MXPA97006468A - So adapter set - Google Patents

Abstract

An adapter assembly is provided for fluid communication and mechanical connection between a probe and a syringe. The adapter assembly includes a generally tubular nose having opposite proximal and distant ends. A wall is placed at the distal end and includes an aperture sized to receive a probe therethrough. A compressible plug is received at the open near end of the nose and sits against the wall. The plug includes an axial passage to receive the probe. The outer portions of the plug are used near the proximal end. The assembly further includes a plug having opposite and distant ends opposite. The proximal end of the plug includes projections for threaded coupling with a collar of a syringe. The distal end of the plug is threadably engageable in the open near end of the nose. The internal portions of the plug adjacent to the distal ends are tapered and dimensioned to gradually compress the plug in fluid-tight engagement against the probe, without generating occlusion.

Description

"SONDA ADAPTER CONJUGATE" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an adapter assembly for secure, fluid-tight coupling to a flexible probe and to allow connection of the probe with a syringe. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE A probe is a long flexible tube that is inserted into the vascular system of a patient to deliver a fluid to a patient, withdraw a fluid from a patient or to supply another flexible member to an area that requires treatment. The end of the probe remaining external to the patient can be connected to an adapter, which in turn can be releasably connected with a syringe or other means to generate fluid flow through the probe. The connection of the adapter to the probe desirably should provide a secure mechanical connection that will prevent inadvertent separation of the adapter probe. In addition, the connection of the adapter to the probe must be fluid-tight to prevent unintended and potentially harmful fluid leakage. These requirements for a probe / adapter connection suggest that a very tight connection will fill all structural and functional demands. However, the probe may become occluded or twisted if the clamping forces through the adapter are too high. In this way, the efforts of the prior art to achieve an optimal connection between the probe and the adapter, can lead to a complete connection failure. A prior art probe adapter that attempts to address these problems is shown, for example in U.S. Patent Number 5,464,400.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The adapter of the present invention includes three components, namely a nose, a plug and a plug. The nose of the adapter includes a generally tubular side wall with opposite proximal and distant ends. The distal end of the tubular side wall of the nose includes a stop for positioning the nose and plug in relation to the other as explained herein. The stop may include an end wall directed inwardly. A short tubular position can extend proximally from the far end wall and can be coaxially aligned within the tubular side wall of the nose. An opening may extend through the distal end wall and the tubular projection, to slidably receive a probe. The nose includes a means of plug coupling. For example, an annular fastening flange may project inwardly around the open proximal end of the tubular nose side wall. In addition or alternatively, the coupling means of the plug may include an internal thread formation. The plug of the adapter is formed of a compressible material with the opposite proximal and distant ends and a probe coupling passage extending therebetween. The distal end of the plug is engaged within the nose and adjacent the stop at the distal end of the nose. The distal end of the plug can be configured to engage the end wall and the tubular projection at the distal end of the nose. The outer surface of the plug is conically tapered at the proximal end of the plug. On a cylindrical outer surface it may extend at a distance from the conically tapered surface.

