NEEDLELESS ACCESS PORT VALVES

• US 20100308251A1
• Filed: 11/19/2007
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B Braun Medical Incorporated (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: B Braun Medical Incorporated (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Jenkins, Kevin, Burnard, Edward L., Pascal, Benjamin J., Broadbent, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 8,015,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/324
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/045 pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/162 with antiseptic agent incorporated within the connector
• 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: Y10T 137/0491 Valve or valve element assembling, disassembling, or replacing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49412 with assembly, disassembly or composite article making

Abstract

Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves having a pliant valve piston and/or plug that exudes silicone oil when stressed or squeezed while providing antimicrobial agents within and on the surface of the piston and/or plug. The pliant valve piston may have an integrally formed plug and one or more ports or a separately formed plug located inside a plastic housing. The plug cooperates with a nozzle on the inlet connector assembly to form a slip port or a Luer inlet, which can open when exerted by force to permit flow or closes when the force is removed.

Claims

1. A method for making an injection port valve comprising:

forming a piston assembly, wherein the piston assembly comprises a slit along a top surface, a seal surface, a body section having an exterior surface, and a piston cavity, wherein the piston is made by mixing a two-part liquid silicone rubber material together to form the body section, and wherein the body section comprises a wall having a wall thickness that emits liquid silicone from within the wall to the exterior surface;

installing the piston assembly into an interior cavity of a valve housing, the valve housing comprising a cylinder end and a valve seat;

wherein the seal surface is seated against the valve seat; and

wherein the two-part liquid silicone rubber further comprises a blend of colorant, carrier, and antimicrobial agents.

2. The method for making an injection port valve of claim 1, wherein the blend of colorant, carrier, and antimicrobial agents are mixed with the two-part silicone rubber in a mixing chamber.

3. The method for making an injection port valve of claim 1, wherein the colorant, carrier, and antimicrobial agents are blended prior to mixing with the two-part silicone rubber.

4. The method for making an injection port valve of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial agents comprise at least one of silver, gold, platinum, copper, zinc, oxides of anyone of the agents, and salts of anyone of the agents.

5. The method for making an injection port valve of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial agents make up about 2% to about 8% by wt/wt ratio of the blend of colorant, carrier, and antimicrobial agents.

6. The method for making an injection port valve of claim 1, wherein the colorant is a green pigment.

7. A method for making a piston for use with a valve assembly comprising:

forming a piston assembly, wherein the piston assembly comprises a body section having an exterior surface, a seal surface, a slit along an upper surface and extending radially to an exterior surface and axially, and a piston cavity, wherein the piston is made by mixing a two-part liquid silicone rubber material together to form the body section, and wherein the body section comprises a wall having a wall thickness that emits liquid silicone from within the wall to the exterior surface when stressed;

stressing the piston so that it exudes silicone oil; and

wherein the two-part liquid silicone rubber further comprises a blend of colorant, carrier, and antimicrobial agents.

8. The method for making a piston of claim 7, wherein the blend of colorant, carrier, and antimicrobial agents are mixed with the two-part silicone rubber in a mixing chamber.

9. The method for making a piston of claim 7, wherein the colorant, carrier, and antimicrobial agents are blended prior to mixing with the two-part silicone rubber.

10. The method for making a piston of claim 7, wherein the antimicrobial agents comprise at least one of silver, gold, platinum, copper, zinc, oxides of anyone of the agents, and salts of anyone of the agents.

11. The method for making a piston of claim 7, wherein the blend of colorant, carrier, and antimicrobial agents make up about 25% to about 75% of a total weight of the piston.

12. The method for making a piston of claim 7, wherein the colorant is a green pigment.

13. The method for making a piston of claim 7, wherein the carrier comprises methylvinylpolysiloxane oil.

14. The method for making a piston of claim 7, one of the two-part liquid silicone rubber material comprises a metal catalyst.

15. A piston for regulating flow from an inlet port and an outlet port of a valve assembly comprising a wall surface defining a cavity, an upper surface, a singularly formed neck section having a slit, and a singularly formed body section;

the piston being made from a two-part silicone material mixed with a blend of colorant, carrier, and antimicrobial agents.

16. The piston of claim 15, wherein the slit extends radially to only one exterior surface of the neck section.

17. The piston of claim 15, wherein the slit is formed of a an inverted Y-shape.

18. The piston of claim 15, further comprising a flange located distally of the body section.

19. The piston of claim 15, wherein the piston is located inside an interior cavity of a valve housing.

20. The piston of claim 15, wherein the antimicrobial agents comprise at least one of silver, gold, platinum, copper, zinc, oxides of anyone of the agents, and salts of anyone of the agents.