NONDISCONNECTABLE, SECURABLE CONNECTOR HAVING A CAPPING SLEEVE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector for use in supply lines for intravenous infusions. The object of the present invention is to provide a connector designed in such a way that secure assembly of the infusion arrangement is made possible, and such that the connecting piece may be nondisconnectably or nonreleasably locked to the mating piece at a later time. This object is achieved by providing securing of the connection, in particular by way of a thread, and providing a separately operable capping sleeve that covers the securing.

Claims

1. A connector and/or an adapter comprising: a connecting piece adapted for connection to a fitting mating piece for a purpose of substance transport, wherein the connecting piece has: a cone; and a securing mechanism for reversibly securing a connection of the connecting piece to the fitting mating piece; a hose; a displacement area; a capping sleeve configured to be at least partially rotatable about the connecting piece and/or on the displacement area; and at least one locking member provided on the connecting piece and/or on the capping sleeve for nonreleasably locking the connecting piece to the capping sleeve; wherein the connector is designed such that in a state in which the connecting piece is nonreleasably locked to the capping sleeve, displacement of the capping sleeve relative to the connecting piece is limited in all directions; wherein the capping sleeve and the displacement area are designed such that the capping sleeve has at least one engagement mechanism configured to be at least partially connected to the displacement area and thus to at least partially enclose the displacement area such that: (a) between the at least one engagement mechanism and the displacement area a resistance is present that acts against a displacement of the capping sleeve relative to the connecting piece, so that a force that is necessary to move the capping sleeve is greater than a weight force of the capping sleeve; and/or (b) the at least one engagement mechanism forms an opening width which is selected so that the at least one engagement mechanism rests on the displacement area, exerts a force compressing the displacement area with an undersize on a circumference of the displacement area; and/or (c) the at least one engagement mechanism defines an opening that is smaller than a maximum extension of a cross-section of the displacement area perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the displacement area; and/or (d) the capping sleeve is displaceable on the displacement area by means of a force of less than 5N and/or greater than 0.01N, wherein the force that displaces the capping sleeve on the displacement area acts parallel to the longitudinal extension of the displacement area and/or to the capping sleeve, in particular in addition to the weight force of the capping sleeve; and the capping sleeve is designed such that in the state in which the connecting piece is nonreleasably locked to the capping sleeve: the securing mechanism and all parts torsionally rigidly connected thereto are at least partially enclosed and/or covered, in particular by the capping sleeve; and/or access to portions of the connector that are usable for releasing the securing mechanism and/or for reversing the securing, are at least partially or completely enclosed and/or covered, in particular by the capping sleeve; and/or operating and/or releasing the securing mechanism is hindered and/or prevented by at least partially covering the securing mechanism and/or the fitting mating piece and/or the connector, in particular by covering with the capping sleeve.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the capping sleeve is rotatable about the connector, at least in the state in which the capping sleeve is nonreleasably locked to the connecting piece.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking member is configured in such a way that the force required for the nonreleasable locking of the at least one locking member is at least 27.5N and/or at most 60N.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein in the nonreleasably locked state of the connector, the connector is releasable only by at least partially destroying the capping sleeve and/or the connector.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the releasing of the reversible securing is hindered, in particular prevented, by the at least partial enclosure of the securing mechanism and/or of the connector and/or of the fitting mating piece brought about by the capping sleeve in the nonreleasably locked state.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the opening width formed by the at least one engagement mechanism has a smaller diameter than a maximum outer diameter of the displacement area.

7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking member of the capping sleeve includes at least one first locking member that forms a locking member opening width, and wherein: the at least one locking member of the connecting piece includes at least one second locking member that forms a locking member outer diameter, wherein a diameter of the locking member opening width is less than 8 mm and/or is smaller than the locking member outer diameter; and/or the at least one second locking member of the connecting piece with its outer extensions defines a circle having an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of a portion of the capping sleeve, in and/or on which the at least one second locking member of the connecting piece is accommodated and/or rests in the state in which the connecting piece is nonreleasably locked to the capping sleeve.

8. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one engagement mechanism has at least one bar.

9. The connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one locking member is formed so as to have a trapezoidal shape in its cross-sectional plane parallel to the longitudinal extension of the connector and/or of the capping sleeve.

10. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking member of the capping sleeve and/or of the connecting piece, in particular in the state in which the connecting piece is locked to the capping sleeve, form a ring that is almost completely closed.

11. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking member of the connecting piece and/or of the capping sleeve, in a top view of the at least one locking member parallel to the longitudinal extension of the connecting piece and/or of the capping sleeve, forms a segment of a ring; wherein the at least one locking member of the capping sleeve includes a first locking member and a second locking member; and wherein a longest chord through each segment of the at least one locking member of the connecting piece is longer than a distance between the first locking member and the second locking member of the capping sleeve, which the at least one locking member of the capping sleeve has in the top view of the at least one locking member parallel to the longitudinal extension of the connecting piece and/or of the capping sleeve; and/or wherein the at least one locking member of the connecting pieces includes a first locking member and a second locking member; and wherein the at least one locking member of the connecting piece and/or of the capping sleeve, in the top view of the at least one locking member parallel to the longitudinal extension of the connecting piece and/or of the capping sleeve forms a segment of a ring, wherein the longest chord through each segment of the at least one locking member of the connecting piece is longer than the distance between the first locking member and the second locking member of the connecting piece, which the at least one locking member of the connecting piece has in the top view of the at least one locking member parallel to the longitudinal extension of the connecting piece and/or of the capping sleeve; and/or the at least one of the locking member of the connecting piece and/or of the capping sleeve, in the top view of the at least one locking member parallel to the longitudinal extension of the connecting piece and/or of the capping sleeve, forms a segment of a ring, wherein a first locking member of the at least one locking member of the connecting piece is at least partially covered by a second locking member of the at least one locking member of the capping sleeve; and/or the at least one locking member of the connecting piece and of the capping sleeve, in the top view of the at least one locking member parallel to the longitudinal extension of the connecting piece and/or of the capping sleeve form a segment of a ring, wherein in a state in which the connecting piece is locked to the capping sleeve, in any possible position of the at least one locking member of the connecting piece and of the capping sleeve, one of the at least one locking member of the connecting piece is at least partially covered by one of the at least one locking member of the capping sleeve.

12. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking member of the connecting piece and/or of the capping sleeve, in a top view of the at least one locking member parallel to the longitudinal extension of the connecting piece and/or of the capping sleeve, form a segment of a ring; wherein a longest chord through each segment of the at least one locking member of the connecting piece is longer than a distance between a first end and a second end of the at least one locking member of the capping sleeve, which the at least one locking member of the capping sleeve has in the top view of the at least one locking member parallel to the longitudinal extension of the connecting piece and/or of the capping sleeve.

13. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism is fixedly and/or rigidly connected to the cone and/or to the connecting piece.

14. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one engagement mechanism of the capping sleeve is provided distally on the capping sleeve and/or on an end of the capping sleeve remote from the securing mechanism, and/or the capping sleeve is positioned in such a way that the at least one engagement mechanism of the capping sleeve is situated on an end of the connecting piece remote from the cone, and/or on the displacement area, on an end of the displacement area remote from the cone.

15. A system comprising at least one connector that has a connecting piece according to claim 1 and at least one fitting mating piece.

16. A method for producing an infusion arrangement for transport, said method comprising: (i) reversibly connecting a connecting piece of a connector to a fitting mating piece, and wherein this connection is reversibly secured; (ii) hindering or preventing by slipping on a capping sleeve of the connector, the releasing of the reversible securing; and nonreleasably locking the capping sleeve to the connecting piece; wherein the hindrance and/or prevention takes place by at least partially covering and/or at least partially enclosing the securing mechanism and/or the connecting piece and/or the fitting mating piece used for the reversible securing, and/or by hindering and/or preventing access to the securing mechanism used for the reversible securing, and/or by hindering and/or preventing operation and/or release of the securing mechanism used for the reversible securing; (iii) wherein the slipping on and the nonreleasable locking is accomplished by moving the capping sleeve on the connecting piece and/or on a displacement area and/or on a hose and/or on a tube adjoining same, and/or by moving the capping sleeve on the connecting piece and/or by slipping the capping sleeve onto the connecting piece.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: providing the connection piece with a cone and a securing mechanism for reversibly securing a connection of the connecting piece to the fitting mating piece; and providing the hose and the displacement area on the connector; and wherein the method further includes at least partially rotating the capping sleeve about the connecting piece and/or on the displacement area.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: providing at least one locking member on the connecting piece and/or on the capping sleeve; and nonreleasably locking the connecting piece to the capping sleeve.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: providing a connector according to claim 1.

