DOSING CONTROL COUPLING FOR ENTERAL FLUID TRANSFER AND ENTERAL COUPLINGS AND SYRINGES
An enteral dosing control coupling for engagement with an ENFit connector. The enteral dosing coupling includes a cylindrical collar defining a hollow internal chamber and a lumen extension tip projecting axially into the internal chamber and defining an internal lumen extending axially therethrough. The lumen extension tip is a separate piece and configured for coupling engagement with the cylindrical collar such that direct engagement with the lumen extension tip by a non-ENFit connector with required force causes retraction of the lumen extension tip.
1 . An enteral dosing control coupling for engagement with an ENFit connector, the enteral dosing coupling comprising:
a cylindrical collar defining a hollow internal chamber; and
a lumen extension tip projecting axially into the internal chamber and defining an internal lumen extending axially therethrough,
wherein the lumen extension tip is a separate piece and configured for coupling engagement with the cylindrical collar such that direct engagement with the lumen extension tip by a non-ENFit connector with required force causes retraction of the lumen extension tip.
2 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 1 , further comprising external coupling members formed on a portion of the cylindrical collar.
3 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical collar and external coupling members are compatible with a male ENFit coupling comprising a hub centrally positioned therein and defining an internal conduit extending therethrough.
4 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 3 , wherein the lumen extension tip is sized, shaped and positioned within the cylindrical collar for compatible fitting engagement within the internal conduit of the hub of the male ENFit coupling.
5 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 1 , wherein the lumen extension tip defines a contained volume of between about 0.005 milliliters to about 0.03 milliliters.
6 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 5 , wherein the lumen extension tip defines a contained volume of about 0.01 milliliters.
7 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 1 , wherein an angled taper is provided between a base end of the lumen extension tip and an internal surface of the cylindrical collar.
8 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 1 , wherein:
a platform extends from the cylindrical collar, and
the lumen extension tip comprises a base portion having an abutment surface configured to contact the platform.
9 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 8 , wherein a gasket is configured to be positioned between the abutment surface and the platform.
10 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 8 , wherein an interference fit is provided between the base portion of the lumen extension tip and the cylindrical collar.
11 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 10 , wherein the interference fit is formed by one or more of the following: an engagement between at least a portion of the base portion and the platform, a gasket positioned between the base portion and the cylindrical collar, or an engagement between an outer peripheral surface of the base portion and the hollow internal chamber of the cylindrical collar.
12 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 10 , wherein the required force to cause retraction of the lumen extension tip is configured to be adjusted based on the interference fit.
13 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 8 , wherein:
a protruding rib extends from the abutment surface, and
the protruding rib is configured to engage a recess formed within a portion of the platform to selectively couple the lumen extension tip to the cylindrical collar.
14 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 8 , wherein the base portion of the lumen extension tip comprises an inwardly directed outer peripheral surface configured to selectively engage a radiused ring or rib formed on an outer surface of the hollow internal chamber of the cylindrical collar.
15 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 8 , wherein the base portion comprises an outwardly curved peripheral surface configured to selectively engage with a radiused recess formed in an outer surface of the hollow internal chamber of the cylindrical collar.
16 . The enteral dosing control coupling of claim 1 , wherein:
the lumen extension tip comprises one or more engagement features for selectively coupling the lumen extension tip to the cylindrical collar, and
when the required force from the non-ENFit connector is applied to the lumen extension tip, the one or more engagement features are configured to selectively disengage from the cylindrical collar.
17 . An enteral syringe comprising:
a hollow cylindrical barrel; and
an enteral dosing control coupling comprising:
a cylindrical collar defining a hollow internal chamber; and
a lumen extension tip projecting axially from the hollow cylindrical barrel into the hollow internal chamber of the cylindrical collar, the lumen extension tip defining an internal lumen extending axially therethrough,
wherein the lumen extension tip is a separate piece and configured for coupling engagement with the cylindrical collar such that direct engagement with the lumen extension tip by a non-ENFit connector with required force causes retraction of the lumen extension tip into the hollow cylindrical barrel.
18 . The enteral syringe of claim 17 , wherein the cylindrical collar is generally shaped and sized according to a ISO 80369-3 standard.
19 . The enteral syringe of claim 17 , wherein the lumen extension tip comprises a generally elongate cylindrical body comprising a base portion for coupling engagement within the hollow cylindrical barrel of the enteral syringe.
20 . The enteral syringe of claim 19 , further comprising a sealing member for providing a seal between the hollow cylindrical barrel and the base portion of the lumen extension tip.
21 . The enteral syringe of claim 19 , wherein the base portion comprises an outer peripheral surface for engagement with a surface defined by the hollow cylindrical barrel.
22 . The enteral syringe of claim 21 , wherein the outer peripheral surface of the base portion comprises one or more engagement features for cooperating engagement with an engagement feature provided within the hollow cylindrical barrel.
23 . The enteral syringe of claim 17 , further comprising a plunger axially movable within the barrel to fill and dispense fluid into and from the syringe.
24 . The enteral syringe of claim 23 , wherein the plunger comprises an elongate body comprising a forward end having a spear-like tip, wherein the spear-like tip is insertable within the internal lumen of the lumen extension tip such that contained volume within the internal lumen of the lumen extension tip is substantially zero, and thus, dosing inconsistencies and anomalies in accuracy during fluid delivery are substantially, if not entirely, eliminated.