Connector for dialysis port

Abstract

This invention relates to a connector ( 1 ) for connecting a dialysate port ( 31 ) of a hemodialysis machine with a dialysate-carrying line. The inventive connector ( 1 ) has a recess ( 6, 6 ′) with a shift element ( 3 ) on the end ( 4 ) which accommodates the dialysis machine port ( 31 ), whereby the shift element ( 3 ) is accommodated in the recess and is displaceable between a first position and a second position perpendicular to the direction of the lumen ( 8 ) on this end ( 4 ). The shift element ( 3 ) does not pass through the lumen ( 8 ) in the first position. In the first position, the lumen ( 8 ) is constricted so that the connector ( 1 ) with the shift element ( 3 ) can be placed on the dialysate port ( 31 ), and in the second position it can be locked on the dialysate port ( 31 ) by means of an undercut ( 30 ) thereon. The inventive connector is suitable for production as a disposable item in comparison with the widely used Hansen coupling. At the same time, a simple and reliable connection of a dialysate-carrying line to a dialysate port of a hemodialysis machine is possible, and does not require any structural measures on the dialysis machine itself. (FIG. 3 b)

1 . A connector ( 1 ) for connecting a dialysate port ( 31 ) of a hemodialysis machine ( 32 ) having a dialysate-carrying line 
 with a lumen ( 8 ,  16 ) passing through the connector ( 1 ),    a first end ( 4 ) of the connector ( 1 ) surrounding the lumen ( 8 ), suitable for accommodating the dialysate port ( 31 ) in the lumen ( 8 ),    a second end ( 5 ) of the connector ( 1 ) surrounding the lumen ( 16 ) and suitable for being connected to the dialysate-carrying line,    characterized in that a recess ( 6 ,  6 ′) with a shift element ( 3 ) accommodated in the recess is provided on the first end ( 4 ),    whereby the shift element ( 3 ) is displaceable between a first position and a second position perpendicular to the direction of the lumen ( 8 ) in the first end ( 4 ),    whereby in the first position the shift element ( 3 ) does not penetrate through the lumen ( 8 ) of the first end ( 4 ), and in the second position it narrows the lumen ( 8 ) of the first end ( 4 ) so that the connector ( 1 ) with the shift element ( 3 ) is placed on the dialysate port ( 31 ) in the first position and in the second position it can be locked on the dialysate port ( 31 ) by means of an undercut ( 30 ) thereon.    
   
   
       2 . The connector according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the connector ( 1 ) consists not only of the shift element ( 3 ) but also a base body ( 2 ), which is composed of two interconnected essentially cylindrical sleeves ( 4 ,  5 ) whereby the first sleeve is the first end and the second sleeve is the second end.  
   
   
       3 . The connector according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the outside diameter of the first sleeve ( 4 ) is greater than the outside diameter of the second sleeve ( 5 ).  
   
   
       4 . The connector according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the first sleeve ( 4 ) is suitable for accommodating a port according to DIN 58352.  
   
   
       5 . The connector according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the lumen ( 8 ) in the first sleeve ( 4 ) has a larger diameter than the lumen ( 16 ) in the second sleeve ( 5 ).  
   
   
       6 . The connector according  claim 2 , characterized in that the connector ( 1 ) is provided with a stop ( 7 ) for the dialysis machine port ( 31 ) in the connecting area of the two sleeves ( 4 ,  5 ).  
   
   
       7 . The connector according to  claim 6 , characterized in that a sealing element ( 20 ) for sealing the connector ( 1 ) with respect to the dialysis machine port ( 31 ) is provided on the inside wall of the first sleeve ( 4 ) near the stop ( 7 ).  
   
   
       8 . The connector according  claim 1 , characterized in that a constriction area ( 17 ) in the lumen ( 8 ,  16 ) is provided between the first end ( 4 ) and the second end ( 5 ).  
   
   
       9 . The connector according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the recess consists of two opposite recesses ( 6 ,  6 ′).  
   
   
       10 . The connector according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the shift element ( 3 ) has a first opening ( 9 ) which does not constrict the lumen ( 8 ) in the first end ( 4 ) in the first position and has a second opening ( 10 ) which is connected to the first opening in the direction of shifting and which constricts the lumen ( 8 ) in the first end ( 4 ) in the direction of the recesses ( 6 ,  6 ′) in the second position.  
   
   
       11 . The connector according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the first opening ( 9 ) has a round shape and the second opening ( 10 ) has an elongated shape so that the overall shape is that of a keyhole.  
   
   
       12 . The connector according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the first opening ( 10 ) has catch projections ( 12 ,  12 ′), which can engage with complementary recesses ( 13 ,  13 ′) on the first end ( 4 ) of the connector ( 1 ) for the purpose of engaging the shift element ( 3 ) in the first position.  
   
   
       13 . The connector according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the complementary recesses ( 13 ,  13 ′) are additionally provided symmetrically on the first end ( 4 ) of the connector ( 1 ) on the opposite side of the lumen ( 8 ) in the direction of shifting.  
   
   
       14 . The connector according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the second opening ( 10 ) is provided with an expanded opening area ( 14 ,  14 ′) perpendicular to the direction of shifting for accommodating the dialysis machine port ( 31 ) for engagement of the shift element ( 3 ) in the second position.  
   
   
       15 . The connector according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the elongated border of the second opening ( 10 ) has a wall thickness that tapers with a slope toward the opening and has a form-fitting engagement with a corresponding slope ( 33 ) on the undercut ( 30 ) of the dialysis machine port ( 31 ).