing force. The spring element has low spring stiffness, so the reaction force increases only slightly when additional deflection occurs.

[0015] The combination of flexible elements can be implemented independently for each seal that needs to be connected, in order to compensate for the increased tolerances and different types of seal profiles caused by the geometry of the hose kit.

[0016] This allows for sealing at multiple levels.

[0017] By utilizing the (axial) displacement of the elastic element, the position of each sealing interface can be detected / monitored / evaluated (using microswitches or other position sensing mechanisms in the prior art) and used for...

[0018] 1. Identify correct insertion (confirmation of correct end positions)

[0019] 2.: Identify the inserted hose kit (e.g., in the case where hose kit 1 of other seals is identified as hose kit 2).

[0020] In an alternative implementation, multiple seals are connected to a single resilient assembly (a "plate" containing all necessary joints and resilient supports).

[0021] During the installation of the hose housing on the equipment side, by selecting the appropriate manufacturing tolerances, it is not necessary to additionally set the geometry of the sealing clips using gauges. Similarly, the tolerances for flatness and orientation of the hose side-insertion connection can be larger.

[0022] In addition to compensating for length tolerances in the sealing geometry, the hose assembly is oriented within the interface before initial contact with the seal. This orientation is performed before the hose assembly first contacts the seal. By orienting before contact with the seal, lateral movement of the seal and sealing geometry is reduced, extending the seal's lifespan. Incorrect insertion is prevented by ensuring that the hose assembly mates with the device geometry in only one way.

[0023] Connect the hose to the identifier using only one hand and one handle whenever possible. This eliminates the need for insertion, removal, and subsequent locking.

[0024] The total insertion force can be set independently of the sealing material and adjusted according to customer expectations by selecting the spring preload and spring characteristic curve. For example, targeted force curves and tactile feedback can also be achieved through "pre-sealing".

[0025] The sealing solution of flexible joints can also be applied to insertion movements that are not "purely axial." In this case, it is important to ensure that the relative movement between the rigid and flexible components is minimal or negligible to avoid damage.

[0026] Resilient sealing elements can employ different types of positioning schemes:

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, a rigid sealing profile is positioned within the hose assembly, while a flexible (silicone) seal and a spring element are positioned within the device.

[0028] In an alternative implementation, the flexible component (as an abrasive) is positioned within the hose assembly, while the rigid profile is positioned within the device.

[0029] In an alternative implementation, an elastic element with a similar characteristic curve can also be integrated into the hose kit through appropriate injection molding design or as a separate component.

[0030] The hose assembly has a closed outer contour for a plug-in connection, with a seal positioned on its end face for the fluid path to be connected. Multiple fluid paths can be connected, and their arrangement is freely selectable and consistent with the arrangement of the hose housing on the device side. This allows for easy arrangement of the hose assembly and the placement requirements of the device-side fluid paths or sensors. A symmetrical arrangement is particularly preferred because of the ideal force distribution. Any other arrangement is also feasible and does not affect the tolerance-compensated seal of the invention.

[0031] The plug-in connection is achieved by inserting the hose into the device-side receiving portion (sleeve). In a preferred solution, the hose extends from the connector along the axial side of the connection path. This has the advantage that the hoses will not be bent or kinked by other objects. Bending reduces the open cross-section of the hose, thus affecting flow rate. The hoses are pushed into the hollow cylinder inside the plug-in connector and, if necessary, bonded and fluidly connected to the opening located within the end face.

[0032] The tubular receiving device can be a component of the gas injector, for example, embedded in the end face or side of the gas injector.

[0033] When the plug-in connector is connected to the equipment-side receiving portion, one seal is forward, meaning contact is established and the remaining parts are connected before true locking. This allows for flushing of the hose and purging of the equipment-side receiving portion. Which seal is forward is freely selectable and is not specified by the inventive features. The hose diameter or seal diameter is also freely selectable, but these diameters affect the connection force and therefore require appropriate design.

[0034] Figure 1 Different views of a preferred embodiment of the invention having four hose connections:

[0035] Top: Side view when the hose kit is snapped in

[0036] Bottom: Top view when the hose kit is snapped in

[0037] Figure 2 The side view is shown again. Three hose connectors are visible in the figure. The fourth connector is obscured in the figure.

[0038] Figure 3 The top view is shown again. The snap-fit ​​element near the sleeve opening can be seen in the figure.

[0039] Figure 4-8 The diagram illustrates the insertion process and torque ratio. Relevant components are highlighted in color.

[0040] Figure 4 Image showing the initial compression of the sealing element (when the injection piston contacts the hose).

