Connector arrangement comprising an Anti-twist and Anti-displacement mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector (1) for establishing a fluidic connection between a first fluid transfer component (2) and a second fluid transfer component (3), said connector comprising: a connecting piece (5) which has an internal thread (14) and to which a corresponding counter-piece (15) is / can be screwed; and a union sleeve (27) which can be slid over the connector (1) and which, when slid over, non-removably engages the connector (1), in particular the counter-piece (15) or a connector handle (20) of the connector (1), wherein a latching mechanism (32) of the union sleeve (27), when the union sleeve is in the slid-over state, engages a face of the connection piece (5) or of the connector handle (20), which face faces away from the connecting piece (5).

Description

[0001] Connector arrangement with anti-twist and anti-displacement protection

[0002] Description

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The invention relates to a connector for establishing a fluid connection between at least a first and a second fluid transmission component, comprising a connecting piece with an internal thread, to which a corresponding counterpart is screwed / can be screwed, and a coupling sleeve that can be pushed over the connector and, when pushed on, is permanently locked to the connector, in particular to the counterpart or a connector handle of the connector. The connector with the at least one coupling sleeve forms a so-called connector assembly.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] In infusion therapy, the use of Luer and Luer-Lock connectors is well known for connecting fluid transfer components, such as infusion lines, extensions, and branches, to each other and to the patient. These connections are typically designed to be detachable. In some cases, however, particularly when handling toxic substances, such as in cancer therapy, it is desirable to be able to prevent connections once closed, for example, to avoid contamination. Such permanent connections must therefore be compatible with Luer connectors to establish the connection, but must not be able to be removed (without causing damage) once connected.

[0007] In other words, conventional spinlock connections used in infusion therapy can be opened again during treatment by unscrewing a nut. This can happen intentionally or unintentionally. Furthermore, conventional spinlock connections do not have a self-locking feature. Even axial loading can cause the nut and thus the connection to loosen. The substances used during treatment (including cytostatics) can leak out and pose a danger to medical personnel and the patient.

[0008] State of the art

[0009] Permanent connections for infusion sets are known from the prior art. For example, EP 3 530 312 A1 discloses a permanent connector for intravenous infusion lines. The connector comprises a connecting piece and a coupling sleeve, each of which has matching locking means that connect the connecting piece and the coupling sleeve to each other and axially secure them. This prevents relative movement between the coupling sleeve and the connecting piece in the axial direction.

[0010] EP 3 081 253 A1 discloses a connector with a connector body and a lock nut / union sleeve. The connector body has a male Luer connection for connecting the connector to a corresponding counterpart. The connector body is also designed to be screwed to the lock nut in order to clamp a hose section plugged onto an end section of the connector body. Furthermore, interlocking anti-rotation means are provided on the connector body and the lock nut, which prevent relative movement between the lock nut and the connector body in the circumferential direction when the hose is clamped. This ensures a non-destructively detachable connection.

[0011] Furthermore, EP 1 917 996 B1 also shows a non-reconnectable or detachable positive Luer-Lock connector for connection to all standard-compliant negative Luer-Lock connections. The connector has a toothing which engages with a counter-toothing of a rotatably mounted union sleeve when the union sleeve is placed over the connector. The toothing and the counter-toothing are designed such that they engage with one another in a first direction of rotation to lock the Luer-Lock connection of the union sleeve and slide freely against one another in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation. For this purpose, locking means for permanently locking the union sleeve to the connector are designed on the connector and / or the union sleeve.

[0012] Furthermore, DE 202004 015 957 U1 discloses a sleeve with which a coupling, e.g., a Luer-Lock coupling, can be fixed and sealed between two connecting parts. For this purpose, the sleeve has molded parts that cover and stabilize the connecting parts after they have been connected.

[0013] The coupling sleeves known from the prior art disadvantageously feature specific locking devices that correspond to the corresponding locking devices of the connectors or connecting pieces. This means that the coupling sleeves are complexly constructed and not suitable for different connectors.

