Medical valve with positive flow characteristics
First Claim
1. A medical valve comprising:
- a housing having an interface configured to receive a portion of a first medical device; and
a seal element made of a flexible material, the seal element having a downstream end in fluid communication with the interface, an upstream end configured to receive a second medical device, and a normally substantially closed passage in fluid communication with the downstream end and the upstream end, the seal element comprising;
a body made of flexible material and having a downstream end and an upstream end opposite the downstream end; and
a transverse flange at an upstream end of the body, the transverse flange having at least one slit opening therethrough in fluid communication with the passage, the transverse flange having a concave configuration to bias the slit opening towards a closed position; and
the passage having a relatively small interior volume when in an undisturbed state and a larger interior volume upon the introduction of the second medical device into the upstream end of the passage, the passage retracting to define a restricted flow path and a relatively small interior volume upon the withdrawal of the second medical device from the seal element, the upstream end initially being sealed as the second medical device is withdrawn, so that a fluid occupying the interior volume is forced toward the downstream end as the passage walls collapse.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A valve for selectively permitting a fluid flow between first and second medical implements is disclosed. The valve has a housing with an interface suitable for receiving a connector portion of a first medical device such as a catheter, and a seal made of a flexible material. The seal has a first end in fluid communication with the interface, a second end suitable for receiving the second medical device, and at least one slit in fluid communication with the first end and the second end. The slit defines a restricted fluid flow path and a relatively small interior volume when in an undisturbed state, defines an expanded fluid flow path and a larger interior volume upon the introduction of the second medical instrument into the slit, and retracts to define a restricted flow path and a small interior volume upon the withdrawal of the second medical device from the seal.
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Citations
1 Claim
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1. A medical valve comprising:
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a housing having an interface configured to receive a portion of a first medical device; and
a seal element made of a flexible material, the seal element having a downstream end in fluid communication with the interface, an upstream end configured to receive a second medical device, and a normally substantially closed passage in fluid communication with the downstream end and the upstream end, the seal element comprising;
a body made of flexible material and having a downstream end and an upstream end opposite the downstream end; and
a transverse flange at an upstream end of the body, the transverse flange having at least one slit opening therethrough in fluid communication with the passage, the transverse flange having a concave configuration to bias the slit opening towards a closed position; and
the passage having a relatively small interior volume when in an undisturbed state and a larger interior volume upon the introduction of the second medical device into the upstream end of the passage, the passage retracting to define a restricted flow path and a relatively small interior volume upon the withdrawal of the second medical device from the seal element, the upstream end initially being sealed as the second medical device is withdrawn, so that a fluid occupying the interior volume is forced toward the downstream end as the passage walls collapse.
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Specification