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Publication Number
US-11730679-B2
Publication Date
2023-08-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system having a syringe and a connector. A proximal end of an outer housing of the connector is a specially designed female Luer element. A distal end of an outer housing of the connector is configured to connect the syringe to a component of a fluid transfer apparatus. The syringe and the connector are configured to be joined together such that they can be swiveled relative to each other around their common longitudinal axis. Once connected together, any attempt to twist the syringe or connector relative to each other in either a counterclockwise direction or a clockwise direction will result in endless swiveling about their common longitudinal axis. In other words, once the system is connected together, the syringe cannot be disconnected from the connector.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to a contamination-free hazardous-drug fluid transfer apparatus and a system comprised of a syringe and a connector configured to be joined together such that the syringe and the connector can be swiveled relative to each other around a common longitudinal axis. The connector includes a mechanical arrangement that joins the syringe and the connector and allows uni- and bi-directional swiveling, while addressing leakage and unintended fluid migration under accidental plunger movement.
A key refinement is a tamper-proof swivel interlock using a toothed mechanical arrangement. The connector includes at least one tooth near a top of an inside wall of a housing of the connector, and a support structure including a seat for an O-ring and a recess to accommodate a lower end of a Luer element, as well as at least one tooth created on a top of a horizontal flange near a bottom of the support structure. Corresponding teeth are also provided on the female Luer element, and the tooth geometries are shaped and oriented so that one direction enables sliding for rotation and the opposite direction prevents relative motion.
The document further describes a factory-assembled syringe-to-connector unit in which the connection is formed using plastic flexing parts and an O-ring sealing arrangement. A shaped sealing element is placed inside the syringe barrel to maintain compatibility with syringe pumps. Additional described improvements include redesigned septum holders and connector components configured to reduce deformation and improve safe connection/disconnection by guiding resilient arms via independent guiding channels, and improving needle-valve seating with a fixed downward septum and resilient arms.
Claims Coverage
The provided claim set includes one independent claim (clm-00001). Its main inventive features cover a swivel interlocking connector between a syringe and a connector, a toothed mechanical arrangement that enables uni-/bi-directional swiveling while preventing intended disconnection, and O-ring sealing and Luer-element tooth geometries that create direction-dependent sliding versus buttressing interaction.
Toothed swivel mechanical arrangement for uni- and bi-directional swiveling
A connector mechanical arrangement structured to join the syringe and the connector and to allow uni- and bi-directional swiveling relative to each other around a common longitudinal axis, using teeth near the top of an inside wall of a connector housing and teeth on the support structure and on a female Luer element to control rotation in counterclockwise versus clockwise directions.
Direction-dependent tooth interaction enabling rotation or preventing relative motion
Tooth geometries with triangular shape and sloping surfaces arranged so counterclockwise turning allows sloping surfaces of the teeth to slide over each other for rotation, while clockwise turning causes vertical surfaces on the teeth to butt up against each other to prevent relative motion between the female Luer element and the connector housing.
Interlock geometry with lifting space to separate teeth for assembly
A connector space between a bottom of the at least one tooth near the top of the housing and a top of the upper flange of the female Luer element, which allows the female Luer element to be lifted and vertically separates the support-structure tooth from the female-Luer-element tooth so they cannot interact, thereby allowing clockwise rotation relative to the connector housing.
O-ring seat and recess accommodating a lower end of a Luer element
A support structure of the connector comprising a seat for an O-ring and a recess to accommodate a lower end of a Luer element, in combination with a female Luer element with external threads connected to a male Luer element at a syringe tip.
Tooth on the connector inside wall holds the female Luer element inside
The at least one tooth near the top of the inside wall of the housing is configured to hold the female Luer element inside the top of the connector.
Overall, the independent claim is centered on a swivelable syringe-to-connector system interlocked by a toothed mechanical arrangement with direction-dependent tooth engagement, combined with O-ring seating and Luer-element recessing/positioning features that support sealing and tamper-resistant swiveling.
Stated Advantages
Contamination-free hazardous-drug fluid transfer.
Prevention of leakage and unintended fluid migration under accidental plunger movement.
Tamper-proof swivel connections that prevent intended disconnection.
Uni- and bi-directional endless swiveling of the syringe and connector relative to each other.
Documented Applications
Hazardous-drug fluid transfer using a syringe and a contamination-free fluid transfer apparatus that incorporates a swivelable, tamper-proof syringe-to-connector system.
Use with syringe pumps, supported by an improved syringe proximal sealing element placed inside the syringe barrel for pump compatibility.
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