[0014] Summary of the invention

[0015] The objects and aims of the invention are to eliminate or at least mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, to provide a simple and cost-effectively manufactured and universally applicable cap sleeve for a connector which prevents or makes it difficult to loosen a connection between two fluid transmission components.

[0016] The objects and aims are achieved according to the invention with regard to a generic connector arrangement by the subject matter of claim 1. The invention is therefore based on the discovery of using geometries of the connector components to secure the connection of at least one fluid transmission component to the connector.

[0017] The connector is accordingly configured / adapted according to the invention such that a locking means of the union sleeve, in the pushed-on state, engages with a front surface of the counterpart or the connector handle facing away from the connecting piece (axial end). Thus, access to the connector in the connected state can be prevented or impeded by the union sleeve without the need for special / specific locking means, for example in the form of recesses that compromise the structural integrity of the connector. Since no specific locking means are required for the counterpart and / or other connector components, but rather integral components of the connector components, in particular the front surface of the counterpart or the connector handle facing away from the connecting piece itself serves as the locking geometry for the locking means, the union sleeve can be used for a variety of connectors.

[0018] Advantageous embodiments are claimed in the subclaims and are explained below.

[0019] In a preferred variant, the connector can comprise a sleeve part with an internal thread and a conical part received in the sleeve part and connected to a hose section of the first fluid transmission component. Alternatively, the connector can also be formed in one piece, i.e., the sleeve part and the conical part are designed as an integral / one-piece component.

[0020] According to an advantageous development, the coupling sleeve can have, on an end portion facing the counterpart, partially circumferential projections in the axial direction / extension direction of the coupling sleeve, which, in the pushed-on state, engage with the connector, in particular with the connector handle. It is also conceivable for the connector handle to have a circular-cylindrical main body, at least one first connection portion branching off from the main body and fluidly connected to the counterpart, and two handle portions protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the main body, between which the partially circumferential projections of the coupling sleeve are held in the pushed-on state of the coupling sleeve.

[0021] Furthermore, it may be expedient for the connector handle to have a further second connection section branching off from the main body and connectable to the second fluid transmission component. According to the invention, it may be advantageous for a central axis of the first connection section to be parallel to a central axis of the second connection section. Preferably, the main body has a third connection section that can be coupled to a further fluid transmission component and is aligned along a central main channel of the main body or the connector handle.

[0022] Preferably, there is a second group with the three connection sections described above along the continuous central main channel of the main body. More specifically, the second group has a first connection section of approximately identical construction with a coupling sleeve of approximately identical construction, a second connection section of approximately identical construction, and a third connection section aligned along the continuous central main channel.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the locking means of the at least one cap sleeve can be pre-tensioned by the connector, in particular the counterpart or a projection formed on the connector handle, when the cap sleeve is pushed onto the connector.

[0024] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the coupling sleeve can have at least one elastic locking hook / tab protruding axially and radially inward from an inner circumferential surface of the coupling sleeve as a locking means. It is particularly advantageous if the coupling sleeve has three locking hooks / tabs evenly distributed over the circumference.

[0025] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the cap sleeve can have at least one grip element on its outer peripheral surface, which can be grasped by a user when sliding on the cap sleeve.

[0026] In other words, the invention relates to a non-removable connector for a variety of connector types, which can be slid over the connector connection and, if rusted, prevents the connection from coming loose. This is achieved by snap hooks or elastic locking means on the circumference of the inner surface of the cover, which, if rusted, rust into an undercut on the valve housing or distributor of the connector (Cytosets), thus securing the cap sleeve against axial displacement on the connector. This prevents unplanned release of the Spinlock connection during treatment, ensuring greater safety for medical personnel and the patient.To prevent rotation, the overshoe can have partial circumferential projections in the axial direction at one end, which interact with a handle of the connector when the overshoe is locked and largely prevent rotation of the overshoe around the connector.

