TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a connector to be provided at a terminal end of a conduit. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a releasable, yet secure, connector to be provided at the terminal end of a medical breathing conduit forming a part of a medical breathing circuit, for a releasable, yet secure, connection to be made between an end of the conduit with another device of the circuit (e.g. a humidifier or a flow generator or another conduit).

BACKGROUND

[0002] Alternative forms of connectors at the end of a conduit, such as a medical breathing conduit, for a connection to be made with a device forming a part of a breathing circuit, such as a medical breathing circuit, are desirable.

[0003] In particula r, provision of such connectors which provide for a releasable yet secure connection facilitate particular advantages. For example, a secure connection between the terminal end of a conduit and a device (such as a humidifier or a flow generator, such as a blower), or between two conduits, gives an operator or user (and the patient) reassurance of the delivery of a desired or intended respiratory therapy.

SUMMARY

[0004] It is an object of certain embodiments disclosed herein to provide a connector for use in a medical breathing circuit or respiratory support system that will at least go some way towards improving on the above or which will at least provide the public or the medical profession with a useful choice.

[0005] In a first aspect, there is provided a connector for a component of a medical breathing circuit, the connector comprising : an inner body and an outer body, the inner body and the outer body being separate components; the inner body having a retention mechanism configured to engage another connector; and an outer body configured to at least partly surround the inner body, the outer body having a tube engagement mechanism.

[0006] In one embodiment, the inner body further comprises a sealing mechanism configured to provide a seal between the inner body and the other connector.

[0007] In one embodiment, at least part of the inner body comprises a first material and at least part of the outer body comprises a second material.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first material is stiffer than the second material .

[0009] In one embodiment, the retention mechanism of the inner body comprises a flexing region comprising the first material .

[0010] In one embodiment, the retention mechanism comprises a lever that is movable relative to the body about the flexing region.

[0011] In one embodiment, the lever has a retention portion on one side of the flexing region and an actuation portion on the other side of the flexing region.

[0012] In one embodiment, the lever has a retention portion on one portion of the flexing region and an actuation portion on another portion of the flexing region.

[0013] In one embodiment, the retention portion of the or each lever comprises the first material .

[0014] In one embodiment, the actuation portion of the or each lever comprises the first material .

[0015] In one embodiment, the entire retention mechanism comprises the first material .

[0016] In one embodiment, the retention mechanism comprises two levers.

[0017] In one embodiment, the distance between the retention portions of the two levers in a disengaged configuration is equal to or less than the distance in an engaged configuration.

[0018] In one embodiment, the distance between the retention portions of the two levers in an engaged configuration is the same as the distance in the disengaged configuration.

[0019] In one embodiment, the outer body has cut-outs to allow a portion of the inner body to sit within the outer body and a portion of the inner body to sit outside the outer body.

[0020] In one embodiment, the portion of the inner body to sit outside the outer body is the retention mechanism.

[0021] In one embodiment, the flexing region is provided by a bridge.

[0022] In one embodiment, the bridge has features to align the bridge with the outer body.

[0023] In one embodiment, the features are alignment bosses.

[0024] In one embodiment, the bridge is arranged between the actuation portion and the retention portion.

[0025] In one embodiment, the bridge comprises a strengthening feature.

[0026] In one embodiment, the strengthening feature comprises a step at an intersection between the actuation portion and the bridge.

[0027] In one embodiment, the strengthening feature comprises two steps extending towards each other from opposing sides of the lever towa rds a central plane of the bridge.

[0028] In one embodiment, the strengthening feature comprises a thickened portion of the bridge.

[0029] In one embodiment, the thickened portion is provided at an intersection of the actuation portion and the bridge.

[0030] In one embodiment, the actuation portion comprises a rib that limits flexing of the actuation portion .

[0031] In one embodiment, the entire inner body comprises the first material .

[0032] In one embodiment, the first material has a higher Young's modulus than the second material .

[0033] In one embodiment, the second material comprises polyolefins.

[0034] In one embodiment, the second material comprises polypropylene.

[0035] In one embodiment, the first material comprises polyoxymethylene.

[0036] In one embodiment, the lumen of the inner body and the lumen of the outer body are substantially aligned.

