Medical connection system

Abstract

A connection system for connecting a first medical line (101) to a second medical line (201) leading to an injector, comprising a first connector (100) coupled to the first medical line and a second connector (200) coupled to the second medical line, wherein the second connector (200) comprises a line path (210) for the second medical line (201) having an exposed portion (220) for exposing the second medical line, and the connection system accommodates the first connector (100). The docking station (300) is configured to receive the second connector (200) into a housing space (304) so ​​that the first connector (100) can be engaged with the second connector (200) by moving it in the engagement direction toward the second connector (200) housed in the housing space (304), and the docking station (300) is equipped with an air sensor whose exposed portion (220) faces when the second connector (200) is housed in the housing space (304).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of infusion of medical fluids. More precisely, the present invention is a connection system for connecting a first medical line to a second medical line leading to an injector, said connection system comprising a first connector coupled to the first medical line and a second connector coupled to the second medical line, the first connector being configured to engage with the second connector to form a passage for the medical fluid.

Background Art

[0002] Infusion devices are used to infuse medical liquids from a medical liquid container into a medical tube. For example, infusion of medical liquids such as iodinated contrast agents is required in 70% of CT scan diagnostic cases. This infusion is performed using an automatic contrast agent injector in about 70% of cases, and a tube is used to connect the automatic injector to the patient.

[0003] The injector is maintained over several years and used by many patients. In contrast, the patient-side medical line leads to a skin penetration device such as a needle for penetrating the skin. This medical line is often called the patient line. For obvious safety reasons, this patient line can only be used once for each specific patient and needs to be replaced for each patient. There is a need to connect the patient line to another medical line leading to the injector. This other medical line is usually used continuously for several patients throughout the day and is therefore often called the day line or day set.

[0004] Since several patient lines are connected to and disconnected from the day line, it is beneficial and useful that the connections between these lines are easy and safe. Because this is a routine task, the risk of human error due to carelessness is high. To avoid injecting air bubbles into the patient, some systems are equipped with air sensors to detect the presence of air in the fluid being injected. In most cases, the medical line must be manually positioned in front of the air sensor, which is cumbersome and can increase the risk or error.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a connection system for connecting a first medical line to a second medical line leading to an injector, which provides a safe and reliable connection without requiring much from the worker connecting the lines. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0006] A connection system is proposed for connecting a first medical line to a second medical line leading to an injector, the connection system comprising a first connector coupled to the first medical line and a second connector coupled to the second medical line, the first connector being configured to engage with the second connector to create a passage for medical fluid when the first connector is in an engaged configuration with the second connector, the second connector comprising a line path for the second medical line, the line path comprising an exposed portion for exposing the second medical line, the connection system comprising a docking station configured to receive and hold the second connector in a housing space, the first connector being configured to engage with the second connector in an engaged configuration by moving the first connector in the engaging direction toward the second connector housed in the housing space, the docking station comprising an air sensor, the exposed portion of the line path facing the air sensor when the second connector is housed in the housing space.

[0007] The present invention enables the connection of a first medical line to a second medical line and the positioning of the second medical line to an air sensor in a single operation.

