Medical coupling system

Abstract

An adapter connector includes a housing shroud that is fitted at one end with a core and at its other end with an inner shroud. A catch hub is provided within the housing shroud for non-removably maintaining the core to the housing shroud. The core is rotatable relative to the housing shroud. The inner shroud has a catch mechanism that enables it to mate readily with a connector, if the connector is rotated in one direction. The catch mechanism is further configured to allow the connector to be removed if it were to be turned in a counter rotational direction. The connecting portion of the inner shroud is configured to accept a complementary connector. The connecting portion of the core likewise is configured to accept a complementary connector of the medication providing device.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A connector comprising one portion configured to have a given configuration that includes an elongate connector end having a distal end with an opening and two projections extending from the outer wall of the elongate connector end away from the distal end so that the elongate connector end can only couple to another connector end having a corresponding configuration that accepts the elongate connector end of said connector, said connector having other portion with an opening whereto one end of a catheter is fitted. 
     
     
         25 . Connector of  claim 24 , wherein the another connector end is adapted to fit to and non-removable from a medication providing device. 
     
     
         26 . Connector of  claim 24 , wherein the one and other portions of said connector have respective complementary opposing surfaces so that the one and other portions may only be coupled to each other. 
     
     
         27 . Connector of  claim 24 , wherein the projections are threadedly matable only to an internal threaded portion of the another connector end having the corresponding configuration. 
     
     
         28 . Connector of  claim 24 , wherein the catheter, once fitted into the opening of the other portion, enables medication from the medical providing device to be conveyed to the patient through the connector and the catheter. 
     
     
         29 . Connector of  claim 24 , wherein the another connector end is a part of an adapter that is non-removably fitted to the medication providing device. 
     
     
         30 . Connector of  claim 29 , wherein the adapter includes a core having a through bore that combines with the another connector end to provide a through passage with the opening of the one portion to allow medication to pass between the medication providing device and said connector when the elongate connector end and the another connector end are coupled to each other. 
     
     
         31 . Connector of  claim 24 , wherein the elongate connector end is connectable to a connector end of a filter configured to accept the elongate connector end of said connector, the filter having a second end with a conventional luer fitting connectable to a conventional luer fitting of a medical providing device. 
     
     
         32 . Connector of  claim 24 , wherein the another connector end of the corresponding configuration is not connectable to a conventional luer fitting. 
     
     
         33 . Connector of  claim 24 , wherein said connector is coupled to the another connector end having the corresponding configuration when the elongate connector is rotated in one direction relative to the another connector end, said connector freely rotates relative to the another connector end after the elongate connector end is fully mated to the another connector end if said connector is further rotated in the one direction relative to the another connector end, said connector is removable from the another connector end when rotated in a direction opposite to the one direction. 
     
     
         34 . Apparatus, comprising:
 a connector having one portion configured to have a given configuration that includes an elongate connector end with a distal end having an opening and two projections extending from the outer wall of the elongate connector end away from the distal end, the given configuration at the one portion enables the one portion to be connectable only to another connector end having a corresponding configuration that would accept the elongate connector end of the one portion, the connector having other portion with an opening whereto one end of a catheter is fitted;   a medication providing device adaptedly fitted with the another connector end having the corresponding configuration that enables the another connector end to couple to the elongate connector end of said connector;   wherein when the another connector end of the medical providing device and the elongate connector end of said connector are coupled to each other, fluid from the medication providing device can be conveyed to said connector and the catheter fitted thereto, and from there to a patient connected to the catheter.   
     
     
         35 . Apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the one and other portions of said connector have respective complementary opposing surfaces so that the one and other portions may only be coupled to each other. 
     
     
         36 . Apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the projections are threadedly matable only to an internal threaded portion of the another connector end having the corresponding configuration. 
     
     
         37 . Apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the another connector end is a part of an adapter that is non-removably fitted to the medication providing device. 
     
     
         38 . Apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the adapter includes a core having a through bore that combines with the another connector end to provide a through passage with the opening of the one portion to allow medication to pass between the medication providing device and said connector when the elongate connector end and the another connector end are coupled to each other. 
     
     
         39 . Apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the elongate connector end is connectable to a connector end of a filter configured to accept the elongate connector end of said connector, the filter having a second end with a conventional luer fitting connectable to a conventional luer fitting of a medical providing device. 
     
     
         40 . Apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the another connector end of the corresponding configuration is not connectable to a conventional luer fitting. 
     
     
         41 . Apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein said connector is coupled to the another connector end having the corresponding configuration when the elongate connector is rotated in one direction relative to the another connector end, said connector freely rotates relative to the another connector end after the elongate connector end is fully mated to the another connector end if said connector is further rotated in the one direction relative to the another connector end, said connector is removable from the another connector end when rotated in a direction opposite to the one direction.