阅读说明：本技术 柔性双腔管及用于其的管联接系统 (Flexible dual lumen tube and tube coupling system therefor ) 是由 亨里克·博克·比耶勒高 奥列·霍高 于 2019-03-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种管联接系统,用于在流体储器与环形双腔装置(2)的柔性连接件(56、57)之间提供通过柔性环形双腔管(3)的环形流动。该管联接系统具有第一联接部件(4)、第二联接部件(6)和端配件系统。第一联接部件(4)具有凹联接部(11)和凸联接部(12),该凸联接部(12)适于联接到柔性环形双腔管(3)的近端(5)。第二联接部件(4)具有：第二内管道(31),其在第二外管道(32)内轴向地延伸；第一端配件(33),其适于联接到第一联接部件(4)的至少凹联接部(11)；和第二端配件(34),其适于联接到环形双腔装置(2)的柔性连接件(56、57)或柔性环形双腔管(3)中的任一个。(A tubing coupling system for providing annular flow through a flexible annular dual lumen tube (3) between a fluid reservoir and a flexible connection (56, 57) of an annular dual lumen device (2). The pipe coupling system has a first coupling part (4), a second coupling part (6) and an end fitting system. The first coupling part (4) has a female coupling portion (11) and a male coupling portion (12), the male coupling portion (12) being adapted to be coupled to the proximal end (5) of the flexible annular double lumen tube (3). The second coupling part (4) has: a second inner duct (31) extending axially inside a second outer duct (32); a first end fitting (33) adapted to be coupled to at least the female coupling portion (11) of the first coupling part (4); and a second end fitting (34) adapted to be coupled to either one of the flexible connectors (56, 57) or the flexible annular dual lumen tube (3) of the annular dual lumen device (2).)

1. A flexible dual lumen tube (3), characterized in that the flexible dual lumen tube is a flexible annular dual lumen tube (3), the flexible annular dual lumen tube (3) having an inner flexible tube (3a) extending within an outer flexible tube (3b), wherein the inner flexible tube (3a) defines a first flow channel (35) and an annular tube gap (36) between the inner flexible tube (3a) and the outer flexible tube (3b) defines a second flow channel (36).

2. The flexible dual lumen tube (3) according to claim 1, wherein the outer diameter (D) of the inner flexible tube (3a) is smaller than the inner diameter (D) of the outer flexible tube (3b) and there is no radial connection of the inner flexible tube (3a) and the outer flexible tube (3 b).

3. The flexible double lumen tube (3) according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the inner flexible tube (3a) is longer than the outer flexible tube (3b) and at least one end of the inner flexible tube (3b) protrudes from the outer flexible tube (3b), preferably both ends of the inner flexible tube (3a) protrude from the outer flexible tube (3 b).

4. A pipe coupling system for a flexible dual lumen pipe (3) according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3, having an end fitting system comprising:

-a first coupling part (4), the first coupling part (4) having a female coupling portion (11), the female coupling portion (11) extending axially into an opposite male coupling portion (12),

-said male coupling portion (12) is adapted to be coupled to the proximal end (5) of the flexible annular double lumen tube (3) by means of a first inner tube (13) configured inside a first outer tube (14):

-the first inner conduit (13) is adapted to be sealingly coupled to the inner flexible tube (3a) of the flexible annular dual lumen tube (3) to establish fluid communication to the first flow channel (35), and

-the first outer conduit (14) is adapted to be sealingly coupled to the outer flexible tube (3b) of the flexible annular dual lumen tube (3) to establish fluid communication to the second flow channel (36),

and

-a second coupling part (4), which second coupling part (4) has a second inner pipe (31), which second inner pipe (31) extends axially within a second outer pipe (32), wherein

-the second coupling part (4) having: a first end fitting (33), the first end fitting (33) being adapted to be coupled to at least the female coupling portion (11) of the first coupling part (4), and

-an opposite second end fitting (34), said second end fitting (34) being adapted to be coupled to either said flexible annular double lumen tube (3) or to a similarly configured annularly arranged flexible connection (56, 57) of an annular dual lumen device (2) to establish fluid communication to said first flow channel (35) and said second flow channel (36) via said first coupling part (4) and said second coupling part (6) being connected to each other.

5. A pipe coupling system according to claim 4, wherein the first inner pipe (13) and the first outer pipe (14) of the first coupling part (4) are concentric.

6. Pipe coupling system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the second end fitting (34) and the male coupling part (12) have the same cross section.

7. Pipe coupling system according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein at the second end fitting (34) the entire axial length of the second inner pipe (31) is within the second outer pipe (32).

8. Pipe coupling system according to any one of the preceding claims 4-7, wherein a second inner pipe (31) protrudes beyond the second outer pipe (32) at the first end fitting (33), optionally wherein the free end of the second outer pipe (32) has an outer taper (39) at the first end fitting (33).

