Connecting device for medical tubes

Abstract

A connecting device is disclosed that is removably connectable to a mating connector. The connecting device can include a housing and another structure movable relative to the housing, such as an inner body or cuff. In a first configuration, the connecting device resists separation between the connecting device and the mating connector. In a second configuration, the resistance to separation between the mating connector and the connecting device is reduced compared to the first configuration such that the connecting device can allow separation between the connecting device and the mating connector when either the inner body or cuff is moved, biased, and / or flexed. The connecting device is capable of being reconnected to the mating connector after separation between the connecting device and the mating connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 395,277, filed on August 4, 2022, entitled "Coupling Device for Medical Tubing", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to medical fluid connectors, and more particularly to coupling devices for connecting and disconnecting medical tubing.

[0003] Medical connections are widely used in fluid delivery systems such as those associated with intravenous (IV) fluid lines, vascular access, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, enteral nutrition, drug vial access, and other procedures.

[0004] In some instances, medical connections can become unintentionally disconnected or disengaged. For example, the medical tubing of an IV set connected to a catheter can become disconnected if an unintended or unexpected force is applied to the catheter and that force exceeds the design limits of the catheter's fixation method. Unintended or unexpected forces can be applied to the tubing and / or catheter when a patient moves or turns in bed, or when the tubing or another part of the IV set catches on a part of the bed such as a railing, or when the patient is in a panicked, confused, or mentally unstable state and pulls on the medical tubing either unintentionally or intentionally away from the patient or from a medical device connected to the tubing.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] According to at least some embodiments disclosed herein, an unintended disengagement or disconnection of a medical connection, such as a medical fluid line, can result in harm to a patient or caregiver, such as by depriving the patient of medication, increasing the likelihood of infection to the patient, and exposing the caregiver to harmful medications.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present disclosure is a coupling device for medical tubing, comprising a housing having an inner surface forming a cavity, a first opening to the cavity, and a second opening to the cavity, and an inner body having a fluid passage extending through the inner body and a coupling sleeve, the coupling sleeve being positioned within the cavity of the housing such that the coupling sleeve extends toward the first opening of the housing and the housing and the inner body are movable relative to each other, and at a first position of the inner body, biasing of at least a portion of the coupling sleeve in a radially outward direction is resisted by engagement of the coupling sleeve with the housing, and at a second position of the inner body, the coupling sleeve is moved through the first opening in a direction away from the second opening of the housing such that at least a portion of the coupling sleeve can be biased radially outwardly.

[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure is a connecting device for medical tubing, comprising a housing having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface forming a cavity, the first end having a first opening to the cavity and the second end having a second opening to the cavity; an inner body having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a fluid passage extending through the first and second end portions of the inner body, the first end portion being formed by a wall having an inner surface extending around a longitudinal axis defined by the fluid passage so as to form a recess extending from the first end of the inner body toward the second end portion; an inner body positioned within the cavity of the housing such that the housing and the inner body are movable relative to each other; and a biasing element positioned between the first end of the housing and the inner body. At a first position of the inner body, the first end of the inner body is longitudinally aligned with the first end of the housing such that the biasing of at least a portion of the wall away from the longitudinal axis is resisted by the housing. At a second position of the inner body, the second end of the housing is moved away from the second end portion of the inner body such that the first end of the inner body is longitudinally spaced from the first end of the housing and at least a portion of the wall can be biased away from the longitudinal axis, providing a connecting device.

[0008] The present disclosure also provides a connecting device assembly having a housing with a first end, a second end, and an inner surface forming a cavity, the first end having a first opening to the cavity and the second end having a second opening to the cavity; an inner body having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a fluid passage extending through the first and second end portions of the inner body, the first end portion including a connecting sleeve formed by a wall having an inner surface extending around a longitudinal axis defined by the fluid passage so as to form a recess extending from the first end of the inner body toward the second end portion; the inner body being positioned within the cavity of the housing such that the housing and the inner body are movable relative to each other; a biasing element positioned between the first end of the housing and the inner body; a pipe extending into the cavity through the second opening of the housing, an end portion of the pipe being connected to the fluid passage of the inner body; wherein, in a first position of the inner body, the first end of the inner body is longitudinally aligned with the first end of the housing such that the biasing of at least a portion of the wall away from the longitudinal axis is resisted by the housing; and in a second position of the inner body, the second end of the housing is moved away from the second end portion of the inner body such that the first end of the inner body is longitudinally spaced from the first end of the housing and at least a portion of the wall can be biased away from the longitudinal axis.

[0009] A method for providing a connecting device for medical tubes, the method comprising inserting an inner body into a cavity of a housing such that the housing and the inner body are movable relative to each other and a connecting sleeve defined by a proximal portion of the inner body extends through a first opening at a first end of the housing; inserting a biasing element into the housing such that the biasing element is positioned between the first end of the housing and the inner body; inserting a tube through a second opening at a second end of the housing and connecting the tube to a fluid passage extending through the inner body, wherein at a first position of the inner body, a first end of the inner body is longitudinally aligned with a first end of the housing such that biasing of at least a portion of the connecting sleeve away from a longitudinal axis of the fluid passage of the inner body is resisted by the housing, and at a second position of the inner body, a second end of the housing is moved away from a second end of the inner body such that the first end of the inner body is longitudinally spaced from the first end of the housing and at least a portion of the connecting sleeve can be biased away from the longitudinal axis.

[0010] Accordingly, the present application addresses several operational challenges faced in conventional fluid tube joint connections and provides numerous improvements that enable a user to more easily and accurately connect and disconnect a fluid tube joint.

[0011] Additional features and advantages of the subject technology will be described in the following description, will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practice of the subject technology. The advantages of the subject technology are realized and attained by the description set forth, and by the structures particularly pointed out in the examples of this specification and the appended drawings.

[0012] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the subject technology.

[0013] Various features of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrate, not limit, the present invention. The drawings include the following figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject technology. It should be understood that the subject technology may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the subject technology.

[0016] Furthermore, while this description sets forth specific details of various embodiments, it should be recognized that the description is illustrative only and should in no way be considered limiting. Additionally, while specific embodiments of the present disclosure may be disclosed or shown in the context of an IV set, it is contemplated that such embodiments may be used in other fluid conveyance systems. Moreover, various applications of such embodiments and modifications thereto that may be envisioned by one of ordinary skill in the art are also encompassed by the general concepts described herein.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the present application discloses various features and advantages of a connection device for medical tubing. The connection device for medical tubing can provide efficient and safe maintenance of fluid connections, such as connections used to transfer medical fluids to or from a patient. The connection device can maintain the fluid connection of the medical tubing by resisting disconnection when a tensile force or tension is applied to the connection device, such as when the patient moves or the medical tubing is pulled away from the patient. The connection device can also prevent injury to the patient or caregiver by allowing disconnection of the fluid connection when the tensile force or tension exceeds a threshold. The connection device can also allow the connection device to be reconnected to a fluid transfer device, such as a catheter or a needleless connector, thereby reestablishing the fluid path without the need to replace the connection device, resulting in efficient and safe reconnection of the fluid line. The connection device can also include features to allow for safe and efficient sterilization and cleaning of parts of the device prior to connection and reconnection of parts of the device.

[0018] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a connection device for medical tubing in use, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The connection device 10 is connected to the tubing of an IV set that is being used to direct fluid to patient 1. The IV set can include a drug bag 12, a drip chamber 14, tubing 16, and an IV catheter 18.

[0019] The connection device 10 fluidly connects the tubing 16 to the IV catheter 18. Although the connection device 10 is illustrated as being connected along the fluid path of the IV set between the drug bag 12 and the patient 1, it should be understood that the connection device 10 can be connected within other fluid paths, such as between the patient and an IV pump or between the patient and a dialysis machine. The connection device 10 can also be connected along another portion of the fluid path. For example, the connection device 10 can be connected along the proximal portion of the fluid path, such as being connected between the tubing 16 and the drug bag 12 or another fluid treatment device.

[0020] The connecting device 10 is configured to have a first configuration and a second configuration. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the connecting device 10 may also have a third configuration. In the first configuration, the connecting device 10 can be connected to the mating connector 20 to establish a fluid path between the tubing and the mating connector. The first configuration of an embodiment of the connecting device 100 is shown, for example, in FIG. 2. For clarity and conciseness, the mating connector 20 is schematically illustrated by a dashed line.

[0021] The connecting device 100 includes a housing 110 and an inner body 150 that is at least partially positioned within the inner cavity of the housing 110. The inner body 150 includes a portion that forms a connecting sleeve configured to connect to the mating connector 20. The connecting sleeve may include any structure configured to connect to the mating connector 20, such as a thread, a snap, or an interference fit between the inner body 150 and the mating connector 20.

[0022] When the connecting device 100 is in the first configuration, the inner body 150 is in a first position within the cavity of the housing 110, whereby the connecting sleeve of the inner body 150 resists separation or disconnection of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device 100.

[0023] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the inner body 150 is in the first position, the end of the inner body is substantially aligned with or on the same plane as the end of the housing. In some embodiments, a portion of the connecting sleeve of the inner body 150 or another portion of the inner body 150 may extend through the end of the housing a first distance D21 when the inner body 150 is in the first position.

[0024] When the connecting device 100 is in the first configuration with the inner body 150 in the first position, the connecting device 100 can resist the unintentional separation of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device 100 by resisting the biasing or deflection of the connecting sleeve away from the mating connector 20. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the radially outward biasing of the connecting sleeve is resisted by the housing 110 such that when the mating connector 20 and the connecting device 100 are pulled apart from each other, the sleeve engages a portion of the housing 110, thereby resisting the movement of the mating connector 20 away from the sleeve.

[0025] The connecting device 100 can be moved from the first configuration to the second configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 when the tensile or tension force exceeds the threshold of the connecting device 100. For example, when the patient moves unexpectedly or when the medical tubing is pulled away from the patient, a tensile or tension force FA, FB can be applied to the mating connector 20 or the tubing 16 in a direction away from the connecting device 100. In at least some examples of the present disclosure, the tensile or tension force FA is in the distal direction with respect to the connecting device, and the tensile or tension force FB is in the proximal direction.

[0026] When the tensile or tension force FA, FB exceeds the first threshold of the connecting device 100, either the housing 110 or the inner body 150 can move away from each other such that the inner body 150 moves from the first position to the second position. The movement of the housing 110 and the inner body 150 relative to each other can be along the longitudinal axis of the inner body 150 extending between the mating connector 20 and the end portion of the tubing 16 connected to the connecting device 100.

