Enteral feeding connector

Abstract

A medical tubing connector includes a first connector portion configured for connecting to a mating second connector. A tube engagement portion is integral with and opposite the first connector portion and configured for connecting to a medical tube. A liquid passage extends through the first connector portion and the tube engagement portion. The first connector portion includes a continuous outer surface for sealing engagement with the mating second connector. An annular portion is integral with and surrounds the male connector portion. A connecting portion connects the first connector portion to the annular portion. The connecting portion is discontinuous permitting liquid to pass through the connecting portion so that liquid is prevented from pooling between the first connector portion and the annular portion.

1 . A medical tubing connector, comprising:
 a first connector portion configured for connecting to a mating second connector;   a tube engagement portion integral with and opposite the first connector portion and configured for connecting to a medical tube;   a liquid passage extending through the first connector portion and the tube engagement portion, the first connector portion including a continuous outer surface for sealing engagement with the mating second connector;   an annular portion integral with and surrounding the first connector portion; and   a connecting portion connecting the first connector portion to the annular portion, the connecting portion being discontinuous permitting liquid to pass through the connecting portion so that liquid is prevented from pooling between the first connector portion and the annular portion.   
     
     
         2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the discontinuity comprises an open area of the connecting portion. 
     
     
         3 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the open area of the connecting portion extends over at least 40% of the connecting portion. 
     
     
         4 . The connector of  claim 3 , wherein the open area of the connecting portion extends over at least 80% of the connecting portion. 
     
     
         5 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion is defined by spaced apart connecting arms extending between the first connector portion and the annular portion. 
     
     
         6 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion comprises a floor extending circumferentially around the first connector portion, the floor defining a plurality of openings permitting liquid to pass through the connecting portion. 
     
     
         7 . The connector of  claim 6 , wherein the openings are circumferentially spaced around the connecting portion. 
     
     
         8 . The connector of  claim 6 , wherein the openings comprise circular holes in the floor. 
     
     
         9 . The connector of  claim 6 , wherein the openings comprise oblong slots in the floor. 
     
     
         10 . The connector of  claim 9 , wherein the slots extend at least partially along the annular portion. 
     
     
         11 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the annular portion comprises a threaded inner surface for mating with threads on the mating second connector. 
     
     
         12 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a small-bore connector. 
     
     
         13 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector portion, the tube engagement portion, and the annular portion are formed as one piece of material. 
     
     
         14 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector portion is continuous such that the first connector portion is free of any channels or grooves in the outer surface of the first connector portion. 
     
     
         15 . A male enteral feeding connector, comprising:
 a first connector portion configured for connecting to a female enteral feeding connector;   a tube engagement portion integral with and opposite the first connector portion and configured for connecting to an enteral feeding tube for delivering enteral feeding fluid to a patient;   a liquid passage extending through the first connector portion and the tube engagement portion, the first connector portion including a continuous outer surface for sealing engagement with the female enteral feeding connector;   an annular portion integral with and surrounding the first connector portion; and   a connecting portion connecting the first connector portion to the annular portion, the connecting portion being discontinuous permitting liquid to pass through the connecting portion so that liquid is prevented from pooling between the first connector portion and the annular portion.   
     
     
         16 . The connector of  claim 15 , wherein the discontinuity of the connecting portion comprises an open area of the connecting portion. 
     
     
         17 . The connector of  claim 15 , wherein the connecting portion is defined by spaced apart connecting arms extending between the first connector portion and the annular portion. 
     
     
         18 . The connector of  claim 15 , wherein the connecting portion comprises a floor extending circumferentially around the first connector portion, the floor defining a plurality of openings permitting liquid to pass through the connecting portion. 
     
     
         19 . The connector of  claim 15 , in combination with the female enteral feeding connector. 
     
     
         20 . An enteral feeding connector, comprising:
 a first connector portion configured for connecting to a mating second connector;   a tube engagement portion integral with and opposite the first connector portion and configured for connecting to a medical tube;   a liquid passage extending through the first connector portion and the tube engagement portion, the first connector portion including a continuous outer surface for sealing engagement with the mating second connector;   an annular portion integral with and surrounding the first connector portion;   a connecting portion connecting the first connector portion to the annular portion; and   a drain between the first connector portion and the annular portion preventing fluid from pooling between the first connector portion and the annular portion.