9. Pipe coupling system according to any one of the preceding claims 4-8, wherein at least one of the first end fitting (33), the second end fitting (34) and the male coupling portion (14) has an annular barb (48).

10. Pipe coupling system according to any of the preceding claims 4-9, wherein the female coupling part (11) of the first coupling part (4) is delimited by a circumferential wall (17), the circumferential wall (17) having opposite first and second locking slots (21, 22), the first and second locking slots (21, 22) being adapted for slidingly receiving a first annular lock part (23) in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis (a) of the first coupling part (4), the first annular lock part (23) being adapted to at least temporarily lock the first end fitting (33) of the second coupling part (6) with the first coupling part (4).

11. Pipe coupling system according to claim 10, wherein the first annular lock member (23) has a first end (24), the first end (24) extending into an opposite second end (27) via opposite outer straight sliding surfaces (25, 26), optionally the first end (24) being curved away from the opposite second end (27), optionally following the outer curvature of the female coupling part (4), and wherein the bore (29) of the first annular lock member (23) is for inserting the first end fitting (33).

12. Pipe coupling system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the first end (24) of the first annular lock part (23) serves as a push button which is arranged to be accessible via the first locking slot (21), that the opposite second end (27) of the first annular lock part (23) is configured with an annular spring member (28), that the annular spring member (28) extends opposite the curved first end (24) for a section of the circumference of the first annular lock part (23), and that the annular extension of the annular spring member (28) is longer than the length of the second locking slot (22).

13. Pipe coupling system according to any one of the preceding claims 4-12, characterized in that the female coupling part (4) has a seat (15) for a gasket (16), which seat (15) has its bottom at the transition between the male coupling part (12) and the female coupling part (13).

14. Pipe coupling system according to claim 13, wherein the gasket (16) has the shape of a basket, the gasket (16) having a gasket bottom (41), the gasket bottom (41) having a central opening (38) for passing the second inner pipe (31) of the first end fitting (33), the gasket bottom (41) extending into a circumferential gasket wall (42), the circumferential gasket wall (42) being provided with a plurality of annular, spaced-apart flow openings (43) for establishing a fluid communication between a gap (44) between the second inner pipe (31) and the second outer pipe (32) of the second coupling part (6) and a gap (45) between the first inner pipe (13) and a first outer pipe (14) of the male coupling part (12) of the first coupling part (4), wherein a free gasket end (46) of the basket gasket (16) opposite the gasket bottom (41) constitutes a sealing ring between the second outer duct (32) and the first outer duct (14) above the plurality of flow openings (43).

15. Pipe coupling system according to one of the preceding claims 4-14, characterized in further comprising a flow converter component (9), said flow converter component (9) being adapted to convert parallel flow from parallel tubes into annular flow through said flexible annular double lumen tube (3) via said second coupling component (6), wherein the flow converter member (9) has a first converter end (65) and a second converter end (66) opposite the first converter end (65), the first converter end (65) is adapted to be coupled together with the first end fitting (33) of the second coupling part (6), and the second converter end (66) has parallel coupling ports (67, 68), the parallel coupling ports (67, 68) are adapted to be docked to valves or directly coupled to parallel flexible tubes.

16. The pipe coupling system according to claim 15, wherein the first converter end (65) is internally fused into the second converter end (66) via an orifice diaphragm (69), the orifice diaphragm (69) having a first converter opening (70a) and a second converter opening (70b), the first converter opening (70a) providing fluid communication between one of the coupling ports (67) and the second inner pipe, the second converter opening (70b) providing liquid communication between an annular flow gap (44) between the second inner and outer pipes and another one of the coupling ports (68).

17. Pipe coupling system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the first converter end (65) of a main converter body (64) of the flow converter part has opposite third and fourth locking slots (61, 73) for slidingly receiving a second annular lock part (60) transversely to a longitudinal axis of the main converter body (64), the second annular lock part (60) being adapted to at least temporarily lock the first end fitting (33) of the second coupling part (6) and the first converter end (65) of the flow converter part (9) together.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a flexible double lumen tube, in particular a medical flexible double lumen tube, which can provide fluid communication between one or two liquid or gas sources and a dual lumen irrigation device having a circularly arranged connection for an axially extending lumen.

The present invention further relates to a tube coupling system for a flexible dual lumen tube.

Background

Dual lumen tubes are known from endotracheal ventilation applications. These known dual lumen tubes have a large diameter ventilation tube and a much smaller diameter dilation tube for dilating the cuff (cuff). The expansion tubes are disposed outside of the snorkel and each tube has its own coupling at a free discrete length of each tube for connection to an air source.