20. A method for producing an infusion arrangement for transport, with connection of a connecting piece to a fitting mating piece, comprising: using a system that includes a connector comprising: a connecting piece adapted for connection to a mechanism mating piece, wherein the connecting piece has a cone and a securing mechanism for reversibly securing a connection of the connecting piece to the fitting mating piece; a hose; a displacement area; a capping sleeve configured to be at least partially rotatable about the connecting piece and/or on the displacement area; and at least one locking member provided on the connecting piece and/or on the capping sleeve for nonreleasably locking the connecting piece to the capping sleeve; reversibly connecting the connecting piece to the fitting mating piece, and wherein this connection is reversibly secured; hindering or preventing by slipping on the capping sleeve, the releasing of the reversible securing; and nonreleasably locking the capping sleeve to the connecting piece; wherein the hindrance and/or prevention takes place by at least partially covering and/or at least partially enclosing the securing mechanism and/or the connecting piece and/or the fitting mating piece used for the reversible securing, and/or by hindering and/or preventing access to the securing mechanism used for the reversible securing, and/or by hindering and/or preventing operation and/or release of the securing mechanism used for the reversible securing; wherein the slipping on and the nonreleasable locking is accomplished by moving the capping sleeve on the connecting piece and/or on a displacement area and/or on a hose and/or on a tube adjoining same, and/or by moving the capping sleeve on the connecting piece and/or by slipping the capping sleeve onto the connecting piece; and wherein the connector is designed such that in a state in which the connecting piece is nonreleasably locked to the capping sleeve, displacement of the capping sleeve relative to the connecting piece is limited in all directions; wherein the capping sleeve and the displacement area are further designed such that the capping sleeve has at least one engagement mechanism configured to be at least partially connected to the displacement area and thus to at least partially enclose the displacement area such that: (a) between the at least one engagement mechanism and the displacement area a resistance is present that acts against a displacement of the capping sleeve relative to the connecting piece, so that a force that is necessary to move the capping sleeve is greater than a weight force of the capping sleeve; and/or (b) the at least one engagement mechanism forms an opening width which is selected so that the at least one engagement mechanism rests on the displacement area, exerts a force compressing the displacement area with an undersize on a circumference of the displacement area; and/or (c) the at least one engagement mechanism defines an opening that is smaller than a maximum extension of a cross-section of the displacement area perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the displacement area; and/or (d) the capping sleeve is displaceable on the displacement area by means of a force of less than 5N and/or greater than 0.01N, wherein the force that displaces the capping sleeve on the displacement area acts parallel to the longitudinal extension of the displacement area and/or to the capping sleeve, in particular in addition to the weight force of the capping sleeve; and the capping sleeve is further designed such that in the state in which the connecting piece is nonreleasably locked to the capping sleeve: the securing mechanism and all parts torsionally rigidly connected thereto are at least partially enclosed and/or covered, in particular by the capping sleeve; and/or access to portions of the connector that are usable for releasing the securing mechanism and/or for reversing the securing, are at least partially or completely enclosed and/or covered, in particular by the capping sleeve; and/or operating and/or releasing the securing mechanism is hindered and/or prevented by at least partially covering the securing mechanism and/or the fitting mating piece and/or the connector, in particular by covering with the capping sleeve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Further advantageous features are explained below, strictly by way of example and in a nonlimiting manner, with reference to the purely schematic figures, which show the following:

[0053] FIG. 1: shows a longitudinal section of a connector with a connecting piece according to the invention, with an unlocked capping sleeve that is displaceably situated on the hose;

[0054] FIG. 2: shows a longitudinal section of the connector from FIG. 1 in the state in which it is connected to a mating piece;

[0055] FIG. 3: shows a longitudinal section of the arrangement from FIG. 2, but with a locked capping sleeve on the connecting piece;