[0027] In the second position of the inner body 150, at least a portion of the sleeve extends out of the cavity a second distance D31 away from the end of the housing 110. The second distance is greater than the first distance between the end of the sleeve and the end of the housing when the inner body 150 is in the first position.

[0028] When the tensile force or tension FA, FB exceeds the second threshold value of the connecting device 100, the connecting sleeve of the inner body 150 is configured to urge or deflect at least a portion of the sleeve away from the mating connector 20 by the engagement of the mating connector 20 with the sleeve. When the connecting sleeve deflects away from the mating connector 20, the resistance to separation of the connecting device 100 from the mating connector 20 is reduced compared to when the connecting device 100 is in the first configuration, thereby enabling the connecting device 100 to separate from the mating connector 20. In some embodiments, the engagement of the threads of the mating connector 20 with the threads of the inner body 150 when the forces FA, FB exceed the second threshold deflects a portion of the sleeve away from the mating connector 20. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the threads of the connecting device 100 can overcome or pass over the threads of the mating connector 20 when the forces FA, FB exceed the second threshold value of the connecting device 100.

[0029] Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional elevation view of the connecting device 100. The connecting device 100 includes a housing 110, an inner body 150, and an inner body biasing element 180. The inner body 150 is configured to resist and / or enable the separation of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the separation of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device is resisted when the inner body is in the first position and enabled when the inner body is in the second position. The first position of the inner body 150 is shown, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the second position of the inner body 150 is shown, for example, in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0030] The inner body 150 is installed within a cavity formed by the inner surface of the housing 110 and is movable between a first and a second position. The inner body 150 can be positioned within the cavity along the end portion of the housing. The inner body biasing element 180 can also be positioned within the cavity to bias the inner body 150 in the proximal direction to resist the separation of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device 100.

[0031] The housing 110 includes a base end portion 113 that forms a first end 114 and a distal end portion 115 that forms a second end 112. The first end 114 faces the second end 112, and a longitudinal axis A1 is defined between the first and second ends of the housing. The inner surface 116 of the housing forms a cavity 118 that extends between the first end 114 and the second end 112 and is configured to receive the inner body 150 therein.

[0032] The first end 114 of the housing, or a portion of the housing adjacent to the first end 114, forms a first opening of the housing, and the first opening is configured to allow a pipe to be positioned in the cavity through the first opening. The second end 112 of the housing, or a portion of the housing adjacent to the second end 112, forms a second opening of the housing, and the second opening is configured to allow the inner body 150 to be inserted into the cavity through the second opening.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the inner surface 116 of the housing forms a ridge 117 that extends between the first end 114 and the second end 112 of the housing. In some aspects of the present disclosure, a portion of the inner body 150 is positioned between the ridge 117 and the second end 112 of the housing, and the inner body 150 is movable longitudinally between the ridge 117 and the second end 112 of the housing.

[0034] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner surface 116 of the housing forms either a groove and / or a ridge, and the inner body 150 forms the other of the groove and / or the ridge, and the groove and / or the ridge of the housing and the inner body may extend in a longitudinal direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A1 of the housing.

[0035] The groove and / or ridge of the housing 110 is configured to fit or engage with the inner body 150 such that, when the housing 110 is rotated about the longitudinal axis A1, a portion of the housing 110 forming the groove and / or ridge can engage with a portion of the inner body 150, thereby rotating the inner body 150 together with the housing 110. By rotatably connecting the housing 110 and the inner body 150, the housing 110 can be rotated to engage the threads of the inner body 150 with the complementary threads of the mating connector 20.

[0036] The inner body 150 has a first end portion 154, a second end portion 152, and a passage 159 extending through the first and second end portions of the inner body. The second end portion 152 of the inner body forms a connecting sleeve 156. The connecting sleeve 156 has an inner surface that extends around the longitudinal axis A2 defined between the first and second end portions of the inner body and that forms a recess extending from the second end portion 152 of the inner body toward its first end portion 154.

[0037] The connecting sleeve 156 may have a discontinuous outer circumference configured to allow the connecting sleeve to flex or bias toward or away from the longitudinal axis A2. A discontinuous surface may be formed by a channel 158 extending through the connecting sleeve 156 in a direction from the second end of the inner body toward the first end portion 154 of the inner body.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, two or more channels 158 extend through the connecting sleeve 156 of the inner body to form a plurality of flexible fingers, each finger being defined between adjacent channels 158. Thus, the inner body 150 may include a first flexible finger and a second flexible finger. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the inner body 150 includes four flexible fingers separated from each other by three channels passing through the connecting sleeve 156.

[0039] The second end portion 152 of the inner body along one or more channels 158 is more flexible compared to another portion of the inner body that is spaced apart from the second end portion 152. In some embodiments, the second end portion 152 of the inner body is more flexible than the first end portion 154 of the inner body.

[0040] The second end portion 152 of the inner body also forms a luer projection 157 that is configured to engage with the mating connector 20 and form a portion of a fluid passage through the connection device 100.

[0041] The luer projection 157 is formed by the second end portion 152 of the inner body and may have an outer surface that forms a male luer shape. The structure and orientation of the luer projection 157 are such that the luer projection extends through a recess defined by a connection sleeve 156 that extends around the perimeter or outer circumference of the luer projection 157.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the inner surface of the connection sleeve 156 is spaced apart from the outer surface of the luer projection 157. The space between the connection sleeve 156 and the luer projection 157 may allow the mating connector 20 to be attached to the connection device 100 with a portion of the mating connector 20 positioned between the connection sleeve 156 and the luer projection 157. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the luer projection 157 is configured to displace a valve of the mating connector 20.

[0043] The inner surface of the luer projection forms a portion of a valve passage 159 through the inner body 150 and along its second end portion 152. The valve passage 159 may allow fluid to pass through the connection device 100 when connected to the mating connector 20 at either the first or second position of the inner body 150.

[0044] The inner body biasing element 180 is positioned within the cavity of the housing 110 to direct or bias the inner body 150 towards the first position. To bias the inner body 150 towards the first position, or towards the first end 114 of the housing, the biasing element 180 can be positioned between the inner body 150 and the second end 112 of the housing.

[0045] The inner body biasing element 180 can be any of a spring, an elastic bellows, or any similar structure configured to move the inner body 150. The first end of the inner body biasing element 180 can engage with the inner body 150, and the second end of the inner body biasing element 180 can engage with a part of the housing 110 at its second end 112.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a portion of the inner body 150 forms a flange 181 configured to engage with the inner body biasing element 180. The flange 181 is positioned along the second end portion 152 of the inner body and extends radially outward in a direction away from the longitudinal axis A2 of the inner body. The flange 181 can extend around the periphery of the inner body 150, or can be formed by a series of discontinuous flanges 181 spaced apart from each other around the periphery of the inner body 150.

[0047] When the inner body 150 is positioned within the cavity of the housing 110, the first end of the inner body biasing element 180 can engage with the flange 181, and the second end of the inner body biasing element 180 can engage with the housing 110. The biasing element 180 acts a force on the flange 181 of the inner body, thereby biasing the inner body 150 in the proximal direction towards the first end 114 of the housing.

[0048] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the raised portion 117 of the housing is configured to resist the movement of the inner body 150 towards the first end 114 of the housing. When the inner body 150 is in the first position, the flange 181 of the inner body can engage with the raised portion 117 of the housing flange 120, and when the inner body 150 is in the second position, the flange 181 of the inner body is separated from the raised portion 117 of the housing.

[0049] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cap 190 is connected to the second end 112 of the housing to hold the inner body biasing element 180 and the inner body 150 within the cavity of the housing. In such embodiments, the second end of the inner body biasing element 180 can engage with the cap 190.

[0050] The cap 190 includes a passage that defines at least a portion of a second opening through the second end 112 of the housing. The passage through the cap 190 can have a cross-sectional width smaller than the cross-sectional width formed by the cavity of the housing such that the cap 190 resists the movement of the inner body biasing element 180 out of the cavity and allows the inner body to move out of the cavity through the passage of the cap 190.

[0051] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the cap 190 can be integrally formed with the housing 110 to form a raised portion or flange of the housing that extends radially inwards towards the longitudinal axis A1 of the housing.

[0052] To allow or resist the flow of fluid through the luer protrusion, the connecting device 100 can include a valve 170. The valve 170 is positioned within the cavity of the housing 110 and is movable between the first end 114 and the second end 112 of the housing. The valve 170 can also be configured to move relative to the housing 110 and the inner body 150 such that the valve 170 is movable when the inner body 150 is in either the first or second position.

[0053] The valve 170 is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the valve 170 may resist the movement of fluid through the connecting device 100. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the closed position, the valve 170 blocks the valve passage 159 and resists the movement of fluid therethrough. In the open position, the valve 170 is moved relative to the inner body 150 to allow fluid to flow through the inner body 150 and the valve 170. The closed and open positions of the valve 170 are shown, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively.

[0054] The valve 170 includes a base end portion 171 and a distal end portion 172, and the distal end portion forms a post 174 and an arm 176. The inner surface of the valve 170 defines a fluid channel 178 that extends through the base and distal end portions of the valve 170. In some aspects of the present disclosure, a portion of the fluid channel is formed by an opening 182 that extends radially between the inner and outer surfaces of the post 174.

[0055] The arm 176 of the valve is configured to engage the mating connector 20 such that when the mating connector 20 is connected to the connecting device 100, the valve 170 moves in a direction from the closed position towards the open position.

[0056] The arm 176 extends along the post 174 in a direction away from the base end portion 171 of the valve. The arm 176 may include a first section 184 that extends radially outwardly in a direction away from the outer surface of the post, and a second section 186 that extends along the post from the first section and in a direction away from the base end portion 171 of the valve.

[0057] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first section 184 extends radially outwardly along a portion of the valve 170 between the base and distal end portions 171, 172. The first section 184 has a length greater than the thickness of the arm 176 such that the inner surface of the arm 176 is spaced from the outer surface of the post 174.

[0058] The valve 170 is positioned in the cavity of the housing 110 with the post 174 extending in the valve passage 159 of the lure projection, and the positioned arm extends between the outer surface of the lure projection and the inner surface of the connecting sleeve. The base end portion 171 of the valve extends through the passage 159 formed through the first end portion 154 of the inner body.

