AUTOMATIC CONNECTION AND DISCONNECTION.

摘要

Apparatus (10) for removing a first connector (22) from a second connector (34) and reconnecting the first connector (22) with the third connector (50) by mechanical means so that the visually impaired can do it without touching critical areas where sterility should be retained. The apparatus (10) finds particular use in the field of peritoneal dialysis where the catheter or set (24) connected to the patient must be disconnected from one container of solution (36) and reconnected to another (53) under the most aseptic conditions possible. A platform (12) is provided having track means (14, 16) for permitting controlled movement of a first retention means (18) between a first position (Figure 1) permitting disconnection between the first and second connectors (22, 34), and a second position (Figure 3) permitting connection between the first and third connectors (22, 50) when the first, second, and third connectors (22, 34, 50) are respectively carried in first, second, and third retention means (18, 32, 48).