LOCKABLE ADAPTER ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The invention relates to an enteral adapter assembly for connecting an enteral fluid source to an enteral feed tube, the assembly comprising: an adapter including: a proximal end comprising a first connection portion for attaching to a fluid outlet provided on the enteral fluid source, and a distal end comprising a first threaded connection portion for screwing to an end of an enteral feed tube. A fluid conduit extends between the proximal and distal ends. The assembly further comprises a removable cap having a second threaded connection portion configured for screwing the cap onto the first threaded connection portion, wherein the proximal end of the adapter further comprises a locking member configured to irreversibly mate with a corresponding feature provided on the fluid outlet of the enteral fluid source as the adapter is attached to the outlet to prevent removal of the adapter from the outlet when the cap is unscrewed from the distal end of the adapter.

Claims

1. An enteral adapter assembly for connecting an enteral fluid source to an enteral feed tube, the assembly comprising: an adapter including: a proximal end comprising a first connection portion for attaching to a fluid outlet provided on the enteral fluid source, and a distal end comprising a first threaded connection portion for screwing to an end of an enteral feed tube, and a fluid conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the assembly further comprising: a removable cap having a second threaded connection portion configured for screwing the cap onto the first threaded connection portion, wherein the proximal end of the adapter further comprises a locking member configured to irreversibly mate with a corresponding feature provided on the fluid outlet of the enteral fluid source as the adapter is attached to the outlet to prevent removal of the adapter from the outlet when the cap is unscrewed from the distal end of the adapter.

2. The enteral adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connection portion on the adapter includes a third threaded connection portion configured for forming a screw connection with the fluid outlet.

3. The enteral adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the corresponding feature provided on the fluid outlet of the enteral feed source is a part of an anti-tamper mechanism.

4. The enteral adapter assembly of claim 3, wherein the anti-tamper mechanism is a tamper-evident ring.

5. The enteral adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking member may comprise a deflectable element that is configured to deflect during attachment of the adapter to the fluid outlet and thereby irreversibly mate with the corresponding feature on the fluid outlet.

6. The enteral adapter assembly of claim 5, wherein the locking member comprises a plurality of deflectable elements spaced apart about the proximal end of the adapter.

7. The enteral adapter assembly of claim 6, wherein the plurality of deflectable elements are circumferentially arranged about the proximal end of the adapter.

8. The enteral adapter assembly of claim 6, wherein a first deflectable element and a second deflectable element are positioned diametrically opposite each other.

9. The enteral adapter assembly of claim 5, wherein the or each deflectable element comprises a locking face which is brought into a locking engagement with a corresponding locking face on the corresponding feature provided on the fluid outlet during attachment of the adapter to the fluid outlet.

10. The enteral adapter assembly of claim 9, wherein the adapter comprises a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and wherein the locking face is positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

11. The enteral adapter assembly of claim 9, wherein the adapter comprises a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and wherein the locking face is positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

12. The enteral adapter assembly of claim 5, wherein the locking member or each of the deflectable elements is a deflectable arm.

13. The enteral adapter assembly of claim 12, wherein the or each of the deflectable arms extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

14. The enteral adapter assembly of claim 12, wherein the or each of the deflectable arms extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

15. The enteral adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap is tethered to the adapter.

16. A kit comprising an enteral adapter assembly according to claim 1 and an enteral feed tube.

17. A kit comprising an enteral adapter assembly according to claim 1 and an enteral fluid source.

18. A method of connecting an enteral fluid source to an enteral feed tube comprising the steps of: (a) providing an enteral adapter assembly comprising: an adapter including: a proximal end comprising a first connection portion for attaching to a fluid outlet provided on the enteral fluid source, and a distal end comprising a first threaded connection portion for screwing to an end of an enteral feed tube, and a fluid conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the assembly further comprising: a removable cap having a second threaded connection portion configured for screwing the cap onto the first threaded connection portion, wherein the proximal end of the adapter further comprises a locking member configured to irreversibly mate with a corresponding feature provided on the fluid outlet of the enteral feed source as the adapter is attached to the outlet to prevent removal of the adapter from the outlet when the cap is unscrewed from the distal end of the adapter, (b) attaching the proximal end of the adapter to the fluid outlet, and (c) attaching the distal end of the adapter to the enteral feed tube.