International patent application No. pct/DK2017/050338 by the present applicant discloses a transanal irrigation catheter having a first channel to supply fluid to a balloon in order to inflate the balloon and fix the catheter in a certain position in the rectum. The trans-anorectal catheter has a second channel within which a first channel extends, the second channel being coupled to a reservoir of irrigation liquid to be supplied to the patient, and the first channel being coupled to a reservoir of inflation fluid to be supplied to the inflatable sleeve. The first and second channels have similar annularly arranged connections, but require special switches to allow coupling of the irrigation conduit to the tubing in communication with the respective reservoirs. The converter of this known system converts an annular flow through the annularly arranged connections into a parallel flow through parallel connections for the parallel arranged tubes, which lead to a respective reservoir, optionally via a valve arrangement, to the same reservoir.

This arrangement is very effective, but some patients encounter problems in mating the tube and connector.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention improves upon the above known irrigation systems by:

in a first aspect, a pipe connector is provided, which is adapted to couple an annularly arranged pipe to an annularly arranged pipe connection,

in a second aspect, there is provided an annular flow system of two annularly arranged tubes,

in a third aspect, a tube coupling system is provided providing fluid communication from an annularly arranged connection of a device having an annularly arranged flow channel to a fluid reservoir, and

in a fourth aspect, a tube coupling system for a dual lumen tube is provided that ensures continuous fluid flow.

These and other aspects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by the novelty and uniqueness of the flexible dual lumen tube being a flexible annular dual lumen tube having an inner flexible tube extending within an outer flexible tube, wherein the inner flexible tube defines a first flow channel and an annular tube gap between the inner flexible tube and the outer flexible tube defines a second flow channel.

The use of annular dual lumen tubes is biased in the art because the inner flexible tube disposed within the outer flexible tube is free to move in a radial direction such that the continuous fluid flow through the annular tube gap may vary. However, it is advantageous that the combined outer volume and well-defined outer surface is reduced, since said outer surface is the outer surface of the outer flexible tube. The outer surface of the inner flexible tube is not exposed to the environment and is therefore protected within the outer flexible tube.

The inner flexible tube has an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the outer flexible tube to define an annular tube gap, and the inner flexible tube has no connection to the outer flexible tube. The flexible annular double lumen tube according to the present invention therefore does not have radial struts or radial spacers for keeping the annular tube gap open in the length direction of the flexible annular double lumen tube. A plurality of such struts or spacers along the length of the flexible annular dual lumen tube makes the flexible annular dual lumen tube rigid and inflexible, and in addition, the struts or spacers are obstructions in the flow channel that reduce the flow rate along the entire flow length. The flexible inner tube may be radially movable within the flexible outer tube, whereby the cross-sectional flow area at a given cross-section remains substantially the same regardless of the radial position of the inner flexible tube relative to the outer flexible tube. Thus, the flexible inner tube is loosely arranged within the outer flexible tube, which provides the further advantage that the combined annular dual lumen tube is less prone to kinking in response to bending.

The present invention further provides a new and unique tube coupling system having one or more end fittings inserted into the free ends of the flexible annular dual lumen tubes.

The flexible annular double lumen tube is particularly easy to provide/connect to a tube coupling system if the inner flexible tube, which is loosely arranged within the outer flexible tube, is longer than the outer flexible tube, e.g. 3mm to 10mm longer. Thus, at least one end of the inner flexible tube may protrude from the outer flexible tube, but preferably both ends of the inner flexible tube may protrude from the outer flexible tube. The "extra" length of the inner flexible tube, when used with the tube coupling system, is distributed along the entire length of the flexible annular dual lumen tube as compared to the length of the outer flexible tube. Since the additional length is shorter than the total length of the flexible annular dual lumen tube, the inner flexible tube does not bulge or kink within the outer flexible tube, and the end fitting maintains the position of the inner flexible tube relative to the outer flexible tube in the lengthwise direction and additionally maintains the radial relative position of the tubes at the end fitting. The additional length of the inner flexible tube compared to the length of the outer flexible tube may typically be less than 1%.

An end fitting system for a pipe coupling system includes

A first coupling part having a female coupling portion extending axially into an opposite male coupling portion,

the male coupling portion is adapted to be coupled to the proximal end of the flexible annular double lumen tube by means of a first inner tube configured within a first outer tube:

-the first inner conduit is adapted to be sealingly coupled to an inner flexible tube of a flexible annular dual lumen tube to establish fluid communication to the first flow channel, and

-the first outer conduit is adapted to be sealingly coupled to the outer flexible tube of the flexible annular dual lumen tube to establish fluid communication to the second flow channel,

the second coupling part has a second inner pipe extending axially within a second outer pipe,

wherein

-the second coupling part having: a first end fitting adapted to be coupled to at least the female coupling portion of the first coupling part, an

-an opposite second end fitting adapted to be coupled to either of the flexible annular double lumen tubes or to a similarly configured annularly arranged flexible connector of the annular dual lumen device to establish fluid communication to the first and second flow channels via the interconnected first and second coupling parts.

