IL105251A

IL105251A - Fluid coupling device and blunt cannula device particularly useful therewith

Info

Publication number: IL105251A
Application number: IL10525193A
Authority: IL
Original assignee: Travenol Lab Israel Ltd
Priority date: 1993-04-01
Filing date: 1993-04-01
Publication date: 1996-03-31
Also published as: WO1994022524A2; AU6663994A; IL105251A0; WO1994022524A3

Description

FLUID COUPLING DEVICE AND BLUNT CANNULA DEVICE PARTICULARLY USEFUL THEREWITH FLUID COUPLING DEVICE AND BLUNT CANNULA DEVICE PARTICULARLY USEFUL THEREWITH The present invention relates to fluid coupling i devices particularly useful with blunt cannulas. The invention also relates to blunt cannula devices, and further, to assemblies including a fluid coupling device and a blunt cannula device.

The invention is particularly useful in tapping or injection sites used in systems for withdrawing blood from a patient or adding substances to the blood of a patient. One form of such system is described in US Patent 5,135,489, which system uses a blunt cannula, rather than a sharp cannula, in order to avoid the risks of accidental penetration of the skin by persons using, handling or disposing of such devices. In the described system, the blunt cannula is inserted through a septum or plug formed with a slit which is self-sealing when the blunt cannula is removed. Blunt cannulas, inserted into such plugs which are self-sealing when the blunt cannula is removed, have been known for many years, as described for example in US Patent 1,180,665.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel fluid coupling device particularly useful with blunt cannulas and having advantages as will be described more particularly below. Another object of the invention is to provide a blunt cannula device particularly useful with such ¾fluid coupling devices, and a further object is to provide an assembly of the novel fluid coupling device and blunt cannula device.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid coupling device particularly useful with blunt cannulas, comprising: a housing formed with a socket; a plug of elastomeric material received in said socket and having an outer face exposed externally of the socket, said plug being formed with a slit leading to the outer face of the plug; and a cap attached to said housing and having an end wall overlying said outer face of the plug, said end wall being formed, with an opening therethrough in alignment with said slit of the plug and having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the blunt cannula, and with an annular conical section circumscribing said opening for guiding the blunt cannula via said opening into the slit in said plug.

According to further features in the described preferred embodiment, the housing is formed with a passageway underlying the plug so as to be penetrated by a blunt cannula when inserted into the plug via the slit thereof; the housing being further formed with a pair of tube connectors for receiving tubes on opposite sides thereof in communication with the passageway and with an opening in the cannula when inserted into the plug.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a blunt cannula device particularly useful with the above fluid coupling device, and comprising a blunt cannula having an axial passageway closed at its inserted end by a rounded tip, the blunt cannula being formed with a pair of lateral openings aligned with each other, slightly spaced from the rounded tip, and communicating with the axial passageway.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly including the above-described fluid coupling device and blunt cannula device.

Further features of the invention, as well as many of its advantages, will be apparent from the description below. x ' The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating one form of fluid coupling device constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are, respectively, a top plan view and a side elevational view of the device of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating one form of blunt cannula device constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the blunt cannula device of Fig. 4; Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are sectional views more particularly illustrating the construction of the tip of the blunt cannula in Figs. 4 and 5; Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating an assembly including the blunt cannula device of Figs. 4-8 inserted into the fluid coupling device of Figs. 1-3. and Fig. 10 illustrates another type of fluid coupling device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

The fluid coupling device illustrated in Figs. 1-3 is intended to be coupled to tubes connected to a patient and through which blood flows in order to extract a sample of the blood, or to inject a substance into the blood, by inserting the blunt cannula illustrated in Figs. 4-7 into the fluid coupling device. Such a fluid coupling device may be used with respect to other fluids. The use of a blunt cannula for this purpose reduces the risk of accidental puncture of the skin by an attendant extracting the blood (or other fluid) sample or injecting the substance, or by someone subsequently handling or disposing of the devices used for this purpose.