[0008] Other preferred embodiments of the present invention (but not limited to these) are as follows, either individually or in a technically feasible combination: - The first medical line is a patient tubular line leading to a skin penetration device and is configured to be replaced between each patient, while the second medical line is a reusable tubular line configured for use by multiple patients. - The line route includes a bracket configured to hold a second medical line in the line route, and the exposed portion lacks the bracket. - The line path comprises a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a second direction at an angle to the first direction, and the exposed portion is located in the second portion. - The air sensor has a groove configured to receive the second medical line at the exposed portion of the line path when the second connector is located in the accommodating space, - The first connector includes an elastic engaging member configured to cooperate with the second connector in an engaging configuration to lock the first connector with the second connector, and the docking station includes a photodetector configured to detect the locked state of the first connector with the second connector. - The first connector comprises at least one elastic engaging member having an anchor portion at its distal end, the elastic engaging member being configured to flex its distal end to enable engagement between the first connector and the second connector, and to cooperate with the shoulder of the second connector to hold the first connector in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the first connector is engaged with the second connector. - The docking station is equipped with a photodetector configured to emit a light beam and detect whether the light beam is interrupted, and the light beam is interrupted only when the anchor portion of the first connector is cooperating with the shoulder of the second connector, so that the system can detect not only the presence of the first medical line but also the locked state of the first medical line to avoid errors. - The first connector comprises an elastic engaging member configured to cooperate with the second connector in an engagement configuration to lock the first connector with the second connector, the elastic engaging member comprising a distal end configured to be inserted into the second connector and a first handling portion at the proximal end, the first connector comprising two wings on both sides of the first connector, each wing comprising a second handling portion extending over an area larger than the area of ​​the first handling portion, - The proximal end of each elastic engaging member is separated from the body of the first connector by a gap configured to accommodate a portion of the proximal end when the engaging member flexes, the gap being located between the two wings.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating the connection system of the present invention, the method comprising engaging a second connector into a housing space of a docking station, wherein the second medical line is positioned along the line path of the second connector with its exposed portion facing an air sensor, and then, while the second connector remains positioned in the housing space, engaging is performed several times in succession for different first connectors and first medical lines. -By moving the first connector, which is connected to the first medical line, in the engagement direction toward the second connector housed in the containment space, the first connector engages with the second connector, thereby creating a passage for medical fluid between the second medical line, the second connector, the first connector, and the first medical line. - Disconnecting the first connector from the second connector by moving the first connector in the disengagement direction opposite to the engagement direction, - Discard the first connector and Includes.

[0010] Other aspects, purposes, and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent by considering the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are presented as non-limiting examples and made with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This shows an overall diagram of the connection system, with the second connector not yet housed in the docking station's bay. [Figure 2a] This shows a cross-sectional view of the second connector housed in the docking station's enclosure. [Figure 2b] This shows a cross-sectional view of the second connector housed in the docking station's enclosure. [Figure 3a] Another cross-sectional view of the second connector housed in the docking station's dwelling space is shown. [Figure 3b] Another cross-sectional view of the second connector housed in the docking station's dwelling space is shown. [Figure 4a] This shows the various stages of engagement between the first connector and the second connector. [Figure 4b] This shows the various stages of engagement between the first connector and the second connector. [Figure 4c] This shows the various stages of engagement between the first connector and the second connector. [Figure 4d] This shows the various stages of engagement between the first connector and the second connector. [Figure 5] This shows a variant of the first connector having an additional wing for insertion into the first connector. [Figure 6] Another diagram of the first connector in Figure 5 is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Detailed description of the invention Figure 1 shows an overall diagram of a connection system comprising a first connector 100, a second connector 200, and a docking station 300. A first medical line 101 is coupled to the first connector 100, and a second medical line 201 is connected to the second connector. The first medical line 101 is a patient line and leads to a skin penetration device such as a needle or catheter that allows medical fluid to enter the patient's body. The second medical line 201 leads to an injector. The first medical line 101 is configured to be exchanged between each patient, while the second medical line 201 is a reusable tubular line configured for use by multiple patients.

[0013] The first connector 100 is configured to engage with the second connector 200 in an engagement configuration to form a passage extending along the second medical line 201 and the first medical line 101 in order to move a medical fluid from the second medical line 201 to the first medical line 101. Thus, such a medical fluid can be injected by an injector so as to pass through the second medical line 201 and then through the first medical line 101, and finally reach the skin penetration device. The first connector 100 can be engaged with the second connector 200 by moving the first connector 100 toward the second connector 200 in the engagement direction 105 when the second connector 200 is received by the docking station 300. The engagement direction 105 is the direction in which the first connector 100 translates to transition from an unengaged configuration, where the first connector 100 is not engaged with the second connector 200, to an engaged configuration, where the first connector 100 is engaged with the second connector 200.