The first and second coupling components of the end fitting system are sized and configured to be assembled to couple with the flexible annular dual lumen tube. To this end, the male coupling portion of the first coupling part has a first inner conduit which fits within the inner flexible tube to establish fluid communication therethrough. An outer flexible tube is mounted around the first outer tubing to provide fluid communication to the annular tube gap that constitutes the second flow channel. Due to the annular arrangement of the first inner and outer conduits, the male coupling part of the first coupling part is easily inserted into the free end of the flexible annular double lumen tube.

The second coupling part has a multifunctional design providing a very versatile usability.

In one aspect, the first end fitting of the second coupling part is adapted to be coupled to at least the female coupling part of the first coupling part. The opposite second end fitting is then used to couple to a device configured with a flexible annularly arranged connector to establish two annularly arranged flow paths between the device and the flexible annular double lumen tube through the interconnected first and second coupling parts. Such devices may be medical devices including, but not limited to, trans-anal irrigation catheters and irrigation via a stoma.

As with the first end fitting, the second end fitting may also be fitted to couple to the free end of the flexible annular dual lumen tube and may be used, for example, at the distal end of the annular dual lumen tube. Since both ends of the second coupling part are configured to couple to the flexible annular double lumen tube, the second coupling part is also very useful for coupling several segments of the flexible annular double lumen tube, so that the user can achieve any length he/she desires based on a piece of standard length of the annular double lumen tube. The second coupling part is a very useful tool in customizing the length of the flexible annular dual lumen tube.

In order to keep the annular duct gap optimally open at the inlet, the first inner duct and the second outer duct of the first coupling part may be arranged concentrically. The concentric arrangement of the first inner pipe and the second outer pipe also makes the orientation and angular variation of the second coupling part about its longitudinal axis insignificant. It is irrelevant how the second coupling part rotates about its longitudinal axis to engage either the first coupling part, a similarly concentrically arranged flexible connector of a device such as a flush catheter, or the free end of a flexible annular double lumen tube.

If the flexible connection is also concentric, the angular orientation of the device to which the second coupling part is to be coupled along the longitudinal axis of the device also becomes irrelevant, and it is very easy for the user to couple the flexible annular double lumen tube to the device to operate the device, since he/she does not need to take the orientation into account. However, a concentric arrangement would be possible and acceptable due to the inherent flexibility of the annular dual lumen tube and the annular concentrically arranged flexible connector.

A significant advantage is that the second coupling member can be mounted to the device prior to use of the device. The first coupling member may be coupled to a second coupling member on the device before or during use of the device, and the first and second coupling members may be easily uncoupled after use of the device. The flexible annular dual lumen tube may be disposed of or reused after flushing with, for example, fresh tap water. The device coupled to the flexible annular dual lumen tube may also be reused by flushing with tap water, or disposed of.

Advantageously, if the second end fitting and the male coupling part have the same cross section, the second end fitting and the male coupling part have the same functionality and may be used interchangeably.

At the first end fitting, the second inner conduit may protrude beyond the second outer conduit for improving and facilitating guidance of the first end fitting into engagement with, for example, a flexible annular dual lumen tube or female coupling. The projecting second inner pipe is particularly easy to fix within the inner flexible pipe projecting from the outer flexible pipe. The sealing engagement between the flexible annular dual lumen tubes is improved when the second inner tube is longer than the second outer tube.

As described, the second inner conduit may protrude beyond the second outer conduit, which is advantageous when coupling the first end fitting of the second coupling part into sealing engagement with the female coupling part of the first coupling part.

At the opposite second end fitting of the second coupling part, the second inner pipe may be completely inside the second outer pipe, so that the respective free ends are flush and in substantially the same plane, or the second outer pipe may protrude slightly beyond the second inner pipe, such as by between 0.1% and 2% of its length, providing the second coupling part with a coupling function that is an alternative to the coupling function of the first end fitting, which is particularly convenient if the coupling length, and thus the overlap between the second coupling part and the flexible double lumen tube, is short, for example if the flexible annular connector itself of the device is short. The axial length of the second end fitting is preferably so long that the entire length of the second end fitting can be coupled to the flexible connector of the device. Both the first end fitting and the second end fitting may be coupled to the flexible annular dual lumen tube.

To further facilitate pushing the outer flexible tube lengthwise onto the free end of the second outer tube at the first end fitting, the second outer tube may have an outer taper towards its free end.

At least one of the first end fitting, the second end fitting, and the male coupling may have an annular barb to enhance engagement with the flexible annular dual lumen tube and/or the flexible annular connector.

The female coupling portion of the first coupling part is delimited by a circumferential wall having opposite first and second locking slots for slidingly receiving the first annular lock member transversely to the longitudinal axis of the first coupling part to securely lock together, at least temporarily, the first end fitting of the second coupling part and the female coupling portion of the first coupling part.

