Connector for therapeutic tubing and medical solution bag device using the connector

Claim 1

Connector means for connecting first and second medically therapeutic tubes to one another under flame sterilization, thereby preventing microorganic invasion into the interior of the tubes through the connector means comprising: a tubular male connector made of a thermally resistant and corrosionproof material, said male connector member having a tubing end adapted to be connected to said first therapeutic tube; said material from which said male connector member is made also being flame-resistant and flame-sterilizable; said tubing end of the male connector member being liquid-tightly insertable into an end of said first therapeutic tube; a first retaining and holding member covering a portion of said tubing end of said tubular male connector in the vicinity of the portion of said male connector which is insertable into said first therapeutic tube, said first retaining and holding member being hand-holdable by a user during a flame sterilization operation and a connection operation; a tubular female connector member made of a thermally resistant and corrosionproof material, said female connector member having a tubing end adapted to be connected to said second therapeutic tube; said material from which said female connector member is made along being flame-resistant and flame-sterilizable; said tubing end of the female connector member being liquid-tightly insertable into an end of said second therapeutic tube; a second retaining and holding member covering a portion of said tubing end of said tubular female connector in the vicinity of the portion of said female connector which is insertable into said second therapeutic tube, said second retaining and holding member being hand-holdable by a user during a flame sterilization operation and a connection operation; an O-ring provided in a middle portion of said female connector member; said male and female connector members each having mutual engagement means which are mutually engageable to connect said first and second therapeutic tubes together, said male connector member being in contact with said O-ring when engaged with said female connector member; a locking mechanism on said male and said female connector members for locking said male and female connector members for locking said male and female connector members liquid-tightly to one another when placed in an engaged state; at least one of said male and female connector members being flame sterilized by a flame directed thereat, thereby sterilizing at least the area which is contacted by the flame; said mutual engagement means of said male and female connector members including means engageable with one another without relative twisting movement therebetween during said flame sterilization; and means for actuating said locking mechanism on said connector members to lock said male and female connector members together after said flame sterilization and engagement therebetween, thereby preventing microorganic invasion into the interior of said first and second therapeutic tubes through said connector means.