Set for blood processing

Abstract

A combined arterial and venous blood tubing set is provided for transport of blood between a patient and a blood processing unit. The set comprises an arterial set component comprising arterial tubing having an arterial patient connector at one end and an arterial unit connector at the other. A venous set component has venous tubing with a venous patient connector at one end and a venous unit connector at the other end. The arterial and venous patient connectors, and the arterial and venous unit connectors, are respectively, substantially, and releasably directly connected to each other. As a result of this, the arterial, and venous set components cooperate to form a loop. Other features of improved sets are also disclosed.

1 . A combined arterial and venous blood tubing set for transport of blood between a patient and a blood processing unit, said set comprising an arterial set component comprising arterial tubing having an arterial patient connector at one end and an arterial unit connector at the other end; and a venous set component comprising venous tubing having a venous patient connector at one end and a venous unit connector at the other end, said patient connectors and said unit connectors being respectively connected together, at least one of said arterial and venous patient connectors and said arterial and venous unit connectors being respectively substantially and releasably directly connected to each other with a frangible seal, to permit breaking apart after set priming for subsequent further connection, whereby said arterial and venous set components cooperate to form a loop.  
     
     
         2 . A combined arterial and venous blood tubing set for transport of blood between a patient and a blood processing unit, said set comprising an arterial component and a venous component each having a connector on at least one end thereof, the respective connectors being directly connected to each other with a frangible seal to permit fluid flow between said arterial component and said venous component through said sealed connectors, to permit breaking apart of said connectors after set priming for further connection.  
     
     
         3 . A protector for a female luer connector, which comprises: an outer sleeve, a central transverse wall defined in said outer sleeve, a male luer projecting axially within said sleeve from said transverse wall to engage said female luer connector within the sleeve; a tube projecting axially within said sleeve from said transverse wall in the direction opposed to said male luer, said tube and male luer having connected lumens, said tube having an outer end that is substantially recessed within said sleeve.  
     
     
         4 . The protector of  claim 3  in which said sleeve has an inner wall free of screw threads.  
     
     
         5 . The protector of  claim 4  in which said sleeve inner wall defines axially extending ribs to facilitate axially sliding connection and retention with a female luer connector.  
     
     
         6 . The protector of  claim 3  in which said tube outer end terminates at a point no more than about two thirds of the distance from the transverse wall to the end of the tube opposed to said male luer.  
     
     
         7 . The protector of  claim 6  in which a hinged cap is attached to said outer sleeve in a position permitting closure of said cap over the outer sleeve end that is opposed to said male luer.  
     
     
         8 . The protector of  claim 3  in which said sleeve has an inner wall free of screw threads, said inner wall defining axially extending ribs to facilitate axially sliding connection and retention with a female luer connector, said tube outer end terminating at a point no more than about two-thirds of the distance from the transverse wall to the end of the tube opposed to said male luer.  
     
     
         9 . The protector of  claim 8  in which a hinged cap is attached to said outer sleeve in a position permitting closure of said cap over the outer sleeve end that is opposed to said male luer.  
     
     
         10 . A set for the transport of blood between a patient and a blood processing unit, said set comprising a first length of flexible tubing having a connector and a second length of flexible tubing having a connector, the respective connectors being substantially and releasably directly connectable to each other with a frangible seal, to permit breaking apart after set priming for subsequent further connection.  
     
     
         11 . The set of  claim 10  in which said said connectors comprise a luer type configuration which are each connectable to a corresponding luer connector.  
     
     
         12 . A tubing set for connection to a medical device comprising: 
 a first tubing segment;    a second tubing segment;    and a connector connecting said first tubing segment to said second tubing segment;    said connector comprising 
 a first connector end connected to said first tubing segment;  
 a second connector end connected to said second tubing segment;  
 whereby said first and second connector ends are connected to each other with a weakened area disposed between the first and second connector ends whereby the weakened area can be broken for disconnection of the first and second connector ends from each other so that each of said first and second connector ends may be connected to a medical device;  
 the first connector end and the second connector end further comprising a luer type configuration which are each connectable to a corresponding luer type connection mechanism on a medical device.  
   
     
     
         13 . A breakapart connector for connecting tubing to a medical apparatus, said connector comprising a first connector end connectable to a first tubing segment and a second connector end connectable to a second tubing segment said first and second connector ends being integrally connected to each other and a weakened area between the first and second connector ends whereby the weakened area can be broken for disconnection of the first and second connector ends from each other so that each respective connector end may be connected to a medical apparatus;  
       wherein each of the first and second connector ends each comprise a luer type connection configuration which is connectable to a corresponding luer type connection mechanism on the respective medical device.  
     
     
         14 . A method for separating two tubing segments connected to each other by a connector having a weakened area for connection of each tubing segment to a medical apparatus the method comprising: 
 breaking the connector into first and second connector ends;    attaching each connector end on each tubing segment to a respective medical apparatus;    wherein each connector end has a luer connector configuration and the step of attaching comprises attaching each connector end through the luer connector.    
     
     
         15 . A method for separating two tubing segments connected to each other by a connector having a weakened area for connection of each tubing segment to a medical apparatus the method comprising: 
 breaking the connector into first and second connector ends;    attaching each connector end on each tubing segment to a respective medical apparatus;    wherein the step of attaching further comprises attaching each connector end to respective parts of a dialyzer.    
     
     
         16 . A method for separating two tubing segments connected to each other by a connector having a weakened area for connection of each tubing segment to a medical apparatus, the method comprising: 
 breaking the connector into first and second connector ends; and    attaching each connector end on each tubing segment to a respective medical apparatus;    wherein the step of attaching further comprises attaching each connector end to a needle or cannula for attachment to a patient.