The first annular lock member may advantageously have a first end extending into an opposite second end via an opposite outer straight sliding surface. Preferably, the first end and the second end are curved, preferably curved to substantially follow the outer contour of the female coupling part. Preferably, the first end is bent away from the opposite second end. The hole of the first annular lock member may conveniently be used for inserting the first end fitting, and the first end of the first annular lock member may serve as a push button arranged to be accessible via the first locking slot. The opposite second end of the first annular lock part may be configured with an annular spring member extending a section (a sector) of the circumference of the locking ring opposite the curved first end. The annular extent of the annular spring member may be longer than the length of the second locking slot such that the first annular lock component cannot be pushed out of the second slot. The annular spring member advantageously clamps the first annular lock component around the first end fitting for secure engagement.

The female coupling part may have a seat for a gasket, which seat has its bottom at the transition between the male coupling part and the female part. The overall shape of the first coupling part is substantially funnel-shaped, with the female coupling part being wider than the male coupling part, and the first outer pipe having various diameters along its length. The female coupling part of the first coupling part has an inner diameter corresponding to at least the largest outer diameter of the first end fitting of the second coupling part to receive said first end fitting, whereby the outer diameter of the second coupling part is smaller than the outer diameter of the first coupling part.

The gasket is used to seal the transition between the female and male coupling parts when connecting the coupling parts to each other, such that the fluid flow is diverted into two different chambers of the flexible annular double lumen tube.

Thus, when the flexible annular double lumen tube, the first coupling part, the second coupling part and the device are coupled together, the gasket seals in such a way that a continuous inner flow channel is established, which consists of the first flow channel of the flexible annular double lumen tube, the first inner conduit of the male coupling part of the first coupling part, the second inner conduit of the second coupling part and the inner flexible connector. The continuous outer flow channel surrounding the continuous inner flow channel is constituted by the second flow channel of the flexible annular double lumen tube, the gap between the first inner and first outer tubes of the male coupling part of the first coupling part, the gap between the second inner and second outer tubes of the second coupling part, and the annular gap between the outer and inner flexible connectors.

The gasket may have the shape of a basket that provides both an axial seal length and a radial seal. The gasket bottom may conveniently have a central opening for the passage of the second inner conduit of the first end fitting, so that the first and second inner conduits may be placed in direct fluid communication. The circumferential gasket may have a plurality of annular spaced apart flow openings for establishing fluid communication between a gap between the second inner pipe and the second outer pipe of the second coupling part and a gap between the first inner pipe and the first outer pipe of the male coupling part of the first coupling part. The opposite gasket end, opposite to the gasket bottom, constitutes a sealing ring for axially sealing between the second outer duct and the first outer duct over the plurality of flow openings. The basket gasket is preferably made of rubber or similar known materials used to make gaskets.

The coupling system according to the invention may further comprise a flow converter part adapted to convert parallel flow from the parallel tubes into an annular flow through the flexible annular dual lumen tube via a second coupling part, wherein the converter part has a first converter end adapted to be coupled together with a first end fitting of the second coupling part. A second converter end of the flow converter component opposite the first converter end has parallel coupling ports adapted to be docked into the valve or directly coupled to parallel flexible tubes. The valve may for example be the valve described in the international application WO 2011/023196 in the name of the present applicant.

The first converter end merges into the second converter end internally, advantageously via an orifice diaphragm which serves to guide the annular flow channel into the parallel flow channels. To this end, the orifice diaphragm may be configured with a first transducer opening providing fluid communication between the second inner conduit and one of the coupling ports and a second transducer opening providing fluid communication between the annular flow gap between the second inner conduit and the second outer conduit and the other coupling port.

The first converter end of the main converter body of the flow converter may have opposite third and fourth locking slots for slidably receiving a second annular lock member transverse to the longitudinal axis of the main converter body, the second annular lock member being adapted to at least temporarily lock the first end fitting of the second coupling part with the first converter end of the flow converter. The second annular lock part has the same function as the annular lock part and may also have a spring member.

Drawings

The invention will be described below by way of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sleeved irrigation catheter coupled to a flexible annular dual lumen tube by means of a tube coupling system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a segment of a flexible annular dual lumen tube;

fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first coupling part and the second coupling part as seen from the male coupling part of the first coupling part;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the first and second coupling parts as seen from the second end fitting of the second coupling part;

fig. 5 shows in perspective view the first coupling part locked together with the second coupling part;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the flared end of the flush catheter axially aligned with the second coupling component of the tube coupling system;

FIG. 8 is an axial cross-sectional view of a variation of the irrigation catheter of Applicant's International patent application No. PCT/DK2017/050338, without an expandable cuff;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the flow converter component as seen from the first end for coupling to the flexible annular dual lumen tube;

FIG. 10 shows the flow converter components in an assembled state;

FIG. 11 shows the flow converter member from a second end opposite the first end;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 10; and is

Fig. 13 is a front view of a flow converter component.

Detailed Description

The invention is described below with respect to an example of the use of a trans-anal catheter as irrigation catheter. It will be appreciated that the invention may be used in other situations (such as irrigation via a stoma) and that the various components may be used individually, sized to fit flexible annular inner and outer tubes of different diameters. The tube is, for example, a medical tube, such as a tube having an inner diameter of 3mm to 12mm and a wall thickness of, for example, 1mm to 2 mm.