The adapter plug includes proximal and distant ends and a tubular side wall extending therebetween. A compression cavity of the plug extends proximal to the distal end of the plug and forms a continuous conical taper with the widest portion of the last remote end. The plug also includes a means to connect with the nose. For example, the plug may include an array of external threads extending proximally from the last remote end. The external threads of the plug can be disconnected for threaded couplings with the internal threads in the nose, the connection means may further include an annular shoulder projecting outwardly dimensioned for snap engagement with an annular shoulder projecting inwardly at the proximal end of the nose. More particularly, an annular flange projecting outwardly into the plug may be in a snap-fit engagement position with a nose flange when the plug and nose are fully threadedly engaged with each other. The threaded coupling of the plug and the nose and one with the other, causes the plug to deform uniformly both torsionally and compressively within the compression cavity of the conically tapered plug of the plug. In the fully engaged and engaged condition of the adapter, there is full contact between the outer surface of the plug and the compression cavity of the conically tapered plug. As a result, the surface pressure is applied uniformly along the entire outer surface of the plug. This pressure pushes the plug into the clamping coupling with the probe without causing occlusion or twisting of the probe inside the adapter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a detailed perspective view of the adapter and a portion of a hypodermic syringe of the prior art. Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view similar to Figure 1, but showing the adapter in a detailed condition. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the nose of the adapter assembly. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of the adapter assembly. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the plug of the adapter assembly.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter and a hypodermic syringe of the prior art before connecting the adapter to the probe. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 6, but showing the adapter connected with both a probe and the hypodermic syringe of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY An adapter in accordance with the present invention is generally identified by the number 10 in Figure 1. The adapter 10 is used to place a flexible probe 12 in communication with a fluid reservoir. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the reservoir is a syringe 14. The syringe 14 includes a tubular body 16 having an open proximal end 18, a partially closed distal end 20 and a fluid receiving chamber 22 therebetween. A tip 24 projects remotely from the distal end 20 of the tubular body 16 of the syringe and includes a narrow passage 26 extending axially therethrough and communicating with the chamber 22 of the tubular body 16. A collar 28 surrounds concentrically the tip 24 and includes a formation of internal rosettes 30 for threaded engagement with the adapter 10, as will be further explained herein. A plunger 12 is slidably positioned within the chamber 22 and is capable of operating to push the fluid through the passage 26 of the tip 24, in and out of the chamber 22. Referring to Figure 2, the adapter 10 includes a nose 34, a plug 36 and a plug 38. The nose 34, as shown more clearly in Figure 3, is unitarily molded from a rigid plastic and includes a proximal end 40, a distal end 42 and a tubular side wall 44 that is extends between them. Distal end 42 includes an inwardly extending wall 46 having a concavely deepened distal face 48 and a proximal face 50. A projection 52 extends from the wall 46 remote approximately at a distance "a" and is concentric with the tubular side wall 44. An opening 54 extends axially through the distal wall 46 and the projection 52, and is dimensioned so as to slidably receive the probe 12. The tubular side wall 44 of the nose 34 includes a cylindrical internal surface 56 that concentrically surrounds the projection 52 and defining an internal diameter "b". The internal cylindrical surface 56 projects proximate from the face 50 of the distant wall 46 at a distance "c" that exceeds the axial length "a" of the projection 52.

