LUER ACTIVATED DEVICE

• US 20080172003A1
• Filed: 10/18/2006
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Friend, Anthony D., Desecki, Vincent C., Plishka, Michael, Jepson, Steven C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,981,090 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/249
• 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 2039/266 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 39/045 pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• 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: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

A luer activated device for infusing and aspirating fluids to and from a variety of fluid systems. The luer activated device includes a housing and employs a variety of valves that permit and prevent the transfer of fluids through the housing into or out of various fluid systems.

Claims

1. A medical valve for the transfer of fluid, comprising:

a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a flow path defined therebetween;

a first valve associated with said inlet, said first valve adapted for receiving a male luer therethrough; and

a second valve normally substantially sealing said flow path distal to said first valve, said second valve being movable to open flow through the flow path by insertion of a male luer into the inlet.

2. The medical valve of claim 1 in which one of the valves comprises a plurality of layers, each comprising an elastomeric material.

3. The medical valve of claim 2 in which the layers are bonded together.

4. The medical valve of claim 2 in which at least two of the layers are spaced apart.

5. The medical valve of claim 2 in which each layer includes an aperture and the aperture of each layer has a different directional orientation from the aperture of the adjacent layer.

6. The medical valve of claim 2 in which each layer includes an aperture and the apertures in at least two layers are slits and the slit of each such layer is oriented at an angle to the slit of the other layer.

7. The medical valve of claim 6 in which the layers are adjacent and spaced apart and the angle is substantially ninety degrees.

8. The medical valve of claim 2 in which each layer comprises a material different from the material of the adjacent layer.

9. The medical valve of claim 2 in which each layer is comprised of a material having a different durometer value than the material of an adjacent layer.

10. The medical valve of claim 1 in which one of the valves comprises a plurality of annular segments.

11. The medical valve of claim 10 wherein each annular segment comprises a material different from the material of an adjacent annular segment.

12. The medical valve of claim 10 in which each annular segment is comprised of a material having a different durometer value than the material of an adjacent segment.

13. The medical valve of claim 10 in which each annular segment is comprised of a silicone material, and each segment has a different durometer value from an adjacent segment.

14. The medical valve of claim 1 in which one of the valves comprises a plurality of discrete particles that are free to move in relation to one another to accommodate insertion of a male luer through the valve inlet.

19. The medical valve of claim 1 in which one of the valves has a first portion and a second portion in which the second portion is rotatable relative to the first portion, said one valve including an aperture being disposed to cause rotation of the second portion relative to the first portion upon insertion of a male luer therethrough.

20. The medical valve of claim 1 in which one of the valves has a first portion generally rotationally fixed relative to the housing and a second portion proximal or distal of the first portion and rotatable relative to the housing.

21. The medical valve of claim 23 in which said one valve includes a slit and the slit extends generally through the valve helically.

22. The medical valve of claim 1 in which one of the valves is comprised of a cell foam material.

23. The medical valve of claim 1 in which one of the valves comprises a valve element located within the flow path of the valve housing and said valve element is movable from a first position to a second position by contact with a male luer inserted into the valve housing inlet, the valve element preventing fluid flow through the flow path when the valve element is in the first position, and permitting flow through the flow path in the second position, said valve element being biased to the first position and returning to the first position upon removal of the male luer from the housing.

24. The medical valve of claim 23 in which a fluid occlusion is formed at a location as the valve element returns to the first position from the second position, said fluid occlusion preventing fluid within the flow path from flowing toward the valve housing inlet so that fluid downstream of the occlusion is forced toward the valve housing outlet as the valve element returns to the first position, thereby generating a positive displacement of fluid toward the valve outlet.

25. The medical valve of claim 24 in which the valve element includes an occluding surface and a sealing surface, said occluding surface of the valve element being located at a location which is proximal the sealing surface of the valve element and said occluding surface forming the fluid occlusion with a portion of the valve housing, said sealing surface contacting a valve seat defined by the housing to form the seal between the valve element and the valve seat when the valve element is in the first position;

and

wherein as valve element moves to the first position from the second position, the occluding surface forms the fluid occlusion with the portion of the valve housing prior to the sealing surface of the valve element sealing with the valve seat of the valve housing.

26. The medical valve of claim 23 in which the valve element includes at least one fluid passageway therethrough, said passageway being closed when said valve element is in the first position and open when said valve element is in the second position.

27. The medical valve of claim 23 in which the housing includes at least one fluid flow channel located in a wall of the housing.

28. The medical valve of claim 1 in which one of the valves has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a fluid passageway extending therethrough, said distal end portion of the valve defining a normally closed fluid passageway opening, a rigid actuator disposed in the valve and operable upon contact with a male luer to open the fluid passageway opening.

29. The medical valve of claim 1 in which the medical valve has an axis and the one valve includes a rotatable fluid flow control member that generally rotates about the axis of the medical valve, said fluid control member having a first position in which the fluid flow control member prevents the flow of fluid through the medical valve and a second portion in which the fluid flow control member permits the flow of fluid through the valve.

15. The medical valve of claim 15 in which the discrete particles are microspheres.

16. The medical valve of claim 15 in which the particles have a size of about 0.0001 inches to about 0.0005 inches.

17. The medical valve of claim 15 in which the particles are comprised of glass beads, polymer beads or mixture of glass beads and polymer beads.

18. The medical valve of claim 15 in which the one valve comprises an elastic outer wall defining an internal chamber containing the particles.

30. A medical valve for the transfer of fluid, comprising:

a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a flow path defined therebetween;

a valve associated with said housing, said valve comprising a plurality of discrete particles that are free to move in relation to one another to accommodate insertion of a male luer through the valve inlet.

31. The medical valve of claim 30 in which the discrete particles are microspheres.

32. The medical valve of claim 30 in which the particles have a size of about 0.0001 inches to about 0.0005 inches.

33. The medical valve of claim 30 in which the particles are comprised of glass beads, polymer beads or mixture of glass beads and polymer beads.

34. The medical valve of claim 30 in which the valve comprises an elastic outer wall defining an internal chamber containing the particles.