[0059] The outer surface of the post 174 defines a cross-sectional width that is smaller than the cross-sectional width defined by the inner surface of the lure projection 157 such that a gap is formed therebetween. The gap may allow fluid to pass through the opening 182 between the outer surface of the post 174 and the inner surface of the lure projection 157.

[0060] In some embodiments, the post 174 comprises a protrusion 188 that extends radially outwardly to engage the inner surface of the lure projection 157. The protrusion 188 may be configured to engage the lure projection and resist movement of the post within the valve passage 159 in a direction that is non-linear or transverse to the longitudinal axis A2. In some aspects, the protrusion 188 can resist non-linear or transverse movement of the post 174 when the valve is moved between the open and closed positions.

[0061] In the closed position of the valve 170, the post 174 blocks or traverses the opening through the lure projection 157 and resists the flow of fluid therethrough. When the valve 170 is moved to the open position, the post 174 is spaced apart from the opening of the lure projection 157 compared to when the valve 170 is in the closed position, allowing fluid to move through the valve passage 159 of the lure projection and through the valve 170.

[0062] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the arm 176 includes a cylindrical extension 192 that extends from the arm 176 in a direction away from the first end 114 of the housing. The cylindrical extension 192 can be configured to direct a force to the arm 176 such that when the connecting device 100 is connected to a mating connector, the valve 170 moves relative to the inner body 150. The cylindrical extension 192 can also be configured to engage with the luer protrusion of the inner body to form a seal between the cylindrical extension 192 and the luer protrusion 157. The seal formed between the cylindrical extension 192 and the luer protrusion 157 can resist the movement of unintended substances, such as fluids and / or solids, into or out of the cavity of the housing 110.

[0063] The cylindrical extension 192 can extend from the second section 186 of the arm to a terminal end 193 that is positioned proximal to the distal end of the luer protrusion 157. The cylindrical extension 192 and the arm 176 can define a length between the first section 184 and the terminal end 193 of the cylindrical extension.

[0064] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the lengths of the cylindrical extension 192 and the arm 176 are configured such that, as shown in the detailed view of FIG. 6, the terminal end 193 of the cylindrical extension is proximal to the distal end of the luer protrusion 157 and the outermost end portion of the luer protrusion 157 extends beyond the terminal end 193 of the cylindrical extension. In such embodiments, the terminal end 193 of the cylindrical extension is spaced from the plane P1 defined by the distal end of the luer protrusion 157.

[0065] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the lengths of the cylindrical extension 192 and the arm 176 are configured such that, as shown in the detailed view of FIG. 7, the terminal end 193 of the cylindrical extension is in the same plane as, or aligned with, the plane P1 defined by the distal end of the luer protrusion 157.

[0066] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the seal between the arm 176 and the lure projection 157 is formed by a valve seal 196. The valve seal 196 is connected to either the arm 176 or the cylindrical extension 192 and is configured to engage the outer surface of the lure projection 157. The valve seal 196 engages the outer surface of the lure projection 157 to maintain the seal when the valve 170 is moved between the closed and open positions.

[0067] The valve seal 196 is connected to the end portion 193 of the cylindrical extension and extends radially inwardly in a direction toward the outer surface of the lure projection 157. The present disclosure contemplates that the valve seal 196 can be connected to a portion of the arm 176 and / or the cylindrical extension 192 that is proximal to or spaced from the end portion 193 of the cylindrical extension.

[0068] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the valve seal 196 can include a proximal layer 197 and a distal layer 198, each of the proximal and distal layers 197, 198 extending in a direction away from the cylindrical extension 192. Each of the proximal and distal layers 197, 198 has a length extending in a direction from the cylindrical extension 192 to the end of each respective layer. In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the length L61 of the proximal layer 197 is substantially equal to the length L62 of the distal layer 198. In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the length L61 of the proximal layer 197 is less than the length L63 of the distal layer 198.

[0069] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the inner body seal 155 forms a seal between the inner body 150 and the valve 170 so that unintended substances such as fluids and / or solids are resisted from moving into or out of the cavity of the housing 110.

[0070] To maintain the seal between the inner body 150 and the valve 170, the inner body seal portion 155 is configured to move relative to either the inner body 150 or the valve 170. The inner body seal 155 is connected to the inner surface of the connecting sleeve 156 and is configured to engage either the arm 176 or the cylindrical extension 192 to form a seal when the valve 170 moves between the open and closed positions.

[0071] The inner body seal portion 155 can be connected to the inner body 150, but it should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that the inner body seal portion 155 can be connected to the valve 170 in some embodiments.

[0072] The proximal end portion 171 of the valve is fluidly connected to the tubing 16 to allow fluid flow through the fluid channel 178 and the tubing 16. The tubing 16 extends through the first end 114 of the housing and is connected to the proximal end portion 171 of the valve. In some embodiments, a different length of tubing or bellows is positioned between the proximal end portion 171 of the valve and the first end 114 of the housing, and the tubing 16 can be connected to the first end 114 of the housing.

[0073] The connecting device 100 and the mating connector 20 are shown together in FIGS. 8-10, with the connecting device 100 in a second configuration in FIGS. 8 and 9 and in a first configuration in FIG. 10.

[0074] The connecting device 100 is moved to the second configuration after a tensile force or tension FA, FB exceeds a first threshold of the connecting device 100. When the mating connector 20 is connected to the connecting device 100 and a tensile force or tension exceeds the threshold of the connecting device 100, the mating connector 20 moves with the inner body 150 relative to the housing 110. When the connecting device 100 is moved to the second configuration, the inner body 150 is moved away from the first end 114 of the housing, and the inner body biasing element 180 is compressed between the inner body 150 and the housing 110 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0075] In the second configuration, the mating connector 20 can still be connected to the inner body 150 such that the valve 170 remains in the open position and fluid can flow between the mating connector 20 and the coupling device 100. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the valve biasing element 175 is compressed between the valve 170 and a portion of the inner body 150 when the valve is in the open position.

[0076] When the tensile or tension forces FA, FB exceed a second threshold of the coupling device 100, the engagement of the mating connector 20 with the coupling sleeve 156 of the inner body biases or deflects at least a portion of the coupling sleeve 156 in a direction FC away from the longitudinal axis A2. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the second threshold is exceeded, the threads of the mating connector 20 can ride over or pass through the threads of the coupling device 100, thereby reducing the resistance to separation of the coupling device 100 from the mating connector 20.

[0077] When the mating connector 20 separates from the coupling device 100, the valve 170 can move from the open position (Figure 8) to the closed position such that the valve passage 159 is blocked and fluid flow therethrough is resisted, as shown in Figure 9. In some embodiments, the valve biasing element 175 extends to act on the valve 170 to move the valve from the open position toward the closed position.

[0078] After the tensile or tension forces FA, FB are reduced below the first threshold, the inner body 150 can move from the second position to the first position such that the coupling device 100 is in the first configuration as shown in Figure 10. The inner body 150 can move to the first position such that the coupling device 100 is in the first configuration when the tensile or tension forces FA, FB are reduced, or when the mating connector 20 is separated from the coupling device 100, such that the tensile or tension forces FA, FB no longer exist.

[0079] The inner body biasing element 180 extends to apply a force to the inner body 150 such that the inner body moves from the second position to the first position. The inner body biasing element 180 is positioned between the second end portion 112 of the housing and the flange 181 of the inner body 150 and extends along the second end portion 152 of the inner body. However, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the inner body biasing element 180 may be positioned along another portion of the inner body 150.

[0080] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the inner body biasing element 180 is positioned along the first end portion 154 of the inner body. An example of the inner body biasing element 180 positioned along the first end portion 154 of the inner body is shown in the connecting device 200 of FIGS. 11 to 19. The connecting device 200 can include features that are the same as or similar to those of the connecting device 100, and thus, for the sake of clarity and brevity, detailed descriptions of the same or similar features will not be repeated.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, the connecting device 200 includes a housing 210 having an outer surface 211 that defines a cross-sectional width W121 of the housing 210, and the cross-sectional width W121 of the housing 210 is smaller than the cross-sectional width W41 of the housing 110 of the connecting device 100.

[0082] FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional elevation view of the connecting device 200. The connecting device 200 includes a housing 210, an inner body 250, and an inner body biasing element 280. The inner body 250 is configured to resist and / or enable the separation of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the separation of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device is resisted when the inner body is in the first position, and the separation of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device is enabled when the inner body is in the second position. The first position of the inner body 150 is shown, for example, in FIGS. 13 and 16, and the second position of the inner body 150 is shown, for example, in FIGS. 14 and 17.

[0083] The inner body 250 is movable between a first position and a second position by positioning the inner body 250 within a cavity formed by the inner surface of the housing 210. The inner body 250 can be positioned within the cavity along the end portion of the housing. The inner body biasing element 280 is positioned within the cavity to bias the inner body 250 in the proximal direction to resist separation of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device 200.

[0084] The housing 210 has a base end portion 213 forming a first end 214 and a distal end portion 215 forming a second end 212. The first end 214 faces the second end 212, and a longitudinal axis A3 is defined between the first and second ends. The inner surface 216 of the housing forms a cavity 218 extending between the first end 214 and the second end 212 of the housing and is configured to receive the inner body 250 therein.

[0085] The first end 214 of the housing, or a portion of the housing adjacent to the first end 214, forms a first opening of the housing, and the first opening is configured to allow tubing to be positioned within the cavity through the first opening. The second end 212 of the housing, or a portion of the housing adjacent to the second end 212, forms a second opening of the housing, and the second opening is configured to allow the inner body 250 to be inserted into the cavity through the second opening.

[0086] The outer surface 211 of the housing defines a cross-sectional width W121 of the housing, and the cross-sectional width W121 does not increase along the distal end portion 215.

[0087] The inner surface 216 of the housing forms a raised portion 217 that extends between the first end 214 and the second end 212 of the housing. The raised portion 217 is configured to have a proximal portion of the inner surface of the housing and a distal portion that extends away from the inner surface 216 of the housing such that the raised portion 217 forms a cantilever beam structure that extends into the cavity 218. The cantilever beam-shaped raised portion 217 has a first end face that faces towards the first end 214 of the housing and a second end face that faces towards the second end 212 of the housing.

[0088] The cantilever beam-shaped raised portion 217 also defines a proximal portion 219 of the cavity 218 and a distal portion 221 of the cavity 218, and the cross-sectional width of the proximal and distal portions of the cavity 218 is greater than the cross-sectional width of the cavity along the raised portion 217.

