Dual fluid connector
View Patent ↗A connector includes a rear body portion and a front body portion. The front side of the rear body portion, and the front body portion disposed therearound, are for fluidly coupling to first and second sources of pressurized fluids in a co-axial manner. The rear side of the rear body portion is for fluidly coupling to first and second destinations of the pressurized fluids in an adjacent manner.
1. A fluid connector, comprising:
a rear body portion having:
a rear side and a front side, the rear side having a center port and an off-center port, the front side having a center projection with a center opening and an annular groove for receiving an o-ring, a ring-shaped flange disposed around the center projection, and a ring-shaped channel defined by the center projection and the ring-shaped flange;
a central passage extending through the rear body portion, the central passage originating at the center port and terminating at the center opening;
an off-center passage extending through the rear body portion, the off-center passage originating at the off-center port and terminating at the ring-shaped channel;
a front body portion constructed and arranged for interfitment over the ring-shaped flange of the rear body portion and for coupling with a manifold of a surgical console, whereby the front body portion shrouds the center projection and further defines the ring-shaped channel;
the o-ring fluidly sealing with an interior surface of the manifold;
the ring-shaped flange and the front body portion defining a second annular groove for receiving a second o-ring; and
the second o-ring fluidly sealing with an exterior surface of the manifold.
2. The fluid connector of claim 1 wherein the manifold is for providing pressurized gas to the center opening and pressurized air to the ring-shaped channel.
3. The fluid connector of claim 2 wherein the pressurized gas is a retinal tamponading gas.
4. The fluid connector of claim 1 further comprising a radio frequency identification tag disposed within the connector.
5. The fluid connector of claim 1 further comprising:
a first tubing having a first end fluidly sealed within the center port; and
a second tubing having a first end fluidly sealed within the off-center port.
6. The fluid connector of claim 5 wherein:
the first end of the first tubing is socket bonded within the center port; and
the first end of the second tubing is socket bonded within the off-center port.
7. The fluid connector of claim 6 wherein the socket bonding is accomplished via an adhesive.
8. A fluid connector system, comprising:
a fluid connector having:
a rear body portion having:
a rear side and a front side, the rear side having a center port and an off-center port, the front side having a center projection with a center opening, a ring-shaped flange disposed around the center projection, and a ring-shaped channel defined by the center projection and the ring-shaped flange;
a central passage extending through the rear body portion, the central passage originating at the center port and terminating at the center opening;
an off-center passage extending through the rear body portion, the off-center passage originating at the off-center port and terminating at the ring-shaped channel; and
a front body portion constructed and arranged for interfitment over the ring-shaped flange of the rear body portion, whereby the front body portion shrouds the center projection and further defines the ring-shaped channel; and
a manifold disposed within a surgical console having:
a first portion fluidly sealed to the center projection for providing pressurized gas to the fluid connector; and
a second portion fluidly sealed to the rear body portion and the front body portion for providing pressurized air to the ring-shaped channel.
9. The fluid connector system of claim 8 wherein:
the center projection has an annular groove for receiving an o-ring, and
the o-ring fluidly seals with an interior surface of the first portion of the manifold.
10. The fluid connector system of claim 9 wherein:
the ring-shaped flange and the front body portion define a second annular groove for receiving a second o-ring, and
the second o-ring fluidly seals with an exterior surface of the second portion of the manifold.
11. The fluid connector system of claim 8 wherein the pressurized gas is a retinal tamponading gas.
12. The fluid connector system of claim 8 further comprising a radio frequency identification tag disposed within the connector.