[0014] The docking station 300 includes a front face 302 through which the accommodation space 304 opens. The accommodation space 304 is configured to accommodate and hold the second connector 200 such that the first connector 100 can be engaged with the second connector 200. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2a, the second connector 200 is not yet engaged with the accommodation space 304. The docking station 300 is configured to be attached to or integrated with a fixed panel provided with a power and communication connection portion or a processing unit.

[0015] The docking station 300 includes an air sensor 310 facing the accommodation space 304. The air sensor 310 is configured to detect the presence of air in the second medical line 201. The air sensor 310 may be any type of sensor capable of performing such a function. For example, the air sensor 310 may be an optical sensor or an ultrasonic sensor configured to detect gas or bubbles in a medical fluid.

[0016] The second connector 200 includes a front face 202 through which an interface 204 for engagement with the first connector 100 opens, and a rear portion 206 configured to be accommodated in the accommodation space 304. Preferably, when the second connector 200 is disposed in the accommodation space 304, the front face 202 of the second connector 200 and the front face 302 of the docking station are located in the same plane.

[0017] The second connector 200 includes a rigid line path 210 for the second medical line 201. In the illustrated example, the second medical line 201 is disposed along the line path 210. In particular, the second medical line 201 is firmly held along the line path 210. The line path 210 extends from the interface 204 to the rear portion 206 and includes an outlet 212 through which the second medical line 201 exits the line path 210. The line path 210 may include a bracket 214 configured to hold the second medical line 201 along the line path 210. Preferably, the line path 210 passes over the outer surface of the rear portion 206 of the second connector 200.

[0018] As shown in the illustrated example, the line path 210 may include a first portion 216 that extends in a first direction, which is typically the engagement direction 105, and a second portion 218 that extends in another second direction that is angled with respect to the first direction. Preferably, the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction in which the first portion 216 extends (e.g., forms an angle of 80° to 100°). The first portion 216 ends at the interface 204, and the second portion 218 extends the first portion 216 to the outlet 212. The two portions of the line path 210 enable controlling the direction in which the second medical line 201 exits the line path 210 and prevent the medical line 201 from separating from the second connector 200 when the second medical line 201 is pulled.

[0019] The line path 210 includes an exposed portion 220 for exposing the second medical line 201. At least at this exposed portion 220, the second medical line 201 is exposed from the second connector 200, and the second medical line 201 is not covered by the second connector 200. Typically, the exposed portion 220 lacks brackets used to hold the second medical line 201 on the line path 210. Preferably, the exposed portion 220 is disposed on a second portion 218 that extends in a second direction that is angled with respect to the first direction (i.e., the engagement direction 105 in this example) in which the first portion 216 of the path line 210 extends. The angle is preferably greater than 45° and preferably about 90°.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b, by moving the second connector 200 along an insertion direction 205, which in the illustrated example is a horizontal translation and is indicated by an arrow, the second connector 200 is inserted into the receiving space 304 of the docking station. In this example, the insertion direction 205 is the same as the engagement direction 105. However, the insertion direction 205 can be different from the engagement direction 105 and can be, for example, a vertical translation rather than a typical horizontal translation and perpendicular to the engagement direction 105.

[0021] The accommodating space 304 opens to the front 302 of the docking station 300, defining an orifice 306 on the front 302. The shape of the orifice 306 allows for the insertion of the rear portion 206 of the second connector 200. The orifice 306 on the front 302 is preferably asymmetrical, indicating how the second connector 200 must be oriented for proper insertion into the accommodating space 304. In the illustrated example, the orifice 306 comprises an upper slot 306a and a circular section 306b below the upper slot 306a. An opening 306c extends the circular section 306b and reaches the bottom surface of the docking station 300.

