Valved connector

• US 20050256460A1
• Filed: 05/12/2004
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Gunn, John J., Rome, Guy
• Granted Patent: US 8,177,760 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/247
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24

Abstract

A valved connector for controlling the flow of fluid having a valve assembly positioned within a connector housing having a first position wherein the valve assembly prevents fluid flow through the connector housing, and a second position wherein the valve assembly permits fluid flow through the connector housing. The valve assembly may be movable from the first position to the second position by a male luer fitting. The valve assembly is configured for multiple and repeated access and also for minimizing fluid flow restrictions. The valved connector may be designed for use with a catheter to provide for “over the guidewire” placement or replacement techniques with little or no bleed-back or air embolism.

Claims

1. A valved connector for controlling the flow of fluid, comprising:

a connector housing having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being configured to receive a male luer fitting; and

a valve assembly positioned within said connector housing having a first position wherein said valve assembly prevents fluid flow through said connector housing, and a second position wherein said valve assembly permits fluid flow through said connector housing, wherein said valve assembly is movable from said first position to said second position by said male luer fitting, said valve assembly comprising;

a valve housing;

an introducer valve configured to permit passage of an introducer therethrough, said introducer valve comprising a first slit septum, a hole septum and a second slit septum, wherein said hole septum is positioned between said first slit septum and said second slit septum; and

a biasing element configured to bias said valve assembly in said first position.

2. The valved connector according to claim 1, wherein said biasing element comprises a spring.

3. The valved connector according to claim 1, wherein said introducer is a guidewire.

4. The valved connector according to claim 1, wherein said second slit septum is spaced apart from said hole septum.

5. The valved connector according to claim 4, wherein said first slit septum and said hole septum are positioned within a cavity in said valve housing.

6. The valved connector according to claim 1, wherein said valve housing further comprises a disk with openings therein, a head having protrusions, and a central bore.

7. The valved connector according to claim 6, wherein said first slit septum and said hole septum are positioned within a cavity in said valve housing.

8. The valved connector according to claim 7, wherein said protrusions are in the form of a plurality of posts extending from said head, said second slit septum being mounted therebetween.

9. The valved connector according to claim 8, wherein said second slit septum has cutaway portions having the same or similar cross-sectional shape as said protrusions.

10. The valved connector according to claim 8, wherein said second slit septum has a bore section and a slit section, said bore section being positioned beneath said slit section.

11. The valved connector according to claim 6, wherein said first slit section, said hole septum and said second slit septum are positioned within a cavity in said valve housing.

12. The valved connector according to claim 11, wherein said second slit septum is dome shaped such that at least a central portion of said second slit septum is spaced from said hole septum.

13. The valved connector according to claim 6, wherein said protrusions have inwardly directed faces, which are collectively shaped in the form of a bowl.

14. The valved connector according to claim 6, wherein said protrusions are positioned to be engaged by said male luer fitting to move said valve assembly from said first position to said second position.

15. The valved connector according to claim 1, further comprising a porous mesh or filter.

16. The valved connector according to claim 1, further comprising a second biasing element, wherein said valve housing is seated between said biasing element and said second biasing element.

17. The valved connector according to claim 16, wherein said biasing element and said second biasing element comprise compression rings.

18. The valved connector according to claim 17, wherein said biasing element compression ring has a first thickness and said second biasing element compression ring has a second thickness, wherein said first thickness is greater than said second thickness.

19. The valved connector according to claim 1, wherein an outside surface of said connector housing surrounding said inlet contains threads for lockingly receiving a threaded luer fitting.

20. The valved connector according to claim 1, wherein an outside surface of said connector housing surrounding said outlet is configured for insertion into the open end of a fluid conduit.

21. The valved connector according to claim 1, wherein said connector housing is adapted for temporary attachment to a catheter.

22. The valved connector according to claim 1, wherein said connector housing is adapted for permanent connection to a catheter.

23. The valved connector according to claim 1, further comprising a catheter, wherein said valved connector is integral with said catheter.

24. A valved connector for controlling the flow of fluid, comprising:

a connector housing having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being configured to receive a male luer fitting; and

a valve assembly having a first position wherein said valve assembly prevents fluid flow through said connector housing, and a second position wherein said valve assembly permits fluid flow through said connector housing, said valve assembly being biased in said first position and being movable from said first position to said second position by said male luer fitting, said valve assembly comprising;

a valve element comprising an upper portion, a slit portion and a lower portion, wherein said upper and lower portions have bores extending through said valve element to said slit portion; and

a support disk having an hole through the center thereof, wherein said valve element is positioned on said support disk.

25. The valved connector according to claim 24, wherein said lower portion bore has a frustoconical shape, the smaller diameter portion thereof being adjacent said slit portion and the larger diameter portion thereof being adjacent said support disk.

26. The valved connector according to claim 25, wherein said larger diameter portion is substantially the same as the diameter of said hole in said support disk.

27. The valved connector according to claim 24, wherein said upper portion bore has a frustoconical shape, the smaller diameter portion thereof being adjacent said slit portion and the larger diameter portion thereof being adjacent said inlet.

28. The valved connector according to claim 27, wherein said larger diameter portion is substantially the same as the diameter of an inner surface of said inlet.

29. The valved connector according to claim 24, wherein said lower portion bore has a frustoconical shape, the smaller diameter portion thereof being adjacent said slit portion and the larger diameter portion thereof being adjacent said support disk, wherein said larger diameter portion is substantially the same as the diameter of said hole in said support disk, wherein said upper portion bore has a frustoconical shape, the smaller diameter portion thereof being adjacent said slit portion and the larger diameter portion thereof being adjacent said inlet, and wherein said larger diameter portion is substantially the same as the diameter of an inner surface of said inlet.

30. The valved connector according to claim 24, wherein movement of said male luer fitting into said upper portion bore causes said slit section to open.

31. The valved connector according to claim 24, further comprising a porous mesh or filter.

32. The valved connector according to claim 24, wherein an outside surface of said connector housing surrounding said inlet contains threads for lockingly receiving a threaded luer fitting.

33. The valved connector according to claim 24, wherein an outside surface of said connector housing surrounding said outlet is configured for insertion into the open end of a fluid conduit.

34. The valved connector according to claim 24, wherein said connector housing is adapted for temporary attachment to a catheter.

35. The valved connector according to claim 24, wherein said connector housing is adapted for permanent connection to a catheter.

36. The valved connector according to claim 24, further comprising a catheter, wherein said valved connector is integral with said catheter.

37. A valved connector for controlling the flow of fluid, comprising:

a connector housing having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being configured to receive a male luer fitting; and

a valve assembly positioned within said connector housing having a first position wherein said valve assembly prevents fluid flow through said connector housing, and a second position wherein said valve assembly permits fluid flow through said connector housing, wherein said valve assembly is movable from said first position to said second position by said male luer fitting, said valve assembly comprising;

a flow-through disk comprising at least one protrusion;

a sealing element configured to seal against said head in said first position; and

a biasing element in contact with said sealing element and configured to bias said valve assembly in said first position.

38. The valved connector according to claim 37, wherein said sealing element comprises a sliding cylinder.

39. The valved connector according to claim 37, wherein said biasing element comprises a compression ring.

40. The valved connector according to claim 37, further comprising a porous mesh or filter.

41. The valved connector according to claim 37, wherein said at least one protrusion comprises a single post-like member extending from a body of said flow-through disk and having a head positioned at the end thereof opposite said body, said head having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of said post-like member.

42. The valved connector according to claim 41, wherein said valve assembly is positioned in said connector housing such that movement to said second position is enabled by said male luer fitting contacting said sealing element.

43. The valved connector according to claim 37, wherein said at least one protrusion comprises a plurality of protrusions arranged around a central portion of said flow-through disk, said protrusions extending therefrom.

44. The valved connector according to claim 43, wherein said valve assembly is positioned in said connector housing such that movement to said second position is enabled by said male luer fitting contacting said protrusions.

45. The valved connector according to claim 37, wherein an outside surface of said connector housing surrounding said inlet contains threads for lockingly receiving a threaded luer fitting.

46. The valved connector according to claim 37, wherein an outside surface of said connector housing surrounding said outlet is configured for insertion into the open end of a fluid conduit.

47. The valved connector according to claim 37, wherein said connector housing is adapted for temporary attachment to a catheter.

48. The valved connector according to claim 37, wherein said connector housing is adapted for permanent connection to a catheter.

49. The valved connector according to claim 37, further comprising a catheter, wherein said valved connector is integral with said catheter.