The fluid coupling device illustrated in Figs. 1-3, and therein generally designated 2, comprises a housing 20 formed with a socket 21 of conical configuration for receiving a plug 22 of the same conical configuration. Plug 22 is made of an elastomeric material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, and is formed with a slit 22a extending through the plug from its outer face 22b to its inner face 22c. Housing 20 is further formed with a wall 20b for limiting the position of the plug 22 when inserted into socket 21.

Plug 22 is retained within socket 21 by a cap 23 having an end wall 24 and an annular skirt 25. Annular skirt 25 is formed with an annular recess 25a on its inner surface adapted to receive with a snap fit an annular rib 20a formed in the outer surface of the housing 20.

End wall 24 of cap 23 is formed with a central opening 24a circumscribed by an annular conical section 24b which guides the blunt cannula in the blunt cannula device 4 of Figs. 4-5 via opening 24a into the slit 22a of plug 22. Opening 24a is of a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the blunt cannula to be received by the fluid coupling device.

Housing 20 is further formed with a passageway 26 underlying socket 21 and plug 22, and adapted to receive the tip of the blunt cannula after its insertion via slit 22a through plug 22. Housing 20 is further formed with a pair of tube connectors 27a, 27b, each for receiving a tube (not shown) on opposite sides of the housing and communicating with passageway 26 and with the tip of the blunt cannula when inserted therein, as will be described more particularly below.

Housing 20 further includes a finger-grippable projection 28 integrally formed with the two connectors 27a, 27b and located on the side of the housing opposite to that of the plug 22 and socket 21. Housing 20 further includes a guiding disc 29 also integrally formed with the housing, between the cap 23 and the finger-grippable projection 28.

Disc 29 serves to guide the blunt cannula device 3 when inserted into the fluid coupling device 2.

The blunt cannula device 3 illustrated in Figs . 4 and 5, comprises a blunt cannula 30 adapted to be inserted, via the slit 22a of plug 22 (Figs. 1-3), into the passageway 26 so as to be in communication with the blood (or other fluid) flowing through the tubes connected to the two connectors 27a, 27b on the opposite sides of this passageway. Device 3 further includes a shroud 31 surrounding the b^-unt cannula 30. Shroud 31 provides a measure of protection against accidental contact with the blunt cannula and also provides a means for attaching the blunt cannula device to the fluid coupling device 2.

The blunt cannula 30 is formed with an axial passageway 32 closed at its inserted end by a rounded (semi-spherical) tip 33, and with a pair of lateral openings 34a, 34b aligned with each other and slightly spaced from the rounded tip 33. The outer surface of the blunt cannula 30 is substantially smooth and unbroken for its complete length to and including its rounded tip 33. The wall of the blunt cannula 30 is of substantially uniform thickness, except that it is slightly thickened at the portion of the cannula penetrated by the two openings 34a, 34b, as shown particularly in Figs. 6-8.

The blunt cannula device 3 is attached to the fluid coupling device 2 by a bayonet-type slot connection formed in the shroud 31. Thus, the shroud 31 is formed on o its opposite sides with a pair of axially-extending slots 35 having their outer ends starting at the edge of the shroud and terminating at their inner ends in circumferentially-extending slots 36. The axially-extending slots 35 are adapted to receive the tubes (not shown) attached to the two connectors 27a, 27b of the fluid coupling device 2 (Fig. 1), and the circumferentially-extending slots 36 are adapted to lock the blunt cannula assembly 3 to the fluid coupling device 2 when assembly 3 is then rotated a short distance in the circumferential direction. A projection 37 is formed at the juncture of the two slots 35, 36, and produces a "click" when the blunt cannula assembly is thus rotated in one direction to its locking position, or in the opposite direction to its unlocking position.

The two lateral openings 34a, 34b in the blunt end of the cannula 30 are located so that when the blunt cannula device 3 has been locked to the fluid coupling device 2, as described above, these lateral openings 34a, 34b are aligned with the axes of the tubes received in the tube connectors 27a, 27b.

The shroud 31 in the blunt cannula device 30 is further formed, at the side thereof opposite to the slots 35, with a diametrically extending bar 38 to facilitate the rotation of the blunt cannula device when attaching it to the fluid coupling device 2. The blunt cannula device 3 further includes a tube connector 39 extending coaxially with the axial passageway 32 in the blunt cannula 30 for extracting the sample of blood tapped by the blunt cannula device, or for adding a substance to the blood, via the blunt cannula.

