Connector with recessed needle for Y-tube, and assembly

United States Patent m

Todd et al.

[li] Patent Number: 4,964,855 [45] Date of Patent: Oct. 23, 1990

[54] CONNECTOR WITH RECESSED NEEDLE FOR Y-TUBE, AND ASSEMBLY

[75] Inventors: Joseph J. Todd, 575 Stanford, Irvine, Calif. 92715; Earl F. Robinson, El Toro; Rex O. Bare, Irvine, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Joseph J. Todd, Tustin, Calif.

[21] Appl. No.: 331,245

[22] Filed: Mar. 31,1989

[51] Int.CL5 A61M 39/00

[52] U.S. CL 604/283; 604/192;

604/288

[58] Field of Search 604/280, 283, 284, 264,

604/411,412,905,192

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,511,359 4/1985 Vaillancourt : 604/905

4,673,400 6/1987 Martin 604/283

4,810,241 3/1989 Rogers 604/905

4,834,716 5/1989 Ogle, II 604/192

Primary Examiner— Stephen C. Pellegrino

Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Willie Krawitz

[57] ABSTRACT

A connector is provided between an I.V. or syringe supply and a Y-tube for feeding liquid medication to a patient. The connector is an integrally formed tube having a recessed needle which is factory mounted into the distal end of the connector. At its proximal end, the tube wall of the connector defines a slot which, when rotated, will engage and form a secure lock with the sidearm portion of the Y-tube. A sterile septum is mounted within the Y-tube, and the needle penetrates the septum during use, thereby maintaining sterility. Also, since the needle is recessed, asccidental needle sticks will be reduced.

In another embodiment, the connector tube wall defines an elongate recess, and a slotted closure cap is mounted at the proximal end of the connector. The connector is fitted over the Y-tube so that the cap slot and recess coincide with the junction of the Y-tube sidearm and the Y-tube. When the cap is turned, the slot will move out of coincidence with the recess and the sidearm, causing the connector and Y-tube to lock.

14 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets

This invention relates to a new and improved connector for use between a Y-tube and an I.V. source, syringe, and the like. The connector employs a recessed needle which reduces or eliminates accidental needle 1Q sticks, and is maintained sterile by means of a septum positioned in the Y-tube. The connectors of this invention are inexpensive, and form a secure lock with a minimum of manipulation.

Many devices are available which connect an I.V. 15 source to the primary line for feeding medication to a patient. Generally, these devices are of the multi-purpose type, and hence are quite expensive. Since these connectors are changed frequently during the stay of a patient, their overall cost over a period of time can add 20 considerably to the expense of a hospital. More importantly however, on many occasions, connector devices are not securely attached to a Y-connector or Y-tube which connects to the primary line. Hence, tape is used to secure these components; but the tape can be worked 25 loose. Consequently, if the connector becomes separated from the primary line of a patient, the reult could be catastrophic, particularly if the patient is in intensive care.

Hence, a need exists for an inexpensive connector 30 which is secure, sterile, and which can minimize or even eliminate the possibility of accidental needle sticks. Also, the connector should be easy to instal, monitor and remove, irrespective of lighting conditions. Preferably, the connector should require specific or positive manipulation to disconnect it from the primary line of the patient, rather than a disconnection by accidental handling. This would preclude random or unintentional movements by the patient resulting in the possibility of disconnecting the I.V. supply. Of course, it would be very desirable to completely eliminate the need for using adhesive tape in these connector assemblies.

THE INVENTION:

35

45

According to the invention, a connector device is provided for coupling a Y-tube on a primary I.V. feed line with a supply line from an I.V. source, syringe, and the like. The connector device is tubular shaped and has a slot or recess which, when aligned with the junction 50 of the Y-tube sidearm, permits the coupling to slide over the Y-tube. If the connector and Y-tube are then misaligned by rotation, they will then become locked.

In one embodiment of the invention, the tubular shaped connector defines on its sidewall a slot which 55 coincides with the Y-tube sidearm at its base, when the connector and Y-tube are fitted together. Rotation of the connector will then interlock them at the base of the sidearm.

In a second embodiment, the connector is provided 60 with a slotted end cap, and the connector wall defines a recess. When the connector and Y-tube are initially fitted together, the recess, cap slot and sidearm base will be aligned. When the end cap is rotated, it will cause the slot to move out of alignment, and thereby lock the 65 connector and Y-tube. In both embodiments, a disconnection of the connector and Y-tube due to random movement of the patient, or by an accidental manipula

tion of the device components, or by slippage is virtually eliminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, external side elevation view of the connector of this invention prior to assembly with a Y-tube and luer lock;

FIG. 2 is an external side elevation view of the assembled device, prior to locking;

FIG. 3 is an external side elevation view of the assembled device, after locking;

FIG. 4 is an external, perspective view of the assembled connector after locking;

FIG. 5 is an exploded, external side elevation view of another embodiment of the connector of this invention, prior to assembly with a Y-tube and luer slip;

FIG. 6 is an external side elevation view of the assembled device, prior to locking;

FIG. 7 is an external view in side elevation of the assembled device after locking;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view in side elevation of the connector;

FIG. 9 is a sectional end elevation view, taken along lines 9—9 of FIG. 6; and,

FIG. 10 is a sectional end elevation view, taken along lines 10—10 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS:

The connector 10 of this invention is shown in FIG. 1 prior to assembly, and comprises an integrally molded tubular cylinder of a resilient plastic such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, etc., which is preferably transparent or transluscent. The connector 10 provides a sidewall 11, having an exterior surface 11a and an interior surface lib. At one end of the connector is a distal port 12 into which is formed a needle hub 13, and a fitting element 14 having locking ears 15 for connection to a corresponding luer lock. A needle 16 is factory mounted through the needle hub 13, and centrally of the tubular cylinder.

As shown in FIG. 4, a cut-out or slot 17 is formed on the sidewall 11 at the proximal end 18 of the connector. The slot defines an elongate area 19, and an adjoining rounded area 20 having a rounded notch 21.

The Y-tube 25 portion of the assembly shown in FIG. 1 is a typical commercial type, of which many brands are available. The Y-tube has a proximal end 26 for fitting onto a primary I.V. line 27 which feeds I.V. fluid to a patient. The distal end 28 includes a 'piggyback' injection port 29 which fits into the connector 10. A peripheral, circular, ridge 30 is present on the exterior wall of the Y-tube and may be used for concentrically aligning the interior of the Y-tube with the connector. The Y-tube includes a sidearm 31 joined together at the base 32. Additional medication is fed to the patient via a tube 33 attached to the sidearm.

As shown in FIG. 1, a luer lock 34 or luer slip is shown for press fitting or locking into fitting element 14 of the connector. The luer lock is connected to a tube 34a which is fed from the I.V. source.

The assembly of the connector 10, Y-tube 25 and luer lock 34 is shown in FIG. 2, prior to locking. Initially, the connector is fitted over the Y-tube, with the slot 17 passing adjacent the sidearm 31 and along the base 32 where the sidearm and Y-tube are joined. The locking motion only requires the connector to be rotated about one-quarter (J) turn, i e., about 90° , while the needle