[0022] The housing space 304 is located inside the cavity 308 within the docking station 300. The air sensor 310 is preferably located within the cavity 308 on the side of the housing space 304 facing the orifice 306 on the front 302 of the docking station 300. The air sensor 310 includes a groove 312 configured to accommodate the second medical line 201 of the exposed portion 220 of the line path 210 when the second connector 200 is inside the housing space 304. The opening 306c extends downward from the air sensor 310, facing the exit 212 of the line path 210 when the second connector 200 is inside the housing space 304. This allows the second medical line 201 to penetrate the housing space 304 and reach the air sensor 310 while being held in the line path 210.

[0023] As shown in the figure, when the second connector 200 is inserted, the rear portion 206 enters the housing space 304 until the second medical line 201 located in the line path 210 reaches the air sensor 310 and enters the groove 312 of the air sensor 310. More precisely, the exposed portion 220 of the line path 310 is housed in the groove 312.

[0024] When the second connector 200 is housed in the housing space 304, the exposed portion 220 of the line path 210 exposes the second medical line 201 to the air sensor 310. Thus, the air sensor 310 can detect the presence of air in the second medical line 201. There is no need to manually position the second medical line 201 in front of the air sensor 310.

[0025] To ensure that the second connector 200 is held in place, the second connector 200 includes an elastic engaging member 230, the elastic engaging member 230 having an anchor portion 232 protruding from the elastic engaging member 230. When the second connector 200 is inserted, the inclined surface 234 of the anchor portion 232 contacts the wall portion 316 of the docking station, causing the elastic engaging member 230 to flex as the inclined surface 234 slides against the front wall portion 316. The elastic engaging member 230 is pushed into a retracted state. The inclined surface 234 ends with a retaining portion 236. When the wall portion 316 reaches the retaining portion 236, the elastic engaging member 230 springs back into an expanded state. This causes the retaining portion 236 to protrude behind the wall portion 316, holding the second connector 200 in the housing space 304. The elastic engaging member 230 has a gripping portion 238 at its distal end. The operator's fingers press on these gripping portions 238, flexing the elastic engaging member 230 so that the second connector 200 can be released from the docking station. It should be noted that the operator does not need to hold down the gripping portions 238 to insert the second connector 200 into the housing space 304. It is sufficient to simply translate the second connector 200 in the insertion direction 205. However, in order to remove the second connector 200 from the housing space 304, the operator must press on the gripping portions 238 to flex the engaging member 230 and the retaining portion 236, thereby releasing them from the wall portion 316. The operator then translates the second connector 200 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction 205.

[0026] The connection system allows the operation to be combined into a single gesture, namely by moving the second connector 200 in the insertion direction 205 so that it is received and held in the accommodation space 304 of the docking station 300, thereby creating a connection interface for a disposable first connector 100 configured to lead to a patient line, i.e., a first medical line 101. Furthermore, the second medical line is positioned in front of the air sensor 310 at the exposed portion 220 of the line path 210.

[0027] Next, the engagement of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 will be described with reference to Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d. As described above, the second connector 200 is held in place by the docking station 300. The interface 204 on the front 202 of the connector can be seen. The interface 204 comprises an opening 240 and preferably at least one window 242 separate from the opening 240. The opening 240 preferably comprises a circular groove 244, which surrounds a central conduit 246, and the conduit 246 comprises a toric joint or O-ring 248 on the outer surface of the conduit 246.

[0028] The first connector 100 comprises a body 102 which includes a sleeve 103 into which the first medical line 101 is inserted, an intermediate section 104 with a channel 106 for discharging medical fluid from the first medical line 101, and a head 108 into which the channel 106 opens. The head 108 is hollow to allow the passage of medical fluid. The interior 109 of the head 108 forms part of the passage 107. Preferably, the head 108 has a circular cross-section, and the interior 109 of the head 108 also has a circular cross-section.

[0029] To engage the first connector 100 with the second connector 200, the head 108 of the first connector 100 is positioned to face the opening 242 of the second connector 200, and then translated in the engagement direction 105.

