Infusion tube system and method for manufacture

Abstract

An infusion tube system and a method for manufacture are provided. An infusion tube system including an infusion tube and a connector attached to the infusion tube at an end of the infusion tube is disclosed. The connector has a proximal end and includes a connector body extending from a distal end to a proximal end along a center axis and defining a cavity. The connector body includes an end wall with an inner surface, and at least one vent opening, and a sidewall extending from the end wall along the center axis with an inner and outer surface. The connector includes a membrane covering the at least one vent opening, the membrane being welded to the inner surface of the end wall along at least one welding seam including a first welding seam such that the membrane covers and seals the at least one vent opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of making a connector for an infusion tube system, the method comprising:
 forming a first vent opening that extends through an end wall of a connector body of the connector;   forming a first protrusion that extends away from an inner surface of the end wall toward a distal end of the connector body, wherein forming the first protrusion comprises defining, only by the first protrusion, a curve that completely surrounds the first vent opening;   establishing a fluid path to permit fluid communication between an infusion tube of the infusion tube system and a cavity at least partially surrounded by the connector body, wherein establishing the fluid path comprises arranging the fluid path outside of the curve and defining the fluid path by a needle that lies on a center axis of the connector;   covering the first vent opening at the inner surface by a membrane such that the membrane extends outside of the curve to the needle; and   welding the membrane to the inner surface along a first welding seam at the first protrusion.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first vent opening is the only vent opening formed in the connector body. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming the first protrusion comprises defining, only by the first protrusion, the curve such that the curve extends only partway around the center axis. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface has an annular portion that encircles the fluid path and defines a radially-outermost periphery of the inner surface relative to the center axis of the connector, and wherein forming the first protrusion comprises locating the first protrusion radially inward of the annular portion relative to the center axis such that the first protrusion does not define the radially-outermost periphery of the inner surface. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the annular portion of the inner surface is flat along the radially-outermost periphery of the inner surface all the way around the center axis of the connector. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first vent opening is the only vent opening formed in the connector body. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein welding the membrane to the inner surface comprises sealing the first vent opening at the first welding seam. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein welding the membrane to the inner surface comprises forming a closed curve at the first welding seam surrounding at least the first vent opening. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming a support structure that extends in a proximal direction from the end wall and is sized to accommodate at least a part of an infusion tube of the infusion tube system. 
     
     
         10 . A method of making a connector for an infusion tube system, the method comprising:
 forming a first vent opening through an end wall of the connector;   forming a first protrusion that extends away from an inner surface of the end wall, wherein forming the first protrusion comprises defining, only by the first protrusion, a curve that completely surrounds the first vent opening;   defining a fluid path between an infusion tube of the infusion tube system and a cavity at least partially surrounded by the connector using a needle that lies on a center axis of the connector and is arranged outside of the curve;   covering the first vent opening at the inner surface by a membrane; and   welding the membrane to the inner surface along a first welding seam at the first protrusion.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first vent opening is the only vent opening formed in the connector. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein forming the first protrusion comprises defining, only by the first protrusion, the curve such that the curve extends only partway around the center axis. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the curve extends all the way around a curve axis that is spaced from the center axis in a radial direction. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the curve defines an oval shape. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein welding the membrane to the inner surface comprises sealing the first vent opening at the first welding seam. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein welding the membrane to the inner surface comprises forming a closed curve at the first welding seam surrounding at least the first vent opening. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein welding the membrane to the inner surface comprises welding the membrane to the inner surface along the first welding seam at the first protrusion such that the membrane extends outside of the curve to the needle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the inner surface has an annular portion that encircles the fluid path and defines a radially-outermost periphery of the inner surface relative to the center axis of the connector, and wherein forming the first protrusion comprises locating the first protrusion radially inward of the annular portion relative to the center axis such that the first protrusion does not define the radially-outermost periphery of the inner surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the annular portion of the inner surface is flat along the radially-outermost periphery of the inner surface all the way around the center axis of the connector. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first vent opening is the only vent opening formed in the connector.