Connector with one-way septum valve, and assembly

• US 4,842,591 A
• Filed: 01/21/1988
• Issued: 06/27/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Luther Medical Products, Inc. (Becton Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Ronald B. Luther
• Inventors: Luther, Ronald B.
• Primary Examiner(s): YASKO JR, JOHN D
• Application Number:
  US07/146,718
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 604/207, 604/206, 604/205, 604/202, 604/201, 604/200, 604/283, 604/280, 604/905, 604/87, 604/88, 604/244, 285/3
• US Class Current: 604/537
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0693 including means for seal penetration
• 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 5/32 Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub infusion needles A61M5/158; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body A61M5/42, A61M5/46 take precedence; guide needles for catheters A61M25/065; Devices for protection of needles apparatus specially adapted for cleaning or sterilising needles A61M5/001
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

A one-way septum valve in a connector device to maintain sterility is provided. The device prevents the backward flow of blood and body fluids through the connector to an injection device such as a syringe, I.V. unit, and the like.

The valve includes a slit, resilient septum mounted within the connector, and a moveable plug spaced a short distance from the septum and adapted to move forward slightly upon contact with the injection device.

When the injection device is moved forward, it will contact and drive the plug a short distance into the septum causing it to open and deform inwardly. This enables fluid from the I.V. unit, syringe, etc., to be fed through the septum opening and into a patient. When the injection device is retracted out of contact with the plug, the septum resiliency forces the plug back out of the septum which then closes and seals. Any reverse pressure of blood or body fluid will cause the septum to move outwardly into contact with the plug, which will prevent further movement of the septum. Hence, the septum becomes, in effect, a one-way valve.

Claims

1. A connector with a one-way septum valve, including:

(a.) a proximal portion having a forward bore for mounting a catheter therein, the proximal portion being enlarged rearwardly for seating a deformable, slit septum;

(b.) a distal portion attached to the proximal portion, and securing the said septum therebetween, the distal portion defining a rearward bore for engaging a syringe, I.V. unit, and the like, and for securing a moveable plug therein;

(c.) a hollow, moveable plug secured in the rearward bore of the distal portion, the plug being positioned adjacent the septum;

whereby;

i. the plug is adapted to be moved forwardly within the bore upon contact with the I.V. unit, syringe, and the like at a tip thereof, and then to enter the septum slit and deform the septum open;

ii. liquid from the I.V. unit, syringe, and the like will pass through the connector to a patient when the septum is open;

iii. when the I.V. unit, syringe and the like is withdrawn from the patient, the septum will deform to its closed position and force the plug back along the bore of the distal portion; and

,

iv. the plug is adapted to support the septum against liquid flow from the patient through the connector, thereby maintaining the connector in a leak proof and sterile manner after repeated use.

2. The connector of claim 1, in which the plug is positioned about 0-10 mils adjacent from the septum.

3. The connector of claim 1, in which the plug includes external, longitudinal ribs to maintain uniform contact between the plug and the bore of the distal fitting.

4. The connector of claim 1, in which the distal bore defines a seating shoulder to position the plug adjacent the septum.

5. The connector of claim 1, including the assembly with and I.V. unit, syringe, and the like.

6. The connector of claim 1, including a catheter mounted in the forward bore of the proximal connector.

7. The connector of claim 6, in which a needle deforms open the septum and is positioned through the catheter.