Connecting apparatus for medical conduits

Claim 1

Apparatus for connecting medical conduits comprising a valve body defining a first duct and a mouth of the first duct, the valve body having first connecting means for connecting a first conduit in communication with the first duct and further comprising a valve having a valve member and biassing means which biases the valve member into position in which it closes the mouth of the first duct, an adaptor defining a second duct and a mouth of the second duct, the adaptor having a female coupling for connecting a second conduit having a co-operating male coupling in communication with the second duct, connector means, having two co-operatively connecting components, one of the connecting components peripherally engaging the valve body and the other of the connecting components peripherally engaging the adaptor, operable to releasably connect the valve body and the adaptor such that the mouth of the first duct is presented to the mouth of the second duct, and a valve actuator located within the second duct and movably engageable with the valve member when the valve body and adaptor are operatively connected, wherein the valve actuator is displaceable relative to the adaptor by insertion of the male coupling into operative engagement with the female coupling so as to move the valve member into a position in which the valve is opened, the actuator further comprising an integral annular seal member projecting radially into slidable sealing engagement with the adaptor and wherein the adaptor is provided with a bore receiving the actuator, the bore having a stepped diameter defining an annular shoulder co-operable with the annular seal member whereby the shoulder and the seal member constitute limiting means operable to limit travel of the actuator relative to the adaptor.