The tubular wall 44 further includes a formation of internal threads 58 extending from the surface 86 internal cylindrical toward the proximal end 40. An annular gripping flange 59 engages inwardly at the proximal end 40. As shown more clearly in Figures 1 and 2, the outer surface regions of the tubular wall 44 are not cylindrical to facilitate digital manipulation and rotation of the nose 34, as will be further explained herein. The cap 36 of the adapter 10 is unitarily molded of a compressible elastomeric material and includes opposite and proximal ends 60 and 62, as shown in Figure 4. The portions of the plug 36 adjacent the distant end 62 define a cylindrical flange 64 having an outer diameter "d" essentially equal to or slightly greater than the internal diameter "b" of the internal cylindrical surface 56 in the nose 34. The cylindrical flange 64 of the plug 36 further defines an axial length "c" essentially equal to the length " c "axial surface 56 internal cylindrical in the nose 34. The distal end 62 is characterized by a cavity 66 concentric with the cylindrical flange 64 and defining a length "f" that conforms to the length "a" of the projection 52 in the nose 34. In addition, the shape in cross-section and the dimensions of the cavity 66 conform to or are slightly smaller than the corresponding cross-sectional dimensions of the projection 52 in the nose 34. With these relative dimensions, the distal end 62 of the cap 36 can be pushed in a direction proximal to distal in direction. the open proximal end 40 of the nose 34, and in fluid-tight engagement with the inner portions of the nose 34. In particular, the outer surface regions of the cylindrical flange 64 of the cap 36 can be pushed in fluid-tight engagement against the internal cylindrical surface 56 of the nose 34. Further, the cavity 66 of the cap 36 can be pushed in fluid-tight engagement with the projection 52 of the nose 34. The portions of the plug 36 next to the flange 64 define a probe coupling section which is generally identified by the number 68. The probe coupling section 68 includes a cylindrical probe passage 70 extending axially therethrough from the cavity 66 to the proximal end 60 of the cap 36 The portions of the passage 70 extending proximally from the cavity 66 define a diameter to closely receive therein, the probe 12. However, a passage portion 70 adjacent the proximal end 60 of the cap 36 is tapered inward to prevent that probe 12 is pushed entirely through passage 70. Probe coupling section 68 includes an outer cylindrical surface 72 proximal to flange 64 and an external conically tapered surface 74 extending from cylindrical surface 72 to the end 60 next. The outer cylindrical surface 72 defines an outside diameter "g". The conical surface 74 tapers to a proximal end diameter "h". The plug 38 of the adapter 10 is an elongate member generally tubular or unitarily molded from a rigid plastic material. As shown in Figure 5, the plug 38 includes the opposite proximal and distant ends 78 and 80 respectively. The proximal end 78 includes projections 82 dimensioned for threaded engagement with the threads 30 of the collar 28 in the syringe 14. The plug 38 includes a wall 84 extending inward at an intermediate location to the proximal and distal ends 78 and 80. The wall 84 is characterized by an opening 86 extending centrally therethrough and having a diameter essentially equal to the diameter of the proximal portions of the passage 70 through the plug 36. The portions of the plug 38 between the wall 84 and the proximal end 78 defines a tip receiving recess 88 that is dimensioned to fit above the tip 24 of the tubular body 14 of the syringe. The portions of the plug 38 that surround the tip receiving recess 88 include fins 90 sized to facilitate clamping and manual rotation of the plug 38 relative to the tubular body 14 of the syringe, and relative to the nose 34, as will be further explained in the present. The plug 38 includes an array of external threads 92 extending proximally from the distal end 80. The external threads 92 in the plug 38 are dimensioned for threaded engagement with the internal threads 58 in the nose 34. The plug 38 further includes a latching flange 94 sized for snap engagement engagement with the nose engaging flange 34. The engagement flange 94 includes a beveled distal face. The plug 38 includes a chamfer 96 that extends a short distance toward the distal end 80. The plug 38 further includes a tapered plug compression recess 98 extending from the chamfering 96 to the wall 84. The plug compression recess 96 tapers to define smaller diameters., closer to the wall 84. In particular, a distal diameter "i" measured adjacent the chamfering 96 is slightly smaller than the diameter "g" of the cylindrical surface 72 of the cap 36. A small diameter "j" measured adjacent to the wall 84 is slightly larger than the diameter "h" of cap 36 adjacent to proximal end 60. An adapter 10 is used, as shown in Figures 6 and 1, pushing the distal end 62 of the cap 36 toward the open proximal end 40 of the nose 34 such that the distal end 62 of the cap 36 sits against the face. 50 near the wall 46 in the nose 34. In this coupled position, the cavity 66 at the distal end 62 of the cap 36, is in fluid tight engagement above the projection 52 of the nose 34. In addition, the cylindrical surface The external portion of the flange 64 sits tightly against the inner cylindrical surface 56 of the nose 34. The resilience of the cap 36 will prevent inadvertent separation of the cap 36 from the nose 34. In this assembled condition, the passage 70 through the cap 36 is axially aligns with the opening 54 through the nose 34. The probe 12 is then inserted through the opening 54 in the wall 46 remote from the nose 34, and within the passage 70 of the plug 36. The proximal movement of the probe 12 is stopped by the tapered portions of the passage 70 adjacent the proximal end 60 of the plug 36. The initial insertion of the probe 12 into the nose passage 54 is facilitated by the deepened concave configuration of the remote surface 48 of the probe. the wall 46. The assembly of the adapter 10 continues to threadably couple the distal end 80 of the plug 38 into the open proximal end 40 of the nose 34. More specifically, the external threads 92 of the plug 38 threadably couple the internal threads 58 of the nose 34. The compression cavity 98 of the plug of the plug 38 will be telescoped above the conically tapered surface 74 of the probe coupling section 68 of the plug 36. However, after sufficient tapping, the plug 38 will engage the portions of the conically tapered surface 74 of the cap 36, adjacent the cylindrical surface 72 thereof. In this way. The additional threaded advance will cause the compression cavity 98 of the tapered plug to gradually compress the probe coupling section 68 of the plug 36. It will also be appreciated that advancing the plug 38 will cause the compression cavity 98 of the tapered plug to transmit the forces of the plug. torsion to the probe coupling section 68 of the plug 36. Due to the configurations of the compression cavity and the probe coupling section, the compression and torsional forces exerted by the compression cavity in the probe coupling section they are essentially uniform. Uniform gradual compression and torsion applied to plug 36 will exert clamping forces on probe 12, but due to the tapers of matching surfaces 72 and 98 it will not exert sufficient forces to cause occlusion or twisting of portions of the probe 12 inside the cap 36. Additional tightening of the plug 38 in the nose 34 will cause the engagement flange 94 of the plug 38 to engage the nose engaging flange 59. The tapered distal face of the engagement flange 94 will cause a slight expansion outwardly of the proximal end 40 of the nose 34 such that the engagement flange 94 will pass remotely past the nose engaging flange 59. Additional threaded movement will cause the end 40 remote from the nose. nose 34 resiliently returns to an undeflected condition such that the engagement flange 59 will resiliently engage through the engagement flange 94 in plug 38. In this hooked condition, as shown more clearly in Figure 4, the proximal end 80 of the plug 38 will be essentially adjacent to the flange 64 of the plug 36. In addition, due to the gradual compression and torsional forces exerted by the compression cavity 98 of the cap, the cap 38 will have been compressed uniformly in the coupling section 68 of the probe for efficient fluid-tight clamping of the probe 12. The assembly 10 of the adapter and the probe 12 can be threadably coupled with the syringe 14. In particular, the collar 28 of the syringe 14 can be threaded into the projections 82 at the proximal end 78 of the plug 38 such that the defined fluid receiving chamber 22 inside the tubular body 16 of the syringe 14 may be placed in fluid communication with the probe 12.

