T-port with swabbable valve

• US 20050261637A1
• Filed: 10/01/2004
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Halkey-Roberts Corp (Atrion Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Halkey-Roberts Corp (Atrion Corporation)
• Inventors: Miller, Pavel T.
• Application Number:
  US10/956,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20050261637A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/256
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/045 pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/16 having provision for disinfection or sterilisation A61M39/143 takes precedence; methods or apparatus for disinfection or sterilisation A61L2/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24

Abstract

A slit-type T-port site that includes a swabbable valve with a slit at an end thereof. The valve stem with a slit is located in a valve body and is deformable. When engaged by a tip of an instrument, the top portion of the stem folds inward and its slit opens to form a direct non-hemolytic flow pathway between the instrument and the main T-port site flow channel.

Claims

8-1. A slit-type T-port site as recited in claim 8, where the valve is configured to be actuated via engagement with a male component or instrument, wherein when the valve is actuated, the valve stem shifts in the valve body, and the slit of the valve stem seals against an outer surface of the male component or instrument, thus allowing liquid to flow directly through the valve stem.

15. A slit-type T-port site incorporating a port for in-line connection with medical tubing and a slit-type swababble valve comprising a swabbable valve body positioned perpendicular to main port body and a resilient deformable valve stem which is located in said valve body and wherein the valve body and valve stem are uniformly round and have a uniformly round cross-sectional profile, said valve stem having a linear slit at one end and having an opening at the other end, wherein said valve stem is configured to provide direct connection by the straight cylindrical flow channel to the port main flow channel, wherein the second end of said valve stem is engaged inside said valve body such that said second end does not shift during actuation of the valve, wherein slit end is readily accessible for cleaning, wherein said slit is normally closed, wherein the valve stem is configured to collapse and fold inward generally about a fulcrum point which is located at an area of minimal wall thickness.

16. A slit-type T-port site as recited in claim 15, where the valve is configured to be actuated via engagement with a male component or instrument, wherein when the valve is actuated, the valve stem shifts in the valve body, and the slit of the valve stem seals against an outer surface of the male component or instrument, thus allowing liquid to flow directly through the valve stem.

17. A slit-type T-port site as recited in claim 15, wherein the valve is configured such that when the valve is actuated, fluid could flow in either direction through the valve.

18. A slit-type T-port site as recited in claim 15, wherein the valve is configured such that when the valve is not actuated, the slit in the valve stem is closed, thereby preventing fluid from leaking into or out of an end of the valve stem.

19. A slit-type T-port site as recited in claim 15, wherein the valve is configured to be actuated via engagement with a male component or instrument, and wherein the valve stem is configured to swab or cleans a tip of the male component or instrument upon the tip being removed from the slit.

20. A slit-type T-port site as recited in claim 15, wherein the valve includes a fluid flow area and neither the valve body nor the valve stem includes any ribs which are disposed in the fluid flow area.

21. A slit-type swabbable site as recited in claim 15, wherein the end of the stem is flat and wrinkle-free.

22. A slit-type T-port site as recited in claim 15, wherein said valve body has an end which provides an opening in which sits the valve stem, said end of said valve body providing a concave area which leads into the valve.