Background

Drugs are delivered to patients in hospital by several routes, for example, oral, intravenous, intrathecal and enteral. Medical tubing is connected using Luer connectors, using a design that is based on a simple taper fit and/or bayonet connection.

Luer connectors are interchangeable, so there is an inherent risk of incorrect connection, such as intravenous drugs being delivered intrathecally, which is potentially damaging to patients and possibly lethal. Standards in Europe and the UK are being introduced to change this, and the Department of Health has issued an edict stating that after 2011, connectors in use at UK hospitals should be non-interchangeable.

The technology

Designers at Sheffield Hallam University have developed a series of five non-interchangeable connectors with several important features involving the use of locking rings, different materials for male and female parts, and also the use of novel designs to give a tactile indication of coupling. A patent application is in progress for the connector system.

Benefits

The designs are intended to allow medical staff to rapidly recognise the right connectors and join them intuitively, something of benefit in an urgent situation and also in intensive treatment units. The connector systems are physically non-interchangeable and are designed to leak if incorrectly forced together.

Development stage

A licensing and/or development partner is sought. Bench prototypes have been made based on detailed CAD. Investment is required to enable testing with the correct materials and in simulated hospital environments. The tactile recognition aspect has been tested independently and shown to be effective.

Lead researcher(s)

Professor Paul Chamberlain