RU2442065C2 - Cassette junction connector - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: connecting equipment.

SUBSTANCE: connector comprises a set of separate connectors with dowels which hold the rails in the lower part. External circular surface of each rail has a set of claws or tenons which are installed into one of the relevant skirt holes in the cassette lid. Claws or tenons may be also used to prevent the connectors from turning more than 60°.

EFFECT: increased junction durability.

8 cl, 10 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to the connection of fluid sources to an element of a medical / surgical equipment; in particular, the present invention relates to a system for installing connectors in a cassette assembly used with an element of medical / surgical equipment.

BACKGROUND

To control the flow of various medical fluids associated with certain medical / surgical procedures, many elements of medical / surgical equipment are installed. Such fluids may include air, liquid flushing solutions, liquid antibiotics, blood or, in the case of eye surgery, tissue that has been removed and aspirated from the eye by a probe or hand tool. Typically, the channel for such fluids in the medical / surgical equipment element is a silicone tube section. An operator preparing a piece of medical / surgical equipment for a specific medical / surgical procedure attaches the individual sections of the silicone tube to each other to ensure that the necessary fluids get to where they are needed at the right time during the medical / surgical procedure.

The connection of the individual sections of the silicone tube with each other is performed using many different types of fittings. One of the most common types of fittings used with silicone tube sections in medical / surgical equipment is the Luer fitting. When using Luer fittings, the conical male Luer fitting interlocks with the cone female Luer fitting. The male and female Luer fittings can be fastened with a set of male and female connectors that encompass the male and female Luer fittings after they are joined. When the male and female conical Luer fittings are docked and the threaded connectors are threaded to each other around the male and female Luer fittings, a reliable connection is created between the two sections of the silicone tubes to allow fluid to flow through them without leakage.

Since each procedure that can be performed using an element of a medical / surgical equipment has a different set of fluids associated with it, some elements of a medical / surgical equipment use interchangeable manifolds or cassettes to facilitate grouping of the required pipe connections. This provides an appropriate set of fluids necessary for performing the prescribed medical / surgical procedure from the set of available medical / surgical procedures that are possible with an element of medical / surgical equipment.

To distinguish between joints when several tubing are located close to each other, engineers and designers of medical / surgical equipment typically use Luer fittings with different sizes. However, the size options for Luer fittings for selection by engineers and designers are quickly exhausted when several types of fluids are used.

In technical systems of a known level, the existing problem of the proper pairing of many Luer fittings, with a limited number of available connecting sizes of Luer fittings, was solved by the use of silicone tubular bushings that were used in the pre-connection process. In accordance with one particular known solution, pre-connected silicone tubular bushings were used to attach tubing with needle needles to the manifold or cassette used with an element of medical / surgical equipment, providing covered Luer geometry. Known pre-attachable silicone tubular sleeves serve primarily to provide stress relief in connections with silicone tubular sections and to enable the prior attachment of known silicone tubular sections to collectors or cassettes used in medical / surgical equipment.

It turned out that the well-known pre-attachable silicone tubular bushings have a high cost and are difficult to integrate into the automated production of medical / surgical equipment. In addition, known silicone tubular bushings are difficult to install on recessed fittings located in the manifold or cassette assembly. The well-known silicone tubular bushings are also not as easy to remove and re-fit as typical Luer fittings. In addition, the pre-attachable known silicone tubular bushings cannot be sterilely attached to the collector or cassette assembly.

Pre-attachable known silicone tubular sleeves have other disadvantages. Some pre-attachable known silicone tubular bushings are not able to withstand harsh transport conditions. The pre-attachable known silicone tubular bushings do not allow physical blocking of the connector when attempting to improperly connect to the collector or cassette assembly.

It is widely known that improper or cross-connection of fluids to an element of medical / surgical equipment constitutes a patient safety problem and may lead to a dangerous condition. Accordingly, in the technical field under consideration, there is a need for a connector to the cassette assembly interface system, which can be used to facilitate the preparation of an item of medical / surgical equipment for a specific medical / surgical procedure. The connector to the cartridge assembly interface system must provide reliable connectors for Luer fittings, provide locking if an incorrect connection is attempted, and protect the covered and enveloping portions of the Luer fitting from contamination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The connector to the cartridge assembly interface system of the present invention provides reliable connections for Luer fittings, provides locking if an incorrect connection is attempted, and protects the male and female portions of the Luer fitting from contamination.

The proposed connector to the interface system of the cassette assembly comprises a collector or cassette assembly comprising a cover portion and a cabinet portion. The cover portion of the collector or cassette assembly contains a plurality of skirts (portals) provided with skirts formed on its lower side. A plurality of tubular holes formed in the body portion of the collector or cassette assembly are combined with skirts provided with windows.