[0037] In one embodiment, the lumen of the inner body and the lumen of the outer body are coaxial.

[0038] In one embodiment, the connector further comprises an inner body a nd outer body sealing mechanism configured to seal the inner body and the outer body together; and an inner body and outer body retention mechanism configured to retain the inner body and the outer body together, the inner body and outer body sealing mechanism and retention mechanism being separate mechanisms.

[0039] In one embodiment, the inner body and outer body sealing mechanism is additionally configured to retain the inner body and the outer body together.

[0040] In one embodiment, the inner body and outer body sealing mechanism comprises a protrusion. Optionally, the sealing mechanism is an annular sealing protrusion .

[0041] In one embodiment, the inner body and outer body sealing mechanism comprises a complementary recess.

[0042] In one embodiment, the inner body comprises the protrusion and the outer body comprises the recess. In one embodiment, the annular sealing protrusion comprises an angled cross-sectional profile.

[0043] In one embodiment, the annular sealing protrusion is provided on an external surface of the inner body and is configured to be in interference fit with an inner surface of the outer body.

[0044] In one embodiment, the inner body and outer body retention mechanism comprises a protrusion, preferably a barb.

[0045] In one embodiment, the inner body and outer body retention mechanism comprises a complementary indentation or aperture.

[0046] In one embodiment, the complementary indentation or aperture is defined by one or more walls, and the or each barb is positioned in the complementary indentation or aperture without abutting the one or more walls.

[0047] In one embodiment, the inner body and outer body retention mechanism protrusion is an annular protrusion, being an annular retention protrusion.

[0048] In one embodiment, the protrusion comprises an angled cross-sectional profile.

[0049] In one embodiment, the annular retention protrusion has a rounded cross-sectional profile.

[0050] In one embodiment, the protrusion is configured to be interference fit with an inner surface of the outer body.

[0051] In one embodiment, the complementary indentation or aperture is an annular indentation or aperture.

[0052] In one embodiment, the inner body and outer body retention mechanism protrusion comprises a complementary indentation or aperture, and wherein the complementary indentation or aperture is an annular indentation, aperture or recess.

[0053] In one embodiment, the annular sealing protrusion and annular retention protrusion have different diameters.

[0054] In one embodiment, the annular sealing protrusion and annular retention protrusion have different cross-sectional profiles.

[0055] In one embodiment, the annular retention protrusion has a rounded cross-sectional profile.

[0056] In one embodiment, the annular retention protrusion has an angled cross-sectional profile.

[0057] In one embodiment, the inner body and outer body sealing mechanism comprises an interference fit between a tapered wall of the inner body a nd a

complementary tapered wall of the outer body.

[0058] In one embodiment, a terminal end of the inner body extends beyond a n end of the outer body.

[0059] In one embodiment, the terminal end has a greater diameter than the remainder of the inner body.

[0060] In one embodiment the inner body comprises a wall that tapers outwardly towards the terminal end .

[0061] In one embodiment a diameter of an inner wall of the inner body at the terminal end is greater than the diameter of a remainder of the inner wall.

[0062] In one embodiment the inner walls of the terminal end form a

smooth/continuous profile with the inner walls of the inner body.

[0063] In one embodiment, the inner body is provided as a separate component that is independent of a tube or devoid of tube connection features.

[0064] In one embodiment, the outer body is provided with the tube connection features and the inner body is devoid of tube connection features.

[0065] In one embodiment, the inner body excludes tube connection features.

[0066] In one embodiment, the outer body comprises the tube connection features, such that, when an assembly of the inner body and the outer body is made said assembly is connected to the tube via tube connection features of the outer body only.

[0067] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a combination of a connector as described above together with a second connector and a tube, the second connector having an internal passage, wherein the inner body is at least partly located in the internal passage of the second connector and the retention mecha nism is engaged with the second connector, and the tube engagement mechanism is engaged with the tube.

[0068] In one embodiment, the second connector has one or more recesses and the retention mechanism is engaged with the one or more recesses.

