Patent US4588402A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4588402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector for medical tubing and medical solution bag device using the connector
Assignee: Terumo Corp
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Filing: 1985-05-01
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Granted: 1986-05-13
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Expires: 2005-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A connector for medical tubing for liquid transfusion includes a short tubular male connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof materia; a short tubular female connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material; and a fitting surface portion on the outer surface of an insertion end of the male connector, shaped in the male form and made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the material of a corresponding fitting surface portion on the inner surface of an insertion end of the female connector shaped in the female form. The fitting surface portion of the insertion end shaped in the male form, and the fitting surface portion of the insertion end shaped in the female form, are of relative sizes such as to permit the insertion ends to be connected to and separated from each other by shrink fit utilizing the difference between the thermal expansion coefficients thereof. A medical solution bag device using the connector is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Akira Igari
- 👤 Keinosuke Isono
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M39/00; A61M39/22; A61M39/221; A61M39/10; A61M1/00; A61M1/14; A61M1/28; A61M2039/1027; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/905; Y10S29/00; Y10S29/035; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
378 words
A connector arrangement for medical tubing for liquid transfusion, the connector connecting together two flexible tubes, the connector arrangement comprising: a tubular male connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having an end adapted to be connected by insertion to the connecting end of one of said two flexible tubes, said male connector member having a male engaging portion having a male insertion end shaped in a male form at the end thereof opposite from the aforementioned end connected to a tube, and further having an inner passage extending therethrough; a tubular female connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having an end adapted to be connected by insertion to the connecting end of the other of said two flexible tubes, said female connector member having a female engaging portion having a female insertion end shaped in a female form which is dimensioned for fast insertion into the insertion end shaped in the male form of said male connector member at the end opposite from said other of said two tubes and further having an inner passage extending therethrough; a first fitting surface portion provided on said male connector member on the outer surface of said male insertion end thereof; and a second fitting surface portion provided on an inner surface portion of said female insertion end of said female connector member; said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member being made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the material of said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member, and said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member and said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member having relative sizes such as to permit the insertion ends thereof to be connected to and separated from each other by shrink fit utilizing a difference between the thermal expansion coefficients thereof; wherein the materials forming said male and said female connector members including said first and said second fitting surface portions are capable of withstanding heating to a temperature sufficient for sterilization of both connector members, and said difference between the thermal expansion coefficients is selected to enable both connector members to be joined to and separated from one another at the sterilization temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
378 words
A connector arrangement for medical tubing for liquid transfusion, the connector connecting together two flexible tubes, the connector arrangement comprising: a tubular male connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having an end adapted to be connected by insertion to the connecting end of one of said two flexible tubes, said male connector member having a male engaging portion having a male insertion end shaped in a male form at the end thereof opposite from the aforementioned end connected to a tube, and further having an inner passage extending therethrough; a tubular female connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having an end adapted to be connected by insertion to the connecting end of the other of said two flexible tubes, said female connector member having a female engaging portion having a female insertion end shaped in a female form which is dimensioned for fast insertion into the insertion end shaped in the male form of said male connector member at the end opposite from said other of said two tubes and further having an inner passage extending therethrough; a first fitting surface portion provided on said male connector member on the outer surface of said male insertion end thereof; and a second fitting surface portion provided on an inner surface portion of said female insertion end of said female connector member; said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member being made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the material of said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member, and said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member and said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member having relative sizes such as to permit the insertion ends thereof to be connected to and separated from each other by shrink fit utilizing a difference between the thermal expansion coefficients thereof; wherein the materials forming said male and said female connector members including said first and said second fitting surface portions are capable of withstanding heating to a temperature sufficient for sterilization of both connector members, and said difference between the thermal expansion coefficients is selected to enable both connector members to be joined to and separated from one another at the sterilization temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A connector according to claim 1, wherein said male connector member is made of a ceramic material and said female connector member is made of at least one of a thermally resistant corrosionproof metal material and a thermally resistant corrosionproof plastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A connector according to claim 2, wherein said female connector member is made of a thermally resistant corrosionproof metal material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A connector according to claim 3, wherein said thermally resistant corrosionproof metal material is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloy, nickel, nickel alloy, aluminum and chromium-plated brass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A connector according to claim 1, wherein said first fitting surface of said male connector member and said second fitting surface of said female connector member are matched tapered cylindrical surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A connector according to claim 1, wherein fitting surface of said male connector member and said second fitting surface of said female connector member are matched parallelly cylindrical surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A connector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said male and female connector members is provided with at least one seal member capable of liquid tightly connecting the connector members by sealing engagement with at least one of said male insertion end and said female insertion end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A connector according to claim 7, wherein said seal member is an O ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A connector according to claim 1, which further comprises a locking mechanism coupled to said male and female connector members for locking said connector members together, thereby enhancing the union between said male and female connector members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A connector according to claim 9, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a nut fitted around one of said connector members and a screw formed on the other of said connector members and adapted to be helically engaged with said nut.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
