HOSE CONNECTION DEVICE FOR MEDICAL PUMPS, ESPECIALLY FOR INSUFFLATION PUMPS FOR ENDOSCOPY

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling device for medical pumps, in particular for insufflation pumps for endoscopy, by means of which several hose connections can be closed simultaneously. Field of application of the invention

[0002] It is well known that during endoscopic examinations, and especially during therapeutic interventions, the respective body cavity is expanded by fluid inflow. During laparoscopy, a gas (preferably CO2) is typically injected into the abdomen, creating an internal pressure that exceeds the external pressure. This expands the abdomen, creating space for the insertion of surgical instruments. Modern systems also incorporate a suction device, both to quickly remove smoke that may impair vision and to keep the pressure in the body cavity as constant as possible during the operation.

[0003] This poses the problem of connecting the insufflator to various pumps and measuring lines with the necessary hoses. These are disposable for hygiene reasons. Connecting multiple hoses to the insufflator takes time. Furthermore, if identical couplings are used, the hoses may be confused. The alternative is to use different coupling systems, which operating personnel find cumbersome. Various coupling devices for insufflation pumps are known from the documents US 2021 / 016022 A1, US 2015 / 112246 A1, US 2020 / 094002 A1, and US 2016 / 106934 A1.

[0004] To overcome this technical problem, the coupling device described below is proposed, which can establish several hose connections simultaneously and ensures the tightness of each connection. Basics of the invention

[0005] The invention consists of a hose connection device for connecting n hoses through which a gas flows to an insufflator, where n is two to five, wherein a sleeve-shaped element is formed on the insufflator side, wherein the sleeve-shaped element has n insufflation pistons as connecting elements in the area of the sleeve base, wherein the n insufflation pistons protrude from the sleeve base as connecting elements by means of spring tension and can be pressed towards the sleeve base by pressure from the tubes, whereby the surface of the insufflation pistons is flush with the sleeve base when the tube connection is established, wherein an elastic sealing element is arranged between each connecting element and each tube, wherein one or more locking elements are arranged in the region of the sleeve opening, which ensure that the tubes snap into place and lock the tube connection, wherein connecting elements are arranged on the tube side which are compatible with the connecting elements of the sleeve base, wherein an element compatible with the sleeve-shaped element has, as a tube set, n hollow cylinders to which the n tubes are connected, so that a fluid connection of all n tubes to the insufflator is ensured,and wherein the tubes exit the tubing set orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the insufflation pistons.

[0006] The tube connection device therefore consists of two parts: a sleeve-shaped part, which is arranged on the insufflator side as a receptacle, and a compatible element as a plug-in part, which is inserted into the sleeve-shaped receptacle as a tube set. The sleeve-shaped receptacle has connections to the insufflator on the outside, and n insufflation pistons are arranged inside the sleeve. The plug-in part has connections for n tubes on the outside, and n hollow cylinders are arranged on the inside, compatible with the insufflation pistons of the sleeve part.

[0007] By combining the elastic sealing elements with an additional, coordinated elastic element (spring) to compensate for positional and tolerance deviations when connecting the tube and insufflator, tolerances can be compensated and a gas-tight connection can be created. This allows for larger manufacturing deviations to be tolerated, thus reducing costs due to the high accuracy requirements of tube set components. Tolerances that are absorbed by the sealing material itself can thus be increased many times over.

[0008] The elastic elements (springs) are designed in such a way that a defined initial preload is maintained, which guarantees the desired sealing forces. The spring elements have low spring stiffness, so that the counterforce increases only minimally with additional deflection.

[0009] The combination of elastic elements can be designed separately for each seal to be connected in order to compensate for further tolerances due to the geometry of the hose set or different sealing contours.

[0010] In this way, sealing in several levels can be made possible.