[0030] The first connector 100 includes at least one elastic engaging member 110 having a distal end 114 configured to be inserted into the second connector 200 and a proximal end 116 configured to remain outside the second connector 200 in the engaging configuration. The engaging member 110 has an anchor portion 112 at the distal end 114 and a first handling portion 115 at the proximal end 116. Typically, the first connector includes two elastic engaging members 110, preferably located on either side of the head 108.

[0031] Preferably, the elastic engaging member 110 is connected to the body 102 of the first connector 100 by an arm 118 extending from the central portion 120 of the elastic engaging member 110 and connected to the body 102 of the first connector 100, for example, the head 108 or the intermediate portion 104. The arm 118 acts as a pivot point on which the engaging member 110 pivots between a first stationary position and a second position in which its distal end 114 extends from the body 102 of the first connector 100. The second position is necessary to enable engagement between the first connector 100 and the second connector 200.

[0032] The proximal end 116 of each elastic engaging member 110 is separated from the body 102 of the first connector 100 by a gap 122 into which the proximal end 116 enters when the elastic engaging member 110 bends to a second position and pivots, for example, around the arm 118.

[0033] To connect the first connector 100 to the second connector 200, the first connector 100 is positioned in front of the interface 204 of the second connector 200 such that the head 108 of the first connector 100 faces the opening 242 of the second connector 200.

[0034] Next, the first connector 100 is engaged with the second connector 200 by moving the first connector 200 to the second connector 200 housed in the housing space 304 in the engagement direction 105. The head 108 enters the groove 244 of the interface 204, while the conduit 246 enters the interior 109 of the head 108. Thus, in this example, the engagement direction 205 is opposite to the direction of the protrusion of the conduit 246 from the groove 244. Once the first connector 100 is engaged with the second connector 200, the passage 107 leading from the second medical line 201 to the first medical line 101 extends through the central conduit 246 of the second connector 200, the interior 109 of the head 108, and the channel 106 of the intermediate section 104.

[0035] The distal end 114 of each elastic engaging member 110 enters the window 242. When the inclined surface 112a of the anchor portion 112 contacts the edge of the window 242, deflection of the elastic engaging member 110 is caused as the inclined surface 112a slides against the edge of the window 242. The elastic engaging member 110 rotates around the arm 118, with the distal end 114 moving away from the head 108 while the proximal end 116 moves closer to the sleeve 103 (see Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c).

[0036] The anchor portion 112 includes a retaining portion 112b that terminates the inclined surface 112a. When the slide between the inclined surface 112a and the edge of the window 242 reaches the end of the inclined surface 112a, the edge of the window 242 faces a recess formed by the retaining portion 112b. This allows the elastic engaging member 110 to spring back to its initial state. The elastic engaging member 110 rotates around the arm 118, with the distal end 114 moving closer to the head 108 and the proximal end 116 moving away from the sleeve 103. The retaining portion 112b protrudes behind the edge of the window 242, and the edge of the window 242 forms a shoulder 250 against which the retaining portion 112b abuts. This holds the first connector 100 engaged with the second connector 200. Therefore, the first connector 100 is locked to the second connector 200, as shown in Figure 4d, preventing the first connector 100 from disengaging due to pulling on it.

[0037] The docking station 300 includes a photodetector 320 configured to detect the locked state of the first connector 100 to the second connector 200. The photodetector 320 is configured to emit a light beam 322, such as a laser beam or an infrared beam. The photodetector 320 is configured to detect whether the light beam 322 is blocked. Typically, the photodetector 320 includes a photodetector that strikes when the light beam 322 is not blocked, and when the photodetector does not detect the light beam 322, it is assumed that the light beam 322 is blocked.

[0038] The light beam 322 of the photodetector 320 extends behind the window 242 in the engagement direction 105. More precisely, the light beam 322 is positioned so that it is blocked only by the first connector 200 when the anchor portion 112 cooperates with the shoulder 250 of the second connector 200. In particular, as shown in Figure 4c, the light beam 322 is not blocked by the distal end 114 of the first connector 100 as long as the inclined surface 112a is in contact with the edge of the window 242. In this way, the photodetector 320 not only detects that the first connector 100 is in the engagement configuration, but also detects the locked state of the first connector 100, thus avoiding any errors and ensuring that the first connector 100 is properly locked in the engagement configuration.