[0089] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a portion of the inner body 250 is positioned between the raised portion 217 and the second end 212 of the housing, and the inner body 250 is longitudinally movable between the raised portion 217 and the second end 212 of the housing.

[0090] The inner body 250 includes features corresponding to the connection sleeve 156 of the connection device 100, except as disclosed herein.

[0091] The second end portion 252 of the inner body forms a luer projection 257, and the first end portion 254 forms a boss 258. The passage 259 of the inner body extends through the luer projection 257 and the boss 258 so that fluid can flow through the inner body. Between the luer projection 257 and the boss 258, the inner surface of the inner body 250 forms a cavity 223 such that the boss 258 is spaced apart from the luer projection 257.

[0092] Between the second end portion 252 and the first end portion 254, the outer surface of the inner body 150 may have an intermediate portion 253 having a cross-sectional width smaller than the cross-sectional widths along the first and second end portions 252, 254. The intermediate portion 253 enables the inner body 150 to be positioned within a cavity of the housing having a raised portion 217 along which the inner body is positioned so that the inner body is movable relative to the housing 210.

[0093] The inner body 250 is movable between a first position in which the raised portion 217 is proximal to the second end portion 252 and a second position in which the inner body 250 moves in a direction away from the first end 214 of the housing and the raised portion 217 is proximal to the first end portion 254.

[0094] The inner body biasing element 280 is positioned within the cavity 218 of the housing and extends along the intermediate portion 253 of the inner body. The biasing element 280 is configured to direct or bias the inner body 150 in a direction toward the first position.

[0095] To bias the inner body 250 in a direction toward the first position or toward the first end 114 of the housing, the biasing element 280 is positioned between the distal end portion 215 of the housing and the first end portion 254 of the inner body.

[0096] The inner body biasing element 280 can be any of a spring, a resilient bellows, or any similar structure configured to direct the inner body 250. The first end of the inner body biasing element 280 can engage the first end portion 254 of the inner body, and the second end of the inner body biasing element 280 can engage the raised portion 217.

[0097] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the raised portion 217 of the housing is configured to resist the movement of the inner body 250 towards the first end 214 of the housing. When the inner body 250 is in the first position, the second end portion 252 of the inner body can engage with the raised portion 217 of the housing, and when the inner body 250 is in the second position, the second end portion 252 of the inner body is spaced apart from the raised portion 217 of the housing.

[0098] To allow or resist the flow of fluid through the lure projection, the coupling device 200 includes a valve 270. The valve 270 includes features corresponding to the valve 170 of the coupling device 100, except as disclosed herein.

[0099] The valve 270 is positioned in the cavity of the housing 210 and is movable between the first end 214 and the second end 212 of the housing. The valve 270 can also be configured to move relative to the housing 210 and the inner body 250 such that the valve 270 is movable when the inner body 250 is in either the first or second position.

[0100] The valve 270 is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the valve 270 can resist the movement of fluid through the coupling device 200. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the closed position, the valve 270 blocks the passage 259 along the lure projection and resists the movement of fluid therethrough. In the open position, the valve 270 is moved relative to the inner body 250 to allow fluid to flow through the inner body 250 and the valve 270. The closed and open positions of the valve 270 are shown, for example, in FIGS. 12 and 13, respectively.

[0101] The valve 270 includes a base end portion 271 and a distal end portion 272, and the distal end portion forms a post 274 and an arm 276. The inner surface of the valve 270 defines a fluid channel 278 that extends through the base and distal end portions of the valve 270. In some aspects of the present disclosure, a portion of the fluid channel is formed by an opening 282 that extends radially between the inner and outer surfaces of the post 274.

[0102] The arm 276 of the valve extends along the post 274 and includes a first section 284 that extends radially outwardly away from the outer surface of the post, and a second section 286 that extends from the first section in a direction along the post and away from the base end portion 271 of the valve.

[0103] The valve 270 is positioned in the cavity of the housing 210 and has a post 274 that extends into the passage 259 of the luer projection, and the positioned arm extends between the outer surface of the luer projection and the inner surface of the connecting sleeve. The base end portion 271 of the valve extends toward the first end portion 254 of the inner body and terminates at the cavity 223.

[0104] Fluid can flow through the passage 259 and through the cavity 223 of the inner body and the passage 259 during use of the connecting device 200, but the cavity 223 is configured to receive the bellows 224 therein. The bellows 224 can be connected to the boss 258 and have a first end opening that is fluidly connected to the passage 259 of the first end portion 254 of the inner body, and a second end opening that is connected to the luer projection 257 and is fluidly connected to the passage 259 of the second end portion 252 of the inner body.

[0105] The bellows 224 can direct fluid moving between the fluid channel 278 of the valve and the passage 259 of the inner body when the valve 270 is in the closed and open positions. In some embodiments, the bellows 224 has a first length when the valve 270 is in the closed position and a second length when the valve 270 is in the open position, and the second length is smaller than the first length. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the bellows is in an extended configuration when the valve 270 is in the closed position and is compressed when the valve 270 is in the open position.

[0106] Although the bellows is disclosed by the present disclosure, it should be understood that other structures that can form a fluid path between the valve 270 and the passage 259 of the first end portion 254 of the inner body are contemplated. For example, a tube of a stretchable length can extend between the valve 270 and the boss 258, and a portion of the tube between the valve 270 and the boss 258 can be configured to bend or deflect when the valve 270 is in the open position.

[0107] The connecting device 200 and the mating connector 20 are collectively shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, and the connecting device 200 is in the second configuration in FIGS. 14 and 15 and in the first configuration in FIG. 16. FIGS. 17 to 19 are cross-sectional views of the connecting device 200 and the mating connector 20 of FIGS. 14 to 17, respectively.

[0108] The connecting device 200 is moved to the second configuration after the tensile force or tension FA, FB exceeds the first threshold value of the connecting device 200. When the mating connector 20 is connected to the connecting device 200 and the tensile force or tension exceeds the threshold value of the connecting device 200, the mating connector 20 moves together with the inner body 250 relative to the housing 210. When the connecting device 200 is moved to the second configuration, the inner body 250 is moved in a direction away from the first end 214 of the housing, and the inner body biasing element 280 is compressed between the inner body 250 and the housing 210 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 17.

[0109] In the second configuration, the mating connector 20 can still be connected to the inner body 250 such that the valve 270 is still in the open position and fluid can flow between the mating connector 20 and the connecting device 200. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bellows 224 is compressed between the valve 270 and the boss 258 when the valve is in the open position.

[0110] When the tensile force or tension FA, FB exceeds the second threshold value of the connecting device 200, the engagement of the mating connector 20 with the connecting sleeve 256 of the inner body biases or deflects at least a portion of the connecting sleeve 256 in a direction FC away from the longitudinal axis A3. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the second threshold value is exceeded, the thread of the mating connector 20 can climb over or pass through the thread of the connecting device 200, thereby reducing the resistance to separation of the connecting device 200 from the mating connector 20.

[0111] When the mating connector 20 separates from the connecting device 200, the valve 270 can move from the open position to the closed position such that the passage 259 is blocked and the movement of fluid therethrough is resisted, as shown in FIG. 18. In some embodiments, the bellows 224 extends to apply a force to the valve 270 to move the valve from the open position to the closed position.

[0112] After the tensile force or tension FA, FB is reduced below the first threshold value, the inner body 250 can move from the second position to the first position such that the connecting device 200 is in the first configuration as shown in FIG. 19. The inner body 250 can move to the first position such that the connecting device 200 is in the first configuration when the tensile force or tension FA, FB is reduced or when the mating connector 20 is separated from the connecting device 200, resulting in the tensile force or tension FA, FB no longer existing.

[0113] The movement of the inner body 250 from the second position to the first position is caused by the inner body biasing element 280 extending to apply a force to the first end portion 254 of the inner body 250 in a direction toward the first end 214 of the housing.

[0114] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the connecting device 300 may have a movable cuff configured to connect with the mating connector 20. The connecting device 300 is illustrated in FIGS. 20-24 and has a housing 310 and a cuff 350 movable relative to the housing 310.

[0115] The cuff 350 includes a portion that forms a connecting sleeve 356 configured to connect with the mating connector 20. The connecting sleeve may include any structure configured to connect with the mating connector 20, such as a thread, a barb, or an interference fit between the surface of the connecting sleeve 356 and the mating connector 20.

[0116] The connecting device 300 has a first configuration in which the cuff 350 is in a first position relative to the housing 310, whereby the connecting sleeve 356 of the cuff can resist separation or disconnection of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device 300.

[0117] When the cuff 350 is in the first position, the end portion of the cuff is substantially aligned with or in the same plane as the end portion of the housing. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the cuff 350 is in the first position, the connecting sleeve 356 of the cuff is substantially aligned with or in the same plane as the support formed by the housing. In some aspects of the present disclosure, there is a distance D221 between the end portion of the connecting sleeve 356 and the end portion of the support of the housing.

[0118] The connecting device 300 also has a second configuration in which the cuff 350 is moved relative to the housing 310 to a second position. In the second configuration, the connecting sleeve 356 of the cuff may allow separation or disconnection of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device 300.

[0119] To enable separation or disconnection of the mating connector 20 from the connection device 300, the cuff 350 is positioned such that the connection sleeve 356 extends distally relative to the end of the housing. In some aspects of the present disclosure, there is a distance D211 between the distal end of the connection sleeve 356 and the distal end of the strut of the housing 310, and the distance D211 is greater than the distance D221.

[0120] There is a distance D221 between the distal end of the connection sleeve 356 and the distal end of the strut of the housing, but it should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that the distance D221 can be zero such that the distal end of the end of the connection sleeve 356 is in the same plane as the distal end of the strut of the housing.

[0121] When the connection device 300 is in a first configuration with the cuff 350 in a first position, the connection device 300 can resist unintentional separation of the mating connector 20 from the connection device 300 by resisting the biasing or deflection of the connection sleeve 356 away from the mating connector 20. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the radially outward biasing of the connection sleeve is resisted by the housing 310 such that when the mating connector 20 and the connection device 300 are pulled apart from each other, the sleeve engages a portion of the housing 310, thereby resisting movement of the mating connector 20 from the sleeve.

[0122] The connection device 300 can be moved from a first configuration to a second configuration when a tensile or tension force exceeds the threshold of the connection device 300. For example, when the patient moves unexpectedly or when the medical tubing is pulled away from the patient, tensile or tension forces FA, FB can be applied to the mating connector 20 or the tubing 16 in a direction away from the connection device 300. In at least some examples of the present disclosure, the tensile or tension force FA is in the distal direction relative to the connection device, and the tensile or tension force FB is in the proximal direction.

