Devices for Connecting Catheter Assembly to Collection Receptacle

Abstract

A device for connecting a catheter assembly to a collection receptacle is disclosed. The device is situated at a distal portion of the catheter assembly and the connection made may be either temporary or permanent.

1 . A connecting device for a catheter assembly, the device comprising:
 a body situated at a distal portion of a catheter assembly; and   a collar, wherein the body mates with the collar thereby allowing fluid communication within the catheter assembly while maintaining a temporary or permanent seal preventing fluid communication with an external environment.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a collection receptacle is attachable to the collar. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is circular with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the collar such that the body can be situated inside the collar. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body has attached to its surface a grippable arm. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes depressible releases which have a short end and a long end separated by a spring; wherein the short end and the long end are separated by a distance equal to the height of said collar. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the spring is composed of a metallic or plastic material. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is circular and is of a slightly larger diameter than the collar such that the body can be snapped over the collar. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the collar includes a raised ring on its surface. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the circular body has attached to its surface a grippable tab. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes extensions on its inner or outer surface which mate with receiving structures on the collar. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the extensions are L-shaped and the receiving structures are indentations capable of securing the extensions when the extensions are inserted into the indentations. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the extensions are rectangular and the receiving structures are upside-down U-shaped locking pieces capable of securing the rectangular extensions when the extensions are depressed below the locking pieces and rotated into a cavity of the locking pieces. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the extensions are snap protrusions and the receiving structures are snap wells capable of securing the snap protrusions when the snap protrusions are mated with the snap wells. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body and the collar have a magnetic relationship with each other. 
   
   
       15 . A connecting device for a catheter assembly, the device comprising:
 a circular body situated at a distal portion of a catheter assembly on or proximal to a urine outlet piece; and   a collar situated at a proximal portion of a collection receptacle, wherein the circular body mates with the collar thereby allowing fluid communication between the urine outlet piece and the collection receptacle while maintaining a temporary or permanent seal preventing fluid communication with an external environment.   
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the circular body is of a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the collar such that the circular body can be situated inside the collar. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the circular body has attached to its surface a grippable arm. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the circular body is of a slightly larger diameter than the collar such that said body can be snapped over the collar. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the collar has attached to its surface a raised ring which mates with the circular body. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the circular body includes extensions on its inner or outer surface which mate with receiving structures on the collar. 
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the extensions are L-shaped and the receiving structures are indentations capable of securing the extensions when the extensions are inserted into the indentations. 
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the extensions are rectangular and the receiving structures are upside-down U-shaped locking pieces capable of securing the rectangular extensions when the extensions are depressed below the locking pieces and rotated into a cavity of the locking pieces. 
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the extensions are snap protrusions and the receiving structures are snap wells capable of securing the snap protrusions when the snap protrusions are mated with the snap wells. 
   
   
       24 . A catheter assembly, the assembly comprising:
 an apertured body situated at a distal portion of the assembly grippable by the operator's hand;   a receiving collar situated at a proximal portion of a collection receptacle grippable by the operator's other hand; and   a catheter passing through the aperture of the apertured body in fluid communication with the receiving collar.