Quick connector disposable tool

Abstract

Several embodiments of a disposable surgical tool for quickly and easily connecting tubing to implantable components are disclosed. A method for using the novel tool for connecting tubing to components, such as a pump, a reservoir, a connector, etc., is also described.

1 . A surgical device, the device comprising: 
 a first and second elongate member each comprising: 
 a distal end and a proximal end;  
 inside and outside side surfaces;  
 top and bottom surfaces;  
 an opening through the inside side surface of each of the first and the second elongate member, the opening centered proximate a center of a first stop position;  
 a recess in the top surface wherein the: 
 width of the recess is: 
 larger than an outside diameter of a tubing;  
 smaller than a diameter of at least one collet;  
 
 and the recess: 
 is at a same proximal distance from the distal end of both the first and the second elongate member;  
 spans a width of the top surface; and  
 extends from the top surface to the first stop position proximate a center of the inside and the outside side surfaces of each of the first and the second elongate member.  
 
 
   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is larger than the at least one collet.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein in each of the first and second elongate members the recess further extends towards the distal end from the center of the first stop position to a second stop position.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second elongate members are hingedly connected at a distal edge along their respective inside side surfaces.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein a hinge comprising a thin elongate strip of material connects the distal end of the first elongate member to the distal end of the second elongate member.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a short third elongate member including a first end and a second end wherein: 
 the first end of the third elongate member is hingedly connected to the distal end of the first elongate member; and    the second end of the third elongate member is hingedly connected to the distal end of the second elongate member.    
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein both the first and second elongate members are: 
 hollow;    open at the proximal end and closed at the distal end; and    configured for receiving and housing the at least one collet.    
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein both the first and second elongate members further comprise a collet tool, the collet tool including: 
 a collet dispenser slideably housed therein and configured for dispensing at least one collet; and    a collet magazine slideably housed within the collet dispenser and configured for housing at least one collet therein.    
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the collet magazine is further configured for ejecting one collet out of the collet dispenser.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the collet dispenser further comprises at least one flexible flap to retain the at least one collet within the collet magazine.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the device is disposable.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the device is made from a polymer and formed from a mold.  
   
   
       13 . A method for connecting tubing to a component, the method comprising the steps of: 
 placing at least one collet in a first elongate member;    placing at least one collet in a second elongate member;    inserting an open end of a first tubing through the first elongate member including through one of the at least one collet placed therein;    inserting an open end of a second tubing through the second elongate member including through one of the at least one collet placed therein;    connecting the open end of the first tubing to a first port on the component;    connecting the open end of the second tubing to a second port on the component;    forcing collet including the first tubing therethrough onto the first port for fixedly attaching the first tubing to the component;    forcing collet including the second tubing therethrough onto the second port for fixedly attaching the second tubing to the component; and    dispensing the first and second tubing comprising the component and collet from each of the first and the second elongate member.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of moving both the first and second elongate members towards one another with the component placed therebetween.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first and the second elongate members are hingedly connected at their respective distal end.  
   
   
       16 . A device for connecting tubing to a component, the device comprising: 
 means for positioning a collet on the tubing; and    means for fixedly attaching the tubing to at least one port of the component.    
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 means for housing two or more collet in the device; and    means for dispensing one collet into the device.