[0039] The detection of the locked state of the first connector 100 by the photodetector 320 may be transmitted to a communication device that can notify the operator of the detected locked state. For example, the communication device may be simply a light source, display screen, speaker, etc., that enables the operator to know whether the first connector 100 is properly locked with the second connector 200.

[0040] The connection system requires only a single gesture to engage the first connector 100 with the second connector 200 by translating the first connector 100 in the engagement direction, yet it can ensure that the medical fluid passes in front of the air sensor 310 at the exposed portion 220 of the line path 210, thus simplifying the generation of the passage 107 for the medical fluid between the second medical line 201, the second connector 200, the first connector 100, and the first medical line 201.

[0041] The first connector 100 can be separated from the second connector 200 by moving it in the separation direction opposite to the engagement direction 105. However, the lock on the first connector 100 must be released. To release the lock on the first connector 100, allow the first connector to be translated in the separation direction opposite to the engagement direction 105, and thus separate the first connector 100 from the second connector 200, the worker's fingers press and bend the first handling portion 115 of the proximal end 116 of the elastic engagement member 110. The first handling portion 115 extends slightly away from the intermediate portion 104 to allow the first handling portion 115 to bend toward the intermediate portion 104 and the sleeve 103. The first handling part is configured to be pressed by the operator's fingers so as to bend the engaging member 110, thereby spreading the distal end 114 of the engaging member 110 and disengaging the second connector 200 from the shoulder 250. When the distal end 114 disengages from the shoulder 250 and faces the window 242, the first connector 100 is translated in the disengagement direction opposite to the engagement direction 105. The first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are no longer connected.

[0042] Next, the first connector 100 is discarded and typically thrown away. Subsequently, another first connector 100 for a different patient can be connected to the second connector 200. This method can be repeated several times in a row for different first connectors 100 and first medical lines 201, while the second connector 200 remains positioned in the housing space 304.

[0043] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first connector 100 may be provided with two additional wings 130 on either side of the sleeve 103 and / or intermediate section 104 to facilitate handling of the first connector 100 when moving it in the engagement direction 105 to connect it with the second connector 200. Each additional wing 130 is provided with a second handling portion 132 configured to be held by the operator's fingers to hold the first connector 100 when engaging it with the second connector 200. Preferably, each wing 130 is connected to the sleeve 103 and / or intermediate section 104 by a support 134.

[0044] The two wings 130 cover two sides of the first connector 100 when the first connector 100 is positioned to be inserted into the second connector 200, preferably extending at least from the middle portion 104 to the sleeve 103. Preferably, when the first connector 100 is positioned to be inserted into the second connector 200, or actually coupled to the second connector 200, the wings 130 are located on the sides of the first connector 100, with the second handling portion 132 extending from the top to the bottom of the first connector 100, while at least the first engaging member 110 is located on the top of the first connector 100. Preferably, the second engaging member 110 is provided on the bottom of the first connector 100.

[0045] Each second handling portion 132 preferably extends to an area larger than, and more preferably at least three times larger than, the area of ​​the first handling portion 115 of the engaging member 110. Intuitively, when removing the connecting system or the first connect 100 from the package, the worker will want to hold the larger shape and therefore grasp the wing 130 between their thumb and index finger. This prevents the first handling portion 115 of the engaging member 110 from being pressed.

[0046] Since the operator's fingers do not press on the first handling portion 115, the engaging member 110 does not flex except when the inclined surface 112a is in contact with the edge of the window 242, and the snapping of the engaging member 110 back when the slide between the inclined surface 112a and the edge of the window 242 reaches the end of the inclined surface 112a is not prevented by the fingers. This produces sensory feedback, such as tactile feedback and / or noise such as a clicking sound, that informs the operator that the first connector 100 is secured to the second connector 200.