With individual skirt-equipped windows formed on the lower side of a cover portion of the collector or cassette assembly, a set of individual connectors fitted with dowels is mated. Each individual keyed connector includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion of each individual doweled connector includes a Luer fitting surrounded by a guard. The outer surface of the fence has a uniquely defined surface configuration, which performs the function of a key section, the shape of which is associated with the type of fluid flowing through the connector. In particular, the key section at the bottom of the lower section of the enclosure contains a set of protrusions that are consistent with a set of corresponding cutouts formed in each skirt-equipped window. By matching a set of protrusions extending outward from the enclosure with a set of cutouts in each skirt-mounted window in a portion of the collector or cassette assembly cover, a medical professional connecting sections of the silicone tubes used to transport the set of necessary fluids to a medical / surgical equipment element may ensure that the connectors enter the cassette assembly only at the proper specified locations for the required fluids.

The upper portion of each individual keyed connector preferably includes finger-catching flaps for hand-turning the keyed connector after the keyed connector is inserted into the skirt-shaped window formed in the cover section of the manifold or cassette assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A deeper understanding of the connector to the cartridge interface system in accordance with the present invention can be obtained by referring to the drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collector or cassette assembly with a set of connectors;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a connector provided with dowels, depicting a Luer fitting inside a lower portion;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the doweled connector of FIG. 2A, depicting its upper portion;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the components of a collector or cassette assembly with a set of connectors provided with keys, shown in FIG. one;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the top of a cover portion of a collector or cartridge assembly;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a bottom portion of a cover of a collector or cartridge assembly;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a body portion of a collector or cartridge assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, in partial section, showing a set of individual connectors installed in a collector or cassette assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of engagement of a guard and a skirt-equipped window; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of engagement of the fence and a skirt-equipped window containing a ratchet mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The objective of the invention is the provision of a connector to the cartridge interface system, which has the following features:

1) A blocking system for use when connecting a set of silicone tube sections to a collector or cassette assembly, while the blocking system uses a group of uniquely identified keyed geometrical configurations on each connector to eliminate the risk of mistakenly crossed connections between the tube sections. In particular:

a) A set of tabs or protrusions extending from the lower portion of each connector that provides a uniquely defined key geometry to ensure proper connection of the tubing section to the connecting pipe on the collector or cartridge assembly;

b) A connector section on each connector that allows a healthcare professional to grip each connector with your hand and easily insert the connector into the manifold or cassette assembly without contaminating the fitting section.

2) Sterile installation of a set of connectors equipped with dowels in a collector or cassette assembly. In particular:

a) A guard having a diameter sufficient to cover the Luer fitting;

b) A fence having a length sufficient to prevent contamination by touching the Luer fitting.

Despite the fact that the proposed connector to the cartridge interface system is designed for use with an ophthalmic surgical system, it will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that the proposed connector to the cartridge interface system is applicable to the most diverse medical / surgical equipment that needs in compounds with predefined fluid sets for the proper execution of at least one procedure.

The connector to the cartridge interface system 10, which provides a solution to the above problems, is shown in FIG. 1. The generalized construction of each individual keyed connector 20 is shown in FIG. 2A and 2B. In FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the installation of the individual connectors 20 in the collector or cassette assembly 50. After the individual connectors are inserted through skirted windows in the cover portion 70 of the collector or cassette assembly 50 into the cabinet portion 90 of the collector or cassette assembly 50, they are preferably rotated approximately 60 ° to a position in which they come into contact with either the front stops 92 or the rear stops 94 formed in the body portion 90 of the collector or cassette assembly 50 as shown in FIG. 4C and 5.

In order to ensure proper interfacing of the keyed connectors 20 with the collector or cassette assembly 50, the connectors 20 are made with a plurality of different individual key structures formed around the outer surface of the bottom of the guard 40, as shown in FIG. 3. The layout of the group of extensions, protrusions or paws 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 on the fence 40 creates various key configurations. The length of the guard 40 and the diameter of the guard 40 can also be used to create various key configurations of the guard 40. Although substantially round fences are shown in the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the upper guard portion 41 may be round, and the lower portion 43 of the fence 40 may be formed with straight sides, for example, in the form of a triangle, rectangle, pentagon, etc.

A group of holes or windows 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, which form the key structural elements on the cassette assembly 50 together with the skirts 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85 under each hole 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, do not allow incorrect connection of the tube sets to the cartridge assembly 50. Although, in a preferred embodiment, the connectors 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 of the tubes and holes 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84 in section 70 of the cassette cover of the collector or cassette assembly 50 will be color coded, the physical locking mechanism will not allow improper installation of the connector 20 barrels into the hole in the cover portion 70 of the collector or cartridge assembly 50. Keyway between the guards 40 and the group of holes for matching the connectors 20 to the cover portion 70 of the collector or cartridge assembly 50 is structurally designed so that fittings with a common Luer geometry cannot be connected to an inappropriate pipe in section 70 of the cover of the collector or cassette assembly 50.