[0041] Figure 5 Image showing the initial compression of the snap-fit ​​element (as a closure part of the coupling).

[0042] Figure 6 Image of all four springs compressed.

[0043] Figure 7 This illustrates the locking (closed locking) mechanism of the latching element.

[0044] Figure 8This indicates the start of compression and secondary locking, with the latching element locking (closed locking).

[0045] Figure 9 The possible force curves are shown. These points are: P1 begins pre-adjustment, P2 ends pre-adjustment, P3 compresses the seal and begins the injection piston stroke, P4 begins closed compression, P5 contacts the measuring line, differential pressure, and exhaust connector, P6 ends closed compression, P7 compresses all four springs, P8 closes and locks, P9 (optionally) begins secondary compression locking, P10 initiates contact with the rear wall of the sleeve bottom (sleeve of the receiving part or insert connector).

[0046] Figure 10 The distance S at point P3 indicates the state of the insertion process. Relevant components are outlined with dotted lines.

[0047] Figure 11 The distance S at point P4 indicates the state of the insertion process. Relevant components are circled with a dotted line.

[0048] Figure 12 The distance S at point P7 indicates the state of the insertion process. Relevant components are circled with a dotted line.

[0049] Figure 13 The distance S at point P8 indicates the state of the insertion process. Relevant components are circled with dots.

[0050] Figure 14 The distance S between points P9 and P10 indicates the state of the insertion process. Relevant components are indicated by a dashed line for point P9 and a dotted line for point P10.

[0051] Figure 15 Different exterior views of a preferred embodiment of the connection of the two elements (equipment-side sleeve and hose kit) of the present invention having four hose connections.

[0052] Top left: Front side view of the hose kit when it is not engaged (the hose kit obscures the equipment side sleeve / receiving part).

[0053] Top right: Side view of the hose kit when it is not engaged

[0054] Bottom: Top view of the hose kit when it is not engaged

[0055] Figure 16 Different views of a preferred embodiment of the connection of the two elements (equipment-side sleeve and hose kit) of the present invention having four hose connections:

[0056] Top left: Front side view of the hose kit when it is not engaged (the hose kit obscures the equipment-side fitting / receiving part) and cross-sectional view of the equipment-side receiving part AA.

[0057] Top right: Side view of the hose kit when not engaged and stepped cross-section of the equipment side fitting / receiving section.

[0058] Bottom: Top view of the hose kit when it is not engaged

[0059] Figure 17 A perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the connection of the two elements (equipment side sleeve and hose kit) of the present invention having four hose connections, with the hose kit not inserted, and a stepped cross-sectional view of the equipment side sleeve / receiving portion.

[0060] Figure 18 Another perspective view shows a preferred embodiment of the connection between the two elements (equipment-side sleeve and hose assembly) of the present invention, which has four hose connections. Several connectors located on the hose assembly and mating with the receiving portion can be seen in the figure.

[0061] Figure 19 A preferred embodiment of the device-side receiving portion of a hose connector with four joints is shown in four orientations.

[0062] Top left: Front view

[0063] Upper middle, side view

[0064] Top right: Rear view

[0065] Bottom: Top view

[0066] Figure 20 A preferred embodiment of a hose fitting with four connectors.

[0067] Views in four orientations

[0068] Top left: Front view

[0069] Upper middle, side view

[0070] Top right: Rear view

[0071] Bottom: Top view.

Claims

1. A hose connection device for connecting n hoses through which gas flows to an air injector, wherein n is two to five. A tubular element is constructed on the side of the gas injector. The sleeve-shaped element has n air injection pistons serving as connecting elements in the region at the bottom of the sleeve. The n injection pistons, which serve as connecting elements, can be extended from the bottom of the sleeve by means of spring tension and pressed against the bottom of the sleeve by the pressure of the hose, so that the surface of the injection piston is flush with the bottom of the sleeve when the hose is connected. An elastic sealing element is arranged between each connecting element and each hose, and one or more snap-fit ​​elements are arranged in the area of ​​the sleeve opening. The snap-fit ​​elements ensure the hose is engaged and locks the hose connection. Several connecting elements are arranged on the side of the flexible tube, and these connecting elements are compatible with the connecting elements at the bottom of the sleeve. The component compatible with the tubular element, as a hose assembly, has n hollow cylinders, and the n hoses are connected to the hollow cylinders, thereby ensuring fluid connection of all n hoses to the air injector. Its features The hose extends from the hose assembly perpendicular to the axis of the connection path.

2. The hose connection device for n hoses through which gas flows and the gas injector according to claim 1, wherein the resilient sealing element is either a component of the gas injection piston as a connecting element or a component of the hose-side connecting element.

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