Rotating Luer Connector

Abstract

The medical connector includes a body, a first connector defining a longitudinal axis extending from a first end of the first connector to a second end of the first connector, and a second connector secured to the body and in fluid communication with the first connector. The first connector is secured to the body and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the body. The first connector includes a valve member and is configured to be secured to a syringe barrel. The valve member of the first connector has a closed position and an open position. The valve member of the first connector is configured to move from the closed position to the open position when the syringe barrel is secured to the first connector.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application relates generally to medical connectors, and more particularly to rotating luer connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 966,169, entitled "Rotating Luer Connector," filed January 27, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Description of Related Art A luer connection in a medical connector includes a luer lock thread that cooperates with a corresponding thread on a mating component, such as a syringe. Standards governing luer connections, such as ISO 80369-7, do not standardize the timing position of the threads. Therefore, when a syringe is secured to a luer connector, the graduations or other markings on the syringe barrel may not be oriented in a way that allows a medical professional to read the graduations. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In one embodiment, the medical connector includes a body and a first connector defining a longitudinal axis extending from a first end of the first connector to a second end of the first connector, the first connector being secured to the body and rotatable relative to the body about the longitudinal axis. The first connector includes a valve member and is configured to be secured to a syringe barrel, the valve member of the first connector having a closed position and an open position. The valve member of the first connector is configured to move from the closed position to the open position when the syringe barrel is secured to the first connector. The medical connector also includes a second connector secured to the body and in fluid communication with the first connector.

[0005] The first connector may have a predetermined angle of rotation about the longitudinal axis, the predetermined angle of rotation being less than 360 degrees. The predetermined angle of rotation may be 45 degrees. The first connector member may include a stop configured to limit the first connecting member to the predetermined angle of rotation.

[0006] The medical connector may include a third connector secured to the body and in fluid communication with the first and second connectors, The second connector may be a female luer member and the third connector may be a male luer member.

[0007] The first connector may include a dial member and a connector body. The dial member includes a protrusion configured to be engaged by a human to rotate the first connector about a longitudinal axis. The connector body may include an external thread (male thread) and may be configured to receive the male Luer connector of the syringe barrel.

[0008] The valve member may be an elastomeric sleeve defining a slit that is closed when the valve member is in the closed position and open when the valve member is in the open position. The valve member may be received by a sleeve housing that is disposed within an interior space defined by the dial member and the connector body. The body may include a main portion, an inner flow portion, and an outer hub portion, the inner flow portion being received by the interior space defined by the outer hub portion, and the first connector being fixed to and rotatable relative to the outer hub portion. The inner flow portion may define an opening that is in fluid communication with the second connector.

[0009] The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become more apparent, and the disclosure itself will be better understood, by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure accompanied by the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view of a medical connector according to one aspect or embodiment of the present application. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a bottom view of the dial member of the medical connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a top view of the medical connector of FIG. 1 showing the medical connector in a first rotational position. [Figure 5] 1 , showing the medical connector in a second rotational position. [Figure 6] 2 is a front view of the medical connector of FIG. 1 showing the medical connector secured to a syringe barrel. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 2 is a perspective view of the medical connector of FIG. 1 showing the medical connector in a first rotational position secured to a syringe barrel. [Figure 9] 2 is a perspective view of the medical connector of FIG. 1 showing the medical connector in a second rotational position secured to a syringe barrel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples set forth herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and such examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0012] The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments contemplated for practicing the invention. However, various modifications, equivalents, variations, and alternatives will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that any and all of those modifications, variations, equivalents, and alternatives fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0013] For purposes of the following description, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "transverse," "longitudinal," and derivatives thereof, shall refer to the present invention as oriented in the drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention may contemplate various alternative modifications, unless expressly specified to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting. All numerical values ​​and ranges used in the specification and claims should be understood to be modified in all instances by the term "about." "About" means plus or minus 25 percent of the stated value, for example, plus or minus 10 percent of the stated value. However, this should not be considered limiting with respect to any numerical analysis under the doctrine of equivalents.

[0014] Unless otherwise specified, all ranges or ratios disclosed herein should be understood to include the starting and ending values, and any and all subranges or subratios encompassed. For example, a range or ratio stated as "1 to 10" should be considered to include any and all subranges or subratios between the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10 (inclusive), i.e., all subranges or subratios beginning with a minimum value of 1 or greater and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less. It should be noted that ranges and / or ratios disclosed herein represent the average value of the specified range and / or ratio.