[0123] When the tensile force or tension FA, FB exceeds the first threshold value of the connecting device 300, either the housing 310 or the cuff 350 can move away from each other, and as a result, the cuff 350 moves from the first position to the second position. The movement of the housing 310 and the cuff 350 relative to each other can be along the longitudinal axis A5 of the cuff 350.

[0124] When the tensile force or tension FA, FB exceeds the second threshold value of the connecting device 300, the connecting sleeve of the cuff 350 is configured to bias or deflect at least a portion of the connecting sleeve away from the mating connector 20 by the engagement of the mating connector 20 with respect to the connecting sleeve. When the connecting sleeve deflects away from the mating connector 20, the resistance to the separation of the connecting device 300 from the mating connector 20 is reduced as compared to when the connecting device 300 is in the first configuration, thereby enabling the connecting device 300 to separate from the mating connector 20. In some embodiments, the engagement of the threads of the mating connector 20 with the threads of the cuff 350 when the forces FA, FB exceed the second threshold value deflects a portion of the sleeve away from the mating connector 20. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the threads of the connecting device 300 can override or pass through the threads of the mating connector 20 when the forces FA, FB exceed the second threshold value of the connecting device 300.

[0125] FIG. 21 illustrates a cross-sectional elevation view of the connecting device 300 in the second configuration with the cuff 350 in the second position. The connecting device 300 includes a housing 310, a cuff 350, and a cuff biasing member 380. The cuff 350 is configured to resist and / or enable the separation of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the separation of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device is resisted when the cuff is in the first position and is enabled when the cuff is in the second position. The first position of the cuff 350 is shown, for example, in FIG. 22, and the second position of the inner body 150 is shown, for example, in FIG. 23.

[0126] The housing 310 includes a base end portion 313 that forms a first end 314 and a distal end portion 315 that forms a second end 312. The first end 314 faces the second end 312, and a longitudinal axis A6 is defined between the first and second ends. The inner surface 316 of the housing forms a cavity 318 that extends between the first end 314 and the second end 312 of the housing and is configured to receive a portion of the cuff 350 therein.

[0127] The distal end portion 315 of the housing forms a strut 309 and a luer projection 357. The strut 309 extends axially along and is spaced from the luer projection 357. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of struts can be positioned around the outer circumference of the luer projection 357 such that the distal end of each strut 309 of the plurality of struts is stretchable towards or away from the luer projection 357.

[0128] Each strut 309 of the plurality of struts can be spaced a certain distance from an adjacent strut 309. The space between adjacent struts 309 can allow the distal portion of each strut 309 to be biased with respect to the longitudinal axis A6 of the housing. Additionally, the space between adjacent struts 309 can allow a portion of the cuff 350 to be positioned therein and be movable.

[0129] The space between adjacent struts 309 can be formed by a channel 358 that extends through the housing 310 in a direction from the second end 312 to the first end 314 of the housing.

[0130] The luer projection 357 is positioned radially from the strut 309 and is configured to engage with the mating connector 20 and form a portion of a fluid passage through the connecting device 300.

[0131] The lure protrusion 357 is formed by the end portion 315 of the housing and may have an outer surface that forms a male lure. The structure and orientation of the lure protrusion 357 are such that the lure protrusion extends through a recess defined by struts 309 that extend around the periphery or outer circumference of the lure protrusion 357.

[0132] The struts 309 have an inner surface spaced from the outer surface of the lure protrusion 357, and the space between the struts 309 and the lure protrusion 357 is configured to receive a portion of the mating connector 20 therebetween.

[0133] The inner surface of the lure protrusion 357 forms a portion of a valve passage 359 that passes through the lure protrusion 357. The valve passage 359 may enable fluid to pass through the coupling device 300 when coupled to the mating connector 20.

[0134] To couple with the mating connector 20, the coupling device 300 includes a cuff 350 at its end portion 315. The cuff 350 has a proximal portion 354 and a distal portion 352, with the proximal portion 354 forming a retaining sleeve 308 and the distal portion 352 forming a coupling sleeve 356.

[0135] The retaining sleeve 308 is formed by the proximal portion 354 of the cuff and is configured to extend around the outer surface of the housing 310. When coupled to the housing 310, the retaining sleeve 308 is axially aligned with the end portion 315 of the housing and extends around the struts 309.

[0136] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the retaining sleeve 308 includes retaining tabs 307 configured to engage the housing 310 to resist longitudinal movement of the cuff 350.

[0137] The retaining tab 307 extends from the retaining sleeve 308 towards the first end 314 of the housing when the cuff 350 is connected to the housing. When the cuff 350 is in the first position, the retaining tab 307 engages with a portion of the housing 310 to resist movement of the cuff 350.

[0138] The retaining tab 307 is configured to engage with the housing 310 and resist longitudinal movement of the cuff in a direction away from the proximal end portion 313 of the housing. When the tensile force or tension FA, FB applied to the connecting device 300 exceeds a first threshold value, the retaining tab 307 may disengage from the housing 310, allowing the cuff 350 to move from the first position to the second position in a direction away from the proximal end portion 313 of the housing.

[0139] The retaining tab 307 can disengage from the housing 310 when a portion of the retaining tab 307 flexes or is biased. In some embodiments, the distal end portion of the retaining tab 307 is configured to be biased in a direction away from the housing 310 when the tensile force or tension FA, FB applied to the connecting device 300 exceeds a first threshold value.

[0140] Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer surface of the housing 310 forms a raised portion 317 that is configured to be engaged by the retaining tab 307. The raised portion 317 can be formed by a portion of the outer surface of the housing 310 that is concave or convex, including any of a dimple, a channel, a protrusion, and / or a wall.

[0141] Referring to FIG. 21, in some embodiments, the raised portion 317 is formed between the proximal end portion 313 and the distal end portion 315 of the housing. The raised portion 317 between the proximal and distal end portions 313, 315 of the housing can be formed by the proximal end portion 313 having a cross-sectional width smaller than the cross-sectional width of the distal end portion 315.

[0142] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the retention tab 307 comprises a protrusion 306 configured to engage with the housing 310 to resist longitudinal movement of the cuff 350. The protrusion 306 can extend in a direction towards the housing 310 and can be configured to engage with the raised portion 317 when the cuff is in the first position.

[0143] The retention tab 307 is configured to resist longitudinal movement of the cuff 350, but it should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates embodiments in which the retention tab 307, or another portion of the cuff 350, is also configured to resist rotation of the cuff 350 relative to the housing 310. By resisting rotation of the cuff 350 relative to the housing 310, the cuff 350 can be connected to the mating connector 20, such as by engaging the threads of the connection sleeve 356 with the threads of the mating connector 20.

[0144] The connection sleeve 356 can have a discontinuous surface or perimeter to allow the connection sleeve to flex or bias towards or away from the longitudinal axis A5. The discontinuous surface can be formed by a channel that extends through the outermost end portion of the end portion 352 of the cuff in a direction towards the retention sleeve 308.

[0145] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, two or more channels extend through the connection sleeve 356 to form a plurality of flexible fingers 305, each finger being defined between adjacent channels. In this way, the connection sleeve 356 can include a first flexible finger 305 and a second flexible finger 305. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the connection sleeve 356 includes four flexible fingers 305 separated from each other by three channels passing through the connection sleeve 356.

[0146] The connecting sleeve 356 and the retaining sleeve 308 are integrally joined by a portion of the cuff 350 that forms the bridge 304. The bridge 304 extends from the retaining sleeve 308 towards the connecting sleeve 356 in a direction that is radially inward towards the longitudinal axis A5. Since the bridge 304 extends radially inward, the cross-sectional width defined by the inner surface of the connecting sleeve 356 is smaller than the cross-sectional width defined by the inner surface of the retaining sleeve 308.

[0147] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of bridges 304 extend between the connecting sleeve 356 and the retaining sleeve 308, thereby forming a space or passageway that is configured to receive a strut 309 passing therethrough. The passageway for the strut 309 can be surrounded by the bridge 304, the connecting sleeve 356, and the retaining sleeve 308. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the bridge 304 is aligned with the flexible finger 305 such that the passageway between each bridge 304 is aligned with a channel passing through the connecting sleeve 356.

[0148] To bias the cuff 350 towards the second position, the connecting device 300 can include a cuff biasing member 380 between the housing 310 and the cuff 350. The cuff biasing member 380 is positioned to extend helically around the outer surface of the housing 310. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cuff biasing member 380 extends along the end portion 315 of the housing between the strut 309 and the inner surface of the retaining sleeve 308.

[0149] The cuff biasing member 380 is configured such that at the second position of the cuff 350, the cuff biasing member 380 is in an extended or neutral state, and at the first position of the cuff 350, the cuff biasing member 380 is compressed. The cuff biasing member 380 is maintained in a compressed and positioned state by the engagement of the retaining tab 307 with the housing 310 when the cuff 350 is in the first position.

[0150] To allow or resist the flow of fluid through the lure protrusion, the coupling device 300 may include a valve 370. The valve 370 includes features corresponding to the valve 170 of the coupling device 100, except as disclosed herein.

[0151] The valve 370 is positioned within a cavity of the housing 310 and is movable between a first end 314 and a second end 312 of the housing. The valve 370 can also move relative to the housing 310 and the cuff 350 such that the valve 370 is movable when the cuff 350 is in either the first or second position.

[0152] The coupling device 300 and the mating connector 20 are shown together in FIGS. 22-24. FIG. 22 shows the coupling device 300 in a first configuration, FIG. 23 shows the coupling device 300 in a second configuration, and FIG. 24 shows the coupling device 300 after separation of the mating connector 20 from the coupling device 300 and moved from the second configuration to the first configuration.

[0153] In the first configuration of the coupling device 300, the cuff 350 is in a first position relative to the housing 310, whereby the coupling sleeve 356 extends along the support 309. Engagement of the coupling sleeve 356 with the mating connector 20 resists separation of the mating connector 20 from the coupling device 300 when a tensile or tension force FA, FB is applied to the mating connector 20 and / or the coupling device 300. Additionally, in the first configuration of the coupling device 300, the valve 370 is in an open position such that an unobstructed fluid passageway through the coupling device 300 and the mating connector 20 is formed.

