Valve mechanism

• US 5,584,808 A
• Filed: 06/20/1995
• Issued: 12/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick M. Healy
• Original Assignee: Patrick M. Healy
• Inventors: Healy, Patrick M.
• Primary Examiner(s): YASKO JR, JOHN D
• Application Number:
  US08/492,835
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 604/283, 604/247, 604/249, 604/201-206, 604/256, 604/164, 604/167, 604/169, 604/905, 604/86-88
• US Class Current: 604/86
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/045 pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

A valve which can be used to facilitate needleless transfer of medication from the container to a patient. A slidable actuator is engaged by the nozzle portion of a syringe and the tapered lead portion of the slide is forced into the container through a pre-slit elastomeric membrane. The membrane is relatively thick, preferably between 25 and 75% the width dimension of the membrane and, more preferably, between 40 and 50% of that dimension. The thick membrane is durable enough to withstand repeated usage and damage resistant enough to permit use with needled syringes.

Claims

1. A valve mechanism particularly useful in transferring medication from a container to a patient by means of an IV injection tube or the like, said valve mechanism comprising:

a) a first cylindrical housing;

b) an elastomeric membrane captured within said housing and including

i) a longitudinally extending throughbore in the form of a preformed slit;

ii) a thickness dimension which is in a range of between 25 and 75% of its width;

c) a slide element received within said housing including

i) a first relatively blunt, tapered end for engaging said elastomeric membrane;

ii) a second open end for receiving a nozzle portion of a syringe, or the like, to actuate said slide element from a first at rest position to a second engaged position which opens said pre-formed slit to permit liquid to flow therethrough;

iii) a longitudinal throughbore formed in said first end capable of receiving a needle of a particular gauge;

iv) a plurality of semi-cylindrical ridges formed on the exterior portion thereof to reduce surface area engagement between said slide element and an interior portion of said housing;

whereby said elastomeric membrane will restore said slide element to its first at rest position following release of pressure exerted by said syringe by exerting a restorative force against said slide element.

2. The valve mechanism of claim 1 wherein said restorative force is comprised of a component resulting from the elastomeric membrane'"'"'s seeking to return to its at rest position and from a gripping force exerted by said slide element on said nozzle portion of said syringe.

3. The valve mechanism of claim 1 wherein said thickness dimension more preferably falls in the range between 40 and 50% of its diameter.

4. A valve mechanism comprising:

a) a first cylindrical housing;

b) a relatively thick elastomeric membrane captured within said housing and including

i) a longitudinally extending throughbore in the form of a preformed slit;

ii) a thickness dimension which is at least 40% of its width in its installed position;

c) a slide element received within said housing including

i) a first relatively blunt, tapered end for engaging said elastomeric membrane;

ii) a second open end for receiving a nozzle portion of a syringe, or the like, to actuate said slide element from a first at rest position to a second engaged position which opens said pre-formed slit to permit liquid to flow therethrough;

iii) a longitudinal throughbore formed in said first end capable of receiving a needle of a particular gauge;

whereby said relatively thick elastomeric membrane will restore said slide element to its first at rest position following release of pressure exerted by said syringe by exerting a restorative force against said slide element and will, by virtue of its relatively large thickness, prevent egress of fluid and ingress of air.