[0011] By the (axial) displacement of the elastic element, the position of each individual sealing interface can be detected / monitored / evaluated (via microswitch or other position sensors according to the state of the art) and used for 1.: Detection of correct insertion (detection of actuation and correct end position) 2.: Identification of the inserted hose set (if hose set 1, for example, actuates different seals than hose set 2)

[0012] An alternative design is to connect several seals with only one elastic component (a large, spring-loaded "plate" that contains all the necessary connections).

[0013] During assembly of the device-side hose receptacle, additional adjustment of the locking geometry for the seal with adjustment gauges can be eliminated by selecting appropriate manufacturing tolerances. Likewise, the tolerance of the hose-side plug connection can be selected to be larger in terms of flatness and position.

[0014] In addition to compensating for length tolerances in the seal geometry, the hose set is aligned at the interface before initial contact with the seal. This alignment occurs before the hose set touches the seal for the first time. Alignment before contact with the seal is intended to reduce lateral movement of the seal and seal geometry and increase the service life of the seal. Incorrect insertion is prevented by a geometry that only fits one way between the hose set and the device.

[0015] The connection of the hose to the device should be possible with one hand and one movement. Therefore, there is no possibility of inserting and removing the hose and then locking it.

[0016] The total insertion force can be adjusted independently of the seal material by selecting the spring preload and spring characteristics, and can be adapted to customer requirements. This also allows for targeted force profiles and haptic feedback, for example, through "leading" seals.

[0017] The sealing concept of the spring-loaded connections can also be implemented for a non-"purely axial" insertion movement. In this case, care must be taken to ensure that the relative movement between the rigid and soft components is minimal / non-critical to avoid damage.

[0018] The elastic sealing elements can be located / positioned in different ways: In the preferred design, the rigid sealing contour is positioned in the hose set and the soft (silicone) seal and spring elements are positioned in the device.

[0019] An alternative design is conceivable, where the positioning of the soft component (as a wearing part) in the hose set and the rigid contour in the device.

[0020] A suspension with a similar characteristic curve can also be integrated in an alternative version in the hose set through a corresponding injection molding design or a separate component.

[0021] The hose set has a closed outer contour as a plug-in connection, which has the seals of the fluid paths to be connected positioned in the end face. Multiple fluid paths can be connected, the arrangement of which is freely selectable and corresponds to the arrangement of the device-side hose receptacle. This makes it easy to implement arrangements that meet both the placement requirements of the hose set and the device-side fluid paths or sensors. A symmetrical arrangement is particularly preferred, as it ideally distributes the forces. However, any other arrangement is possible and does not impair the tolerance-compensating seal according to the invention.

[0022] The plug-in connection is realized by inserting it into the device-side receptacle (sleeve). In the inventive solution, the hoses exit the connector laterally relative to the axis of the connecting paths, which has the advantage that they are not bent or kinked by other objects. Kinking would reduce the open cross-section of the hose, which would impede flow. The hoses are internally pushed onto hollow cylinders in the plug-in connector, glued if necessary, and fluidically connected to the openings in the end face.

[0023] The sleeve-shaped receiving device can be a component of the insufflator, for example, it can be recessed into the front or side surface of the insufflator.