[0015] The terms "first," "second," etc. are not intended to indicate a particular order or chronology, but rather indicate different conditions, characteristics, or elements.

[0016] 1-9 , a medical connector 10 according to one aspect or embodiment of the present application includes a body 12, a first connector 14, a second connector 16, and a third connector 18. The first connector 14 defines a longitudinal axis L extending from a first end 20 of the first connector 14 to a second end 22 of the first connector 14. The first connector 14 is secured to the body 12 and is rotatable relative to the body 12 about the longitudinal axis L. The first connector 14 includes a valve member 24 and is configured to be secured to a syringe barrel 26, as shown in FIGS. 6-9 . The valve member 24 of the first connector 14 has a closed position and an open position. As shown in FIG. 7 , the valve member 24 of the first connector 14 is configured to move from the closed position to the open position when the syringe barrel 26 is secured to the first connector 14. The second connector 16 is secured to the body 12 and is in fluid communication with the first connector 14. The third connector 18 is fixed to the body 12 and is in fluid communication with the first connector 14 and the second connector 16 .

[0017] As described in more detail below, first connector 14 is rotatable relative to body 12 about longitudinal axis L between a first rotational position, shown in Figures 4 and 8, and a second rotational position, shown in Figures 5 and 9. When syringe barrel 26 is secured to first connector 14, rotation of first connector 14 relative to body 12 also rotates syringe barrel 26 to change the orientation of graduation indicia 28 on syringe barrel 26, thereby facilitating visualization of graduation indicia 28 by a medical professional. Medical connector 10 may be used with or integrated with a flow sensor system, such as the flow sensor system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,970,794, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0018] In one aspect or embodiment, the first connector member 14 has a predetermined angle of rotation about the longitudinal axis L, which may be less than 360 degrees. The predetermined angle of rotation may be 45 degrees. As shown in FIG. 3 , the first connector member 14 may include a stop 30 configured to limit the first connector member 14 to the predetermined angle of rotation. Although another suitable arrangement may be utilized, the stop 30 may engage with a corresponding structure on the body 12 to limit the predetermined angle of rotation.

[0019] 1-9 , second connector 16 is a female luer member having external threads 32, and third connector 18 is a male luer member having a rotating luer lock 34, although other suitable connection arrangements may be utilized. First connector 14 includes a dial member 50 and a connector body 52. ​​Connector body 52 may be fixed to or integrally formed with connector body 52. ​​Dial member 50 includes a pair of protrusions 54 configured to engage with dial member 50 to rotate first connector 14 about longitudinal axis L by a medical professional, although one or more protrusions 54 may be provided. Connector body 52 includes external threads 56 and is configured to receive a male luer connector 60 of syringe barrel 26. Although other suitable arrangements may be utilized, valve member 24 is an elastomeric sleeve defining a slit 62. Slit 62 is configured to close when valve member 24 is in a closed position and to open when valve member 24 is in an open position. As shown in FIG. 7 , when the syringe barrel 26 is fixed to the first connector 14 by rotating it relative to the first connector 14, the male luer connector 60 of the syringe barrel 26 engages with and compresses the valve member 24. The compression of the valve member 24 causes the valve member 24 to deform and open the slit 62. The valve member 24 is received by a sleeve housing 64. The sleeve housing 64 is disposed within an interior space 66 defined by the dial member 50 and the connector body 52. ​​The sleeve housing 64 is fixed to a portion of the valve member 24, and the sleeve housing 64 is fixed to the dial member 50 and the connector body 52.

[0020] 1 and 2 , the body 12 of the medical connector 10 includes a main portion 70, an inner flow portion 72, and an outer hub portion 74. The inner flow portion 72 is received by an interior space 76 defined by the outer hub portion 74, and the first connector 14 is fixed to and rotatable relative to the outer hub portion 74. The inner flow portion 72 defines an opening 78 that fluidly communicates with the second connector 16. The main portion 70, inner flow portion 72, and outer hub portion 74 may be integrally formed with one another or may be formed separately and then fixed to one another. The dial member 50 of the first connector 14 engages with the outer hub portion 74 and is rotatable relative to the outer hub portion 74. The dial member 50 forms a sealed interface with the outer hub portion 74. Although not shown, a seal such as an O-ring may be provided to form a sealed interface between the dial member 50 and the outer hub portion 74.