[0047] Furthermore, by positioning a finger on the wing 130, the distal end 114 of at least one elastic engagement member 110 remains visible, and the operator can guide the visible distal end 114 to the window 242 of the interface 204 of the second connector 200.

[0048] Preferably, the wing 130 is interposed between the proximal ends 116 of the two engaging members 110. Preferably, the wing 130 extends at least to the height of the first handling portion 115 of the engaging member 110. The gap 122 between the proximal end 116 and the body 102 of the first connector 100, which is configured to accommodate a portion of the proximal end 116 of the engaging member 110 when the engaging member 110 flexes, is located between the two wings 130. Thus, since a pushing finger must be inserted between the two wings 130 to push the first handling portion 115, the first handling portion 115 is prevented from being unintentionally pushed and the first connector 100 from being unintentionally detached from the second connector 200.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments, it is clear that the invention is by no means limited thereto and includes all technical equivalents of the means described and combinations thereof. In particular, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connection system comprising a first connector (100) coupled to the first medical line (101) and a second connector (200) coupled to the second medical line (201) for connecting a first medical line (101) to a second medical line (201) leading to an injector, wherein the first connector (100) is configured to engage with the second connector (200) to create a passage (107) for medical fluid when the first connector (100) is in an engaged configuration with the second connector (200), The second connector (200) comprises a line path (210) for the second medical line (201), the line path (210) comprising an exposed portion (220) for exposing the second medical line, The connection system comprises a docking station (300) configured to receive and hold the second connector (200) in a housing space (304), the first connector (100) is configured to engage with the second connector (200) in the engagement configuration by moving the first connector (100) toward the second connector (200) housed in the housing space (304), the docking station (300) comprises an air sensor (310), and the exposed portion (220) of the line path (210) faces the air sensor (310) when the second connector (200) is housed in the housing space (304). A connection system characterized by the following features.

2. The connection system according to claim 1, wherein the first medical line (101) is a patient tubular line leading to a skin penetration device and is configured to be exchanged between each patient, while the second medical line (201) is a reusable tubular line configured to be used for multiple patients.

3. The connection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the line path (210) comprises a bracket (214) configured to hold the second medical line (201) in the line path (210), and the exposed portion (220) lacks a bracket.

4. The connection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the line path (210) comprises a first portion (216) extending in a first direction and a second portion (218) extending in a second direction at an angle to the first direction, and the exposed portion (220) is located in the second portion (218).

5. The connection system according to claim 4, wherein the first direction is the engagement direction (105).

6. The connection system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

7. The connection system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the second connector (200) comprises a front (202) from which an interface (204) for engagement with the first connector (100) opens, and a rear (206) configured to be housed in the housing space (304), the line path (210) extends from the interface (204) to the rear (206) and comprises an outlet (212) from which the second medical line (201) exits the line path (210), the first portion (216) ends at the interface (204), and the second portion (218) extends the first portion (216) to the outlet (212).

8. The connection system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the air sensor (310) comprises a groove (312) configured to receive the second medical line (201) of the exposed portion (220) of the line path (201) when the second connector (200) is located in the housing space (304).

9. The connection system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first connector comprises at least one elastic engaging member (110) that cooperates with the second connector (200) in the engagement configuration to lock the first connector (100) to the second connector (200).

10. The connection system according to claim 9, wherein the elastic engaging member (110) has an anchor portion (112) at its distal end (114), the elastic engaging member (110) is configured to bend its distal end (114) to enable engagement between the first connector (100) and the second connector (200), and the anchor portion (112) is configured to cooperate with the shoulder (250) of the second connector (200) to hold the first connector (100) in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the first connector (100) is engaged with the second connector (200).

11. The connection system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the docking station comprises a photodetector (320) configured to detect the locked state of the first connector (100) with the second connector (200).

12. The docking station comprises a photodetector (320) configured to emit a light beam (322) and to detect whether the light beam (322) is blocked, wherein the light beam (322) is blocked only when the anchor portion (112) is cooperating with the shoulder (250) of the second connector (200) by the first connector (100), the connection system according to claim 9 or 10.

