Fluid connection system and production method

Abstract

Disclosed is a fluid connection system including a sleeve, a pipe and a fluid connector, the fluid connector including at least one rigid body made from a sterilizable biocompatible material, and the pipe including a flexible connection portion made from a sterilizable biocompatible material that is at least partially elastomeric. The fluid connector and the flexible connection portion of the pipe are assembled to one another, with the flexible connection portion of the pipe surrounding the rigid body, and the sleeve being shrunk tightly, but with free movement, on the pipe.

1 . Fluid connection system comprising a sleeve, a hose, a fluid connector, and a hose clamp,
 said fluid connector comprising at least one rigid body made of a sterilizable biocompatible material, defining a first bore, the rigid body comprising a first endpiece portion for mechanical assembly,   said hose comprising a flexible connection portion made of at least partially elastomeric sterilizable biocompatible material, defining a second bore and an end, the flexible connection portion comprising a second portion for mechanical assembly,   the fluid connector and the flexible connection portion of the hose being assembled to one another by mechanical engagement in an assembly region of the first endpiece portion and second endpiece portion for mechanical assembly, in an assembly configuration in which the flexible connection portion of the hose surrounds the rigid body, and the first and second bores are in fluid communication with each other,   said hose clamp being tightened onto the hose in the assembly region,   said sleeve being shrunk to be tight but with free movement on the hose and on the hose clamp and extending over a provided stiffening region extending over at least a portion of the assembly region, the stiffening region extending from the end of the hose,   the sleeve extending from the end of the hose and along a portion of the hose beyond the assembly region.   
     
     
         2 . Fluid connection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the hose clamp is tightened directly onto the hose in the assembly region before placement of the sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . Fluid connection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve fits the shape of the hose clamp at the assembly. 
     
     
         4 . Fluid connection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the hose clamp is a plastic hose clamp. 
     
     
         5 . Fluid connection system according to  claim 4 , wherein the hose clamp comprises a system of catches on a strip, engaging with a locking hook arranger in a head of said hose clamp, such that clamping of the hose clamp is not reversible. 
     
     
         6 . Fluid connection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the hose clamp Is a metal hose clamp. 
     
     
         7 . Fluid connection system according to  claim 6 , wherein the hose clamp comprises a form of a preformed ring having at least one ear projecting outward relative to the preformed ring, and wherein the ears are configured to be crimped by a tool to narrow a diameter of the preformed ring, causing permanent deformation and allowing the hose clamp to be tightened onto the hose. 
     
     
         8 . Fluid connection system according to  claim 1 , wherein, after being placed and shrunk, the sleeve totally recovers the hose clamp; such that the sleeve is able to smoothen any protruding part of said hose clamp. 
     
     
         9 . Fluid connection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve, after being placed and shrunk, extends from either sides of the hose clamp, 
     
     
         10 . Fluid connection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is of thermoshrinkable material. 
     
     
         11 . Fluid connection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve and the hose clamps are the sole means of stiffening the hose on the fluid connector. 
     
     
         12 . Method for manufacturing a fluid connection system between a hose and a fluid connector,
 said fluid connector comprising at least one rigid body made of a sterilizable biocompatible material, defining a first bore, the rigid body comprising a first endpiece portion for mechanical assembly,   said hose comprising a flexible connection portion of an at least partially elastomeric sterilizable biocompatible material, defining a second bore and an end, the flexible connection portion comprising a second portion for mechanical assembly,   the method comprising the following two steps carried out in any order:
 the fluid connector and the flexible connection portion of the hose are assembled to one another by mechanical engagement in an assembly region of the first and second portions for mechanical assembly, in an assembly configuration in which the flexible portion of the hose surrounds the rigid body, over an assembly region, the first and second bores being in fluid communication with each other, 
 a hose clamp is mounted on the house in the assembly region, and its diameter is reduced such that the hose clamp is mounted tight on the hose, 
 a sleeve is positioned loosely around the hose, in such way that said sleeve recovers the hose clamp, said sleeve being of thermo-shrinkable material, said sleeve extending over a predetermined stiffening region extending over at least a portion of the assembly region, 
   the method then comprising the following step:   said sleeve is shrunk to be tight but with free movement on the hose, extending over a predetermined stiffening region extending over at least a portion of the assembly region,   the stiffening region extending from the end of the hose,   the sleeve extending from the end of the hose and along a portion of the hose beyond the assembly region.   
     
     
         13 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 12 , wherein the sleeve is shrunk by applying a temperature of more than 80° C. for longer than 3 seconds at the sleeve.