JUNCTION HUB FOR MEDICAL DEVICES
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to disposable medical devices which use fine tubes. More particularly the present invention relates to the method of connecting single or multi lumen tube to same number of individual extension tubes by means of a Junction hub. Such a Junction hub enables flow of liquids from multi lumen tube to individual extension tubes without leakage.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
During the treatment of a patient various medical devices are used. Some medical devices may use an assembly of two or more fine tubes for various purposes. For effective medical treatment by such medical devices a need arises to connect various tubes mutually. The prior art of connecting two or more tubes in medical devices is by gluing them. But prior art suffers from certain disadvantages. If the tubes are glued then there is a possibility that medicines or chemicals contained or passing through the tubes will react with glue that connects the tubes. Further the glued tubes do not provide reliable bonding as there may result leakages. Due to these disadvantages of gluing, a need for providing alternative method for connecting the tubes in medical devices is required.
OBJECTS OF INVENTION
A primary object of this invention is to propose a method of connecting fine tubes in medical devices through junction hub whereby the disadvantages of the prior art are overcome.
Another object of this invention is to propose a junction hub for connecting fine tubes in medical devices which connects two or more tubes together securely and effectively.
Yet another object of this invention is to propose junction hub for connecting fine tubes in medical devices which can connect multi lumen tube to equal number of individual extension tubes.
Yet another object of this invention is to propose junction hub for connecting fine tubes in medical devices in which there is no leakage when several tubes are connected with each other.
Another object of this invention is to propose junction hub which is made of same material as the tubes which it connects. This improves manifold the bonding between the tubes and the junction hub.
Another object of this invention is to propose junction hub the material used in its manufacture is such that the medicines, chemicals which pass through it do not react with it.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description.
To the accomplishment of above and to such further objects as may hereinbelow appear, the present invention relates to providing a junction hub to connect multi-lumen tube to extension tubes in medical devices as described in the following specification and as considered with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The present invention consist of a junction hub in the shape of cone (or any other alternative and convenient shape) wherein at one of its corners is fitted a multi lumen (1,2,3,4 etc.) tube. At the side opposite to the corner containing multi-lumen tube, are attached equal number of individual extension tubes. In a junction hub having three channels, each individual channel connects one lumen of multi lumen tube at the corner of junction hub to one extension tube at the opposite side of junction hub. Thus three individual tubes are connected via 3 channels of junction hub to the 3 lumens of multi lumen tube.
Similarly a junction hub having one channel is used to connect single lumen tube to one extension tube. A junction hub with 2 channels is used to connect multi (2) lumen tube to two extension tubes. A junction hub may have as many channels as are the individual tubes required to be connected to multi lumen tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1(a): Shows 3-lumen multi lumen tube attached to three individual extension tubes.
Figure 1(b): Shows cross section of multi lumen tube of figure 1(a).
Figure 2(a): Shows 2-lumen multi lumen tube attached to two individual extension tubes.
Figure 2(b): Shows cross section of multi lumen tube of figure 2(a).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1(a) represent three channel junction hub 10 which has conical shape. One of the vertex 16 has open end to which is attached a multi lumen tube 12. The base 18 opposite to vertex 16 has three openings to accommodate three individual extension tubes 14.
Figure 1(b) is the cross section of multi lumen tube 12 of Figure 1(a), showing three lumens 20 of multi lumen tube 10.
Figure 2(a) represent alternative embodiment of present invention which has two channel junction hub 10 of conical shape. One vertex 16 has open end to which is attached a multi lumen tube 12.

The base 18 opposite to vertex 16 has two openings to accommodate two individual extension tubes 14.
Figure 2(b) is the cross section of multi lumen tube 12 of figure 2(a), showing two lumens 22 of multi lumen tube 12.
The junction hub 10 may have as many channels as the number of extension tubes 14 to be connected to the multi lumen tube 12 having same number of lumens.
Junction hub 10 may be made from material like poly urethane or poly vinyl chloride (PVC). It must be noted that in an assembly, the multi lumen tube 12, extension tubes 14 and Junction hub 10 connecting them, should all be made of the same material either poly urethane or poly vinyl chloride. This is necessary to ensure perfect bonding between the multi lumen tube 12, junction hub 10 and extension tubes 14.
The junction hub 10 can be made in alternative shapes, other than cubical, depending upon the site of usage, convenience and the kind of medical device wherein junction hub 10 is used.
A junction hub 10 is manufactured by insert moulding technique. In this technique the ends of multi lumen tube 12 and individual extension tubes 14 are put in a conical shaped mould at small distance apart. One fine wire is made to pass through passage inside each of the individual extension tubes 14 and respective
lumen of the multi lumen tube 12. Than the base material like poly urethane is poured in the mould such that it covers the wires and the ends of multi lumen tube 12 and individual extension tubes 14. The mould is allowed to cool and solidify. Due to the cooling of the mould, the base material i.e. poly urethane solidifies and takes the shape of the mould. The junction so formed is conical in shape with the multi lumen tube 12 attached at one of its vertex 16 and the extension tubes 14 at the opposite base 18. The wires are now taken out of the respective extension tubes 14 as well as the multi lumen tube 12. As the wires are withdrawn, they leave behind channels inside the junction hub 10 which now act as connecting channels between the individual extension tubes 14 and multi lumen tube 12.
The invention has been shown and described above with the preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. In the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

WE CLAIM
1. A junction hub for connecting fine tubes in medical devices,
the junction hub comprising:
Conical shaped junction hub; single opening/passage at the vertex; multiple openings/passages at the base; channels inside the junction hub.
2. A junction hub of claim 1 wherein a multi lumen tube is attached to the opening/passage at the vertex and extension tubes attached to the opening/passage at the base.
3. A junction hub of claim 1 wherein at the base are connected equal number of extension tubes as are the number of lumen in the multi lumen tube attached at the vertex.
4. A junction hub of claim 1 wherein each channel connects to, at one end, an extension tube and at other end, one lumen of multi lumen tube.
5. A junction hub of claim 1 with alternative shapes as may be convenient at the site of usage and the kind of medical devices with which it is used.
6. Method of manufacturing junction hub, the method
comprising:
Arranging the multi lumen tube and extension tubes in a
conical mould;
Thin wires made to pass through passages in extension tubes
and lumen in multi lumen tube;
pouring base material in the mould;
solidifying of base material in the mould;
pulling off the wires from the multi lumen tube, extension
tubes and solidified base material (junction hub) thereby
leaving behind channels inside the junction hub.
7. Method of Claim 6 of manufacturing the junction hub wherein base material for multi lumen tube, extension tubes and the junction hub is kept the same.