Fig. 1 shows in perspective the main components of a pipe coupling system 1, the pipe coupling system 1 being in a mutually coupled state and being coupled to a sleeved irrigation catheter 2.

The pipe coupling system includes: a flexible annular double lumen tube 3; a first coupling member 4, the first coupling member 4 being fixed to the proximal end 5 of the flexible annular double lumen tube 3; a first and a second coupling part 6, which first and second coupling parts 6 are fixed to both the sleeved irrigation catheter 2 and the first coupling part 4; and a second coupling part 7, the second coupling part 7 being fixed to the distal end 8 of the flexible annular dual lumen tube 3 and to the flow converter part 9. The irrigation catheter 2 has a sleeve 10, which sleeve 10 is inflated in fig. 1.

The structure and construction of the main components of the pipe coupling system 1 and the sleeved irrigation catheter 2 are shown and described below with reference to cross-sectional and detail views.

As seen in the perspective views of fig. 3 and 4, the first coupling part 4 has a female coupling portion 11, which female coupling portion 11 extends axially into an opposite male coupling portion 12. The male coupling 12 has a first inner pipe 13 within a first outer pipe 14. The female coupling portion 11 is wider than the male coupling portion 12. The first inner pipe 13 extends along the longitudinal axis a of the male coupling part 12 and terminates in a seat 15 at a bottom 16 of the female coupling part 11, which bottom 16 is provided at an inner transition between the male coupling part 12 and the female coupling part 11. The washer 16 is inserted into the female coupling portion 11 against the seat 15. The exemplary gasket 16 is basket-shaped and will be described further below.

The female coupling part 11 has a first circumferential wall 17 in the axial extension of the outer pipe 14 of the male coupling part 12. The first circumferential wall 17 delimits a first outer pipe section 18, the outer diameter of which first outer pipe section 18 is increased relative to the outer diameter of the male coupling 12. The first circumferential wall 17 extends axially into a second outer pipe section 19, which second outer pipe section 19 has an increased outer diameter relative to the outer diameter of the first outer pipe section 18. The first outer pipe section 18 has a seat 15 and the second outer pipe section 19 provides an opening 20 of the first coupling part 4 and thus a passage for inserting the second coupling part 6.

The second outer duct section 19 has a first locking slot 21 opposite a second locking slot 22. The first annular lock part 23 is arranged to slide through the locking slots 21, 22 in order to securely lock the first and second coupling parts 4, 6 together and to facilitate uncoupling of said coupling parts 4, 6.

The first annular lock member 23 has a first end 24, which first end 24 extends into an opposite second end 27 via opposite outer straight sliding surfaces 25, 26. The second end 27 of the first annular lock part 23 has a spring member 28, which spring member 28 extends a section of the circumference of the first annular lock part 23 to be able to flex radially towards the centre of the first annular lock part 23 to clamp around an inserted part (e.g. the second coupling part 4).

The first end 24 and the second end 27 of the first annular lock member 23 are substantially curved following the circumference of the second outer duct section 19, but other curvatures are within the scope of the invention.

The length of the first locking slot 21 is selected to allow insertion of the first annular lock member 23 to allow the straight sliding surfaces 25, 26 to slide on the sliding means 28 on the inner circumference of the second outer pipe section 19. Such sliding means may be, for example, grooves, recesses or shoulders, for example provided as opposing chords of the interior of the second outer duct section 19 or provided along opposing chords of the interior of the second outer duct section 19.

The curved first end 24 and the curved second end 27 are curved away from each other and the longest length between the first end 24 and the second end 27 is selected to allow at least the first end 24 to protrude from the first locking slot 21 to be used as a push button for applying a radial force to lock the second coupling part 6 to the first coupling part 4, the second coupling part 6 being inserted via the central opening 29 of the first annular lock part 23. Since the annular extension of the annular spring member 28 is longer than the annular length of the second locking slot 22, the second end 27 of the first annular lock part 23 is retained within the second outer pipe section 19.

The free end 30 of the spring member 28 may be provided with first clamping means for clamping with second clamping means on any of the first annular lock part 23, the second outer pipe section 19 or the second coupling part in order to ensure a secure coupling together of the first coupling part 4 and the second coupling part 6.

The first annular lock part 23 may also be used to provide an eccentric arrangement of the second coupling part 6 inserted in the female coupling part 4 via the opening 29, for example to move a shoulder of the second coupling part 6 under, for example, a protrusion 37 of the female coupling part 4. The second end 27 of the first annular lock member 23 is arranged without any engagement and/or eccentric arrangement by pushing said second end 27 radially towards the first locking slot 21 via the second locking slot 22. The first annular lock member 23 can therefore be moved completely into and out of the second outer pipe section 19 via the first locking slot 21, but cannot be moved out of the second locking slot 22, which second locking slot 22 acts as a stop when pressure is applied to the first annular lock member 23 by pushing the first end 24.