[0154] When the separation of the mating connector 20 from the connection device 300 is resisted by the movement of the radially outward strut 309, the connection device 300 is resisted when it is in the first configuration. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the movement of the strut 309 by being biased or deflected radially outward is resisted by the position of the connection sleeve 356 extending along the strut 309. In particular, the biasing or deflection of the radially outward strut 309 in the direction FC is resisted by the engagement of the strut 309 with the connection sleeve 356.

[0155] The connection device 300 is moved to a second configuration after the tensile or tension forces FA, FB exceed a first threshold of the connection device 300. When the mating connector 20 is connected to the connection device 300 and the tensile or tension force exceeds the threshold of the connection device 300, the mating connector 20 moves with the cuff 350 relative to the housing 310. When the connection device 300 is moved to the second configuration, the cuff 350 is moved away from the first end 314 of the housing, as shown in FIG. 23.

[0156] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the connection device 300 moves from the first configuration to the second configuration, the movement of the cuff 350 and the mating connector 20 away from the first end 314 of the housing enables the valve 370 to move from the open position to the closed position. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the valve 370 remains in the open position when the connection device 300 is in the second configuration.

[0157] When the tensile or tension forces FA, FB exceed a second threshold of the connection device 300, the engagement of the mating connector 20 with the cuff 350 biases or deflects at least a portion of the connection sleeve 356 in the direction FC away from the longitudinal axis A5. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the second threshold is exceeded, the threads of the mating connector 20 can ride over or pass through the threads of the connection device 300, thereby reducing the resistance to the separation of the connection device 300 from the mating connector 20.

[0158] When the mating connector 20 separates from the connecting device 300 as shown in FIG. 24, the valve 370 is in a closed position so that the fluid path through the connecting device 300 is blocked and the movement of fluid therethrough is resisted.

[0159] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the connecting device 300 and the mating connector 20 can be integrally reconnected or coupled after separation so that the fluid path through the connecting device 300 and the mating connector 20 is not blocked.

[0160] FIGS. 25-33 illustrate another embodiment of a connecting device 400 having features of the present disclosure, including a cuff 450 that is movable relative to a housing 410. The connecting device 400 can include features disclosed elsewhere in the present disclosure and shown in one or more embodiments, and as such, features similar to those already described will not be repeated herein for clarity and brevity.

[0161] The connecting device 400 includes a cuff 450 having features similar to the cuff 350 disclosed with reference to the connecting device 300, and the cuff 350 is configured to resist unintentional separation of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device 400 by resisting the biasing or deflection of the connecting sleeve away from the mating connector 20 when the connecting device 400 is in a first configuration. The first configuration of the connecting device 400 is shown, for example, in FIG. 27, where the cuff 450 is in a first position and resists separation of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device 400. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, in a second configuration of the connecting device 400, the cuff is in a second position and allows separation of the mating connector 20 from the connecting device 400.

[0162] The connecting device 400 includes a housing 410 and a cuff 450, and the housing 410 has a proximal end portion 413 forming a first end 414 and a distal end portion 415 forming a second end 412. A longitudinal axis A7 is defined between the first and second ends of the housing.

[0163] The end portion 415 of the housing forms a strut 409 and a luer projection 457 positioned radially inwardly from the strut 409.

[0164] The strut 409 has an inner surface spaced from the outer surface of the luer projection 457, and the space between the strut 409 and the luer projection 457 is configured to receive therein a mating connector 20 and a portion of the cuff 450. In addition, the end portion of each strut 409 is stretchable towards or away from the luer projection 457.

[0165] Each of the struts 409 is spaced from each other by a certain distance. The space between adjacent struts 409 may enable the end portion of each strut 409 to be stretchable relative to an adjacent strut 409. In use, the strut 409 can be bent or biased relative to the longitudinal axis A7 of the housing. In addition, the space between adjacent struts 409 may enable a portion of the cuff 450 to be positioned therein and be movable.

[0166] The inner surface 416 of the housing forms a cavity 418 extending between the first end 414 and the second end 412 of the housing and is configured to receive at least a portion of the cuff 450 therein.

[0167] The outer surface of the housing may include a ridge 417 extending radially outwardly in a direction away from the longitudinal axis A7. The ridge 417 is configured to engage the cuff 450 to resist or limit either longitudinal and rotational movement of the cuff 450. However, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, either the housing 410 or the cuff 450 may have a ridge configured to engage the other of the housing 410 and the cuff 450. In some aspects of the present disclosure, either the housing 410 or the cuff 450 includes a channel or a concave surface, and the channel or the concave surface is configured to receive a ridge therein.

[0168] The cuff 450 is positioned at the distal end portion 415 of the connecting device 400 and includes a proximal end portion 454 and a distal end portion 452. The proximal end portion 454 forms a retaining sleeve 408 configured to connect with the housing 410, and the distal end portion 452 forms a connecting sleeve 456 configured to connect with the mating device 20.

[0169] The cuff 450 is connected to the housing 410 such that the retaining sleeve 408 extends along the outer surface of the housing 410 and the connecting sleeve 456 extends along the inner surface 416 of the housing. The cuff 450 is positioned relative to the housing 410 such that a strut 409 extends between the retaining sleeve 408 and the connecting sleeve 456 and the cuff 450 is movable longitudinally relative to the housing 410.

[0170] To resist or limit movement of the cuff 450 relative to the housing 410, the retaining sleeve 408 includes a retaining tab 407 configured to engage the housing 410. The retaining tab 407 is configured to engage a portion of the housing 410 and resist movement of the cuff 450 from a first position to a second position. However, if a tensile force or tension FA, FB on the connecting device 400 exceeds a first threshold, the retaining tab 407 may disengage from a portion of the housing 410 and allow the cuff 450 to move from the first position to the second position.

[0171] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer surface of the housing 410 forms a recess 446 configured to be engaged by the retaining tab 407 and resist movement of the cuff 450 when the cuff 450 is in the first position. The recess 446 shown in FIGS. 32 and 34 may be formed by a concave portion of the outer surface of the housing, such as a channel, groove, or notch, but it should also be understood that the present disclosure contemplates embodiments in which the outer surface of the housing 410 may have a convex surface forming either a protrusion or a ridge configured to engage the retaining tab 407.

[0172] The release of the engagement of the retaining tab 407 from the housing 410 is effected by a portion of the retaining tab 407 configured to flex or bias. In some embodiments, the end portion of the retaining tab 407 is configured to bias in a direction away from the housing 410 when the tensile or tension forces FA, FB on the connecting device 400 exceed a first threshold value.

[0173] The proximal portion 454 of the cuff may include a window 449 that forms an opening extending through the inner and outer surfaces of the cuff 450. The window 449 may include the retaining tab 407 positioned therein and / or may be configured to receive a portion of the housing 410, such as a ridge 417, therein.

[0174] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the first plurality of windows can be configured to have a retaining tab 407 therein, each of the plurality of second windows can be positioned between adjacent windows of the first plurality of windows, and can be configured to receive a ridge 417 of the housing therein.

[0175] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the end portion of the retaining tab 407 extends in a direction from the end portion 452 towards the proximal portion 454 of the cuff, but it should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates embodiments where the retaining tab 407 can extend from the proximal portion 454 towards the end portion 452 of the cuff or in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A7.

[0176] The ridge 417 extends into the window 449 to resist unintentional longitudinal and rotational movement of the cuff 450. To resist unintentional longitudinal and rotational movement of the cuff 450, the ridge 417 can be configured to be positioned within the end portion of the window when the cuff 450 is in a first position and within the proximal portion of the window when the cuff 450 is in a second position.

[0177] At the distal end portion 452 of the cuff, the connection sleeve 456 has similar characteristics to the cuff connection sleeve 356 of the connection device 300 and includes a discontinuous outer periphery configured to allow the connection sleeve to flex or bias toward or away from the longitudinal axis A7. The discontinuous surface may be formed by one or more channels extending through the outermost end of the distal end portion 452 of the cuff in a direction toward the retaining sleeve 408.

[0178] The cuff 450 is connected to the housing 410 with the retaining sleeve 408 extending along the outer surface of the support 409, the connection sleeve 456 extending along the inner surface of the support 409, and a portion of the valve 470 positioned between the inner surface of the connection sleeve 456 and the outer surface of the luer projection 457.

[0179] The valve 470 has similar characteristics to the valve 170 of the connection device 100 and includes a proximal end portion 471 and a distal end portion 472, with the distal end portion forming a post 474 and an arm 476. The inner surface of the valve 470 defines a fluid channel 478 extending through the proximal and distal end portions of the valve 470. The fluid channel 478 is formed at the distal end portion 472 of the post and extends radially between the inner and outer surfaces of the post 474 through an opening 182.

[0180] The cylindrical extension 492 of the arm is positioned between the inner surface of the connection sleeve 456 and the outer surface of the luer projection 457. To form a seal between the valve 470 and the luer projection 457, the valve seal 496 extends from either the arm 476 or the cylindrical extension 492 and is configured to engage the outer surface of the luer projection 457.

[0181] To form a seal between the cuff 450 and the valve 470, the connection sleeve 456 includes a cuff seal 455 extending between the inner surface of the connection sleeve 456 and the cylindrical extension 492. As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 respectively, when the valve 470 moves between the open and closed positions, the valve seal 496 and the cuff seal 455 can resist the movement of unintended substances such as fluids and / or solids into or out of the cavity of the housing 110.

[0182] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the connection device may include a barrier sleeve 424 extending between the housing 410 and the cuff 450, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30. The barrier sleeve 424 has a first end 425 engaged with a portion of the housing extending radially inwardly toward the valve 470 and a second end 426 engaged with the connection sleeve 456.

[0183] The portion of the housing extending radially inwardly toward the valve 470 may be formed by a flange 481 extending inwardly from the inner surface 416 of the housing. To maintain a seal or barrier, the first and second ends 525, 426 of the barrier sleeve are still engaged with the housing 410 and the cuff 450, respectively, when the cuff 450 is in the first and second positions. Thus, the barrier sleeve 424 has a length between the first and second ends 525, 426 that is greater than the length between the flange 481 and the connection sleeve 456 when the cuff 450 is in the first position.

[0184] When the cuff 450 moves from the first position to the second position, the barrier sleeve 424 can respond to the movement of the cuff 450 by linearly stretching or extending. To linearly stretch or extend, the barrier sleeve 424 may be formed as a bellows.

[0185] The connection device 400 and the mating connector 20 are collectively shown in FIGS. 31 - 33. FIG. 32 shows the connection device 400 in a first configuration, FIG. 32 shows the connection device 400 in a second configuration to which the mating connector 20 is attached, and FIG. 33 shows the connection device 400 after separation of the mating connector 20 from the connection device.