13. The connection system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first connector comprises an elastic engaging member (110) configured to cooperate with the second connector (200) in the engagement configuration to lock the first connector (100) onto the second connector (200), the elastic engaging member (110) comprises a distal end (114) configured to be inserted into the second connector (200) and a first handling portion (115) at the proximal end (116), and the first connector (100) comprises two wings (130) on both sides of the first connector (100), each wing (130) comprising a second handling portion (132) extending over an area larger than the area of ​​the first handling portion (115).

14. The connection system according to claim 13, wherein the proximal end (116) of each elastic engaging member (110) is separated from the body (102) of the first connector (100) by a gap (122) configured to accommodate a portion of the proximal end (116) when the engaging member (110) flexes, and the gap (122) is located between the two wings (130).

15. The connection system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the line path (210) is a rigid body, and the second medical line (201) is firmly held along the line path (210).

16. The connection system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the housing space (304) is located inside a cavity (308) in the docking station (300), the cavity (308) opens to the front (302) of the docking station (300) through an orifice (306), and the air sensor (310) is arranged inside the cavity (308).

17. The connection system according to claim 16, wherein the air sensor (310) is located within the cavity (308) on the side of the housing space (304) opposite to the orifice (306).

18. The connection system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the second connector (200) comprises a front (202) from which an interface (204) for engagement with the first connector (100) opens, and a rear (206) configured to be housed in the housing space (304), and the shape of the orifice (306) allows insertion of the rear (206) of the second connector (200).

19. The connection system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the orifice (306) is asymmetrical.

20. The connection system according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the second connector (200) is configured to be inserted into the housing space (304) by moving the second connector (200) along the insertion direction (205).

21. The connection system according to claim 20, wherein the insertion direction (205) is the same as the engagement direction (105).

22. The connection system according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the second connector (200) comprises at least one elastic engaging member (230), the elastic engaging member (230) comprising an anchor portion (232) having a retaining portion (236) protruding from the elastic engaging member (230), the elastic engaging member (230) flexes to enable engagement between the second connector (200) and the docking station (300), and is configured to cause the retaining portion (236) to cooperate with the wall portion (316) of the docking station (300) to hold the second connector (200) in the opposite direction to the insertion direction when the second connector (200) is housed in the housing space (304).

23. A method for operating the connection system according to any one of claims 1 to 22, Engaging the second connector (200) into the housing space (304) of the docking station (300), wherein the second medical line (201) is positioned along the line path (210) of the second connector (200) with its exposed portion (220) facing the air sensor (310), and thereafter performing several consecutive engagements for different first connectors (100) and first medical lines (101) while keeping the second connector (200) positioned in the housing space (304), By moving the first connector (100) coupled to the first medical line (201) in the engagement direction (105) toward the second connector (200) housed in the housing space (304), the first connector (100) is engaged with the second connector (200), thereby creating a passage (107) for medical fluid between the second medical line (201), the second connector (200), the first connector (100), and the first medical line (201). The first connector (100) is separated from the second connector (200) by its proximal end (116), which moves the first connector (100) in a separation direction opposite to the engagement direction. Discard the first connector (100) and Methods that include...

24. The first connector comprises an elastic engaging member (110) configured to cooperate with the second connector (200) in the engagement configuration to lock the first connector (100) to the second connector (200), the elastic engaging member (110) comprising a distal end (114) configured to be inserted into the second connector (200) and a first handling portion (115) at the proximal end (116), and the first connector (100) comprising two wings (130) on both sides of the first connector (100), Engaging the first connector (100) with the second connector (200) includes holding the first connector (100) with a finger on the wing (130), Disconnecting the first connector (100) from the second connector (200) includes pressing the handling portion (115) of the proximal end (116) of the engaging member (100) when moving the first connector (100) in a separation direction opposite to the engagement direction (105). The method according to claim 23.

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