Fig. 9 more particularly illustrates the manner of using the fluid coupling device 2 and blunt cannula device 3 for either extracting a sample of blood or for adding a substance to the blood. Thus, the tubes (not shown) through which the blood flows are connected to the two tube connectors 27a, 27b of the fluid coupling device 2 so that the blood flows through the passageway 26 between these two connectors. Plug 22 normally seals this passageway from the outside .

Whenever it is desired either to withdraw a quantity of blood, or to introduce a substance into the blood, the blunt cannula assembly 3 is attached to the fluid coupling device 2. This is done by aligning the two slots 35 in the shroud 31 of the blunt cannular device 3 with the tubes connected to the two connectors 27a, 27b, pressing the blunt cannula device towards those tubes to move them through slot 35 until they limit against the end of that slot, and then rotating the blunt cannula device slightly in the circumferential direction to lock the tubes within the circumferentially-extending slots 36. As the tubes move from the axial slots 35 to the locking circumferential slots 36, they pass over projections 37 at the junctures of the two slots, thereby producing a "click" indication to the attendant that the blunt cannula device has been locked in position.

The conical section 24b circumscribing the opening 24a in cap 23 of the fluid coupling device 2 guides the blunt cannula through the opening 24a to the slit 22a. In addition, the rounded tip 33 of the blunt cannula 30, together with its smooth, unbroken outer surface, facilitates the penetration of the blunt cannula via slit 22a through plug 22 to bring the lateral openings 34a, 34b at the tip of the blunt cannula into alignment with passageway 26. As described above, the slots 35, 36 in the shroud 31 , and the openings 34a, 34b in the blunt cannula 30, are designed so that when the blunt cannula is in its locking position within slots 36, the two openings 34a, 34b are coaxial with the axes of the tubes connected to the tube connectors 27a, 27b of the fluid coupling device 2.

When the blunt cannula device 3 has thus been attached to and locked in position with respect to the fluid coupling device 2, blood may be extracted, or a substance added to the blood, via the lateral openings 34a, 34b and the axial passageway 32 in the blunt cannula, and the axial passageway in tube 39.

Fig. 10 illustrates a variation, wherein the housing 120 of the fluid coupling device 102 is formed with a connector 122 for receiving (internally or externally thereof) a flexible tube (not shown) to be coupled to the blunt cannula 130. The fluid coupling device further includes a slitted plug 122 and cap 123 constructed and adapted to cooperate with a blunt cannula 130 as described above . .

While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A fluid coupling device particularly useful with blunt cannulas, comprising: a housing formed with a socket; a plug of elastomeric material received in said socket and having an outer face exposed externally of the socket, said plug being formed with a slit leading to the outer face of the plug; and a cap attached to said housing and having an end wall overlying .said outer face of the plug, said end wall being formed with an opening therethrough in alignment with said slit of the plug and having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the blunt cannula, and with an annular conical section circumscribing said opening for guiding the blunt cannula via said opening into the slit in said plug.

2. The device according to Claim 1, wherein said cap further includes an annular skirt formed with an annular recess on its inner face adapted to receive with a snap fit an annular rib formed in an outer face of said housing.

3. The device according to either of Claims 1 or 2, wherein both said socket and said plug are of conical shape increasing in diameter from their inner ends to their outer ends.

4. The device according to any one of Claims 1-3, wherein said housing is formed with a passageway underlying said plug so as to be penetrated by a blunt cannula when inserted through the plug via said slit thereof; said housing being further formed with a pair of tube connectors for receiving tubes on opposite sides thereof in communication with said passageway and with an opening in the cannula when inserted into the plug.

5. The device according to Claim 4, wherein said housing further includes a finger-grippable projection integrally formed with said tube connectors and located on the side of said housing opposite to that of said plug and socket.

6. The device according to either of Claims 4 or 5, wherein said housing further includes a disc integrally formed therewith circumscribing said socket between said cap and finger-grippable projection.