[0186] In a first configuration of the coupling device 400, the cuff 450 is in a first position relative to the housing 410, whereby the coupling sleeve 456 extends along the strut 409. Engagement of the coupling sleeve 456 with the mating connector 20 resists separation of the mating connector 20 from the coupling device 400 when a tensile or tension force FA, FB is applied to the mating connector 20 and / or the coupling device 400. Additionally, in the first configuration of the coupling device 400, the valve 470 is in an open position such that an unblocked fluid passageway is formed through the coupling device 400 and the mating connector 20.

[0187] Separation of the mating connector 20 from the coupling device 400 is resisted when the coupling device 400 is in the first configuration by resisting movement of the radially outward strut 409. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, movement of the strut 409 by radially biasing or flexing is resisted by the position of the coupling sleeve 456 extending along the strut 409. In particular, radially outward biasing or flexing of the strut 409 in the direction FC is resisted by engagement of the strut 409 with the coupling sleeve 456.

[0188] The coupling device 400 is moved to a second configuration after the tensile or tension force FA, FB exceeds a first threshold value of the coupling device 400. When the mating connector 20 is coupled to the coupling device 400 and a tensile or tension force exceeds the threshold value of the coupling device 400, the mating connector 20 moves with the cuff 450 relative to the housing 410. When the coupling device 400 is moved to the second configuration, the cuff 450 is moved away from the first end 414 of the housing as shown in FIG. 32.

[0189] When the tensile force or tension FA, FB exceeds the second threshold value of the connecting device 400, the engagement of the mating connector 20 with the cuff 450 biases or deflects at least a portion of the connecting sleeve 456 in a direction FC away from the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the second threshold value is exceeded, the threads of the mating connector 20 can ride over or pass through the threads of the connecting device 400, thereby reducing the resistance to separation of the connecting device 400 from the mating connector 20.

[0190] When the mating connector 20 separates from the connecting device 400, as shown in FIG. 33, the valve 470 is in a closed position such that the fluid path through the connecting device 400 is blocked and the movement of fluid therethrough is resisted. To re - establish the fluid path, the mating connector 20 and the connecting device 400 can be re - connected together, and by connecting the mating connector 20 to the connecting device 400, the connecting device is again configured in the first configuration.

[0191] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a feature of the connecting device that it can provide efficient and safe maintenance management of fluid connections, such as connections used to transfer medical fluids towards or away from a patient. Further, the connecting device of the present disclosure maintains the fluid connection by resisting unintentional disconnection when a tensile force or tension is applied to the connecting device, while allowing disconnection of the fluid connection when the tensile force or tension exceeds a threshold value, thereby preventing injury to the patient or caregiver. Additionally, the connecting device of the present disclosure enables the connecting device to be re - connected to the fluid transfer device, thereby enabling efficient and safe re - connection of the fluid line by re - establishing the fluid path without the need to replace the connecting device.

[0192] Accordingly, the connecting device 100 can provide efficient and safe maintenance management of fluid connections, can maintain the fluid connection of medical tubing, and can enable disconnection and re - connection of the fluid path with the patient.

[0193] Exemplification of the Subject Technology as a Clause The subject technology is illustrated by, for example, various aspects described below. Various examples of aspects of the subject technology are described, for the sake of convenience, as numbered clauses (1, 2, 3, etc.). These are provided as examples and do not limit the subject technology. Any of the dependent clauses can be combined in any combination and incorporated into each independent clause, for example, clause 1 or clause 5. Other clauses may be presented similarly.

[0194] Clause 1. A connecting device for medical tubes, comprising: a housing having an inner surface forming a cavity, a first opening into the cavity, and a second opening into the cavity; and an inner body having a fluid passage extending through the inner body and a connecting sleeve, the connecting sleeve being positioned within the cavity of the housing such that the connecting sleeve extends toward the first opening of the housing and the housing and the inner body are movable relative to each other, wherein at a first position of the inner body, the biasing of at least a portion of the connecting sleeve in a radially outward direction is resisted by engagement of the connecting sleeve with the housing, and at a second position of the inner body, the connecting sleeve is moved through the first opening in a direction away from the second opening of the housing such that at least a portion of the connecting sleeve can be biased radially outward.

[0195] Clause 2. The connecting device according to clause 1, wherein the inner body comprises at least one channel extending through the connecting sleeve in a direction from a first end of the inner body to a second end of the inner body.

[0196] Clause 3. The connecting device according to clause 2, wherein the at least one channel includes a first channel and a second channel, the second channel being spaced apart from the first channel, a first portion of the connecting sleeve between the first and second channels forming a first flexible finger, and a second portion of the connecting sleeve between the first and second channels forming a second flexible finger.

[0197] Clause 4. The connecting device according to any one of Clauses 1 to 3, wherein the inner body comprises a luer tip extending within the connecting sleeve towards the first end of the inner body.

[0198] Clause 5. The connecting device according to any one of Clauses 1 to 4, further comprising a biasing element positioned between the first end of the housing and the inner body.

[0199] Clause 6. The connecting device according to any one of Clauses 1 to 5, wherein the inner body comprises splines extending from the outer surface of the inner body in a direction radially outwardly away from the outer surface of the inner body.

[0200] Clause 7. The connecting device according to Clause 6, wherein the splines are configured to be positioned within a groove extending along the inner surface of the housing such that the housing and the inner body are rotatably connected.

[0201] Clause 8. The connecting device according to Clause 7, wherein the housing and the inner body are movable relative to each other along the length of the groove.

[0202] Clause 9. A connecting device for medical tubes, comprising a housing having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface forming a cavity, the first end having a first opening to the cavity and the second end having a second opening to the cavity, a housing, an inner body having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a fluid passage extending through the first and second end portions of the inner body, the first end portion being formed by a wall having an inner surface extending around the longitudinal axis defined by the fluid passage so as to form a recess extending from the first end of the inner body toward the second end portion, an inner body positioned within the cavity of the housing such that the housing and the inner body are movable relative to each other, and a biasing element positioned between the first end of the housing and the inner body, wherein at a first position of the inner body, the first end of the inner body is longitudinally aligned with the first end of the housing such that the biasing of at least a portion of the wall away from the longitudinal axis is resisted by the housing, and at a second position of the inner body, the second end of the housing is moved away from the second end portion of the inner body such that the first end of the inner body is longitudinally spaced from the first end of the housing and at least a portion of the wall can be biased away from the longitudinal axis.

[0203] Clause 10. The connecting device according to clause 9, wherein the inner body comprises at least one channel extending through the wall from the first end of the inner body toward the second end portion of the inner body.

[0204] Clause 11. The connecting device according to clause 10, wherein the at least one channel includes a first channel and a second channel, the second channel being spaced from the first channel, a first portion of the wall between the first and second channels forming a first flexible finger, and a second portion of the wall between the first and second channels forming a second flexible finger.

[0205] Clause 12. The connecting device according to any one of clauses 9 to 11, wherein the inner body comprises a thread extending along the inner surface of the wall.

[0206] Clause 13. The connecting device according to any one of Clauses 9 to 12, wherein the inner body comprises a luer tip extending in the connecting sleeve from the lower surface of the recess towards the first end of the inner body.

[0207] Clause 14. The connecting device according to any one of Clauses 9 to 13, wherein the first opening of the housing has a first cross-sectional width, the outer surface of the wall of the inner body has a second cross-sectional width, and the first cross-sectional width is equal to or greater than the second cross-sectional width such that the first end portion of the inner body is longitudinally movable between a first and a second position through the first opening.

[0208] Clause 15. The connecting device according to any one of Clauses 9 to 14, wherein the inner body comprises a spline extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the inner body in a direction away from the longitudinal axis.

[0209] Clause 16. The connecting device according to Clause 15, wherein the spline is configured to be positioned within a groove extending along the inner surface of the housing such that the housing and the inner body are rotationally connected.

[0210] Clause 17. The connecting device according to Clause 16, wherein the housing and the inner body are movable relative to each other along the length of the groove.

[0211] Clause 18. The connecting device according to any one of Clauses 9 to 17, wherein the housing comprises a ledge extending radially inwards from the inner surface into the cavity.

[0212] Clause 19. The connecting device according to Clause 18, wherein in the first position, a portion of the inner body is engaged with the ledge, thereby resisting movement of the inner body towards the second end of the housing.

[0213] Clause 20. The connecting device according to any one of Clauses 9 to 19, wherein the housing comprises a tubular channel extending through the second end of the housing and traversing the second opening.

[0214] Clause 21. The connecting device according to Clause 20, wherein at least a part of the tubular channel has a cross-sectional width greater than the cross-sectional width of the second opening.

[0215] Clause 22. The connecting device according to Clause 21, wherein the cross-sectional width of the tubular channel decreases in the direction towards the second opening.

[0216] Clause 23. The connecting device according to any one of Clauses 9 to 22, wherein the distance from the first end of the inner body to the second end of the inner body is greater than the distance from the first end of the housing to the end of the cavity.

[0217] Clause 24. The connecting device according to any one of Clauses 9 to 23, further comprising a cap connected to the first end of the housing, the cap forming at least a part of the first opening of the housing.

[0218] Clause 25. The connecting device according to any one of Clauses 9 to 24, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring configured to bias the inner body towards the first position.

[0219] Clause 26. A connecting device assembly comprising: a housing having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface forming a cavity, the first end having a first opening to the cavity and the second end having a second opening to the cavity; an inner body having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a fluid passage extending through the first and second end portions of the inner body, the first end portion comprising a connecting sleeve formed by a wall having an inner surface extending around a longitudinal axis defined by the fluid passage so as to form a recess extending from the first end of the inner body towards the second end portion; the inner body being positioned within the cavity of the housing such that the housing and the inner body are movable relative to each other; a biasing element positioned between the first end of the housing and the inner body; and tubing extending into the cavity through the second opening of the housing, the end portion of the tubing being connected to the fluid passage of the inner body, wherein at a first position of the inner body, the first end of the inner body is longitudinally aligned with the first end of the housing such that the biasing of at least a portion of the wall away from the longitudinal axis is resisted by the housing, and at a second position of the inner body, the second end of the housing is moved away from the second end portion of the inner body such that the first end of the inner body is longitudinally spaced from the first end of the housing and at least a portion of the wall can be biased away from the longitudinal axis.