[0021] The first connector 14 may further include a ratchet arrangement (not shown) for providing audible and / or tactile feedback during rotation of the first connector 14. The first connector 14 may also include a torsion spring (not shown) for biasing the first connector 14 toward the first or second rotational position. The first connector 14 may also include a torque limiter (not shown) for preventing damage to the first connector 14 when a predetermined torque is applied to the first connector 14 after hitting the stop 30.

[0022] 8 and 9 , according to one aspect or embodiment of the present invention, the syringe barrel 26 is secured to the medical connector 10 by inserting the male luer 60 of the syringe barrel 26 into the connector body 52 of the first connector 14 and rotating the syringe barrel 26 clockwise relative to the medical connector 10 until the mating threads of the connector body 52 and the male luer 60 are fully engaged. In one aspect or embodiment, the syringe barrel 26 is rotated 180 degrees relative to the first connector 14 until there is sufficient engagement or friction between the mating threads, and then the syringe barrel 26 and the first connector 14 are rotated an additional 45 degrees together to place the first connector 14 in the first rotated position. As shown in Figure 8, with the syringe barrel 26 secured to the medical connector 10 and the first connector 14 in the first rotated position, if necessary, the medical professional can rotate the first connector 14 and the syringe barrel 26 counterclockwise 0 to 45 degrees to orient the syringe barrel 26 so that the scale markings 28 on the syringe barrel 26 can be visualized. As shown in Figure 9, the syringe barrel 26 and the first connector 14 can be rotated counterclockwise together until the syringe barrel 26 and the first connector 14 are in the second rotated position, and then the syringe barrel 26 can be disconnected from the medical connector 10 by rotating the syringe barrel 26 relative to the first connector 14 to disconnect the syringe barrel 26 from the first connector 14.

[0023] In one aspect or embodiment, the first connector 14 is rotatable 360 ​​degrees and does not include a stop or structure to limit rotation. A medical professional can grasp the dial member 50 to fasten / disconnect the first connector 14 of the medical connector 10 to / from the syringe barrel 26.

[0024] While this disclosure has been described as having an exemplary design, the disclosure can be further modified within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. To the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment or aspect may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment or aspect. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. The main body and a first connector defining a longitudinal axis extending from a first end of the first connector to a second end of the first connector, the first connector being secured to the body and rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the body, the first connector including a valve member, the first connector being configured to be secured to a syringe barrel, the valve member of the first connector having a closed position and an open position, the valve member of the first connector being configured to engage and compress with the syringe barrel to move from the closed position to the open position upon securing the syringe barrel to the first connector; a second connector secured to the body and in fluid communication with the first connector; wherein the first connector has a predetermined angle of rotation about a longitudinal axis, the predetermined angle of rotation being less than 360 degrees.

2. 2. The medical connector according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined rotation angle is 45 degrees.

3. 2. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the first connector comprises a stop configured to limit the first connector to the predetermined angle of rotation.

4. 10. The medical connector of claim 1, further comprising a third connector secured to the body and in fluid communication with the first and second connectors.

5. 5. The medical connector of claim 4, wherein the second connector includes a female luer member and the third connector includes a male luer member.

6. 2. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a dial member and a connector body, the dial member including a protrusion configured to be engaged by a human to rotate the first connector about a longitudinal axis.

7. 7. The medical connector of claim 6, wherein the connector body includes external threads and is configured to receive a male luer connector of a syringe barrel.

8. 7. The medical connector of claim 6, wherein the valve member includes an elastomeric sleeve defining a slit, the slit configured to close when the valve member is in a closed position and to open when the valve member is in an open position.

9. 9. The medical connector of claim 8, wherein the valve member is received by a sleeve housing, the sleeve housing being disposed within an interior space defined by the dial member and the connector body.

10. 2. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the body includes a main portion, an inner flow portion, and an outer hub portion, the inner flow portion being received by an interior space defined by the outer hub portion, and the first connector being fixed to the outer hub portion and rotatable relative to the outer hub portion.

11. 11. The medical connector of claim 10, wherein the inner flow portion defines an opening in fluid communication with a second connector.

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