The second coupling part 6 has a second inner pipe 31, which second inner pipe 31 extends in axial direction inside a second outer pipe 32.

The second coupling part 6 has a first end fitting 33, which first end fitting 33 is adapted to be coupled to the female coupling part 11 of the first coupling part 4, the first end fitting 33 being inserted via the opening 20 of the female coupling part 4 and the opening 29 of the first annular lock part 23 to temporarily lock the second coupling part 6 and the female coupling part 4 together.

In contrast to the first end fitting 33, the second coupling part 6 has a second end fitting 34, which second end fitting 34 is adapted to be coupled to either of the flexible annular double lumen tubes 3 or to a similarly configured annularly arranged flexible connection of the annular dual lumen device 2 to establish fluid communication to the first and second flow channels 35, 36 of the annular double lumen tube 3 via the mutually connected first and second coupling parts 4, 6.

The first flow channel 35 and the second flow channel 36 are shown as being completely concentric in fig. 2, however, concentricity is not always present and/or constant because the inner flexible tube 3a is free to move radially within the outer flexible tube 3 b.

At the first end fitting 33, the second inner pipe 31 projects axially beyond the second outer pipe 32 with a pipe extension 37I, which is fitted sealingly through a central opening 38 of the basket gasket 16, the basket gasket 16 being inserted in the female coupling part 11. Furthermore, at the first end fitting 33, the second outer pipe 32 has a tapered portion 39 tapering towards the pipe extension 37, which tapered portion 39 sealingly fits within the compartment 40 of the basket gasket 16 when the second coupling part 6 is inserted lengthwise into the compartment 40 of the basket gasket 16 seated at the seat 15 of the first coupling part 4.

The gasket 16 has a gasket bottom 41, which gasket bottom 41 extends into a circumferential gasket wall 42, which gasket wall 42 is provided with a plurality of annular, spaced-apart flow openings 43 for establishing fluid communication between a gap 44 between the second inner pipe 31 and the second outer pipe 32 of the second coupling part 6 and a gap 45 between the first inner pipe 13 and the first outer pipe 14 of the male coupling part 12 of the first coupling part 4.

The free gasket end 46 of the basket gasket 16 opposite the gasket bottom 41 constitutes a sealing ring between the second outer pipe 32 and the first outer pipe 14 above the plurality of flow openings 43.

Spacers 47 extend radially between said second inner pipe 31 and said second outer pipe 32, the second inner pipe 31 and the second outer pipe 32 being held in annularly spaced relationship by means of the spacers 47. Such spacers may be, for example, ribs or struts.

The first inner pipe 13 and the first outer pipe 14 are also maintained in annularly spaced relationship by means of spacers (not shown) which extend radially between said second inner pipe 13 and said first outer pipe 14 in a similar manner to the second inner pipe 31 and the second outer pipe 32.

Both the second end fitting 34 and the male coupling 12 have annular barbs 48 to securely lock to either the annular dual lumen tube 3 or to an annularly disposed flexible connector (not shown) of the annular dual lumen device 2. The tapered portion 39 of the second outer tube 32 of the first end fitting 33 may serve a dual purpose, also serving as a barb for certain coupling applications. Also, the second inner conduit 31 may have barbs to enhance frictional engagement with the flexible tube.

The first and second coupling parts 6, 7 are examples of coupling systems for the flexible annular double lumen tube 3. The second coupling part 4 may be used at both the proximal end 5 and the distal end 8 of the flexible annular dual lumen tube 3, and either of the end fittings 33, 34 may be used to couple to the flexible annular dual lumen tube 3.

In the perspective view of fig. 5, the first and second coupling parts 4, 6 are assembled around the washer 16 and the first annular lock part 23 locks these coupling parts 4, 6 together.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view of fig. 6 is taken through the axial spacer 47. It should be understood, however, that a first length of the continuous inner flow channel 49 is disposed below the spacer 47 and is surrounded by a first length of the continuous outer flow channel 50.

Said first length of the continuous inner flow channel 49 is established by the cavity of the second inner pipe 31, the central opening 38 of the gasket bottom 41 of the basket gasket 16 and the cavity of the first inner pipe 13.

A first length of the continuous outer flow channel 50 is established by a gap 44 between the second inner pipe 31 and the second outer pipe 32, which gap 44 is in fluid communication with a gap 45 between the first inner pipe 13 and the first outer pipe 14 of the male coupling part 12 of the first coupling part 4 via a plurality of annularly arranged flow openings 43 of the basket gasket 16.

Fig. 7 is a partial perspective view of the flared end 51 of the flush catheter 2 in axial alignment with the second coupling part 6 of the tube coupling system of the present invention.

For example, the irrigation catheter 2 may be the catheter described in the applicant's international patent application No. pct/DK2017/050338, or a modification thereof seen in the axial cross-sectional view of fig. 8 and seen in the fragment in fig. 7.