[0027] Short description of the characters

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below using preferred embodiments with the aid of figures. They show:

[0029] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector arrangement according to the disclosure;

[0030] Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of the connector arrangement according to a first embodiment;

[0031] Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment; and

[0032] Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view of the connector arrangement according to a second embodiment.

[0033] The figures are schematic in nature and serve only to facilitate understanding of the invention. Like elements are designated by the same reference numerals. The features of the various embodiments or modifications may be interchanged.

[0034] Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a connector arrangement with a connector 1 for establishing a fluid connection between at least two fluid transmission components. Up to six fluid transmission components can be connected. The fluid transmission components can be, for example, an ampoule, a syringe, or a hose or hose section. A continuous central main channel 39 runs along a main section 21 of the connector 1, which is oriented vertically in Fig. 1 and in practice. A so-called third connection section 19c is arranged at each of its two end sections. Respective end sections of a main hose (not shown) are attached to this.

[0036] Two first connections with inner so-called first connection sections (not visible in Fig. 1) and with a respective rusted union sleeve 27 are arranged laterally on the main section 21 or on the main channel 39. Furthermore, two second connections with inner so-called second connection sections (also not visible in Fig. 1) are arranged laterally on the main section 21, which do not have union sleeves.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 2, a hose section (not shown) is received in a conical part 4 of a connecting piece 5 of the connector 1. The conical part 4 is essentially designed as a conical cylinder. This means that a fluid opening 6 extends in the axial direction through the conical part 4, wherein an outer diameter and an inner diameter of the conical part 4 decrease from a side facing the hose section to a side facing away from the hose section. At the end section facing the hose section, the conical part 4 has an insertion section 7 with an inner diameter that is larger than the fluid opening 6. In other words, the insertion section 7 is offset from the fluid opening 6 by a step in the radial direction outwards. When the hose section is now pushed into the insertion section 7, this step serves as an axial stop.To secure the hose section in the insertion section 7, the inner diameter of the insertion section 7 in the preferred embodiment is smaller than an outer diameter of the hose section, so that the hose section is held in the insertion section 7. Alternatively or additionally, the insertion section 7 can also have a circumferential nose or a protruding section which clamps the hose section and thus holds it in the insertion section 7. Furthermore, the hose section can additionally or alternatively be glued into the insertion section 7, ie the hose section and the insertion section 7 can be connected via an adhesive bond, in particular with a solvent adhesive.

[0038] A first locking section 8 and a second locking section 9 are formed on an outer circumferential surface of a central section of the conical part 4. The first locking section 8 is in the form of a circumferential ramp with a ramp surface 8a facing the hose section and a locking surface 8b oriented substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the conical part 4. The second locking section 9 also has the form of a circumferential ramp, with its extensions in both the axial and radial directions being greater than those of the first locking section 8. This means that a ramp surface 9a and a locking surface 9b of the second locking section 9 are greater than the ramp surface 8a and the locking surface 8b of the first locking section 8. In other words, the cross-sectional area defined by the second locking section 9 is greater than the cross-sectional area defined by the first locking section 8.Furthermore, a step 9c is formed on a ramp surface 9a of the second locking section 9.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 2, a step 11 formed on an inner circumferential surface of a sleeve part 10 of the connecting piece 5 is supported on this step 9c. The sleeve part 10 is essentially in the shape of a sleeve with a connecting section 12 facing the hose section and a threaded section 13 facing away from the hose section. The connecting section 12 is conically tapered, i.e., with an outer diameter that decreases in the axial direction toward the hose section. The threaded section 13 has an internal thread 14, in particular a Luer thread, to which a counterpart 15, described in more detail below, is screwed.

[0040] As can be seen in Fig. 2, an end section of the connecting section 12 is formed with a smaller inner diameter than a maximum outer diameter of the first locking section 8. If the sleeve part 10 is now moved in the axial direction relative to the cone part 4 or is pushed over the cone part 4, the end section of the connecting section 12 locks with the first locking section 8 and the step 11 of the connecting section 12 rests against the step 9c of the cone part 4, ie the cone part 4, in particular the connecting section 12, is held between the first locking section 8 and the second locking section 9. The cone part 4 and the sleeve part 10 thus form the connecting piece 5.

