EP-4735090-A1 - FLUID CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY

EP4735090A1EP 4735090 A1EP4735090 A1EP 4735090A1EP-4735090-A1

Abstract

Fluid connector assemblies that seal off fluid paths in the respective connectors are disclosed. When connectors of a fluid connector assembly are connected to each other, respective compressible members in the connectors are displaced, allowing downstream fluid passage through the fluid connector assembly. The connectors may be coupled via a connecting mechanism that that provides a threshold retention force. When an external force greater than the threshold force is applied to the fluid connector assembly, the snap mechanism may no longer maintain the connectors together, causing the connectors to decouple from each other.

Inventors

AUSTIN, Abin
WINE, JASON ANDREW
JADHAV, AMARSINH DEELIPRAO
KHAN, Mohammed Mehtab
MENON, KANJIMPUREDATHIL MURALIKRISHNA

Assignees

CareFusion 303, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20240625

Claims (20)

1. A fluid connector assembly, comprising: a first connector; a second connector configured to couple with the first connector, the second connector having a snap member disposed on an end of the second connector; and a connecting mechanism coupled to the second connector for detachably coupling the first connector and the second connector, the connecting mechanism comprising: a body having a channel extending therethrough for providing fluid communication between the first connector and the second connector; and at least one projection extending from an end of the body, wherein, when the connecting mechanism is coupled to the second connector, at least a portion of the connecting mechanism is positioned within an opening of the snap member and secured by the at least one projection, and wherein actuation of the snap member allows the connecting mechanism to be disconnected from the second connector.
2. The fluid connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the connecting mechanism remains coupled to the second connector by a threshold force, and wherein, when an external force greater than the threshold force is applied to at least one of the first connector and the second connector, the connecting mechanism is decoupled from the second connector.
3. The fluid connector assembly of claim 2, wherein the external force is a pulling force of at least five pounds.
4. The fluid connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the snap member includes at least one snap arm extending from an end of the snap member, and wherein actuation of the at least one snap arm allows for the connecting mechanism to be decoupled from the second connector.
5. The fluid connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the connecting mechanism further comprises a valve member disposed within the channel, and wherein, when the first connector and the second connector are coupled, the valve member is configured to allow fluid communication between the first connector and the second connector, and wherein, when the first connector and the second connector are decoupled, the valve member is configured to prevent a flow of a fluid through the channel.
6. The fluid connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one projection extends outwardly with respect to a longitudinally extending central axis, and wherein an exterior surface profile of the at least one projection corresponds to an interior profile of the opening of the snap member.
7. The fluid connector assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the connecting mechanism couples to an exterior surface of the second connector, wherein when a pulling force greater than a threshold force is applied to the second connector in a direction along a central longitudinal axis, the connecting mechanism actuates the snap member thereby resulting in the first connector and second connector being decoupled, and wherein at least a portion of the connecting mechanism remains coupled to the second connector when the first connector and the second connector are decoupled.
8. The fluid connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid connector assembly is a closed-system drug transfer device.
9. A method of coupling a fluid connector assembly, the method comprising: providing a first connector; providing a second connector configured to couple to the first connector, the second connector having a snap member disposed on an end of the second connector; providing a connecting mechanism configured to couple the first connector and the second connector, the connecting mechanism comprising a body and at least one projection extending from an end of the body; coupling an end of the connecting mechanism to the second connector such that at least a portion of connecting mechanism is disposed within an opening of the snap member; and coupling the first connector to an opposite end of the connecting mechanism such that the first connector, the second connector, and coupling mechanism are in fluid communication.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein coupling the end of the connecting mechanism to the second connector includes positioning the at least one projection within the opening of the snap member such that an exterior surface of the at least one projection abuts an interior surface of the snap member in a snap fit configuration.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein decoupling the connecting mechanism from the second connector includes actuating the snap member to provide clearance between the at least one projection and the interior surface thereby allowing the connecting mechanism to be removed from the opening.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the connecting mechanism remains coupled to the second connector by a threshold force, and wherein, when an external force greater than the threshold force is applied to at least one of the first connector and the second connector, the connecting mechanism is decoupled from the second connector.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the connecting mechanism further comprises a valve member disposed within a channel formed within the body of the connecting mechanism, wherein, when the first connector and the second connector are coupled, the valve member is configured to allow fluid communication between the first connector and the second connector, and wherein, when the first connector and the second connector are decoupled, the valve member is configured to prevent a flow of a fluid through the channel.
14. A fluid connector assembly comprising: a first connector; a second connector configured to couple to the first connector, the second connector is a closed system comprising a snap member disposed having at least one arm projecting from an end of the snap member; a connecting mechanism for detachably coupling the first connector and the second connector, the connecting mechanism comprising: a body having a channel extending therethrough for providing fluid communication between the first connector and the second connector; a valve member disposed within the channel for controlling a flow of fluids through the channel; a first projection extending from a first end of the body for coupling to the first connector; and a second projection extending from a second end of the body for coupling to the second connector, wherein, when the connecting mechanism is coupled to the second connector, at least a portion of the connecting mechanism is positioned within an opening of the snap member and secured by the second projection, and wherein, when a separating force exceeds a predetermined threshold, the connecting mechanism is decoupled from the second connector.
15. The fluid connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the predetermined threshold is a pulling force of at least five pounds.
16. The fluid connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one arm includes a first snap arm projecting from a first side of the second connector and a second snap arm projecting from a second side of the second connector opposite the first side, and wherein actuation of the first snap arm and the second snap arm allows for the connecting mechanism to be decoupled from the second connector.
17. The fluid connector assembly of claim 14, wherein, when the first connector and the second connector are coupled, the valve member is configured to allow fluid communication between the first connector and the second connector, and wherein, when the first connector and the second connector are decoupled, the valve member is configured to prevent a flow of a fluid through the channel.
18. The fluid connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the each of the first projection and the second projection extends outwardly with respect to a longitudinally extending central axis of the connecting mechanism, and wherein an exterior surface profile of the second projection corresponds to an interior profile of the opening of the snap member.
19. The fluid connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the connecting mechanism includes a ring member slidably disposed on an exterior surface of the second connector and configured to actuate the snap member.
20. The fluid connector assembly of claim 19, wherein, when a separating force exceeds a predetermined threshold, the ring member slides along the second connector until the ring member is disposed on the at least one arm thereby causes actuation of the snap member.

