Disposable electro-fluidic connector with data storage

Claim 2

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic and electrical connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of electrical and fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluidic pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket, said connector compensating for inaccuracies inherent in the mass production of said cores and cover shells by: i) retention of said male core member so as to permit some slight movement of the male core within said upper and lower cover shells so as to tolerate misalignment with respect to the mating female core member; ii) constructing said male fluidic pins so as to allow some bending thereof along their longitudinal axis so that the male pins will bend slightly to compensate for misalignment between said fluidic male pins on said male core and fluidic receptacle socket openings in said female core, and means for preventing mismating of the male and female core members by forming mating key portions in said male and female connectors to prevent an improper reverse insertion therebetween.

Claim 3

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic and electrical connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of electrical and fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket, said upper and lower shells of the male connector having respective flexible locking leaves for engagement with an abutting shoulder in the female connector, said leaves having sufficient flexibility so that when their ends are unconstrained, the respective leaves will flex apart to disengage from said shoulder, and a locking sleeve surrounding said flexible locking leaves and movable between an unlocked position remote from the respective ends of said flexible leaves and a locked position in juxtaposition with the ends of said flexible leaves to prevent flexure of said leaves so as to prevent their disengagement from said shoulder.

Claim 4

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic and electrical connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of electrical and fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket, said upper and lower shells of the male connector having respective flexible locking leaves for engagement with an abutting shoulder in the female connector, said leaves having sufficient flexibility so that when their ends are unconstrained, the respective leaves will flex apart to disengage from said shoulder, and a locking sleeve surrounding said flexible locking leaves and movable between an unlocked position remote from the respective ends of said flexible leaves and a locked position in juxtaposition with the ends of said flexible leaves to prevent flexure of said leaves so as to prevent their disengagement from said shoulder.

Claim 5

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic and electrical connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of electrical and fluid connections; and a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket.

Claim 6

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic and electrical connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of electrical and fluid connections; and a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket.

Claim 7

A multiple fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; and said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket, said connector compensating for inaccuracies inherent in the mass production of said cores and cover shells by: i) retention of said male core member so as to permit some slight movement of the male core within said upper and lower cover shells so as to tolerate misalignment with respect to the mating female core member; ii) constructing said male fluidic pins so as to allow some bending thereof along their longitudinal axis so that the male pins will bend slightly to compensate for misalignment between said fluidic male pins on said male core and fluidic receptacle socket openings in said female core, and means for preventing mismating of the male and female core members by forming mating key portions in said male and female connectors to prevent an improper reverse insertion therebetween.

Claim 8

A multiple fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; and said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket, said connector compensating for inaccuracies inherent in the mass production of said cores and cover shells by: i) retention of said male core member so as to permit some slight movement of the male core within said upper and lower cover shells so as to tolerate misalignment with respect to the mating female core member; ii) constructing said male fluidic pins so as to allow some bending thereof along their longitudinal axis so that the male pins will bend slightly to compensate for misalignment between said fluidic male pins on said male core and fluidic receptacle socket openings in said female core, and means for preventing mismating of the male and female core members by forming mating key portions in said male and female connectors to prevent an improper reverse insertion therebetween.

Claim 9

A multiple fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; and said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket, said connector compensating for inaccuracies inherent in the mass production of said cores and cover shells by constructing said male fluidic pins so as to allow some bending thereof along their longitudinal axis so that the male pins will bend slightly to compensate for misalignment between said fluidic male pins on said male core and fluidic receptacle socket openings in said female core.

Claim 10

A multiple fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; and said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket, said connector compensating for inaccuracies inherent in the mass production of said cores and cover shells by constructing said male fluidic pins so as to allow some bending thereof along their longitudinal axis so that the male pins will bend slightly to compensate for misalignment between said fluidic male pins on said male core and fluidic receptacle socket openings in said female core.

Claim 11

A multiple fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of fluid connections; and a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; and said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket.

Claim 12

A multiple fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of fluid connections; and a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; and said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket.

Claim 13

A multiple fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; and said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket; and means for preventing mismating of the male and female core members by forming mating key portions in said male and female connectors to prevent an improper reverse insertion therebetween.

Claim 14

A multiple fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; and said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket; and means for preventing mismating of the male and female core members by forming mating key portions in said male and female connectors to prevent an improper reverse insertion therebetween.

Claim 15

The multiple fluidic connector as described in claim 7, wherein said means for preventing mismating of the male and female connectors comprises a chamber formed at one corner of said female core and a triangular portion formed in one of said male cover members conforming to said chamber.

Claim 16

The multiple fluidic connector described in claim 7, wherein said means for preventing mismating of the male and female connectors comprises a structural member having a predetermined configuration formed on said female connector and a mating structural member on said male connector.

Claim 17

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of electrical and fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; and said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket; and a sleeve surrounding said upper and lower cover shells of said male connector, said sleeve having the dual functions of: i) holding together said upper and lower cover shells, ii) permitting some movement of the male core member between said upper and lower cover shells so as to tolerate misalignment with respect to the mating female core member, and iii) locking together said male and female connectors by sliding over said upper and lower cover shells from an unlock to a lock position, said connector further compensating for inaccuracies inherent in the mass production of said cores and cover shells by constructing said male fluidic pins so as to allow some bending thereof along their longitudinal axis so that the male pins will bend slightly to compensate for misalignment between said fluidic male pins on said male core and fluidic receptacle socket openings in said female core.