[0220] Clause 27. The connecting device according to clause 26, wherein when the inner body is in the first position, the length of the tubing between the second end of the inner body and the end of the cavity adjacent to the second end of the housing is longer than the distance between the second end of the inner body and the end of the cavity.

[0221] Article 28. A method for providing a connecting device for medical tubes, comprising inserting an inner body into a cavity of a housing such that the housing and the inner body are movable relative to each other and a connecting sleeve defined by a proximal portion of the inner body extends through a first opening at a first end of the housing; inserting a biasing element into the housing such that the biasing element is positioned between the first end of the housing and the inner body; inserting a tube through a second opening at a second end of the housing and connecting the tube to a fluid passage extending through the inner body, wherein at a first position of the inner body, a first end of the inner body is longitudinally aligned with a first end of the housing such that biasing of at least a portion of the connecting sleeve away from a longitudinal axis of the fluid passage of the inner body is resisted by the housing, and at a second position of the inner body, a second end of the housing is moved away from a second end of the inner body such that the first end of the inner body is longitudinally spaced from the first end of the housing and at least a portion of the connecting sleeve can be biased away from the longitudinal axis.

[0222] Article 29. The method according to Article 28, wherein when the inner body is in the second position and a mating connector connected to the connecting sleeve is moved in a direction away from a first end of the inner body, engagement of the mating connector with the connecting sleeve biases at least a portion of the connecting sleeve away from the longitudinal axis.

[0223] Further Considerations In some embodiments, any of the clauses herein may be dependent on any one of the independent clauses or any one of the dependent clauses. In one aspect, any of the clauses (e.g., dependent or independent clauses) may be combined with one or more other clauses (e.g., dependent or independent clauses). In one aspect, a claim may include some or all of the words (e.g., steps, actions, means, or components) described in a clause, sentence, phrase, or paragraph. In one aspect, a claim may include some or all of the words described in one or more clauses, sentences, phrases, or paragraphs. In one aspect, some of the words in each of the clauses, sentences, phrases, or paragraphs may be removed. In one aspect, additional words or elements may be added to the clauses, sentences, phrases, or paragraphs. In one aspect, the subject technology may be implemented without using some of the components, elements, functions, or actions described herein. In one aspect, the subject technology may be implemented using additional components, elements, functions, or actions.

[0224] This disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The disclosure provides various examples of the subject technology, but the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0225] References to elements in the singular are not intended to mean "only one" unless specifically stated otherwise, but rather are intended to mean "one or more." Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "some" refers to one or more. Masculine pronouns (e.g., his) include feminine and neuter pronouns (e.g., her, and its), and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention.

[0226] As used herein, the term "exemplary" is meant to mean "serving as an example or illustration." Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" should not necessarily be considered to be preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. In one aspect, the various alternative configurations and operations described herein may be considered to be at least equivalent.

[0227] The terms such as "aspect" do not imply that such an aspect is essential to the subject technology nor that such an aspect is applicable to all configurations of the subject technology. The disclosure regarding an aspect may be applicable to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. The terms such as "aspect" refer to one or more aspects, and vice versa may also be true. The terms such as "example" do not imply that such an example is essential to the subject technology nor that such an example is applicable to all configurations of the subject technology. The disclosure regarding an example may be applicable to all examples, or one or more examples. An example may provide one or more examples. The terms such as "example" refer to one or more examples, and vice versa may also be true. The terms such as "configuration" do not imply that such a configuration is essential to the subject technology nor that such a configuration is applicable to all configurations of the subject technology. The disclosure regarding a configuration may be applicable to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. The terms such as "configuration" refer to one or more configurations, and vice versa may also be true.

[0228] In one aspect, unless stated otherwise, all measurements, values, evaluations, positions, sizes, dimensions, and other specifications described herein, including the following claims, are approximate and not exact. In one aspect, they are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the function they relate to and that is customary in the technical field to which they relate.

[0229] In one aspect, terms such as "connected" can refer to being directly connected. In another aspect, terms such as "connected" can refer to being indirectly connected.

[0230] As used in this disclosure, terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", etc. should be understood to refer to any reference system, rather than a reference system based on normal gravity. Therefore, the upper surface, lower surface, front surface, and rear surface can extend upward, downward, obliquely, or horizontally in a reference system based on gravity.

[0231] Various matters can be arranged differently without departing from the scope of the subject technology (e.g., can be arranged in a different order or divided in a different manner). All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later become known to those skilled in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be included in the claims. Further, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims. No element of any claim should be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for" or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase "steps for". Still further, with respect to the use of terms such as "comprising", "having", etc., such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to "including" as construed when the term "including" is used as a transitional phrase in a claim.

[0232] The title, background art, summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, and abstract of the present disclosure are incorporated herein by reference into the present disclosure, and are provided as illustrative examples of the present disclosure rather than as limiting descriptions. The present disclosure is submitted with the understanding that they are not used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the detailed description of the invention, it can be confirmed that the description provides illustrative examples and that various features are grouped in various embodiments for the purpose of simplifying the present disclosure. The method of this disclosure should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, the subject matter of the invention consists of less than all of the features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The following claims stand on their own as individually claimed subject matter and are incorporated by reference into the detailed description of the invention herein.

[0233] The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but rather are intended to be given the full scope consistent with the recited claims and to include all legal equivalents. Nevertheless, no claim is intended to cover, nor should any claim be construed to cover, subject matter that fails to meet the requirements of 35 U.S.C. §§ 101, 102, or 103.

Claims

Claim 1 A connecting device for medical tubes, comprising: a housing having an inner surface forming a cavity, a first opening into the cavity, and a second opening into the cavity; an inner body having a fluid passage extending therethrough and a connecting sleeve, the connecting sleeve extending toward the first opening of the housing and being positioned within the cavity of the housing such that the housing and the inner body are movable relative to each other; at a first position of the inner body, biasing of at least a portion of the connecting sleeve in a radially outward direction is resisted by engagement of the connecting sleeve with the housing, and at a second position of the inner body, the connecting sleeve is moved through the first opening in a direction away from the second opening of the housing such that at least a portion of the connecting sleeve can be biased radially outward; a connecting device. Claim 2 The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the inner body comprises at least one channel extending through the connecting sleeve in a direction from a first end of the inner body toward a second end of the inner body. Claim 3 The connecting device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one channel includes a first channel and a second channel, the second channel being spaced from the first channel, a first portion of the connecting sleeve between the first and second channels forming a first flexible finger portion, and a second portion of the connecting sleeve between the first and second channels forming a second flexible finger portion. Claim 4 The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the inner body comprises a luer tip extending within the connecting sleeve toward a first end of the inner body. Claim 5 The connecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing element positioned between the housing and the inner body. Claim 6 The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the inner body comprises splines extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the inner body. Claim 7 The connecting device according to claim 6, wherein the splines are configured to be positioned within a groove extending along the inner surface of the housing such that the housing and the inner body are rotatably connected. Claim 8 The coupling device of claim 7 , wherein the housing and the inner body are movable relative to one another along a length of the groove.

9. 1. A connection device for medical tubing, comprising: a housing having a first end, a second end, and an interior surface forming a cavity, the first end providing a first opening to the cavity and the second end providing a second opening to the cavity; an inner body having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a fluid passageway extending through the first and second end portions of the inner body, the first end portion comprising a connecting sleeve formed by a wall having an inner surface extending about a longitudinal axis defined by the fluid passageway to form a recess extending from the first end of the inner body toward the second end portion, the inner body being positioned within the cavity of the housing such that the housing and the inner body are movable relative to one another; a biasing element positioned between the first end of the housing and the inner body; Equipped with In a first position of the inner body, the first end of the inner body is longitudinally aligned with the first end of the housing such that biasing of at least a portion of the wall away from the longitudinal axis is resisted by the housing, and in a second position of the inner body, the second end of the housing is moved away from the second end portion of the inner body such that the first end of the inner body is longitudinally spaced from the first end of the housing and the at least a portion of the wall can be biased away from the longitudinal axis. Coupling device.

10. 10. The coupling device of claim 9, wherein the inner body includes at least one channel extending through the wall from the first end of the inner body toward the second end portion of the inner body.

11. The coupling device of claim 9 , wherein the inner body includes threads extending along the inner surface of the wall.

12. 10. The coupling device of claim 9, wherein the inner body includes a luer tip extending within the coupling sleeve from a lower surface of the recess toward the first end of the inner body.

13. 10. The coupling device of claim 9, wherein the first opening in the housing has a first cross-sectional width and the outer surface of the wall of the inner body has a second cross-sectional width, the first cross-sectional width being equal to or greater than the second cross-sectional width such that the first end portion of the inner body is longitudinally movable through the first opening between the first and second positions.

14. The coupling device of claim 9 , wherein the housing includes a ledge extending radially inward from the inner surface into the cavity.

15. 15. The coupling device of claim 14, wherein in the first position, a portion of the inner body is engaged against the ledge, thereby resisting movement of the inner body toward the second end of the housing.

16. 10. The coupling device of claim 9, wherein a distance from the first end of the inner body to a second end of the inner body is greater than a distance from the first end of the housing to a distal end of the cavity.

17. The coupling device of claim 9 , further comprising a cap coupled to the first end of the housing, the cap forming at least a portion of the first opening in the housing.

18. The coupling device of claim 9 , wherein the biasing element comprises a spring configured to direct the inner body toward the first position.

19. 1. A method for providing a connection device for medical tubing, comprising: mounting the inner body in a cavity of the housing such that the housing and inner body are movable relative to one another and a connecting sleeve defined by a proximal portion of the inner body extends through a first opening at a first end of the housing; providing a biasing element on the housing such that the biasing element is positioned between a first end of the housing and the inner body; providing tubing through a second opening at a second end of the housing and connectable to a fluid passageway extending through the inner body; Including, At the first position of the inner body, the first end of the inner body is longitudinally aligned with the first end of the housing such that the biasing of at least a portion of the connecting sleeve away from the longitudinal axis of the fluid passage of the inner body is resisted by the housing. At the second position of the inner body, the second end of the housing is moved away from the second end of the inner body such that the first end of the inner body is longitudinally spaced from the first end of the housing and at least a portion of the connecting sleeve can be biased away from the longitudinal axis. Method. Claim 20 The method according to claim 19, wherein when the inner body is in the second position and the mating connector connected to the connecting sleeve is moved in a direction away from the first end of the inner body, the engagement of the mating connector with the connecting sleeve biases at least a portion of the connecting sleeve away from the longitudinal axis.

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