[0069] In one embodiment, there is provided the combination together with a second connector, the second connector having an internal passage, wherein the inner body is at least partly located in the internal passage of the second connector such that the sealing mechanism substantially seals with the internal passage and the retention mechanism engages with the exterior of the second connector.

[0070] In one embodiment, there is provided the combination together with a second connector, the second connector having an internal passage, wherein, when the connector is connected with the second connector and the tube, the inner body is at least pa rtly located in the internal passage of the second connector such that the sealing mechanism substantially seals with the internal passage and the retention mechanism engages with the exterior of the second connector.

[0071] A connector for a component of a medical breathing circuit, the connector comprising : a body defining a gases pathway, the body having a retention mechanism with an actuation feature that is manually operable; and a flexible elastomeric cover configured to extend over the actuation feature while allowing the actuation feature to be manually operated .

[0072] A connector for a component of a medical breathing circuit, the connector comprising : a body defining a gases pathway, the body having a retention mechanism with an actuation feature that is manually operable; and a flexible elastomeric cover configured to extend over the actuation feature and comprising at least one thickened portion and at least one thinned portion to allow the actuation feature to be manually operated.
CLAIMS

1. A connector for a component of a medical breathing circuit, the connector comprising :

an inner body and an outer body, the inner body and the outer body being separate components,

the inner body having a retention mechanism configured to engage another connector, and

an outer body configured to at least partly surround the inner body, the outer body having a tube engagement mechanism.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the inner body further comprises a sealing mechanism configured to provide a seal between the inner body and the other connector.

3. The connector of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least part of the inner body comprises a first material and at least part of the outer body comprises a second material .

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein the first material is stiffer than the second material.

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein the retention mechanism of the inner body comprises a flexing region comprising the first material.

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein the retention mechanism comprises a lever that is movable relative to the body about the flexing region.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the lever has a retention portion on one portion of the flexing region and an actuation portion on another portion of the flexing region .

8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the retention portion of the or each lever comprises the first material .

9. The connector of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the actuation portion of the or each lever comprises the first material .

10. The connector of any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the entire retention mechanism comprises the first material .

11. The connector any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the retention mechanism comprises two levers.

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein the distance between the retention portions of the two levers in a disengaged configuration is equal to or less than the distance in an engaged configuration.

13. The connector of claim 11, wherein the distance between the retention portions of the two levers in an engaged configuration is the same as the distance in the disengaged configuration.

14. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the outer body has cut-outs to allow a portion of the inner body to sit within the outer body and a portion of the inner body to sit outside the outer body.

15. The connector of claim 14, wherein the portion of the inner body to sit outside the outer body is the retention mechanism.

16. The connector of any one of claims 4 to 15, wherein the flexing region is provided by a bridge.

17. The connector of claim 16, wherein the bridge has features to align the bridge with the outer body.

18. The connector of claim 17, wherein the features are alignment bosses.

19. The connector of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the bridge is arranged between the actuation portion and the retention portion.

20. The connector of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the bridge comprises a strengthening feature.

21. The connector of claim 20, wherein the strengthening feature comprises a step at an intersection between the actuation portion and the bridge.

22. The connector of claim 20 or 21, wherein the strengthening feature comprises two steps extending towards each other from opposing sides of the lever towards a central plane of the bridge.

23. The connector of any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the strengthening feature comprises a thickened portion of the bridge.

24. The connector of claim 23, wherein the thickened portion is provided at an intersection of the actuation portion and the bridge.

25. The connector of any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the actuation portion comprises a rib that limits flexing of the actuation portion .

26. The connector of any one of claims 3 to 25, wherein the entire inner body comprises the first material .

27. The connector of any one of claims 3 to 26, wherein the first material has a higher Young's modulus than the second material.

28. The connector of any one of claims 3 to 27, wherein the second material comprises polyolefins.

29. The connector of any one of claims 3 to 28, wherein the second material comprises polypropylene.

30. The connector of any one of claims 3 to 29, wherein the first material comprises polyoxymethylene.

31. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the lumen of the inner body and the lumen of the outer body are substantially aligned .

32. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein the lumen of the inner body and the lumen of the outer body are coaxial.

33. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 32, further comprising an inner body and outer body sealing mechanism configured to seal the inner body and the outer body together; and an inner body and outer body retention mechanism configured to retain the inner body and the outer body together, the inner body and outer body sealing mechanism and the inner body and outer body retention mechanism being separate mechanisms.

34. The connector of claim 33, wherein the inner body and outer body sealing mechanism is additionally configured to retain the inner body and the outer body together.

35. The connector of claim 33 or claim 34, wherein the inner body and outer body sealing mechanism comprises a protrusion, preferably is an annular sea ling protrusion .

36. The connector of claim 35, wherein the annular sealing protrusion comprises an angled cross-sectional profile.

37. The connector of claim 36, wherein the annular sealing protrusion is provided on an external surface of the inner body and is configured to be in interference fit with an inner surface of the outer body.

38. The connector of any one of claims 33 to 37, wherein the inner body a nd outer body retention mechanism comprises a protrusion, optionally the protrusion is a barb.

39. The connector of claim 38, wherein the inner body and outer body retention

mechanism protrusion is an annular protrusion.

40. The connector of claim 39, wherein the annular retention protrusion has a rounded cross-sectional profile.

41. The connector of any one of claims 37 to 40, wherein the inner body a nd outer body retention mechanism protrusion comprises a complementary indentation or aperture, and wherein the complementary indentation or aperture is an annular indentation, aperture or recess.

42. The connector of any one of claims 39 to 41 when dependent on any one of claims 35 to 37, wherein the annular sealing protrusion and annular retention protrusion have different diameters.

43. The connector of any one of claims 39 to 41 when dependent on any one of claims 35 to 37, wherein the annular sealing protrusion and annular retention protrusion have different cross-sectional profiles

44. The connector of any one of claims 33 to 43, wherein a terminal end of the inner body extends beyond an end of the outer body.

45. The connector of any one of claims 26 to 44, wherein the terminal end has a greater diameter than the remainder of the inner body.

46. The connector of any one of claims 33 to 45, wherein the inner body comprises a wall tapering outwardly towards the terminal end .

47. The connector of claim 46, wherein a diameter of an inner wall of the inner body at the terminal end is greater than the diameter of a remainder of the inner wall .

48. The connector of claim 47, wherein the inner walls of the terminal end form a smooth and/or continuous profile with the inner walls of the inner body.

49. A combination of a connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 48 together with a second connector and a tube, the second connector having an internal passage, wherein, when the connector is connected with the second connector and the tube, the inner body is at least partly located in the internal passage of the second connector and the retention mechanism is engaged with the second connector, and the tube

engagement mechanism is engaged with the tube.

50. The combination as claimed in claim 49, wherein the second connector has one or more recesses and the retention mechanism is engaged with the one or more recesses.

51. A combination of a connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 50 together with a second connector, the second connector having an internal passage, wherein, when the connector is connected with the second connector and the tube, the inner body is at least partly located in the internal passage of the second connector such that the sealing mechanism substantially seals with the internal passage and the retention mechanism engages with the exterior of the second connector.

52. A connector for a component of a medical breathing circuit, the connector comprising :

a body defining a gases pathway, the body having a retention mechanism with an actuation feature that is manually operable,

a flexible elastomeric cover configured to extend over the actuation feature and comprising at least one thickened portion and at least one thinned portion to allow the actuation feature to be manually operated.

53. The connector of claim 52, wherein the retention mechanism is a lever that is movable relative to the body about a flexing portion or a pivot.

54. The connector of claim 52 or claim 53, wherein the lever has a retention portion on one side of the flexing portion or pivot and an actuation portion on the other side of the flexing portion or pivot.

55. The connector of any one of claims 54, wherein the elastomeric cover has a thickened portion that corresponds to the actuation portion.

56. The connector of any one of claims 55, wherein the thickened portion is shaped to conform to an external shape of the actuation portion.

57. The connector of any one of claims 56, wherein the thickened portion has an external surface feature.

58. The connector of any one of claims 52 to 57, wherein the elastomeric cover has a thinned portion connecting the thickened portion to the rest of the elastomeric cover.