[0041] As mentioned above, the threaded section 13 of the connecting piece 5 is screwed to the counterpart 15. For this purpose, the counterpart 15 has an external thread

[0042] 16, which is screwed to the internal thread 14. An inner circumferential surface

[0043] 17 of the counterpart 15 is conical, so that when the counterpart 15 is screwed to the connecting piece 5, the conical part 4 rests fluid-tight against the inner circumferential surface 17 in order to establish a fluid connection between the connecting piece 5 and the counterpart 15.

[0044] At an end section facing away from the connecting piece 5, the counterpart 15 further has a receiving opening 18 in which a first connecting section 19a of a connector handle 20 is received. The connector handle 20 has, as can be seen in Fig. 2, a cylindrical main body 21 and the two connecting sections 19a, 19b branching off from its main channel 39. This means that fluid from the hose section as the first fluid transmission component flows through the fluid opening 6 of the conical part 4 of the connecting piece 5 into the counterpart 15 and from there via the first connecting section 19a into the central main channel 39 of the cylindrical main body 21. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the second connecting section 19b is designed essentially identically to the first connecting section 19a. This means that the second connecting section 19b has a counterpart which can be screwed to another connecting piece.

[0045] To prevent backflow, a check valve 37 is arranged in each of the connection sections 19a, 19b.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment of the connector 1 shown in half in Fig. 2, the connecting sections 19a, 19b are arranged on the main body 21 such that they branch off substantially perpendicularly therefrom. This means that a central axis of the connecting section 19a and a central axis of the connecting section 19b are substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the main body 21. In other words, the central axis of the connecting section 19a is parallel to the central axis of the connecting section 19b, so that the connecting sections 19a, 19b open perpendicularly into the main channel 39 of the main body 21 at diametrically opposite locations on the main channel 39 of the main body 21 that are offset in an axial direction of the main body 21.

[0047] The components, features and details explained with reference to Fig. 2 are all duplicated in order to form the connector arrangement of Fig. 1 with the connector 1 and with the two cap sleeves 27 rusted according to the invention, described further below.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 1, the connector handle 20 has two handle sections 22 that extend in the axial direction of the main body 21 and protrude from the main body 21 at two diametrically opposite locations. In particular, the handle sections 22 each have a handle web 23 and a handle plate 24. The handle webs 23 of the two handle sections 22 are arranged, as shown in Fig. 1, in a plan view of the connector handle 20 in the circumferential direction between the connection sections 19a, 19b. In other words, the handle webs 23 are each offset by approximately 90° with respect to the connection sections 19a, 19b in the circumferential direction of the main body 21. The handle plates 24 are connected vertically to the handle webs 23, so that the handle sections 22 essentially represent a T-profile in the plan view of the connector handle 20.

[0049] On a grip surface 25 of the grip plates 24 facing away from the main body 21, a plurality of ribs 26 are formed, which extend almost over the entire width of the grip surface 25 and enable improved haptics and handling of the connector 1.

[0050] According to the preferred embodiment, the connector 1 further comprises two union sleeves / covers 27. The union sleeves 27 are pushed over the connector 1, i.e. the respective connecting piece 5 and the respective counterpart 15, in order to make access to the connector 1 in the connected / screwed state more difficult or even impossible. In other words, the union sleeves 27 serve as a safeguard against unintentional or accidental opening of the connector 1. The union sleeves 27 have a first sleeve section 28 with a large diameter and a second sleeve section 29 with a small diameter. The first sleeve section 28 and the second sleeve section 29 are connected to one another via a conical section 30. In the conical section 30, a plurality of through openings 31, for example two or four, are formed evenly over the circumference.