7. An assembly including a fluid coupling device according to any one of Claims 4-6, in combination with a blunt cannula device having a blunt cannula for insertion into the plug of the coupling device via said slit of the plug.

8. The assembly according to Claim 7, wherein said blunt cannula has an axial passageway closed at its inserted end by a rounded tip, said blunt cannula being formed with a pair of lateral openings aligned with each other, slightly spaced from said rounded tip, and communicating with said axial passageway.

9. The assembly according to Claim 7, wherein the outer face of said blunt cannula is substantially smooth and unbroken to said rounded tip.

10. The assembly according to either of Claims 8 or 9, wherein the wall of said blunt cannula is of increased thickness at the tip thereof formed with said pair of lateral openings.

11. The assembly according to any one of Claims 8-10, wherein said blunt cannula device further includes a shroud around said blunt cannula and formed with attaching means for attaching the shroud to the fluid coupling device.

12. The assembly according to Claim 11 , wherein said attaching means comprises: a pair of axially-extending slots on opposite sides of said shroud and having their outer ends starting at the edges of the shroud and terminating at their inner ends in circumferentially-extending slots; said axially-extending slots being adapted to receive the tubes attached to said tube connectors; said circumferentially-extending slots being adapted to lock said blunt cannula assembly to the fluid coupling device when the blunt cannula assembly is rotated a short distance after its axially-extending slots have received said tubes.

13. The assembly according to Claim 12, wherein said axially-extending slots and said circumferentially-extending slots are located such that when the blunt cannula device has been locked to said tubes in the fluid coupling device, the pair of lateral openings in the blunt cannula are aligned with the axes of said tubes.

14. The assembly according to either of Claims 12 or 13, wherein said shroud is formed at the side thereof opposite to said outer edge, with a diametrically-extending bar to facilitate the rotation of said blunt cannula device when attaching it to the fluid coupling device.

15. The assembly according to any one of Claims 8-14, wherein said blunt cannula device further includes a s tube connector extending coaxially with said axial passageway in the blunt cannula.

16. A blunt cannula device particularly useful with the fluid coupling device of any one of Claims 4-6, said blunt cannula device having an axial passageway closed at its inserted end by a rounded tip, and being formed with a pair of lateral openings aligned with each other, slightly spaced from said rounded tip, and communicating with said axial passageway.

17. The device according to Claim 16, wherein the outer face of said blunt cannula is substantially smooth and unbroken to said rounded tip.

18. The device according to either of Claims 16 or 17, wherein the wall of said blunt cannula is of increased thickness at the tip thereof formed with said pair of lateral openings.

19. The device according to any one of Claims 16-18, further including a shroud around said blunt cannula and formed with attaching means for attaching the shroud to the fluid coupling device.

20. The device according to Claim 19, wherein said attaching means comprises: a pair of axially-extending slots on opposite sides of said shroud and having their outer ends starting at the edges of the shroud and terminating at their inner ends in circumferentially-extending slots; said axially-extending slots being adapted to receive the tubes attached to the tube connectors; said circumferentially-extending slots being adapted to lock said blunt cannula assembly to the fluid coupling device when the blunt cannula assembly is rotated a short distance after its ■■· "·.·· . ■ ■ · · · j . axially-extending slots have received said tubes .

21. The device according to Claim 20, wherein said axially-extending slots and said circumferentially-extending slots are located such that when the blunt cannula device has been locked to the tubes in the fluid coupling device, the pair of lateral openings in the blunt cannula are aligned with the axes of said tubes.

22. The device according to either of Claims 20 or 21 , wherein said shroud is formed at the side thereof, opposite to said outer edge, with a diametrically-extending bar to facilitate the rotation of the blunt cannula device when attaching it to the fluid coupling device.

23. The device according to any one of Claims 16-22, wherein said blunt cannula device further includes a tube connector extending coaxially with said axial passageway in the blunt cannula.

24. A fluid coupling device substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

25. A blunt cannula device substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings .

26. An assembly of a fluid coupling device and blunt cannula device substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. y Tel-Aviv 61 230