Swivel connector

Abstract

A connector is described that may be configured to connect between a first tube and a second tube. The connector has an internal component and an external component. The external component has a first end and a second end. The first end has an external taper and an internal coupling face that may be configured to interact with the first tube and the second end may be configured to interact with the second tube. The internal component may be configured to rotate independently to the external component. The external component has a gripping region to aid the user in disconnection of the connector. An attachment mechanism may attach the second tube to the internal component.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A respiratory assistance system comprising:
 a patient interface comprising an interface tube;   a connector comprising:
 an internal component configured to attach to the interface tube; and 
 an external component comprising an outer wall and an inner wall, the outer wall comprising an external coupling face on an outer surface of the outer wall, the external coupling face configured to couple with a first medical tube to form a continuous lumen between the first medical tube and the interface tube; 
 wherein the internal component is configured to freely rotate bidirectionally relative to the external component when the internal component is coupled with the external component. 
   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the outer wall and the inner wall are concentric. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the external component is configured to interact with different sized medical tubes. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the external component further comprises an internal coupling face configured to couple with a second medical tube. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the internal coupling face is an inner surface of the outer wall of the external component. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the internal coupling face is an outer surface of the inner wall of the external component. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the internal coupling face is configured to couple with the second medical tube via a snap-fit. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the internal coupling face is configured to couple with a male connector on the second medical tube. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the internal coupling face comprises at least one rib configured to interact with a corresponding groove on the second tube. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the external coupling face comprises an external taper configured to couple with a tapered female connector on the first medical tube. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the external component comprises a first internal coupling face and a second internal coupling face, one or both of the first internal coupling face and the second internal coupling face configured to form a seal with a second medical tube. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein one or both of the first internal coupling face and the second internal coupling face is tapered. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the external coupling face is configured to form a seal with the first medical tube. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the external coupling face is configured to form a press-fit with the first medical tube. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the external component is a single-piece construction. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the external component is a two-piece construction, the two-piece construction comprising a first piece and a second piece provided in a permanent attachment arrangement with each other once attached to each other. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the external component comprises a gripping region. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the internal component comprises a thread to attach to the interface tube.