[0056] FIG. 4: shows a top view of the capping sleeve and the connecting piece from FIG. 3 in the state in which the capping sleeve is locked to the connecting piece; and

[0057] FIG. 5: shows a cross section of the capping sleeve and the connecting piece from FIG. 3 in the state in which the capping sleeve is locked to the connecting piece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a Luer lock connector 1 that has a connecting piece 2 according to the invention. A hose 8 is situated on this connecting piece 2 at a proximal end opposite from a Luer thread 7 situated in the connecting piece 2. In addition, the connecting piece 2 at the distal end has a Luer cone 4 that is at least partially enclosed by the Luer thread 7. It is apparent that in this embodiment the hose 8 is slipped onto a portion of the connecting piece 2 and is thereby stretched, and thus has a larger diameter than in its further course away from the connecting piece 2. However, this is not required. Outwardly pointing locking member 26 are mounted at the proximal end of the connecting piece.

[0059] Also shown is a capping sleeve 11 according to the invention which is arranged on the hose 8, normally by the manufacturer. This capping sleeve 11 is provided with locking member 62, which are to be understood as counterlocking member 62 with respect to the locking member 26 of the connecting piece 2.

[0060] Furthermore, the capping sleeve 11 has engagement mechanism 6. These engagement mechanism 6 hinder movement of the capping sleeve 11, situated on the hose 8, on a displacement area 14, wherein the displacement area 14 includes the area on which the capping sleeve 11 is displaceable relative to the connecting piece 2. The engagement mechanism 6 are configured in such a way that they form an opening width such that the engagement mechanism 6 rest on this displacement area 14 with an undersize, and exert a compressive force on the hose 8, so that a displacement of the capping sleeve 11 relative to the connecting piece 2 is possible only with the aid of additional force. Unintentionally moving and/or sliding the capping sleeve 11 are/is thus hindered or prevented. The weight force of the capping sleeve 11 by itself is not sufficient for the capping sleeve 11 to move on the displacement area 14.

[0061] Displacement on the stretched area of the hose 8 requires a further increase in the force, and ensures protection from inadvertent locking of the locking member 26 and 62.

[0062] The engagement mechanism 6 are situated distally with respect to the locking member 62 in FIG. 1, wherein the distance between the engagement mechanism 6 and the locking member 62 is configured in such a way that this distance creates a space within the capping sleeve that corresponds at least to the width of the locking member 26 of the connecting piece 2 parallel to the longitudinal extension of the connecting piece 2. The width of the locking member 26 illustrated in FIG. 1 corresponds to 1 mm, and the length of the space within the capping sleeve, defined by the distance between the engagement mechanism 6 and the locking member 62, is accordingly 1.5 mm.

[0063] In this regard, the locking member 26 of the connecting piece 2 have an advantageous design in the form of a trapezoidal shape, in that a first edge situated at the proximal end of the connecting piece 2 is broken off, which simplifies slipping on the capping sleeve 11 together with its locking member 62.

[0064] FIG. 2, in a longitudinal section of the connector 1 from FIG. 1, shows a mating piece 3 that fits the connecting piece 2, and a mating thread 17 that fits the thread 7, in the connected state, the connector being partially secured by screwing the thread 7 and the mating thread 17 together. The thread is not fully utilized in this illustration. The width of the insertion point of the cone 4 into the mating piece 3 varies greatly due to manufacturing tolerances, so that in practice, different numbers of threads are utilized for the securing. In addition, FIG. 2, the same as in FIG. 1, shows an advantageous spacer piece 9 which is provided in the connecting piece 2, and which via appropriate grip extensions simplifies screwing the connecting piece and a mating piece together. Also illustrated is the area 14′ on which the locking member 62 of the capping sleeve 11 can be moved, the locking member already being locked in the far right position in the figure via the locking member 26 of the connecting piece 2, and the area 14″ on which the engagement mechanism 6 of the capping sleeve can be moved, the locking member 62 already being locked in the far right position of the area 14″ of the engagement mechanism 6 in the figure via the locking member 26 of the connecting piece 2.

