Fluid flow connector permitting forceful lateral separation

Abstract

A fluid flow connector comprises a connector body which carries a first connector tube having a lumen for receiving a second connector tube when the connectors are joined. The first connector tube has a lumen and a lumen wall. The first connector tube typically has an end portion that carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced, outerwardly extending lugs to engage the second connector tube when connected. The fluid flow connector is made of a plastic having a flexural modulus that is low enough to allow deformation, permitting a connected, engaging second connector to pop loose from connection with the fluid flow connector when laterally struck, rather than breaking the fluid flow connector. Also, the first, fluid flow connector may optionally be frictionally retained in a retracted position where fluid flow is blocked through the connectors by a skirt of the second connector, which skirt has an inner diameter in frictional engagement with radially outer surfaces of the lugs of the first connector, for frictional retention of the connectors.

1 . A fluid flow connector, which comprises:
 a connector body which carries a first connector tube having a lumen for receiving a second connector tube of a second connector when said connectors are joined;   said first connector tube having a lumen and a lumen wall;   said first connector tube carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced, outwardly extending lugs to engage the second connector when connected;   the first connector tube being made of a plastic having dimensions and a flexural modulus that is low enough to allow deformation, permitting a connected, engaging second connector to pop loose from connection with the fluid flow connector when laterally struck, rather than breaking the fluid flow connector.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 1 , connected to said second connector, with said connector tubes being together in telescoping relation but essentially radially spaced from each other to avoid substantial frictional retention between said connector tubes. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 2  in which only a pair of said lugs are present, said lugs being substantially diametrically opposed to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 3  in which second connector threads are carried by a second connector skirt that surrounds the lugs of the first connector when connected, said skirt having an inner diameter that is in frictional engagement with radially outer surfaces of said lugs of the first connector, for frictional retention of said connectors. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 4  in which the first and second connectors are frictionally retained in a retracted position in which fluid flow is blocked through the connectors by a perforated diaphragm carried within the first connector and spaced from the second connector tube. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 1  in which said deformation comprises the momentary deformation of at least a portion of said first connector tube from cylindrical to substantially oval cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 1  in which said plastic has a flexural modulus of no more than essentially 370,000 psi. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 1  in which said first connector tube has an inner diameter of at least 5.5 mm along its entire length. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 1 , carried on a substantially rigid, pressure sensing chamber for an extracorporeal blood line. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 9  in which said pressure sensing chamber and said fluid flow connector comprise an integrally molded, single piece. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 3  in which said plastic has a flexural modulus of no more than essentially 370,000 psi. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 11  in which said first connector tube has an inner diameter of at least  5 . 5  mm along its entire length. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 1  in which said first connector tube has a length of 3.5 to 6 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 1  in which said first connector tube has a wall thickness of 0.6 to 1.1 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 1  in which the first connector tube has a conical lumen wall having an angle of greater than three degrees to the lumen axis. 
     
     
         16 . A medical connector which comprises:
 a connector body which carries a first connector tube having a lumen for receiving a second connector tube of a second connector when the connectors are joined;   said medical connector having a perforated diaphragm carried by the connector body and controlling flow through the first connector tube;   a locking member provided for locking connection with a second connector having a second connector tube that enters into the lumen;   said first connector tube being made of a material and dimensions to permit deformation thereof when the first connector tube is forcefully and laterally struck, causing disconnection of the first and second connector tubes rather than breakage of the connector body or first connector tube.   
     
     
         17 . A fluid flow connector which comprises:
 a connector body which carries a first connector tube having a lumen receiving a second connector tube of a second connector when the connectors are joined;   said first connector tube having a lumen of an inner diameter that is greater than the greatest outer diameter of the second connector tube; and a lumen wall of angled cone shape defining an angle, at least in a major outer portion thereof, to the longitudinal axis of the first connector, that is from 5 to 100;   said first connector tube being made of a plastic having a dimensions and flexural modulus that is low enough to allow deformation permitting said connected, engaging second connector tube to pop loose from connection with the fluid flow connector when laterally struck, rather than breaking the fluid flow connector.   
     
     
         18 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 17  in which said first connector tube has an end portion that carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced, outwardly extending lugs engaging inwardly extending threads or lugs of the second connector when connected, said lugs of the first connector tube being substantially diametrically opposed to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 17  said second connector defining at least a pair of connector arms having free ends with retention hooks, proportioned to snap-engage said connector body for retention of the connectors together. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 18  in which said plastic of the first connector tube has a flexural modulus of no more than essentially 370,000 psi. 
     
     
         21 . The fluid flow connector of  claim 20  in which a perforated diaphragm is carried within said first connector to be opened by said second connector tube. 
     
     
         22 . A fluid flow connector, which comprises:
 a connector body which carries a first connector tube having a lumen for receiving a second connector tube of a second connector when the connectors are joined;   a perforated diaphragm carried within said first connector;   said second connector carrying a skirt that surrounds the lugs of the first connector, said skirt having an inner diameter that is in frictional engagement with radially outer surfaces of said lugs of the first connector, said first and second connectors being positioned by said frictional engagement with the second connector tube within the first connector tube, with the second connector in a retracted position with the second connector tube being spaced from the perforated diaphragm, and in which fluid flow is blocked through the connectors by said perforated diaphragm, said second connector being capable of being advanced farther into said first, fluid flow connector to cause the perforated diaphragm to open said perforation, to permit fluid flow through said joined connectors.