Devices, Assemblies, and Methods for Controlling Fluid Flow

Abstract

Connector assemblies are provided for controlling flow in a fluid line that include an outer shell, an inner housing, and a tubular member. The inner housing is disposed within the outer shell and includes a boss disposed adjacent a first end of the outer shell. The inner housing is movable axially within the outer shell between first and second positions when a device is connected to the first end. The tubular member is carried by the inner housing and includes a fluid passage extending between a second end of the outer shell. The tubular member moves axially as the inner housing moves between the first and second positions, and cam features on the outer shell and the tubular member cause the tubular member to rotate as the inner housing moves between the first and second positions, thereby opening a fluid path between the fluid passage and the first end.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A needleless device actuated by rotation, the device comprising:
 a covering body;   a deformable sleeve fixed to the inside of a first end of the covering body, and having a geometrically-shaped hollow center; and   a fluid cap having a geometrical shape substantially similar to the hollow center of the deformable sleeve, and having at least one opening on the sides of the fluid cap contacting the deformable membrane;   wherein initially the openings are occluded by the deformable sleeve; and   whereby a non-passive rotation of the fluid cap inside the deformable sleeve creates a plurality of gaps between the fluid cap and the hollow center to allow fluid flow.   
     
     
         2 . The device in  claim 1 , wherein the covering body has a boss of the Luer type. 
     
     
         3 . The device in  claim 2 , wherein the covering body is surrounded by an outer shell with thread. 
     
     
         4 . The device in  claim 3 , wherein the thread is on the inside of the outer shell and the boss projects beyond the outer shell. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the thread is on the outside of the outer shell and the boss resides inside the outer shell. 
     
     
         6 . The device in  claim 3 , wherein the device is attached to a syringe. 
     
     
         7 . The device in  claim 3 , wherein the device is attached to an IV catheter. 
     
     
         8 . The device in  claim 1 , further comprising a complementary actuating device at an end opposite the first actuating device. 
     
     
         9 . The device in  claim 1 , wherein the geometric shape of the hollow center and the fluid cap is a polygon. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein a plurality of status indicators are observable when viewing the outer shell, the status indicators signifying when fluid flow is allowed and not allowed. 
     
     
         11 . A needless medical connector device, the device comprising
 an outer shell having a Luer type thread;   a plurality of status indicators observable when viewing the outer shell;   a boss inside a first end of the shell;   a deformable sleeve inside a first end of the boss, and having a geometrically-shaped hollow center;   a conduit inside the boss and extending through the length of the outer shell; and   a fluid cap, which has a geometric shape substantially similar to the hollow center of the deformable sleeve in which it resides, having at least one opening occluded by the deformable membrane;   whereby engaging the connector non-passively causes the conduit to rotate within the boss, which results in a mismatch between the once aligned geometric shapes of the deformable sleeve and fluid cap, creating a plurality of gaps to form a fluid path between the deformable sleeve and the fluid cap;    and   wherein the status indicators signify when the fluid path is actuated or deactuated.   
     
     
         12 . The device in  claim 11 , wherein the deformable membrane is made from a material that permits elastic deformation. 
     
     
         13 . The device in  claim 11 , wherein the thread is on the inside of the outer shell and the boss projects beyond the outer shell. 
     
     
         14 . The device in  claim 11 , wherein the thread is on the outside of the outer shell and the boss resides inside the outer shell. 
     
     
         15 . The device in  claim 11 , wherein the geometric shape of the hollow center and fluid cap is a polygon. 
     
     
         16 . The device in  claim 11 , wherein the status indicators are revealed through windows cut out of the outer shell in order to signify actuation or deactuation. 
     
     
         17 . A connecting assembly, the assembly comprising:
 an outer shell having a polygon shape and status windows revealing when the assembly is in an actuated or deactuated state,   a covering body comprised of pegs, an outer mating surface, and a deformable membrane attached to the inner surface of a first end of the covering body;   a rotating member used to effect actuation of the assembly;   a shaft comprised of pegs, a mating member with triangular indentations, and a fluid cap having at least one opening to allow fluid flow after actuation of the assembly;   a backing member having triangular projections used to mate with the mating member;   wherein the fluid cap initially resides within and matches up with the deformable membrane in the deactuated state;   wherein the fluid cap, after being rotated, does not match up with the deformable membrane in this actuated state thereby creating gaps between the deformable membrane and the fluid cap to allow fluid flow; and   wherein the triangular projection keep the assembly actuated until the assembly is deactuated by the shaft to rotating back to its original position via the rotating member.   
     
     
         18 . The assembly in  claim 17 , wherein the rotating member is selected from the group consisting of an elastic band, an elastic disk, a torsional energy story element, and a bellevile type spring. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly in  claim 17 , wherein the rotating member is a gear-shaped member.