A connector according to claim 1, further comprising two short tubes made of a thermally resistant corrosionproof plastic material, and wherein said male insertion end and said female insertion end are each connected to respective one of said short tubes made of a thermally resistant corrosionproof material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A connector according to claim 1, wherein said flexible tubes are made of silicone resin or rubber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A connector according to claim 1, wherein said connector members are provided at the mutually opposite ends thereof with short tubular connection tubes made of a thermally resistant flexible resin and said connection tubes are communicably connected to respective tubes made of a flexible thermally nonresistant plastic material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A connector according to claim 1, further comprising hand tube members made of heat insulating material coupled coaxially to the tube insertion ends of said connector members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
437 words
A medical solution bag device, comprising: a flexible bag containing a solution and having at least one solution transfer port, a first flexible tube connected to said transfer port and adapted to guide the solution contained in said bag during discharge of the solution from the bag, a second tube adapted to be connected to said first flexible tube, and a connector arrangement for coupling said first and second tubes together, said connector arrangement comprising: a tubular male connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having a first end adapted to be connected by insertion to a connecting end of one of said first and second tubes, said male connector member having a male engaging portion having a male insertion end shaped in a male form at the end thereof opposite from the aforementioned first end thereof, and further having an inner passage extending therethrough; a tubular female connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having a first end adapted to be connected by insertion to the connecting end of the other of said first and second tubes, said female connector member having a female engaging portion having a female insertion end shaped in a female form which is dimensioned for fast insertion into the insertion end shaped in the male form of said male connector member at the end opposite from said other of said first and second tubes and further having an inner passage extending therethrough; a first fitting surface portion provided on said male connector member on the outer surface of said male insertion end thereof; and a second fitting surface portion provided on an inner surface portion of said female insertion end of said female connector member; said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member being made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the material of said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member, and said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member and said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member having relative sizes such as to permit the insertion ends thereof to be connected to and separated from each other by shrink fit utilizing a difference between the thermal expansion coefficients thereof; wherein the materials forming said male and said female connector members including said first and said second fitting surface portions are capable of withstanding heating to a temperature sufficient for sterilization of both connector members, and said difference between the thermal expansion coefficients is selected to enable both connector members to be joined to and separated from one another at the sterilization temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
437 words
A medical solution bag device, comprising: a flexible bag containing a solution and having at least one solution transfer port, a first flexible tube connected to said transfer port and adapted to guide the solution contained in said bag during discharge of the solution from the bag, a second tube adapted to be connected to said first flexible tube, and a connector arrangement for coupling said first and second tubes together, said connector arrangement comprising: a tubular male connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having a first end adapted to be connected by insertion to a connecting end of one of said first and second tubes, said male connector member having a male engaging portion having a male insertion end shaped in a male form at the end thereof opposite from the aforementioned first end thereof, and further having an inner passage extending therethrough; a tubular female connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having a first end adapted to be connected by insertion to the connecting end of the other of said first and second tubes, said female connector member having a female engaging portion having a female insertion end shaped in a female form which is dimensioned for fast insertion into the insertion end shaped in the male form of said male connector member at the end opposite from said other of said first and second tubes and further having an inner passage extending therethrough; a first fitting surface portion provided on said male connector member on the outer surface of said male insertion end thereof; and a second fitting surface portion provided on an inner surface portion of said female insertion end of said female connector member; said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member being made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the material of said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member, and said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member and said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member having relative sizes such as to permit the insertion ends thereof to be connected to and separated from each other by shrink fit utilizing a difference between the thermal expansion coefficients thereof; wherein the materials forming said male and said female connector members including said first and said second fitting surface portions are capable of withstanding heating to a temperature sufficient for sterilization of both connector members, and said difference between the thermal expansion coefficients is selected to enable both connector members to be joined to and separated from one another at the sterilization temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