The use of a different number of key pads and different sizes of key pads does not allow the incorrect connection of the interface means with the general Luer geometry. The geometry of the location and dimensions of the tabs on each section of the fence 40 of each connector 20 provided with dowels is reflected on a specific cartridge nozzle by a uniquely determined keyhole pattern. In addition, a stop system may be provided in the body portion 90 of the collector or cassette assembly 50 to prevent the keyed connector 20 from turning through an angle of more than 60 ° after being inserted into the cassette assembly 50. The stop assembly 92, 94, as shown in FIG. 4C and FIG. 5 is housed in the body portion 90 of the collector or cassette assembly 50 around the tubular holes 95 to physically contact the protrusions or tabs on each guard 40 after the connector is rotated 60 ° clockwise. The height of the stops 92, 94 can be determined based on the length of the guard and / or the location of the tabs on each individual dowel connector 20.

The interface between the collector or cassette assembly 50 and the individual connectors 20 provided with dowels also provides a method for reliably pre-connecting the desired set of connectors 20 to the collector or cassette assembly 50 for transportation. This pre-connection of the desired set of connectors 20 further minimizes errors and shortens the preparation time at the patient care site.

The guard portion 40 of each individual dowel connector 20 is dimensioned in length that does not allow touching the recessed Luer fitting 45 inside each connector 20 so that each Luer fitting 45 remains sterile. As indicated above, the diameter and length of each guard 40 can also function as a key element along with tabs on each connector 20 to provide another way to create uniquely identifiable individual keyed connectors 20.

To dismantle each connector 20, it must be rotated approximately 60 ° counterclockwise and axially removed. The rotation of each connector is facilitated by a pair of lambs 33 on the upper portion of each connector 20. The flange 35 separates the upper portion 31 of each keyed connector 20 from the guard 40 and limits the insertion depth of each keyed connector 20 into the cassette assembly 50.

Each individual keyed connector containing a uniquely defined group of keyed structural elements provides a repeatable method of using tube sets and removing them from the cassette assembly 50, subject to sterility. The key structural elements in the lower part 43 of each guard 40 of each individual connector 20 provided with keys and the stops 92 and 94 surrounding the tubular holes 95 in the cassette body 90 also provide forced engagement at an angle of 60 ° and reduce the risk of detaching tube sections from the collector or cassette assembly 50 during transportation. The keyed structural elements on each individual connector 20 provided with dowels also provide a mechanism similar to the mating of the Luer handpiece, but without the need to unscrew the forming pins when forming the Luer handles.

As can be seen from FIG. 6, the cassette lid portion 70 may alternatively be formed with a skirt 141 comprising grooves 142 and holes 143 formed therein to allow the legs 22 of connector 20 to fall into holes 143. The surfaces 144 and 145 of the skirt 141 provide support for the foot 22 when turning it. As shown in FIG. 7, the cassette lid portion 70 may alternatively be formed with a skirt 146 having a stepped inclined engagement portion 147 that acts as a ratchet mechanism for the legs 22 when the connector 20 is rotated relative to the collector or cassette assembly 50. When the legs 22 are engaged on each step of the inclined portion 147, a click is preferably heard.

The above-described connector to the cassette assembly interface system is described in the form of its preferred and alternative embodiments, however, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the above description allows for many other embodiments. Similar other embodiments should fall within the scope of the claims and the spirit of the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. A connector to an interface system of a cassette assembly, comprising: a cassette assembly, said cassette assembly comprising: a cassette cover and a cassette body designed and configured to be assembled into one unit to create a space between them; wherein said cassette cover comprises a plurality of windows formed therein, each of said windows comprising a skirt portion extending from the bottom of the cassette cover into said space between the cassette cover and the cassette body; the cassette case comprises a plurality of tubular openings designed and configured to align with said windows in the cassette cover;
a plurality of connectors having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion comprising a Luer fitting surrounded by a guard, the guard having a uniquely defined configuration of the outer surface; and
the skirt section of said window comprises a combination of uniquely identified holes designed and configured to engage with one of said plurality of connectors. 2. The connector to the cassette assembly interface system of claim 1, wherein said uniquely identifiable external surface configuration includes the size and shape of the enclosure. 3. The connector to the interface system of the cartridge assembly according to claim 2, in which the size and shape of the fence depends on the landing (male / female) position and shape of said Luer fitting. 4. The connector to the interface system of the cartridge assembly according to claim 1, in which the uniquely determined configuration of the outer surface of the fence contains at least one tab extending from said fence. 5. The connector to the interface system of the cartridge assembly according to claim 4, in which the uniquely determined configuration of the outer surface includes the size of said legs. 6. The connector to the interface system of the cartridge assembly according to claim 1, in which the upper portion of each of the connectors contains at least one wing to facilitate rotation of the connectors. 7. The connector to the cassette assembly interface system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of tubular holes comprises a uniquely defined stop system located around the tubular hole to engage extensions from said uniquely defined external surface configuration and limit the rotation of the connector after the connector inserted through the cassette cover. 8. The connector to the interface system of the cartridge assembly according to claim 1, in which each of the sections of the skirt contains a hole with a surface that limits the rotation of the connector after the connector is inserted through the cover of the cartridge.

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