Flow component for medical lines and related production method

Abstract

An injection site for medical lines includes a tubular body made of molded plastic material within which an elastic element made of thermoplastic material is overmolded on an enlarged end of the tubular body. The enlarged end delimits an inner annular flange and is formed with at least one radial through-hole through which the elastic element is overmolded in order to rest axially against the inner annular flange and fill the radial through-hole with an appendage.

Claims

1. An injection site for medical lines including: a tubular body made of molded plastic material within which an elastic element is fitted which sealingly closes one end of said tubular body, wherein said elastic element is made of a thermoplastic material and is overmolded within the tubular body; said end of the tubular body enlarged so as to delimit an inner annular flange and at least one radial injection through-hole through which the elastic element is overmolded formed in a wall of said enlarged end close to said inner annular flange; and said elastic element resting axially against said inner annular flange of the enlarged end of the tubular body and having at least one appendage that fills said at least one radial through-hole; said elastic element configured to be pierced by a needle to allow an opening in the elastic element and provide a flow of fluid through the elastic element, said elastic element elastically closing after removal of the needle from the elastic element; said elastic element extending across an entire diameter of said enlarged end to sealingly close said enlarged end.

2. The injection site of claim 1 wherein said elastic element is located entirely radially and axially within said enlarged end.

3. A method for producing an injection site for medical lines including a tubular body of molded plastic material within which an elastic element is fitted, which sealingly closes said tubular body, wherein the elastic element is made of a thermoplastic material and is overmolded within the tubular body, the method comprising: producing the tubular body with one enlarged end that delimits an inner annular flange and which has, on a side wall of the tubular body, at least one radial injection through-hole adjacent to said inner annular flange; the elastic element received in the tubular body via an overmolding of the elastic element through said at least one radial injection through-hole adjacent to the inner annular flange on a side wall of the tubular body in such a way that said elastic element is blocked by means of said inner annular flange and at least one appendage filling the at least one radial through-hole of the tubular body; and said elastic element configured to be pierced by a needle to allow an opening in the elastic element and provide a flow of fluid through the elastic element, said elastic element elastically closing after removal of the needle from the elastic element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of an injection site produced in accordance with the invention, and

(3) FIG. 2 is a view in axial cross-section according to the line II-II of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) Referring to the drawings, numeral 1 indicates, in its entirety, an injection site or needle point for medical lines, including a tubular body of molded plastic material 2 having one enlarged end 3 which delimits an inner annular flange 4.

(5) The enlarged end 3 of the tubular body 2 is filled by an elastic element 5 of a relatively soft thermoplastic material which seals the passage through the tubular body 2 and is intended to be perforated by a needle or a cannula for administrating a medicinal product to the line which, during use, is connected to the other end of the tubular body 2.

(6) The elastic element 5 is produced by means of overmolding, injecting the thermoplastic material within the enlarged end 3 of the tubular body 2 through one or more radial injection through-holes 6 formed in the side wall of the enlarged end 3, close to the inner annular flange 4. Following the overmolding, the elastic element 5 formed as such, adheres against the side wall of the enlarged end 3 and against the inner annular flange 4, and presents an appendage 7 that remains within the radial through-hole 6, filling it. In this way, the elastic element 5 is firmly locked axially with respect to the tubular body 2, due not only to physical-chemical adhesion, but also by the inner annular flange 4 and by the radial appendage 7, which also produces the retention in rotation. This appendage 7 is completely suitable for preventing axial displacement of the elastic element 5 in the direction opposite to the inner annular flange 4 when, during use, the needle or cannula previously inserted through the elastic element 5 is extracted. Also, elastic element 5 may be located entirely radially and axially within enlarged end 3.

(7) The elastic element 5 can be formed, in the manner shown in the example, with a recess 8 provided on the side opposite to the annular flange 4.

(8) Of course, the details of construction and the embodiments may be widely varied with respect to those described and illustrated, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Thus, for injection of the overmolding thermoplastic material of the elastic element 5, additional angularly-distributed radial holes 6 can be provided, even offset axially as well, in order to produce an even stronger mechanical retention of the elastic element 5.