Claim 18

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of electrical and fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; and said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket; and a sleeve surrounding said upper and lower cover shells of said male connector, said sleeve having the dual functions of: i) holding together said upper and lower cover shells, ii) permitting some movement of the male core member between said upper and lower cover shells so as to tolerate misalignment with respect to the mating female core member, and iii) locking together said male and female connectors by sliding over said upper and lower cover shells from an unlock to a lock position, said connector further compensating for inaccuracies inherent in the mass production of said cores and cover shells by constructing said male fluidic pins so as to allow some bending thereof along their longitudinal axis so that the male pins will bend slightly to compensate for misalignment between said fluidic male pins on said male core and fluidic receptacle socket openings in said female core.

Claim 19

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said male connector; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said male connector, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle θ throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; and said connector having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering along an angle β slightly larger than angle θ to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket, said connector compensating for inaccuracies inherent in the mass production of said male and female connectors by constructing said male fluidic pins so as to allow some bending thereof along their longitudinal axis so that the male pins will bend slightly to compensate for misalignment between said fluidic male pins and said fluidic female receptacle socket openings

Claim 20

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said male connector; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said male connector, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle θ throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; and said connector having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering along an angle β slightly larger than angle θ to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket, said connector compensating for inaccuracies inherent in the mass production of said male and female connectors by constructing said male fluidic pins so as to allow some bending thereof along their longitudinal axis so that the male pins will bend slightly to compensate for misalignment between said fluidic male pins and said fluidic female receptacle socket openings

Claim 21

A multiple connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said male connector, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; and said connector having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins, said female fluidic socket tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets.

Claim 22

A multiple connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said male connector, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; and said connector having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins, said female fluidic socket tapering to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets.

Claim 23

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic and electrical connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of electrical and fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering along an angle β slightly larger than angle θ to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket, said connector compensating for inaccuracies inherent in the mass production of said cores and cover shells by: i) retention of said male core member so as to permit some slight movement of the male core within said upper and lower cover shells so as to tolerate misalignment with respect to the mating female core member; ii) constructing said male fluidic pins so as to allow some bending thereof along their longitudinal axis so that the male pins will bend slightly to compensate for misalignment between said fluidic male pins on said male core and fluidic receptacle socket openings in said female core, and means for preventing mismating of the male and female core members by forming mating key portions in said male and female connectors to prevent an improper reverse insertion therebetween.

Claim 24

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic and electrical connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of electrical and fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said core, the external wall of said fluidic pins having a tapered angle throughout most of their length and merging into a cylindrical portion; said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins, said female fluidic socket openings each having a larger circumferential opening than the cylindrical portion of said male fluidic pins, said openings tapering along an angle β slightly larger than angle θ to a narrower internal cylindrical portion having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the male fluidic pin so that an interference fluid-tight fit is created when said male fluidic tubular pins are inserted into said female receptacle fluidic sockets, without any requirement that the end of the male pin abut a seat at the bottom of a female receptacle socket, said connector compensating for inaccuracies inherent in the mass production of said cores and cover shells by: i) retention of said male core member so as to permit some slight movement of the male core within said upper and lower cover shells so as to tolerate misalignment with respect to the mating female core member; ii) constructing said male fluidic pins so as to allow some bending thereof along their longitudinal axis so that the male pins will bend slightly to compensate for misalignment between said fluidic male pins on said male core and fluidic receptacle socket openings in said female core, and means for preventing mismating of the male and female core members by forming mating key portions in said male and female connectors to prevent an improper reverse insertion therebetween.

Claim 25

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic and electrical connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of electrical and fluid connections; and a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said core, said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins.

Claim 26

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic and electrical connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of electrical and fluid connections; and a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said core, said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins.

Claim 27

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic and electrical connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of electrical and fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said core, said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins; and means for selectively locking together said male and female connectors.

Claim 28

A multiple electrical and fluidic connector for medical apparatus for rapidly connecting and disconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining consistent, bubble-tight fluid interconnection thereof, said connector having a modular design so that the number of fluidic and electrical connections may be varied depending upon the particular application, said connector comprising: a common upper cover shell and a common lower cover shell each being substantially identical regardless of the number of electrical and fluid connections; a core member retained between and within said upper and lower cover shells, said core having a male configuration comprising: male tubular hollow fluidic pins, corresponding to the number of fluid connections, extending from the end of said core; and male electrical pins, corresponding to the number of electrical connections, extending from the end of said core, said core having a female configuration comprising: a female fluidic receptacle having female fluidic socket openings corresponding to said male fluid pins and female electrical socket openings corresponding to said male electrical pins; and means for selectively locking together said male and female connectors.

Claim 29

The multiple electrical and fluidic connector of claim 15, wherein said means for selectively locking together said male and female connectors comprises: respective flexible locking leaves on said upper and lower shells of the male connector for engagement with an abutting shoulder in the female connector, said leaves having sufficient flexibility so that when their ends are unconstrained, the respective leaves will flex apart to disengage from said shoulder, and a locking sleeve surrounding said flexible locking leaves and movable between an unlocked position remote from the respective ends of said flexible leaves and a locked position in juxtaposition with the ends of said flexible leaves to prevent flexure of said leaves so as to prevent their disengagement from said shoulder.