[0065] FIG. 3 illustrates a longitudinal section of the elements from FIG. 2, wherein the mating piece 3 and the connecting piece 2 are completely connected by further screwing and are secured by the screw connection. For this purpose, the capping sleeve 11 is locked to the connecting piece 2, and the arrangement is thus transferred into a nondisconnectable state.

[0066] In this state, the capping sleeve 11 is nonreleasably locked to the connecting piece 2 via the locking member 26 of the connecting piece 2 and the locking member 62 of the capping sleeve 11. In such a state, displacement of the capping sleeve 11 relative to the connecting piece 2 is greatly limited in all directions. The locking member 16 are configured in such a way that the capping sleeve 11 can freely rotate relative to the connecting piece 2, so that further influencing of the screw connection of the thread 7 with the mating thread 17 is not possible without further aids, or without destroying the capping sleeve 11.

[0067] The longitudinal extension of the capping sleeve 11 has been selected in such a way that in the state in which the capping sleeve 11 is locked to the connecting piece 2, the thread 7 of the connecting piece 2 and also the connecting piece 2 are at least covered in such a way that nondestructive access to the connecting piece 2 for loosening the screw connection is not possible without a tool. The area of the connecting piece 2 not covered by the capping sleeve 11 is so small that the screw connection cannot be loosened, at least by human hands.

[0068] On its section that accommodates the hose 8, the connecting piece 2 shown has an outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the hose 8. The hose 8 is thus stretched at this section, as the result of which the hose 8, and thus the displacement area 14, at least at this section has an expanded outer diameter compared to the remainder of the hose 8. However, this is not required. In order to reach the state in which the capping sleeve 11 is locked to the connecting piece 2, the capping sleeve 11 on the displacement area 14 must be moved onto the connecting piece 2 with a greater force than is necessary for displacement on the remainder of the hose 8, since among other things, the engagement mechanism 6 must be moved onto a portion of the displacement area 14 having an expanded outer diameter. The larger force is greater than the force additionally required for moving the capping sleeve 11 onto the hose 8 of the displacement area 14.

[0069] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the arrangement from FIG. 3 viewed from the line B-B′, showing the arrangement in a perspective looking onto the end of the capping sleeve 11, which at least in part does not cover the thread 7 of the connecting piece 2. Such a top view shows the engagement mechanism 6 of the capping sleeve 11 resting against the displacement area 14, in the present case, the hose 8. In this embodiment of the capping sleeve 11, four bars as engagement mechanism 6 are arranged on the capping sleeve 11, the bars being situated in such a way that ring segments form equal distances between the bars, so that the bars are arranged symmetrically in a circle around the displacement area 14. Due to the state in which the capping sleeve 11 is locked to the connecting piece 2, the engagement mechanism 6 rest on a portion of the hose 8, which has an enlarged outer diameter because of the accommodation of the hose 8 on the connecting piece 2.

[0070] FIG. 5 illustrates a section at the level of the line A-A′ through the arrangement from FIG. 3, wherein the connector 1 is viewed starting from the end of the capping sleeve 11, which at least in part does not cover the thread 7 of the connecting piece 2.

[0071] The state in which the capping sleeve 11 is locked to the connecting piece 2 is shown, with the locking member 26 of the connecting piece 2 situated above the locking member 62. The outer diameter of the locking member 26 of the connecting piece 2 is larger than the diameter of the locking member opening width of the locking member 62 of the capping sleeve 11. This top view also shows that the locking member 26 of the connecting piece 2 together with the locking member 62 of the capping sleeve 11 result in almost a complete circle. Releasing by rotation is not possible. The connecting piece 2 is thus nonreleasably locked to the capping sleeve 11.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0072] 1 connector [0073] 2 connecting piece [0074] 3 mating piece [0075] 4 cone [0076] 6 engagement mechanism [0077] 7 thread [0078] 8 hose [0079] 9 spacer piece [0080] 11 capping sleeve [0081] 14 displacement area [0082] 14′ area on which the locking member 62 of the capping sleeve can be displaced [0083] 14″ area on which the engagement mechanism 6 can be displaced [0084] 16 locking member [0085] 17 mating thread [0086] 26 locking member of the connecting piece [0087] 62 locking member of the capping sleeve