19. An enteral adapter assembly for connecting an enteral fluid source to an enteral feed tube, the assembly comprising: a fluid outlet for connection with an enteral fluid source, an adapter including: a proximal end comprising a first connection portion for attaching to the outlet provided on the enteral fluid source, and a distal end comprising a first threaded connection portion for screwing to an end of an enteral feed tube, and a fluid conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the assembly further comprising: a removable cap having a second threaded connection portion configured for screwing the cap onto the first threaded connection portion, wherein the proximal end of the adapter further comprises a locking member configured to irreversibly mate with a corresponding feature provided on the outlet of the enteral fluid source as the adapter is attached to the outlet to prevent removal of the adapter from the outlet when the cap is unscrewed from the distal end of the adapter.

20. An adapter assembly for connecting a fluid source to a fluid conduit, the assembly comprising: a fluid outlet for connection with a fluid source, an adapter including: a proximal end comprising a first connection portion for attaching to the outlet provided on the fluid source, and a distal end comprising a first threaded connection portion for screwing to an end of a fluid conduit, and a passage for fluid flow extending between the proximal and distal ends, the assembly further comprising: a removable cap having a second threaded connection portion configured for screwing the cap onto the first threaded connection portion, wherein the proximal end of the adapter further comprises a locking member configured to irreversibly mate with a corresponding feature provided on the outlet of the fluid source as the adapter is attached to the outlet to prevent removal of the adapter from the outlet when the cap is unscrewed from the distal end of the adapter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0074] FIG. 1A is a perspective view a first construction of an enteral adapter assembly according to the invention showing the cap tethered to the adapter;

[0075] FIG. 1B is a front view of the adapter shown in FIG. 1A;

[0076] FIG. 1C is an isometric view of the adapter shown in FIG. 1B;

[0077] FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the adapter assembly shown in FIG. 1B;

[0078] FIG. 1E is a perspective view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1B before it has engaged with the fluid outlet on the fluid source;

[0079] FIG. 1F is a perspective view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1B in partial engagement with the fluid outlet on the fluid source;

[0080] FIG. 1G is a perspective view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1B in full engagement with the fluid outlet on the fluid source;

[0081] FIG. 1H is a perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 1B connected to an enteral fluid source and an enteral feed tube;

[0082] FIG. 2A is a perspective view a second construction of an enteral adapter assembly according to the invention showing the cap tethered to the adapter;

[0083] FIG. 2B is a front view of the adapter shown in FIG. 2A;

[0084] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the adapter shown in FIG. 2B;

[0085] FIG. 2D is an isometric view of the adapter shown in FIG. 2B;

[0086] FIG. 2E is a perspective view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 2B engaged with the fluid outlet on the fluid source;

[0087] FIG. 3A is a perspective view a third construction of an enteral adapter assembly according to the invention showing the cap tethered to the adapter;

[0088] FIG. 3B is a front view the adapter shown in FIG. 3A;

[0089] FIG. 3C is an isometric view of the adapter shown in FIG. 3B;

[0090] FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the adapter shown in FIG. 3B engaged with the fluid outlet on the fluid source.

[0091] FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional view of the adapter shown in FIG. 3B engaged with the fluid outlet on the fluid source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0092] First Exemplary Construction of the Enteral Adapter Assembly

[0093] With reference now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-G show a first construction of an enteral adapter assembly for connecting an enteral fluid source (e.g., an enteral feed bag) to an enteral feed tube. The adapter assembly 10 includes an adapter 20 and a removable cap 30. The cap 30 is shown as being tethered to the adapter. This is advantageous as it prevents the user misplacing the cap.

[0094] Turning to FIG. 1B, there is shown a front view of the adapter 20. The adapter has a proximal end 22 and a distal end 24, and a fluid conduit 26 extending therebetween. A longitudinal axis X extends lengthwise along the fluid conduit between the proximal end and the distal end of the adapter.

[0095] The distal end 24 of the adapter has a first threaded connection portion for removably screwing the adapter onto or into an end of an enteral feed tube. As shown in FIGS. 1D and 1G, the first threaded connection portion of adapter 10 is a female ENFit connector 28. This connector is configured to mate with a male ENFit connector 32 provided at the end of the enteral feed tube 34. A tethered cap 60 is provided on the enteral feeding tube itself and is used to cap off the tube in the same was as cap 30 caps off the adapter.