Claims (10)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S:

1. An adapter assembly for fluid-tight connection with a probe, the assembly comprising: a tubular nose having proximal and distal ends; a compressible cap having proximal and distant ends, the distal end of the cap is tightly engaged at the distal end of the nose, the proximal end of the cap is tapered, a probe passage that extends entirely through the cap and that is dimensioned for sliding coupling of the probe therein; and a generally tubular plug having proximal and distant ends, the distal end of the plug is selectively movable in proximal and distant directions in the nose, a plug compression cavity extending toward the distal end of the plug and receiving the proximal end of the stopper, the compression cavity of the stopper is tapered and dimensioned in such a way that the distal movement of the plug towards the nose causes the plug to gradually compress the plug in secure fluid-tight engagement with the probe.

2. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the nose comprises an internal thread formation, and wherein the plug comprises an external thread formation, the internal and external threads are engageable for selective movement of the plug in the nose.

3. The adapter assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a nose engaging flange and a flange engaged in the socket, the engaging flanges being releasably engageable with each other when the threads are fully tightened.

4. The adapter assembly of claim 1, comprising a nose engaging flange and a matching engagement flange in the socket, the engagement flanges are sized and configured to engage or press with one another. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises a generally cylindrical surface remote from and adjacent the proximal or tapered end of the plug. The adapter assembly according to claim 5, wherein the plug includes a chamfer at the distal end, the compression cavity of the plug is positioned next to and adjacent to the chamfer, the plug compression cavity defines an adjacent distal diameter When chamfered, the distal diameter is smaller than the diameter defined by the cylindrical surface of the plug, and wherein the compression cavity of the plug further defines a proximal diameter greater than the diameter dimension of the plug at the proximal end thereof. The adapter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the nose includes a distal wall extending inward from the distal end of the tubular side wall, a projection extending proximal to the distal wall of the nose, an opening extending through the distal wall and through the projection, the distal end of the plug has a recess formed therein and configured for fluid-tight engagement above the projection of the nose. The adapter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the portions of the passageway of the adjacent probe is the proximal end of the plug are tapered to prevent full passage of the probe through the plug. The adapter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plug includes a wall extending inwardly intermediate the proximal and distal ends thereof, the wall is positioned to engage the proximal end of the plug and includes an opening which extends through it and which is aligned with the passage of the plug probe. The adapter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface portions of the plug include fins formed therein to facilitate digital manipulation and rotation of the plug.