A bag device according to claim 15, wherein said male connector member is made of a ceramic material and said female connector member is made of at least one of a thermally resistant corrosionproof metal and thermally resistant corrosionproof plastic material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A bag device according to claim 16, wherein said female connector member is made of a thermally resistant corrosionproof metal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A bag device accordig to claim 17 wherein said thermally resistant corrosionproof metal material is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloy, nickel, nickel alloy, aluminum and chromium-plated brass.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A bag device according to claim 15, wherein said first fitting surface of said male connector member and said second fitting surface of said female connector member are matched tapered cylindrical surfaces.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
A bag device according to claim 15, wherein said first fitting surface of said male connector member and said second fitting surface of said female connector member are matched parallelly cylindrical surfaces.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
85 words
A bag device according to claim 15, which further comprises communication means arranged in a path leading from the inner end of said solution transfer port inside said bag to said connector, said communication means including means for blocking the flow of the solution contained in said bag until said solution is to be put to use, and said communication means including means for opening said blocking means to allow the flow of the solution from said bag when said solution is put to use.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bag device according to claim 21, wherein said communication means is disposed at the inner end of said solution transfer port within said bag.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A bag device according to claim 21, wherein said communication means is disposed in said solution transfer port.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
A bag device according to claim 21, wherein said communication means is disposed in said first flexible tube between said solution transfer port and said connector.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
404 words
A connector apparatus for medical tubing for liquid transfusion, the connector apparatus connecting together two flexible tubes, the connector apparatus comprising: a tubular male connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having a first end adapted to be connected to one of said two flexible tubes, said male connector member having a second end opposite said first end thereof, said second end having a male engaging portion having a male insertion end shaped in a male form, said male connector member further having an inner passage extending therethrough; a tubular female connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having a first end adapted to be connected to the other of said two flexible tubes, said female connector member having a second end opposite said first end thereof, said second end of said female connector member having a female engaging portion having a female insertion end shaped in a female form which is dimensioned for fast insertion into the insertion end shaped in the male form of said male connector member, said female connector member further having an inner passage extending therethrough; a first fitting surface portion provided on said male connector member on the outer surface of said second end thereof; a second fitting surface portion provided on an inner surface portion of said second end of said female connector member; said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member being made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the material of said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member, and said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member and said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member having relative sizes such as to permit the insertion ends thereof to be connected to and separated from each other by shrink fit utilizing the difference between the thermal expansion coefficients thereof; said male and female connector members having respective tubular connection tubes provided at said first ends thereof for connection to said flexible tubes, said connection tubes being made of a thermally resistant flexible resin; and communication means in communication with said inner passage of said male and female connector members and including blocking means for blocking the flow of a solution therethrough, said communication means including means for selectively opening said blocking means to permit flow of a solution through said inner passages of said male and female connector members.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
404 words
A connector apparatus for medical tubing for liquid transfusion, the connector apparatus connecting together two flexible tubes, the connector apparatus comprising: a tubular male connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having a first end adapted to be connected to one of said two flexible tubes, said male connector member having a second end opposite said first end thereof, said second end having a male engaging portion having a male insertion end shaped in a male form, said male connector member further having an inner passage extending therethrough; a tubular female connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having a first end adapted to be connected to the other of said two flexible tubes, said female connector member having a second end opposite said first end thereof, said second end of said female connector member having a female engaging portion having a female insertion end shaped in a female form which is dimensioned for fast insertion into the insertion end shaped in the male form of said male connector member, said female connector member further having an inner passage extending therethrough; a first fitting surface portion provided on said male connector member on the outer surface of said second end thereof; a second fitting surface portion provided on an inner surface portion of said second end of said female connector member; said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member being made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the material of said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member, and said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member and said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member having relative sizes such as to permit the insertion ends thereof to be connected to and separated from each other by shrink fit utilizing the difference between the thermal expansion coefficients thereof; said male and female connector members having respective tubular connection tubes provided at said first ends thereof for connection to said flexible tubes, said connection tubes being made of a thermally resistant flexible resin; and communication means in communication with said inner passage of said male and female connector members and including blocking means for blocking the flow of a solution therethrough, said communication means including means for selectively opening said blocking means to permit flow of a solution through said inner passages of said male and female connector members.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
488 words
