Valve for intravenous catheter

• US 20070083162A1
• Filed: 10/11/2005
• Published: 04/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Span-America Medical Systems Inc. (Savaria Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Span-America Medical Systems Inc. (Savaria Corp.)
• Inventors: Mosler, Theodore, O'Reagan, James
• Application Number:
  US11/247,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20070083162A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/167.30
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3252 being extended by a member protruding laterally through a slot in the syringe barrel
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/263 where the fluid space within the valve is decreasing upon disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/266 where the valve comprises venting channels, e.g. to insure better connection, to help decreasing the fluid space upon disconnection, or to help the fluid space to remain the same during disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0606 "Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a valve assembly in an intravenous catheter that facilitates the administration of fluid to a patient through the intravenous catheter by a needleless device. The valve assembly of the present invention contains means for providing a positive displacement of fluid from the catheter at a time when a needleless device is removed from the valve assembly following its connection to the valve assembly.

Claims

1. A valve assembly for an intravenous catheter comprising:

a housing;

an actuator located within the housing;

a resilient septum adjacent to the actuator; and

means for creating a positive displacement of fluid from the intravenous catheter when a needleless device is removed from the valve assembly following its connection to the valve assembly.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the means is comprised of a support structure located proximal to the resilient septum.

3. The valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the resilient septum comprises a compressible material.

4. The valve assembly of claim 3, wherein the compressible material is silicone.

5. The valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the support structure is a plastic grate.

6. The valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the support structure is a metal grate.

7. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the housing has a first portion proximal to a needle protector, and a second portion distal to the needle protector;

the first portion including one or more flow channels in flow communication with the second portion to direct fluid around the resilient septum;

the second portion including a seat for retaining an internal part of the resilient septum, and one or more air vents; and

the resilient septum defines a hollow therein, the resilient septum located within the housing and having a first end positioned against the actuator, the actuator having a plurality of slots in flow communication with one or more flow channels, a stepped second end for seating the resilient septum on the seat in the second portion.

8. The valve assembly of claim 7, wherein the hollow comprises an air pocket encompassed by the resilient septum.

9. The valve assembly of claim 8, wherein the air pocket is vented to an area exterior to the valve assembly.

10. The valve assembly of claim 7, wherein the resilient septum comprises a generally incompressible material.

11. The valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the generally incompressible material is silicone.

12. The valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the generally incompressible material is synthetic polyisoprene.

13. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the housing has a connection end proximal to a needle protector, a catheter end distal to the needle protector, and a middle portion between the connection end and the catheter end;

the connection end having a female luer for receiving the needleless device;

the middle portion including the actuator, the resilient septum, a flow channel in flow communication with the connection end to direct fluid around the resilient septum, and an expansion chamber;

the catheter end including one or more flow channels in flow communication with an intravenous catheter, and an air vent in communication with the expansion chamber;

the resilient septum defines a hollow therein, the resilient septum located within the housing and having a first end positioned against the actuator, the actuator having a plurality of slots in flow communication with a flow channel, a stepped second end for seating the resilient septum on the seat in the middle portion.

14. The valve assembly of claim 13, wherein a portion of the resilient septum bulges into the expansion chamber when the actuator is compressed by the needleless device.

15. The valve assembly of claim 13, wherein the resilient septum comprises a generally incompressible material.

16. The valve assembly of claim 15, wherein the resilient septum is silicone.

17. The valve assembly of claim 15, wherein the resilient septum is synthetic polyisoprene.

18. A housing assembly for an insertion device catheter, the housing assembly comprising:

a housing having a catheter end and a connection end, said housing defining a flow path extending between said catheter and connection ends;

a valve assembly positioned in said flow path in sealing engagement with said housing, said valve having a substantially solid, resilient component; and

a support structure positioned proximal to the catheter end within the housing.

19. The housing assembly of claim 18, wherein the valve assembly comprises an actuator and a resilient septum.

20. The housing assembly of claim 18, wherein the support structure includes a plurality of openings through which fluid may pass.

21. The housing assembly of claim 18, wherein the support structure is comprised of a substantially solid material.

22. The housing assembly of claim 21, wherein the support structure is comprised of plastic.

23. The housing assembly of claim 18 wherein the housing assembly is used in connection with a needleless device.

24. A catheter assembly comprising:

a needle protector;

a catheter apparatus; and

a catheter hub comprising;

a housing having a catheter end and a connection end, said housing defining a flow path extending between said catheter and connection ends;

a valve assembly positioned in said flow path in sealing engagement with said housing; and

a support structure positioned proximal to the catheter end within the housing.

25. The catheter assembly of claim 24, wherein the support structure further includes a plurality of openings through which fluid may pass.

26. The catheter assembly of claim 24, wherein the support structure is comprised of a substantially solid material.

27. The catheter assembly of claim 26, wherein the support structure is comprised of plastic.

28. A catheter assembly comprising:

a needle protector;

a catheter apparatus; and

a valve assembly comprising a housing, an actuator, a resilient septum, and a flow path, wherein the resilient septum contains at least one compressible air pocket.

29. The catheter assembly of claim 28, wherein the air pocket is vented to the exterior of the housing.

30. A catheter apparatus comprising:

a needle protector;

a catheter assembly; and

a valve assembly comprising a housing, an actuator, a resilient septum, and a rigid expansion chamber.

31. The catheter apparatus of claim 30, wherein the rigid expansion chamber is vented to the exterior of the housing.

32. The catheter apparatus of claim 31, wherein a portion of the resilient septum expands into the rigid expansion chamber when the actuator is depressed by a needleless device.