Connector for use with endoscope

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9560954-B2
Application number	US-201213557114-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 24, 2012
Priority date	Jul 24, 2012
Publication date	Feb 7, 2017
Grant date	Feb 7, 2017

Abstract

The present specification discloses a disposable tubing joint connector system which connects a tubing set and an endoscope. The connector embodiments disclosed herein include dual o-ring seals, in two separate channels, that enable an efficient and leak proof connection between two ports of an endoscope and corresponding flexible tubing.

First claim

We claim:

1. A connector device for connecting a first port of an endoscope and a second port of an endoscope to a plurality of tubing, wherein the connector device comprises:
a rigid portion, wherein said rigid portion comprises a tubing connector having a first conduit and a second conduit, wherein, at a first end of the tubing connector, the first conduit and second conduit are in a parallel relationship and wherein, at a second end, the first conduit and second conduit are in a non-parallel relationship and terminate in a base; and
a flexible portion, wherein the flexible portion is a molded component and comprises:
a first connector channel adapted to receive said first port, wherein said first connector channel comprises a first end attached to a first portion of said base, wherein said first channel has a second end comprising a first seal formed integrally of a first o-ring and a second o-ring, wherein the first and the second o-rings are made of elastomeric material and configured to be compressed during connection with the first port of the endoscope and wherein a material of the first seal extends between the first and second o-rings to separate the first and second o-rings by a predefined distance; and
a second connector channel adapted to receive said second port, wherein said second connector channel comprises a first end attached to a second portion of said base, wherein said second channel has a second seal formed integrally of a third o-ring and a fourth o-ring, wherein the third and the fourth o-rings are made of elastomeric material and are configured to be compressed during connection with the second port of the endoscope, and wherein a material of the second seal extends between the third and fourth o-rings to separate the third and fourth o-rings by a predefined distance.

2. The connector device of claim 1 wherein said tubing connector is a Y connector having the first conduit positioned at an acute angle relative to said second conduit.

3. The connector device of claim 1 wherein the second connector channel comprises a first channel portion and a second channel portion, wherein the second channel portion has a smaller diameter than the first channel portion and wherein the second channel portion comprises said third o-ring and said fourth o-ring.

4. The connector device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible portion is formed by overmolding said molded component onto the base.

5. The connector device of claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the first o-ring is equal to a diameter of the second o-ring.

6. The connector device of claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the third o-ring is equal to a diameter of the fourth o-ring.

7. The connector device of claim 1 , wherein the first port of the endoscope is securely connected to the first connector channel via the first and the second o-rings and wherein said secure connection is leak proof and capable of withstanding a predetermined operational pressure.

8. The connector device of claim 1 , wherein the second port of the endoscope is securely connected with the second connector channel via the third and the fourth o-rings and wherein said secure connection is leak proof and capable of withstanding a predetermined operational pressure.

9. A connector for connecting a first port of an endoscope and a second port of an endoscope to a tubing set, comprising:
a rigid component, made of a first material, comprising a Y connector and having a first conduit and a second conduit extending therethrough, wherein, at a first end of the Y connector, the first conduit and the second conduit are in a parallel relationship and wherein, at a second end, the first conduit and second conduit are in a non-parallel relationship and terminate in a base; and
a compliant interface positioned on said base and comprising a second material that is more flexible than said first material, wherein said compliant interface comprises:
a first connector channel adapted to receive said first port, wherein said first connector channel is in fluid communication with the first conduit, wherein said first channel has a first seal formed integrally of a first and second o-rings wherein the first and the second o-rings are made of elastomeric material and configured to be compressed during connection with the first port of the endoscope and wherein a material of the first seal extends between the first and the second o-rings to separate the first and second o-rings by a predefined distance; and
a second connector channel adapted to receive said second port, wherein said second connector channel is in fluid communication with the second conduit, wherein said second channel has a second seal formed integrally of a third and fourth o-rings, wherein the third and the fourth o-rings are made of elastomeric material and configured to be compressed during connection with the second port of the endoscope and wherein a material of the second seal extends between the third and the fourth o-rings to separate the third and fourth o-rings by a predefined distance.

10. The connector of claim 9 wherein the second connector channel comprises a first channel portion and a second channel portion, wherein the second channel portion has a smaller diameter than the first channel portion and wherein the second channel portion comprises the third o-ring and the fourth o-ring.

11. The connector of claim 9 , wherein the compliant interface is formed by over-molding said second material onto the rigid component.

12. The connector of claim 9 , wherein a diameter of the first o-ring is equal to a diameter of the second o-ring.

13. The connector of claim 10 , wherein a diameter of the third o-ring is equal to a diameter of the fourth o-ring.

14. The connector of claim 9 , wherein the first port of the endoscope is securely connected to the first connector channel via the first and the second o-rings and wherein said secure connection is leak proof and capable of withstanding a predetermined operational pressure.

15. The connector of claim 13 , wherein the second port of the endoscope is securely connected with the second connector channel via the third and the fourth o-rings and wherein said secure connection is leak proof and capable of withstanding a predetermined operational pressure.

Assignees

• Jacobs Charles
• Malice Jr Louis F
• Parks William
• Endochoice Inc

Inventors

• Jacobs Charles
• Malice Jr Louis F
• Parks William

Classifications

• A61B1/00119

  Tubes or pipes in or with an endoscope · CPC title

• A61B1/00128 Primary

  mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes · CPC title

• A61B1/00112 Primary

  Connection or coupling means · CPC title

• A61B1/00121

  Connectors, fasteners and adapters, e.g. on the endoscope handle · CPC title