A method for coupling and separating a connector arrangement for medical tubing for liquid transfusion under a sterilized state, using a connector for connecting together two flexible tubes, the method comprising: coupling together a tubular male connector member and a tubular female connector member by heating them with a flame to sterilize said male and female connector members, inserting said male connector members into said female connector member, and allowing said male and female connectors to cool to shrink fit to each other to be strongly connected together; and then separating said coupled together male and female connector members by heating them with a flame to sterilize connector members, and then applying a separating force to said male and female connector members until they separate from each other; the tubular male connector member being made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having an end adapted to be connected by insertion to the connecting end of one of said two flexible tubes, said male connector member having a male engaging portion having a male insertion end shaped in a male form at the end thereof opposite from the aforementioned end connected to a tube, and further having an inner pasaage extending therethrough; the tubular female connector member being made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having an end adapted to be connected by insertion to the connecting end of the other of said two flexible tubes, said female connector member having a female engaging portion having a female insertion end shaped in a female form which is dimensioned for fast insertion into the insertion end shaped in the male form of said male connector member at the end opposite from said other of said two tubes and further having an inner passage extending therethrough; a first fitting surface portion provided on said male connector member on the outer surface of said male insertion end thereof; and a second fitting surface portion provided on an inner surface portion of said female insertion end of said female connector member; said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member being made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the material of said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member, and said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member and said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member having relative sizes such as to permit the insertion ends thereof to be connected to and separated from each other by shrink fit utilizing a difference between the thermal expansion coefficients thereof; wherein the materials forming said male and said female connector members including said first and said second fitting surface portions are capable of withstanding heating to a temperature sufficient for sterilization of both connector member, and said dfference between the thermal expansion coefficients is selected to enable both connector members to be joined to and separated from one another at the sterilization temperature.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
488 words
A method for coupling and separating a connector arrangement for medical tubing for liquid transfusion under a sterilized state, using a connector for connecting together two flexible tubes, the method comprising: coupling together a tubular male connector member and a tubular female connector member by heating them with a flame to sterilize said male and female connector members, inserting said male connector members into said female connector member, and allowing said male and female connectors to cool to shrink fit to each other to be strongly connected together; and then separating said coupled together male and female connector members by heating them with a flame to sterilize connector members, and then applying a separating force to said male and female connector members until they separate from each other; the tubular male connector member being made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having an end adapted to be connected by insertion to the connecting end of one of said two flexible tubes, said male connector member having a male engaging portion having a male insertion end shaped in a male form at the end thereof opposite from the aforementioned end connected to a tube, and further having an inner pasaage extending therethrough; the tubular female connector member being made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material, and having an end adapted to be connected by insertion to the connecting end of the other of said two flexible tubes, said female connector member having a female engaging portion having a female insertion end shaped in a female form which is dimensioned for fast insertion into the insertion end shaped in the male form of said male connector member at the end opposite from said other of said two tubes and further having an inner passage extending therethrough; a first fitting surface portion provided on said male connector member on the outer surface of said male insertion end thereof; and a second fitting surface portion provided on an inner surface portion of said female insertion end of said female connector member; said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member being made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the material of said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member, and said first fitting surface portion of said male connector member and said second fitting surface portion of said female connector member having relative sizes such as to permit the insertion ends thereof to be connected to and separated from each other by shrink fit utilizing a difference between the thermal expansion coefficients thereof; wherein the materials forming said male and said female connector members including said first and said second fitting surface portions are capable of withstanding heating to a temperature sufficient for sterilization of both connector member, and said dfference between the thermal expansion coefficients is selected to enable both connector members to be joined to and separated from one another at the sterilization temperature.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 26, wherein at least one of said heating steps comprises placing said male and female connectors near said flame.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 26, wherein at least one of said heating steps comprises placing said male and female connectors in said flame.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 26, wherein said male connector member is made of a ceramic material and said female connector member is made of at least one of a thermally resistant corrosionproof metal material and a thermally resistant corrosionproof plastic material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 26, comprising providing said first fitting surface of said male connector member and said second fitting surface of said female connector member with matched tapered cylindrical surfaces.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 26, comprising providing said first fitting surface of said male connector member and said second fitting surface of said female connector member with matched parallelly cylindrical surfaces.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 26, comprising providing at least one of said male and female connector members with at least one seal member capable of liquid tightly connecting said connecting members together by sealing engaged members with at least one of said male insertion end and said female insertion end.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 26, further comprising providing a locking mechanism coupled to said male and female connector members for locking said connector members together, thereby enhancing the connection between said male and female connector members.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 26, comprising providing short tubular connection tubes at the mutually opposite ends of said connector members, said shorty tubular connection tubes being made of a thermally resistant flexible resin, and further comprising coupling said connection tubes to respective tubes made of a flexible thermally nonresistant plastic material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 25, comprising providing tubular holder members made of heat insulating material, and coupling said holder members to the tube side portions of said connector members such that said tube side portions are covered with respective tubular holder members.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-05-12 | 1989-11-11 | 1990-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-12 | 1993-11-11 | 1994-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-12 | 1997-11-11 | 1998-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |