Shield for connectors

Claim 2

In a fluid flow set defining connector means on one end of a length of tubing for forming a sealed, essentially aseptic connection with a second connector, to permit fluid transfer through the joined connectors, the improvement comprising, in combination: a tubular shield member disposed about said length of tubing in telescoping relation and movable along its length, one end of said shield member defining a first aperture through which the length of tubing extends, said first aperture being defined by a reduced diameter section and proportioned to define a first seal with the length of tubing, the other end of said tubular shield defining a second aperture large enough to receive said connector means into the interior of the tubular shield member, said connector means being joined to a second connector, both connectors being positioned within the bore of said shield member, said second connector defining an annular flange that defines a sliding second seal with the bore of the shield member.

Claim 3

The fluid flow set of claim 1 in which said connector means and second connector are spaced from the shield member, except for the sliding second seal with the annular flange.

Claim 4

The fluid flow set of claim 1 in which said connector means and second connector are joined together in screw thread relationship.

Claim 5

The fluid flow set of claim 1 in which said connector means and second connector are joined together in the relationship of a penetrating spike passing through a diaphragm of a sealed port.

Claim 6

The fluid flow set of claim 1 in which the junction of the connector means and second connector is wrapped in a coiled strip of Velcro-type fabric, locked together at overlapping, coiled ends, said strip carrying on its inner, coiled surface a porous pad soaked in antiseptic surrounding said junction.

Claim 7

The fluid flow set of claim 1 in which said tubular shield member is transparent and flexible.

Claim 8

The fluid flow set of claim 1 which is for transferring liquids between a supply container and the peritoneal cavity of a patient.

Claim 9

The fluid flow set of claim 1 in which said first seal is a sliding seal.

Claim 10

The fluid flow set of claim 1 in which said shield member further defines convolutions to permit axial expansion and collapse to correspondingly permit axial relative motion between the connector means and second connector.

Claim 11

In a fluid flow set defining connector means on one end of a length of tubing for forming a sealed, essentially aseptic connection with a second connector, to permit fluid transfer through the joined connectors, the improvement comprising, in combination: a tubular shield member disposed about said length of tubing in telescoping relationship and movable along its length, one end of said shield member defining a first aperture through which the length of tubing extends, said first aperture defined by a reduced diameter section and proportioned to define a first sliding seal with the length of tubing, the other end of said tubular shield defining a second aperture large enough to receive said connector means into the interior of the tubular shield, said connector means being joined to a second connector, both connectors being positioned within the bore of said shield member, said second connector defining an annular flange that defines a sliding second seal with the bore of the shield member said connector means defining screw threads for a sealing connection with the second connector.

Claim 12

In a fluid flow set defining connector means on one end of a length of tubing for forming a sealed, essentially aseptic connection with a second connector, to permit fluid transfer through the joined connectors, the improvement comprising, in combination: a tubular shield member disposed about said length of tubing in telescoping relationship and movable along its length, one end of said shield member defining a first aperture through which the length of tubing extends, said first aperture defined by a reduced diameter section and proportioned to define a first sliding seal with the length of tubing, the other end of said tubular shield defining a second aperture large enough to receive said connector means into the interior of the tubular shield, said connector means being joined to a second connector, both connectors being positioned within the bore of said shield member, said second connector defining an annular flange that defines a sliding second seal with the bore of the shield member said connector means defining screw threads for a sealing connection with the second connector.

Claim 13

In a fluid flow set defining connector means on one end of the length of tubing forming a sealed, essentially aseptic connection with a second connector, to permit fluid transfer through the joined connectors, the improvement comprising, in combination: a tubular shield member disposed about said length of tubing in telescoping relation and movable along its length, one end of said shield member defining a first aperture through which the length of tubing extends, said first aperture being defined by a reduced diameter section and proportioned to define a sliding seal with the length of tubing, the other end of said flexible tubular shield defining a second aperture large enough to receive said connector means into the interior of said tubular shield, said connector means being joined to said second connector, both connectors being positioned within the bore of said shield member, said second connector defining an annular flange that defines a sliding second seal with a bore of the shield member said connector means defining a penetrating spike for penetrating a diaphragm of a sealed port of said second connector.

Claim 14

In a fluid flow set defining connector means on one end of the length of tubing forming a sealed, essentially aseptic connection with a second connector, to permit fluid transfer through the joined connectors, the improvement comprising, in combination: a tubular shield member disposed about said length of tubing in telescoping relation and movable along its length, one end of said shield member defining a first aperture through which the length of tubing extends, said first aperture being defined by a reduced diameter section and proportioned to define a sliding seal with the length of tubing, the other end of said flexible tubular shield defining a second aperture large enough to receive said connector means into the interior of said tubular shield, said connector means being joined to said second connector, both connectors being positioned within the bore of said shield member, said second connector defining an annular flange that defines a sliding second seal with a bore of the shield member said connector means defining a penetrating spike for penetrating a diaphragm of a sealed port of said second connector.

Claim 15

In a fluid flow set defining connector means on one end of a length of tubing for forming a sealed, essentially aseptic connection with a second connector, to permit fluid transfer through the joined connectors, the improvement comprising, in combination: a flexible tubular shield member disposed about said length of tubing in telescoping relation and movable along its length, the ends of said shield member defining apertures permitting said length of tubing to pass therethrough, one of said apertures being large enough to receive said connector means into the interior of the tubular shield member, and the other of said apertures being smaller to sealingly grip said tubing, said connector means being joined to a second connector, both connectors being positioned within the bore of said shield member, said second connector defining an annular flange that defines a sliding second seal with the bore of the shield member, whereby said connector means may be manually gripped by gripping said flexible tubular shield member.

Claim 16

In a fluid flow set defining connector means on one end of a length of tubing for forming a sealed, essentially aseptic connection with a second connector, to permit fluid transfer through the joined connectors, the improvement comprising, in combination: a flexible tubular shield member disposed about said length of tubing in telescoping relation and movable along its length, the ends of said shield member defining apertures permitting said length of tubing to pass therethrough, one of said apertures being large enough to receive said connector means into the interior of the tubular shield member, and the other of said apertures being smaller to sealingly grip said tubing, said connector means being joined to a second connector, both connectors being positioned within the bore of said shield member, said second connector defining an annular flange that defines a sliding second seal with the bore of the shield member, whereby said connector means may be manually gripped by gripping said flexible tubular shield member.

Claim 17

In a fluid flow set defining connector means at one end of a length of tubing for forming a sealed, essentially aseptic connection with a second connector, to permit fluid transfer through the joined connector, the improvement comprising, in combination: a coiled strip of fabric locked together at overlapping coiled ends positioned around the junction of said sealed, essentially aseptic connection between the connector means and second connector, said strip carrying on its inner, coiled surface a porous pad soaked in antiseptic surrounding said junction, and a tubular shield member disposed about said length of tubing in telescoping relation and movable along its length, the ends of said shield member defining apertures permitting said length of tubing to pass therethrough, at least one of said apertures being large enough to receive said connector means into the interior of the tubular shield and the other of said apertures being smaller to sealingly grip said tubing with a first sliding seal, said connector means being joined to a second connector, both connectors being positioned within the bore of said shield member, said second connector defining an annular flange that defines a sliding second seal with the bore of the shield member.

Claim 18

In a fluid flow set defining connector means at one end of a length of tubing for forming a sealed, essentially aseptic connection with a second connector, to permit fluid transfer through the joined connector, the improvement comprising, in combination: a coiled strip of fabric locked together at overlapping coiled ends positioned around the junction of said sealed, essentially aseptic connection between the connector means and second connector, said strip carrying on its inner, coiled surface a porous pad soaked in antiseptic surrounding said junction, and a tubular shield member disposed about said length of tubing in telescoping relation and movable along its length, the ends of said shield member defining apertures permitting said length of tubing to pass therethrough, at least one of said apertures being large enough to receive said connector means into the interior of the tubular shield and the other of said apertures being smaller to sealingly grip said tubing with a first sliding seal, said connector means being joined to a second connector, both connectors being positioned within the bore of said shield member, said second connector defining an annular flange that defines a sliding second seal with the bore of the shield member.

Claim 19

The fluid flow set of claim 13 in which said tubular shield member defines convolutions to permit axial collapse and expansion in a manner corresponding to axial motion between the connector means and second connector.