Male connector and transfusion line connection apparatus equipped with male connector
View Patent ↗The male connector of the present disclosure allows for the flow of fluids therethrough and includes a movable blunt needle having a shoulder projecting radially outwards from the movable blunt needle. The male connector also includes an outer cylinder body formed around the movable blunt needle and disposed in coaxial alignment to the movable blunt needle, a blunt needle retainer which retains the movable blunt needle so that the movable blunt needle can move in an axial direction, and a valve which opens as a result of the movable blunt needle moving in the axial direction when the posterior end presses against the valve. This occurs when the movable blunt needle is inserted into a corresponding connection site, such as a female connector, and the shoulder presses against the connection site to force the movable blunt needle in the axial direction.
1. A male connector for a transfusion line comprising:
an outer body defining a hole therethrough for the reception of fluids;
a link section attached to the outer body and extending proximally from the outer body;
a junction defining a fluid passageway therethrough for the reception of fluids;
an elongate member at least partially disposed within the hole and axially movable relative to the hole, the elongate member defining a lumen therethrough for the reception of fluids, the elongate member including a needle section, a first end of the needle section having a first diameter and a second end of the needle section having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, the needle section being configured to penetrate a seal of a corresponding connector; and
a sealing member disposed between the elongate member and the fluid passageway of the junction, the sealing member being biased towards a closed state and transitionable between the closed state and an open state upon movement of the elongate member relative to the hole of the outer body, at least a portion of the needle section of the elongate member extending axially beyond the outer body when the sealing member is in the closed state.
2. The male connector according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate member includes a shoulder section that projects radially outward from the second end of the needle section, the shoulder section defining a third diameter larger than the second diameter, the elongate member having a proximal flange end extending through the hole.
3. The male connector according to claim 2 , wherein the shoulder section is configured to contact an outer surface of a corresponding connector to effect movement of the elongate member and transition the sealing member from the closed state to the open state.
4. The male connector according to claim 2 , wherein the elongate member includes a flange that expands radially outward around the flange end to retain the elongate member within the hole.
5. The male connector according to claim 4 , wherein the flange end includes a chamfered surface, the chamfered surface adapted to minimize damage to the sealing member upon contact with the sealing member.
6. The male connector according to claim 1 , wherein the outer body includes a locking member configured to secure a corresponding connector to the outer body.
7. The male connector according to claim 6 , wherein the locking member is adapted to receive a projection of a corresponding connector.
8. The male connector according to claim 7 , wherein the locking member receives the projection upon rotation of a corresponding connector relative to the outer body.
9. The male connector according to claim 1 , wherein the junction is attached to the link section and defines a space therebetween.
10. The male connector according to claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the sealing member is secured within the space between the junction and the link section.
11. The male connector according to claim 1 , wherein movement of the elongate member in a proximal direction relative to the hole of the outer body transitions the sealing member to the open state.
12. The male connector according to claim 1 , wherein the needle section of the elongate member is configured to insert through a septum of a seal of a corresponding connector.
13. The male connector according to claim 1 , wherein the outer body, link section, and junction are transparent.
14. The male connector according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the elongate member includes a movement regulating component which extends radially outward from the elongate member and is adapted to limit axial movement of the elongate member relative to the hole of the outer body.
15. A male connector for a transfusion line comprising:
an outer body defining a hole therethrough for the reception of fluids;
a link section attached to the outer body and extending proximally from the outer body;
a junction defining a fluid passageway therethrough for the reception of fluids;
an elongate member at least partially disposed within the hole and axially movable relative to the hole, the elongate member defining a lumen therethrough for the reception of fluids, the elongate member including a needle section, a first end of the needle section having a first diameter and a second end of the needle section having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, the needle section being configured to penetrate a seal of a corresponding connector, a portion of the elongate member includes a movement regulating component which extends radially outward from the elongate member and is adapted to limit axial movement of the elongate member relative to the hole of the outer body; and
a sealing member disposed between the elongate member and the fluid passageway of the junction, the sealing member being biased towards a closed state and transitionable between the closed state and an open state upon movement of the elongate member relative to the hole of the outer body, the movement regulating component pressing against an outer surface of the hole when the sealing member is in the open state.
16. A transfusion line set comprising:
a female connector comprising:
a housing including an opening extending therethrough and at least one projection extending from an outer surface of the housing; and
a seal disposed within the housing at a proximal end of the housing; and
a male connector comprising:
an outer body defining a hole therethrough for the reception of fluids;
a link section attached to the outer body and extending proximally from the outer body;
a junction defining a fluid passageway therethrough for the reception of fluids;
an elongate member at least partially disposed within the hole and axially movable relative to the hole, the elongate member defining a lumen therethrough for the reception of fluids, the elongate member including a needle section, a first end of the needle section having a first diameter and a second end of the needle section having a second diameter larger than the first diameter such that the needle section is configured to penetrate the seal of the female connector; and
a sealing member disposed between the elongate member and the fluid passageway of the junction, the sealing member being biased towards a closed state and transitionable between the closed state and an open state upon movement of the elongate member relative to the hole of the outer body.
17. The transfusion line set according to claim 16 , wherein the outer body of the male connector includes a locking member configured to engage the at least one projection of the female connector in a secure manner.
18. The transfusion line set according to claim 16 , wherein the elongate member includes a shoulder section that projects radially outward from the second end of the needle section, the shoulder section defining a third diameter larger than the second diameter, the shoulder section being configured to contact an outer surface of the seal of the female connector during axial movement of the male connector in relation to the female connector to effect axial movement of the elongate member.
19. The transfusion line set according to claim 16 , wherein when the needle section of the elongate member is inserted through the seal of the female connector, the elongate member moves relative to the outer body to press against and transition the sealing member to the open state thereby allowing fluid to flow between the male connector and the female connector.