[0051] Furthermore, the coupling sleeves 27 have, on an inner circumferential surface of the first sleeve section 28, a plurality of elastic locking hooks 32, for example two or four, evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. These are formed on a side of the first sleeve section 28 facing away from the second sleeve section 29, on the inner circumferential surface and protrude inwardly from this into the coupling sleeve 27, i.e., in the direction of the central axis of the coupling sleeve 27 and in the direction toward the second sleeve section 29. The number of the aforementioned through-openings 31 is determined by the number of locking hooks 32 and is preferably equal to the number of locking hooks 32.

[0052] If, as shown in Fig. 3, one of the union sleeves 27 is pushed over the connector 1 in the connected state, the locking hooks 32 slide over the connecting piece 5, are pressed / pre-tensioned radially outwards by the counterpart 15 and slide along an outer circumferential surface of the counterpart 15. When the union sleeve 27 has been completely pushed over the connector 1, the locking hooks 32 snap radially inwards and thus lock with an end face of the counterpart 15 facing away from the connecting piece 5. A non-destructive removal of the union sleeve 27 from the connector 1 is therefore no longer possible. In other words, the locking hooks 32 of the union sleeve 27 rust onto the end face of the counterpart 15, which permanently prevents access to the connector 1 without having to provide specific locking means on the connector 1.

[0053] As can be seen in Fig. 2, the union sleeve 27 further has a plurality of rails / ribs 33 on the inner circumferential surface of the first sleeve section 28, four in the exemplary embodiment shown, which are formed evenly over the circumference and in the circumferential direction between the locking hooks 32. In the connected state of the connector 1 and with the union sleeve 27 completely pushed on, the ribs 33 are in contact with the connecting piece 5, in particular with a support collar 34 formed on an outer circumferential surface of the connecting piece 5, so that a relative movement between the connecting piece 5 and the union sleeve 27 in the radial direction can be reduced.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 1, the union sleeve 27 has two diametrically opposed, partially circumferential projections 35 on a side facing away from the second sleeve section 29. In other words, the two projections 35 are formed on an end face of the union sleeve 27 facing away from the second sleeve section 29 and protrude in the axial direction from this end face. As shown in Fig. 1, when the union sleeve 27 is pushed on, the projections 35 engage in the cavity formed between the grip plates 24. In other words, when the union sleeve 27 is pushed on, the projections 35 are held between the grip plates 24 in the circumferential direction of the union sleeve 27, so that the union sleeve 27 can no longer be rotated relative to the connecting piece 5 in the pushed-on state.In other words, the projections 35, which engage with the connector handle 20, in particular the handle plates 24 of the handle sections 22, serve as an anti-twist device for the cap sleeve 27.

[0055] Furthermore, gripping elements 36 in the form of ribs protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the cap sleeve 27 are formed on an outer peripheral surface. These gripping elements 36 can also be formed differently, for example, in the form of wings protruding from the outer peripheral surface.

[0056] Fig. 4 shows a section of the connector assembly according to a second exemplary embodiment. Connector 1 according to the second exemplary embodiment is essentially identical to connector 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. Therefore, the following description of the second exemplary embodiment will only address the differences between the first and second exemplary embodiments.

[0057] As can be seen in Fig. 4, the union sleeve 27 or the locking hooks 32 of the union sleeve 27 in the connector 1 according to the second embodiment engages with a surface of the connector handle 20 facing away from the connecting piece 5. For this purpose, a circumferential projection 38 in the form of a locking lug is formed on the first connecting section 19a. When the union sleeve 27 is now pushed over the connector 1 in the connected state, the locking hooks 32 initially slide over the connecting piece 5, the counterpart 15 and the projection 38. In the process, the locking hooks 32 are pressed radially outwards by the projection 38 and are accordingly pretensioned. When the union sleeve 27 is pushed further over the connector 1, the locking hooks 32 slide over the projection 38 so that they can snap radially inwards again due to the pretension in order to lock with the projection 38.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiments described above, the conical part 4 and the sleeve part 10 form the connecting piece 5. This means that the connecting piece 5 is designed in multiple parts. Of course, the connecting piece 5 can also be formed from an integral / single-piece component. In other words, the conical part 4 and the sleeve part 10 can form the connecting piece 5 integrally / single-piece.

