Medical valve with positive flow characteristics
First Claim
1. A method of introducing a fluid into the vasculature of a patient, the method comprising:
- inserting a distal end of a cannula into the vasculature of the patient, said cannula having a valve connected to its proximal end, said valve comprising a housing and a seal element, wherein said housing comprises an interface fluidly coupled to the cannula and a lead cannula extending from the interface, wherein the seal element is made of a flexible material, the seal element having an upstream end, a downstream end in fluid communication with the lead cannula, and a normally substantially planar passage in fluid communication with the downstream end and the upstream end;
placing a medical device into fluid communication with said seal element, wherein in an initial state, a majority of a length of the lead cannula is positioned outside of the passage, and upon insertion of the second medical device into the upstream end of the passage, the seal element is moved downward onto the lead cannula such that at least a portion of the lead cannula extends into the passage;
operating said medical device so as to transfer said fluid through said cannula and the vasculature of the patient; and
withdrawing said medical device from said seal element.
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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.
125 Citations
1 Claim
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1. A method of introducing a fluid into the vasculature of a patient, the method comprising:
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inserting a distal end of a cannula into the vasculature of the patient, said cannula having a valve connected to its proximal end, said valve comprising a housing and a seal element, wherein said housing comprises an interface fluidly coupled to the cannula and a lead cannula extending from the interface, wherein the seal element is made of a flexible material, the seal element having an upstream end, a downstream end in fluid communication with the lead cannula, and a normally substantially planar passage in fluid communication with the downstream end and the upstream end;
placing a medical device into fluid communication with said seal element, wherein in an initial state, a majority of a length of the lead cannula is positioned outside of the passage, and upon insertion of the second medical device into the upstream end of the passage, the seal element is moved downward onto the lead cannula such that at least a portion of the lead cannula extends into the passage;
operating said medical device so as to transfer said fluid through said cannula and the vasculature of the patient; and
withdrawing said medical device from said seal element.
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Specification