[0096] As also shown in FIG. 1G, the removable cap 30 includes a second threaded connection portion, here shown in the form of a male ENFit connector 36, configured to mate with the female ENFit connector 28 at the distal end of the adapter. This enables the cap to be removably screwed onto the adapter, when the adapter has been disconnected from the enteral feed tube.

[0097] The proximal end 22 of the adapter has a first connection portion for attaching the adapter to a fluid outlet, shown in the form of a nozzle 38 provided on the enteral fluid source. As shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, in adapter 10 the first connection portion includes a third threaded connection portion in the form of a female screw thread 40 provided on a wall defining the fluid conduit 26. Screw thread 40 is configured to be screwed onto a corresponding male screw thread 42 provided on an external wall of the fluid outlet 38.

[0098] Adapter 10 includes a pair of diametrically opposed locking members in the form of deflectable arms 44a, 44b extending from the proximal end of the adapter. Each arm has a so called hook-like or latch-like design. Each deflectable arm is configured to deflect during attachment of the adapter to the nozzle, to reversibly mate each deflectable arm with a respective corresponding feature on the nozzle.

[0099] Each deflectable arm 44a, 44b extends at an angle from the proximal end of the adapter to the longitudinal axis X. The angle is at least 10. The angle may be at least 20, at least 30, at least 35, at least 40, at least 45, at least 50 or at least 55.

[0100] A hinged region 45a, 45b is provided at the junction between each arm and the proximal edge of the adapter, to enable deflection of each arm in a distal direction. The hinged region may be provided, for example, by a localised thinning of the material.

[0101] Each deflectable arm 44a, 44b, includes a most-proximally placed surface in the form of a ramped surface 46a, 46b.

[0102] Each deflectable arm 44a, 44b also includes a locking face 48a, 48b that is positioned at the free end of each arm, and which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the adapter. Each locking face 48a, 48b extends in a distally direction from a junction with a respective ramped surface 46a, 46b.

[0103] Each deflectable arm 44a, 44b is configured to mate with a corresponding feature on the nozzle of the enteral fluid source in order to lock the adapter on the nozzle, and prevent inadvertent unscrewing. Examples of corresponding features are shown in FIGS. 1E and 1F and may be in the form of parts of an anti-tamper mechanism. An example of an anti-tamper mechanism is an anti-tamper ring 50, which includes a collar 52 from which spaced-apart protrusions 54a, 54b extend in a distal direction.

[0104] Each spaced-apart protrusion 54a, 54b includes a contact point 56a, 56b and a locking face 58a, 58b.

[0105] Each contact point 56a, 56b is the point at which contact is made between the ramped surface 46a, 46b of each deflectable arm 44a, 44b, and the corresponding feature 54a, 54b on the anti-tamper ring 50 as the adapter is screwed in a clockwise direction onto the nozzle.

[0106] With reference to FIG. 1F, as the adapter is continued to be screwed onto the nozzle, each contact point 56a, 56b is caused to ride along the ramped surface towards the free end of each arm. The downward force applied by via the contact point 56a, 56b of each corresponding feature against the ramped surface 46a, 46b of each deflectable arm as the contact point rides along the ramped surface causes the gradual deflection of each arm in the distal direction.

[0107] With reference to FIG. 1G, when each deflectable arm 44a, 44b has been screwed past the respective contact point 56a, 56b on the spaced-apart protrusion 54a, 54b, the subsequent removal of the applied force enables the deflectable arm to spring back into its original (i.e., non-deflected) position.

[0108] In this position the locking face 48a, 48b provided at the free end of each deflectable arm 44a, 44b is bought into contact with a respective locking face 58a, 58b provided on each spaced-apart protrusion 54a, 54b.

[0109] The inventive combination of the angle of each deflectable arm relative to the longitudinal axis of the adapter and the locking face provided on each deflectable arm irreversibly locks the adapter onto the nozzle and prevents unscrewing in the anti-clockwise direction. This prevents the users inadvertently unscrewing the nozzle, and consequent failure of the fluid-tight connection, as the removable cap is unscrewed from the distal end of the adapter to enable a fluid connection to be made between the adapter and an enteral feed tube.