[0059] List of reference symbols

[0060] I Connector

[0061] 4 Cone part

[0062] 5 connecting piece

[0063] 6 Fluid opening

[0064] 7 Introductory section

[0065] 8 first rest section

[0066] 8a Ramp area

[0067] 8b Rest area

[0068] 9 second rest section

[0069] 9a Ramp area

[0070] 9b Rest area

[0071] 9c level

[0072] 10 sleeve part

[0073] II Level

[0074] 12 connecting section

[0075] 13 Threaded section

[0076] 14 internal threads

[0077] 15 counterpart

[0078] 16 external threads

[0079] 17 Inner peripheral surface

[0080] 18 Receiving opening

[0081] 19 Connection section

[0082] 20 connector handle

[0083] 21 main body

[0084] 22 Handle section

[0085] 23 Handle bar

[0086] 24 handle plate

[0087] 25 grip surface

[0088] 26 rib

[0089] 27 cap sleeve

[0090] 28 first sleeve section

[0091] 29 Second sleeve section Cone section Through opening Snap hook Rail / rib Support collar Partial projection Grip element Check valve Projection Main channel

Claims

Claims 1. A connector arrangement designed to establish a fluid connection between at least one first fluid transmission component and a connector (1) of the connector arrangement, wherein the connector (1) comprises a connecting piece (5) having an internal thread (14), to which a corresponding counterpart (15) of the connector (1) is screwed / can be screwed, wherein the connector arrangement further comprises at least one coupling sleeve (27) which can be pushed over the connector (1) and which, in a pushed-on state, is non-releasably locked to the connector (1), in particular to the counterpart (15) or to a connector handle (20) of the connector (1), characterized in that a locking means (32) of the coupling sleeve (27) in the pushed-on state engages with a surface of the counterpart (15) or the connector handle (20) facing away from the connecting piece (5).

2. Connector arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting piece (5) has a sleeve part (10) with the internal thread (14) and a conical part (4) received in the sleeve part (10) and connectable to a hose section of the first fluid transmission component.

3. Connector arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one cap sleeve (27) has, on an end section facing the counterpart (15), partially circumferential projections (35) in the axial direction, which, in the pushed-on state, engage with the connector handle (20).

4. Connector arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the connector handle (20) has an approximately circular-cylindrical main body (21), at least one first connection section (19a) branching off from the main body (21) and in fluid communication with the counterpart (15), and two handle sections (22) projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the main body (21), between which the partially circumferential projections (35) of the union sleeve (27) are held in the pushed-on state of the union sleeve (27).

5. Connector arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the connector handle (20) has a second connection section (19b) branching off from the main body (21) and which can be coupled to a further fluid transmission component.

6. Connector arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that a central axis of the first connection section (19a) is parallel to a central axis of the second connection section (19b).

7. Connector arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the connector handle (20) has a third connection section (19c) which can be coupled to a further fluid transmission component and which is aligned along a central main channel (39) of the main body (21).

8. Connector arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locking means (32) of the union sleeve (27) is prestressed by the connector (1), in particular the counterpart (15) or a projection (38) formed on the connector handle (20) when the union sleeve (27) is pushed onto the connector (1).

9. Connector arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the union sleeve (27) has, as a locking means, at least one elastic locking hook (32) projecting axially and radially inwards from an inner circumferential surface of the union sleeve (27).

10. Connector arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the coupling sleeve (27) has several, in particular two or four, locking hooks (32) distributed evenly over the circumference.

11. Connector arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cap sleeve (27) has at least one grip element (36) on its outer peripheral surface, which can be grasped by a user when pushing on the cap sleeve (27).

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