Coupling device and medical line set including same

Abstract

The present invention refers to a medical line set ( 10 ) having a breakable coupling device ( 90 ), and to such a coupling device ( 90 ). More particularly the present invention refers to an medical dialysis line set ( 10 ), such as a peritoneal dialysis (PD) line set, including a liquid introducing portion ( 20 ), a liquid distribution portion or PD portion ( 40 ) and a drain portion ( 80 ), for introducing and extracting dialysis liquid from a patient, the line set particularly including said coupling device ( 90 ) for connecting and disconnecting the liquid introducing portion ( 20 ) in order to introduce and extract spent medical solution.

1 . A medical line set having a liquid introducing portion with at least one first connector, a liquid distribution portion with a second connector and a drain portion with a third connector, the line set further comprising a coupling device for connecting the liquid introducing portion to the liquid distribution portion, said coupling device having,
 a first connecting part connectable with the liquid distribution portion;   a central part;   a second connecting part connectable with the liquid introducing portion, the central part and the second connecting part being integrally formed with the first connecting part; and   a predetermined breaking section between the central part and the first connecting part,   wherein the central part is connected to the third connector after the predetermined breaking section between the central part and the first connecting part is broken to allow further liquid distribution.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The medical line set according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined breaking section is defined by a groove in the junction between the central part and the first connecting part and is breakable at finger pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The medical line set according to  claim 1 , wherein the line set is a peritoneal dialysis line set. 
     
     
         5 . The medical line set according to  claim 4 , wherein the line set is an automated peritoneal dialysis line set. 
     
     
         6 . The medical line set according to  claim 1 , wherein the central part of the coupling device has the shape of a luer lock connector. 
     
     
         7 . A coupling device particularly useful in a medical line set having a liquid introducing portion with at least one first connector, a liquid distribution portion with a second connector and a drain portion with a third connector, for connecting the liquid introducing portion to the liquid distribution portion, the coupling device comprising
 a first connecting part connectable with the liquid distribution portion;   a central part;   a second connecting part connectable with the liquid introducing portion, the central part and the second connecting part being integrally formed with the first connecting part; and   a predetermined breaking section between the central part and the first connecting part,   wherein the central part is connected to the third connector after the predetermined breaking section between the central part and the first connecting part is broken to allow further liquid distribution.   
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The coupling device according to  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined breaking section is defined by a groove in the junction between the central part and the first connecting part and is breakable at finger pressure. 
     
     
         10 . The coupling device according to  claim 7 , wherein the central part of the coupling device has the shape of a luer lock connector. 
     
     
         11 - 14 . (canceled)