[0110] Second Exemplary Construction of the Enteral Adapter Assembly

[0111] With reference to FIGS. 2A-E, a second construction of an enteral adapter assembly for connecting an enteral fluid source (e.g., an enteral feed bag) to an enteral feed tube is shown which is a variant of the first construction. The adapter assembly 110 includes an adapter 120 and a removable cap 130. The cap is shown as being tethered to the adapter. This is advantageous as it prevents the user misplacing the cap.

[0112] The adapter 120 is similar in construction to the adapter 20, differing only in the design of the locking members. The locking members are defined by a pair of diametrically opposed deflectable arms 144a, 144b positioned at the proximal end of the adapter 122. Each arm has a so-called Shark fin design.

[0113] A pair of generally rectangular cut-outs or flex windows 160a, 160b are formed in the wall of the adapter body. The pair of cut-outs are positioned on diametrically opposed sides of the adapter body. A proximal edge 162a, 162b of each cut-out defines a distal edge 164a, 164b of a respective deflectable arm 144a, 144b. Hence, each arm 144a, 144b extends generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X of the adapter and does not have a free end.

[0114] Each deflectable arm has a first hinged region 145a, 145b, and a second hinged region 147a, 147b provided at opposing ends of the arm. The hinged region may be provided, for example, by a localised thinning of the material. The provision of the hinged regions enables the distal edge 164a, 164b of the respective deflectable arm 144a, 144b to be flexed or bowed in a distal direction into the cut-out 160a, 160b.

[0115] Each deflectable arm 144a, 144b, includes a most-proximally placed surface in the form of a ramped surface 146a, 146b.

[0116] Each deflectable arm 144a, 144b also includes a locking face 148a, 148b which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the adapter. Each locking face 148a, 148b extends in a distally direction from a junction with a respective ramped surface 146a, 146b.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 2E, the irreversible locking mechanism between each deflectable arm 114a, 144b and the corresponding feature 154a, 154b on the anti-tamper ring 150 is the same as described above in relation to adapter 10.

[0118] Third Exemplary Construction of the Enteral Adapter Assembly

[0119] Turning now to FIGS. 3A-3E there is shown a third construction of an enteral adapter assembly for connecting an enteral fluid source (e.g., an enteral feed bag) to an enteral feed tube is shown which is a variant of the first construction. The adapter assembly 210 includes an adapter 220 and a removable cap 230. The cap is shown as being tethered to the adapter. This is advantageous as it prevents the user misplacing the cap.

[0120] The adapter 220 is similar in construction to the adapter 20 and adapter 120, differing only in the design of the locking members.

[0121] In this construction, the locking members are defined by a pair of diametrically opposed deflectable arms 244a, 244b that are aligned substantially parallel with longitudinal axis of the adapter. The pair of arms define a juxtaposable jaw. This third construction is a so-called jaw-like design.

[0122] Each deflectable arm has a hinged region 245. The hinged region may be provided, for example, by a localised thinning of the material. The provision of the hinged regions enables a distal portion of each deflectable arm to be flexed outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis X.

[0123] The proximal region of each deflectable arm 244a, 244b includes a ramped surface 246a, 246b that extends at an angle from the proximal end of the adapter in a distally direction and angled away from the longitudinal axis X.

[0124] Each deflectable arm 244a, 244b also includes a locking face 248a, 248b which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the adapter. Each locking face 248a, 248b extends from and a perpendicular to a respective ramped surface 246a, 246b.

[0125] As shown in FIGS. 3D and 3E, in use the adapter is inserted up the nozzle of the enteral feed bag. The ramped surfaces 246a, 246b help to guide each respective deflectable arm into the nozzle.

[0126] Due to the inner diameter of the nozzle being narrower than the outer diameter of the adapter, the pair of deflectable arms 244a, 244b will be deflected towards each other and be constrained during insertion. When the proximal end of the adapter has exited the nozzle, and the constraining force is removed, each deflectable arm 244a, 244b will deflect back to its original configuration. The locking face 248a, 248b of each deflectable arm will be brought into a locking abutment with a corresponding feature i.e., the proximal rim 250 of the nozzle, to thereby irreversibly lock the adapter to the nozzle.

[0127] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the construction described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular constructions disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims.