Medical valve and method of use

• US 20060264846A1
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1991
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: George A. Lopez
• Original Assignee: George A. Lopez
• Inventors: Lopez, George A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,717,886 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/249
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/10 Coring prevention means, e.g. for plug or septum piecing members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/262 having a fluid space within the valve remaining the same upon connection and disconnection, i.e. neutral-drawback valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/267 having a sealing sleeve around a tubular or solid stem portion of the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/32 with radio-opaque indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 Optical identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/045 pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 2/00 Non-electric light sources using luminescence using excitation by radioactivity G21H3/02, H01J65/06, H01J65/08; using excitation by an external electromagnetic field or by external corpuscular radiation H01J65/04; Light sources using electrochemiluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

A closed system, needleless valve device includes a generally tubular body defining an internal cavity. On the proximal end of the body there is an opening which is preferably sufficiently large to receive an ANSI standard tip of a medical implement. The distal end of the body has a generally tubular skirt. The valve also includes a hollow spike having a closed tip. The spike includes at least one longitudinal 18-gauge hole located distal the tip, and is seated inside the cavity such that the tip is below the proximal end of the body. An annular support cuff is connected to the spike which seals off a portion of the cavity of the body such that an upper cavity containing the tip is defined. The valve also includes a plastic, resilient silicone seal which fills the upper cavity and opening and covers the tip of the spike so as to present a flush surface. An adaptor enables the valve to be attached to a resealable container.

Claims

1. A medical connector for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, the connector comprising:

a valve comprising an opening adapted to receive a first medical implement and a wall structure defining an internal cavity, the cavity comprising a neck portion in fluid communication with the opening and a main portion with a larger internal diameter than the neck portion;

a flexible element positioned in the cavity, the flexible element movable between a first position in which the flexible element impedes fluid flow through the valve and a second position in which fluid flow is facilitated through the valve, the flexible element comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, the flexible element in the first position comprising a first internal diameter in the main portion, a second internal diameter in the main portion distal the first internal diameter, and a third internal diameter in the main portion distal the second internal diameter, the second internal diameter in the main portion being different than the first and third internal diameters in the main portion; and

a rigid element configured to act as a fluid conduit through at least a portion of the valve.

2. A medical connector of claim 1, wherein the second internal diameter being larger than the first and third internal diameters.

3. A medical connector of claim 1, wherein the second internal diameter being larger than the first internal diameter and smaller than the third internal diameter.