The modified conduit 2 has an axially extending flow passage in the form of an annular arrangement of axial flow conduits 54, 55. The axial flow ducts 54, 55 comprise an inner duct 54 for conveying the flushing liquid out through the free end 52 of the modified duct 2 opposite the flared end 51, and an outer duct 55, which surrounds the inner duct 54, the outer duct 55 serving to convey the expansion fluid to the expandable tubular sleeve (not shown in fig. 8). Both the inflation fluid and the irrigation liquid may be water or saline from the same reservoir (not shown) and the inflated cuff 10 is evacuated into the body cavity into which the catheter portion 53 is inserted, the catheter portion 53 opposite the flared end 51 being secured by the inflated cuff. Suitable valve systems for this purpose may include, but are not limited to, the valve structures and valve principles described in the applicant's international patent applications nos. PCT/DK2011/050021, PCT/DK2017/050338 and PCT/DK 2010/050219.

The annularly arranged outer and inner conduits 55, 54 of the flush catheter 2 terminate at the flared end 51 at respective annularly arranged flexible outer connections 56 around an inner connection 57 (such as a flexible tube). The outer catheter tube 55 has an inflation fluid outlet 58 for expanding the cuff (not shown), as opposed to the outer connector 56, and the inner catheter tube 54 has one or more irrigation liquid outlets 59 for discharging irrigation liquid into the body cavity, as opposed to the inner connector 57.

The annularly arranged flexible connections 56, 57 on the rigid irrigation catheter 2 may be made by 2K injection moulding.

The tube coupling system for arranging the flexible annular double lumen tube in fluid communication with the reservoir of irrigation liquid and the reservoir of inflation fluid further comprises a flow converter component 9, such as the flow converter component 9 seen in the exploded perspective view of fig. 9.

As seen in fig. 1, when the second coupling part 7 is fixed to the distal end 8 of the flexible annular dual lumen tube 3 in a similar manner as the first second coupling part 6 is fixed to the proximal end of the flexible annular dual lumen tube 3, the associated first end fitting 33 is exposed for connection to the flow converter part 9. The flow converter part 9 is adapted to convert a parallel flow from the parallel tubes into an annular flow through the flexible annular dual lumen tube 3 via the first end fitting 33 of the second coupling part 7.

In order to securely lock the first end fitting 33 with the flow converter member 9, said flow converter member 9 has a second annular lock member 60 and a basket washer 16. The second ring-shaped lock part 60 has the same functionality and general design as the first lock part 23, comprising a third locking slot 61 which can be inserted via the locking slot, extending radially across the flow converter part 9. The second annular lock part 60 also has an annular spring member 62 with a free end 63, which free end 63 is provided with second clamping means (not shown) for clamping with second clamping means on either of the second annular lock part 61 or an inner coupling part of the main converter body in the form of a flow converter housing 64.

As seen in fig. 9 and 10, the flow converter part 9 has a first converter end 65, which first converter end 65 is adapted to be coupled together with the second end fitting 34 of the second coupling part 6, and as seen in fig. 11, a second converter end 66 opposite the first converter end 65 has parallel coupling ports 67, 68, which parallel coupling ports 67, 68 are adapted to be docked to parallel terminals of a valve (not shown) or directly to parallel flexible tubes (not shown).

The first converter end 65 merges internally into the second converter end 66 via an orifice diaphragm 69, the orifice diaphragm 69 having: a first switch opening 70a, as indicated by arrow FI in the axial cross-sectional view of fig. 12, which first switch opening 70a may provide fluid communication between the second inner conduit 31 and one of the first coupling ports 67; and a second shifter opening 70b, as indicated by arrow F2 in the axial cross-sectional view of fig. 12 and as seen in the front view of fig. 13, the second shifter opening 70b may provide fluid communication between the annular flow gap 44 between the second inner conduit 31 and the second outer conduit 32 and the second coupling port 68 via the flow opening 43 of the basket gasket 16.

The first converter end 65 of the housing 64 of the flow converter member 9 has a third locking slot 61, from which third locking slot 61 a first end 71 of the second annular lock member 60 protrudes to act as a pressure button to apply pressure to the spring member 62 at an opposite second end 72. The opposite second end 72 is accessible from outside the housing 64 via a fourth locking slot 73 for releasing the locking engagement between the first end fitting 33 and the first converter end 65 when the first end fitting 33 is inserted via the central opening 73 of the second annular lock member 60 and the bore 74 of the first converter end 65.

The flexible annular double lumen tube and at least the first and second coupling parts may be implemented in many applications involving flow tubes. The outer and inner diameters of the coupling member may be easily determined based on the diameters and wall thicknesses of the outer and inner diameters of the inner and outer flexible pipes, and vice versa, the outer and inner diameters of the inner and outer flexible pipes may be established by basing the outer and inner diameters of the coupling member.