Description

FLUID CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to medical fluid connectors and, more particularly, to a fluid connector assembly that includes medical connectors that decouple with each other due to an applied force, with each medical connector designed to automatically seal off their respective fluid paths. The decoupling may be due to intentional or unintentional separation between the medical connectors. BACKGROUND [0002] Peripheral intravenous (“PIVC”) catheters are medical tools inserted into peripheral veins of patients to deliver medical fluid to the patients. In an example application, the medical fluid is delivered to the patient, and a medical professional subsequently removes the PIVC catheter from the patient. Often, however, these catheters are unintentionally dislodged. For example, catheter lines receiving an unintended or unexpected pulling force can pull the IV tubing, which pulls the catheter out of the patient. In other instances, catheters are accidentally removed from patients and medical professionals. Unintended or unexpected dislodgement can lead to patient blood loss, IV fluid loss, and IV fluid delivery delay. SUMMARY [0003] In accordance with at least some embodiments disclosed herein is the realization that unintended dislodgement or disconnection of a medical connection, such as a medical fluid line, can result in injury to a patient or a medical professional, such as by depriving the patient of a medicament, increasing the potential for infection to the patient, and exposing the medical professional to medicaments. [0004] Aspects of the present disclosure provide fluid connector assemblies with medical connectors, each of which include one or more fluid paths, that respond to unintentional or unexpected external forces by decoupling from each other and sealing off their respective fluid paths. The decoupling may include automatic decoupling using bellows or other elastically compressible member that decompress and return to their original shape external forces are no longer acting upon them. Beneficially, fluid connector assemblies described herein can limit or prevent patient blood loss, IV fluid loss, infection, and medical delivery delays. Further, aspects of the present disclosure provide connecting mechanisms that aid in the connection of the fluid connector assembly in the event that the fluid connector assembly is decoupled. [0005] According to certain embodiments, a fluid connector assembly includes a first connector, a second connector, and a connecting mechanism. The second connector may be configured to couple with the first connector and may include a snap member disposed on an end thereof. The connecting mechanism may be coupled to the second connector for detachably coupling the first connector and the second connector. The connecting mechanism may include a body having a channel extending therethrough for providing fluid communication between the first connector and the second connector, and at least one projection extending from an end of the body. When the connecting mechanism is coupled to the second connector, at least a portion of the connecting mechanism may be positioned within an opening of the snap member and secured by the projection. Moreover, actuation of the snap member may allow the connecting mechanism to be disconnected from the second connector. [0006] In some embodiments, the connecting mechanism remains coupled to the second connector by a threshold force and, wherein, an external force greater than the threshold force is applied to at least one of the first connector and the second connector, the connecting mechanism is decoupled from the second connector. The external force may be a pulling force of at least five pounds. [0007] In some embodiments, the snap member includes at least one snap arm extending from an end of the snap member and wherein actuation of the at least one snap arm allows for the connecting mechanism to be decoupled from the second connector. [0008] In some embodiments, the connecting mechanism further includes a valve member disposed within the channel. When the first connector and the second connector are coupled, the valve member may be configured to allow fluid communication between the first connector and the second connector. When the first and second connectors are decoupled, the valve member may be configured to prevent a flow of a fluid through the channel. [0009] In some embodiments, the projection extends outwardly with respect to a longitudinally extending central axis and an exterior surface profile of the projection corresponds to an interior profile of the opening of the snap member. [0010] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the connecting mechanism couples to an exterior surface of the second connector. When a pulling surface greater than a threshold force is applied to the second connector in a direction along a central longitudinal axis, the connecting m