Self-sealing fluid connectors
Inventors
YUDS, DAVID • Bergman, Eric • Leclerc, Jonathan • Steuber, Jessica • Zakir, Areeba • Chang, Laura • del Real Pena, Diego Suarez
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12397145-B2
Publication Date
2025-08-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present teachings may generally include a first fluid connector that includes a first body having a first central cavity that defines a first fluid pathway and a first seal within the first central cavity. The first seal includes a pair of first interfacing elements positioned adjacent one another at a distal end of the first seal and a first opening configured to remain sealed closed when the first interfacing elements are adjacent, and the first opening opens when the first interfacing elements are separated. The first connector is configured to fluidly connect to a second connector by engaging the first interfacing elements and with a pair of second interfacing elements of the second connector, thereby causing both pairs of first and second interfacing elements to separate causing the opening of first opening and second opening.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a self-sealing fluid connector set comprising a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first body with a first central cavity defining a first fluid pathway, and a first seal within the first central cavity. The first seal includes a pair of first interfacing elements positioned adjacent one another at a distal end of the first seal, and a first opening configured to remain sealed closed when the first interfacing elements are adjacent one another and configured to open when the first interfacing elements are separated.
The second connector includes a second body with a second central cavity defining a second fluid pathway, and a second seal within the second central cavity. The second seal includes a pair of second interfacing elements positioned adjacent one another at a distal end of the second seal, and a second opening configured to remain sealed closed when the second interfacing elements are adjacent one another and configured to open when the interfacing elements are separated. The pair of first interfacing elements is aligned perpendicular to the pair of second interfacing elements.
The first connector and second connector are configured to fluidly connect by engaging the first interfacing elements and second interfacing elements, causing both pairs to separate. Separating the interfacing elements causes opening of the first opening and the second opening, while disengaging or decoupling results in automatic resealing of the openings when the interfacing elements are no longer separated. The disclosed context includes dialysis, including peritoneal dialysis, automated peritoneal dialysis, and cassette-based fluid line connections.
Implementation variants include sphere shaped interfacing elements, releasable coupling using clamping members and/or notches, raised and recessed snap-fit sealing features, gaskets, and unitary or multi-piece seals, with optional springs to bias the seals closed and maintain sealed closed when decoupled. A further variant includes integrated flow restriction using a manually adjustable compression wheel that compresses and restricts flow through a channel, and the connector sets may be used in disposable APD cassette kits with color coded connectors for bag and line connections.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a self-sealing fluid connector set with first and second connectors whose seals remain closed until engagement separates pairs of interfacing elements, and the two pairs of interfacing elements are aligned perpendicular so engagement separates both pairs and causes opening of both the first opening and the second opening. Dependent claim coverage includes structural and functional refinements, including spring-biased seals, specific interfacing element shapes, raised/recessed sealing engagement, and an integrated flow restriction mechanism using a compression wheel.
Perpendicular pairs of interfacing elements to open both connector openings upon engagement
The connector set includes a first connector and a second connector whose seals each have a pair of interfacing elements positioned adjacent one another at a distal end, with an opening that remains sealed closed when the interfacing elements are adjacent and opens when the interfacing elements are separated; the pair of first interfacing elements is aligned perpendicular to the pair of second interfacing elements, and engaging the first and second connectors separates both pairs causing opening of the first opening and the second opening.
First seal biased closed by a first spring
The connector set further includes a first spring located in the first central cavity to bias the first seal closed.
Second seal biased closed by a second spring
The connector set further includes a second spring placed in the second central cavity to bias the second seal closed.
Sphere shaped interfacing elements
The connector set is configured so that each first and second interfacing element is sphere shaped.
Raised feature engages recessed feature for sealing engagement
The connector set includes a first body with a raised feature at its distal end and a second body with a recessed feature along the inner wall of a central cavity, where the raised feature engages the recessed feature when the connectors are coupled to form a fluid connection.
Manually adjustable compression wheel for flow restriction
The connector set includes a second connector with a manually adjustable compression wheel that restricts flow through a second fluid line along a channel in the second body.
Overall, the claim set centers on a self-sealing connector set where perpendicular pairs of interfacing elements separate upon engagement to open both connector openings, with dependent refinements that bias seals closed using springs, specify interfacing element geometry, add raised/recessed sealing engagement features, and provide an integrated manually adjustable compression-wheel-based flow restriction.
Stated Advantages
Reduced spills, contamination, and treatment delays.
Reduced disposable clamp waste and cost.
Documented Applications
Dialysis using self-sealing dialysis fluid connector sets, including peritoneal dialysis and automated peritoneal dialysis, including use in disposable APD cassette kits with cassette-based fluid line connections.
Simultaneous sealing of both ends of multiple bag/line connections upon decoupling in the dialysis context.
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