59. The connector of any one of claims 52 to 58, wherein the elastomeric cover has a base with a thickened shoulder.

60. The connector of any one of claims 52 to 59, wherein the elastomeric cover has a thickened shoulder proximate the retention portion .

61. The connector of any one of claims 52 to 60, wherein the elastomeric cover is friction or interference fitted with the body.

62. The connector of any one of claims 52 to 61, wherein the body is formed of rigid plastic.

63. The connector of any one of claims 52 to 62, wherein the elastomeric cover comprises a shape that substantially conforms to the external shape of the body.

64. The connector of claim 63, wherein the elastomeric cover keys with the body.

65. The connector of any one of claims 52 to 64, wherein the elastomeric cover has a recess to engage a complementary flange in the body.

66. The connector of any one of claims 52 to 65, wherein the body has one or more ribs to support the cover.

67. The connector of any one of claims 52 to 66, further comprising at least one electrical contact.

68. The connector of any one of claims 52 to 67, wherein the body has material to pneumatically seal about the electrical connection.

69. A combination of a connector as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 68 together with a second connector, wherein, when the connector is connected with the second connector and the tube, the retention mechanism is engaged with the second connector.

70. The combination as claimed in claim 69, wherein the second connector has one or more recesses and the retention mechanism is engaged with the one or more recesses.

71. The combination of claim 69 or claim 70, further comprising a tube, wherein the connector comprises a tube engagement mechanism, and the tube engagement mechanism is engaged with the tube.

72. A connector for a component of a medical breathing circuit, the connector configured to connect a second connector having an internal passage, the connector comprising :

a body comprising a gas flow passage and configured to be at least partly located in the internal passage of the second connector, the body having a sealing mechanism to seal with the internal passage, and

a retention mechanism to engage with the exterior of the second connector,

wherein the retention mechanism comprises a lever that is movable relative to the body about a flexing region, and wherein the lever has a retention portion on one side of the flexing region and an actuation portion on the other side of the flexing region.

73. The connector of claim 72, wherein the sealing mechanism comprises a sealing member.

74. The connector of claim 72 or claim 73, wherein the sealing member is, or comprises, a wiper seal .

75. The connector of any one of claims 72 to 74, wherein the sealing member is, or comprises, an O-ring.

76. The connector of any one of claims 72 to 75, wherein the body has a recess for receiving the sealing member.

77. The connector of any one of claims 72 to 76, wherein the sealing member has an at-rest outer diameter, the at-rest outer diameter of the sealing member being larger than an inner diameter of the internal passage with which it seals.

78. The connector of any one of claims 72 to 77, wherein the retention portion comprises a protrusion extending towards a centre of the connector.

79. The connector of claim 78, wherein the protrusion is angled relative to a central axis extending through the centre of the connector.

80. The connector of claim 79, wherein the protrusion is angled at about 85° to about 115°, alternatively about 90° to about 110°, alternatively is about 93° to about 102°, alternatively about 95° to about 99°.

81. The connector of any one of claims 72 to 80, wherein the flexing region is provided by a bridge.

82. The connector of any one of claims 72 to 81, wherein the retention mechanism comprises two levers.

83. The connector of any one of claims 72 to 82, wherein movement of the actuation portion towards the centre of the connector causes movement of the retention mechanism to move away from the centre of the connector.

84. The connector of any one of claims 72 to 83, wherein the body is an inner body, and the connector further comprises an outer body.

85. The connector of claim 84, wherein a portion of the inner body sits inside the outer body and the retention mechanism sits outside the outer body.

86. A combination of a connector as claimed in any one of claims 72 to 85 together with a second connector, the second connector having an internal passage, wherein the inner body is at least partly located in the internal passage of the second connector such that the sealing mechanism substantially seals with the internal passage and the retention mechanism engages with the exterior of the second connector and the retention mechanism is engaged with the second connector.

87. The combination as claimed in claim 86, wherein the second connector has one or more recesses and the retention mechanism is engaged with the one or more recesses.

88. The combination as claimed in claim 87, wherein, when connected, the connectors are capable of resisting a separating force of greater than or equal to about 30N .

89. The combination as claimed in claim 88, wherein, when connected, the connectors are capable of resisting a separating force of greater than or equal to about 50N .