[0024] When connecting the plug-in connector to the device-side receptacle, one seal precedes the connection, thus establishing contact, and the rest connects before the actual locking. This can be used to flush the hoses and blow out the device-side receptacle. The choice of which seal precedes the connection is free and not predetermined by any invention. The intended hose diameters or seal diameters are also freely selectable, but the diameters influence the connection forces and must be designed accordingly. Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention with four hose connections in different views: Top: Side view with engaged hose set Bottom: Top view with engaged hose set Figure 2shows another side view. Three of the hose connections are clearly visible. A fourth connection is hidden in this view. Figure 3 shows the top view again. The locking elements near the sleeve opening are clearly visible. Figures 4-8 show the insertion process visually and the force-displacement relationship as a graphic. The relevant components are highlighted in color in the illustrations. Figure 4 shows the image at the beginning of compression of the sealing element (contact of insufflation piston with tube) Figure 5 shows the picture at the beginning of the compression of the locking elements (as closure of the coupling) Figure 6 shows the picture with compression of all four springs Figure 7 shows the locking of the locking elements (locking mechanism) Figure 8 shows the beginning of the compression of the secondary locking the locking of the locking elements (closing lock). Figure 9Shows a possible force profile. With the points: P1 start of pre-adjustment, P2 end of pre-adjustment, P3 compression of the seal and start of the insufflation piston travel, P4 start of closure compression, P5 contact with the measuring line, differential pressure, and smoke evacuation connection, P6 end of closure compression, P7 compression of all four springs, P8 closure locking, P9 (optional) start of secondary compression of the locking, P10 start of contact with the rear wall of the sleeve base (receptacle or sleeve of the plug connection). Figure 10 shows the state of the insertion process for distance S at point P3. The relevant components are circled with a dashed-dotted line. Figure 11 shows the state of the insertion process for distance S at point P4. The relevant components are circled with a dashed-dotted line. Figure 12shows the state of the insertion process for distance S at point P7. The relevant components are circled with a dashed-dotted line. Figure 13 shows the state of the insertion process for distance S at point P8. The relevant components are circled with a dashed-dotted line. Figure 14 shows the status of the insertion process for distance S at points P9 and P10. The relevant components are circled with a dashed line for point P9 and a dash-dotted line for P10. Figure 15 shows a preferred embodiment of the inventive connection of both elements (device-side sleeve and hose set) with four hose connections in various external views. Top left: Front view. Side view with hose set not engaged (hose set conceals device-side sleeve part / receptacle). Top right: Side view with hose set not engaged. Bottom: Top view with hose set not engaged. Figure 16shows a preferred embodiment of the inventive connection of both elements (device-side sleeve and hose set) with four hose connections in different views: Top left: Front view Side view with hose set not engaged (hose set covers device-side sleeve part / receptacle) and representation of the section AA for the device-side receptacle Top right: Side view with hose set not engaged and step section of the device-side sleeve part / receptacle Below: Top view with hose set not engaged Figure 17 shows a preferred embodiment of the inventive connection of both elements (device-side sleeve and hose set) with four hose connections in a spatial representation with unplugged hose set with step section of the device-side sleeve part / receiver Figure 18shows a preferred embodiment of the inventive connection of both elements (device-side sleeve and hose set) with four hose connections in a further spatial representation. The connections located on the hose part and adapted to the receptacle are clearly visible. Figure 19 shows a preferred embodiment of the device-side receptacle for the hose connection with four connections in four orientations. Top left: front view. Top center: side view. Top right: rear view. Bottom: top view. Figure 20 shows a preferred embodiment of the hose part with four connections in four orientations Top left: front view Top middle, side view Top right: rear view Bottom: top view

Claims

1. A hose connecting device for connecting n hoses through which a gas flows to an insufflator, where n is two to five, wherein a sleeve-shaped element is formed on the insufflator side, wherein the sleeve-shaped element has n insufflation pistons as connecting elements in the region of the sleeve base, wherein the n insufflation pistons as connecting elements protrude from the sleeve base by means of spring tension and can be pressed in the direction of the sleeve base by pressure from the hoses, wherein an elastic sealing element is arranged between each connecting element and each hose, wherein one or more latching elements are arranged in the region of the sleeve opening, which ensure that the hoses engage and lock the hose connection, wherein connecting elements are arranged on the hose side compatible with the connecting elements of the sleeve base, wherein an element as a hose set compatible with the sleeve-shaped element has n hollow cylinders to which the n hoses are connected, so that a fluid connection of all n hoses to the insufflator is ensured, characterised in that the hoses exit from the hose set orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the insufflation pistons, and in that, in case of an existing hose connection, the surface of the insufflation pistons is flush with the sleeve base.

2. The hose connecting device for n hoses through which a gas flows with an insufflator of claim 1, wherein the elastic sealing element is either a component of the insufflation pistons as connecting element or a component of the connecting elements on the hose side.