Connecting element comprising a first body and a method for injection moulding a connecting element
View Patent ↗A medical connector for connecting a tube with a medical device and having a through-going bore which at one end of the connector comprises a cavity for permanently attaching the end of the tube to the connector and which at least at the end of the connector comprises an inner part and an outer part; the inner part and the outer part being integrally connected, the outer part being made from a thermoplastic material which is resistant to changes when subjected to the influence of a disinfectant and the inner part being made from a thermoplastic material which is compatible with a soft glue and a method for injection moulding such connectors.
1. A medical connector for connecting a tube with a medical device and having an upper end, a lower end and a through-going opening which at the upper end of the connector comprises a cavity for permanently attaching the end of the tube to the connector and which at least at said end of the connector comprises an inner part having an upper delimiting surface and an outer part having an upper delimiting surface, the inner and outer parts being integrally connected, the outer part being made from a thermoplastic material which is resistant to the influence of a disinfectant and the inner part being made from a thermoplastic material which is compatible with a soft glue wherein the upper delimiting surface of the outer part projects proud of the upper delimiting surface of the inner part and:
(i) the tube is attached permanently in the cavity of the inner part with a soft glue, wherein the glue is located between the outer surface of the tube and an essentially conically shaped connecting area of the cavity;
(ii) the inner part and outer part are connected in such a way that they are unable to rotate around the longitudinal axis; and
(iii) the inner part is unable to come in contact with disinfectants used to wipe the connector prior to use.
2. A medical connector according to claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic material for the inner part is an amorphous plastic material.
3. A medical connector according to claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic material for the inner part is an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material.
4. A medical connector according to claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic material for the outer part is an at least partially crystalline material.
5. A medical connector according to claim 4 , wherein the thermoplastic material for the outer part is a polypropylene.
6. A medical connector according to claim 1 , wherein the outer walls of the inner part are sheathed by the outer part and comprise retention devices.
7. A medical connector according to claim 1 , wherein the inner part is an essentially rotationally symmetrical body with a rotationally symmetrical through-going opening.
8. A medical connector according claim 1 , wherein the cavity for permanently attaching the end of the tube has an increasing diameter towards the upper end.
9. A medical connector according to claim 8 , wherein the generatrix of the conically shaped connecting area forms an angle of at least 15 degrees relative to a central axis.
10. A medical connector according claim 1 , wherein the outer part at the upper end has a cavity with a diameter increasing towards the upper delimiting surface.
11. A medical connector according to claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a luer-lock.
12. An infusion device comprising a connector according to claim 1 , wherein the lower end of the connector is connected to an insulin pump and the upper end is connected to a plastic tube.