Needleless connector valve
First Claim
1. A needleless connector valve comprising:
- a hollow housing having a connection port and exit orifice wherein the housing includes a first section of a first preselected cross-sectional shape and size disposed directly adjacent the connection port and a second section of a second preselected cross-sectional shape and size situated adjacent the first section;
a resiliently deformable piston head, having a bore formed therethrough, received within the housing so as to be shiftable between the first and second sections, wherein positioning of the piston head within the first section causes it to be deformed so as to occlude the bore while positioning of the piston head within the second section allows the piston head to assume its un-deformed state in which the bore is un-occluded to thereby provide a fluid path between the connection port and the exit orifice; and
means for biasing the piston head into the first section to close off the fluid path.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A valve mechanism for a needleless connector employs a deformable piston having a piston head of elliptical cross-section with a marquise-shaped bore formed along its longitudinal axis wherein the major axes of the respective generally elliptical shapes are oriented perpendicular to one another. The piston head is captured within the connector housing and is reciprocal between a section of reduced diameter adjacent the connection port and a section of enlarged diameter. Constraining the piston head into the section of reduced diameter causes the elliptical bore to be squeezed shut while positioning the piston head in the section of enlarged diameter causes the piston head to relax and assume its natural elliptical shape, while the bore similarly regains its natural open shape to provide a fluid path therethrough. A compressible or extendible section affixed to the piston head serves to bias the piston into the section of reduced diameter. A tapered section of the piston contacts the housing to secure the top of the piston flush with the top of the housing for ease in cleaning.
508 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A needleless connector valve comprising:
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a hollow housing having a connection port and exit orifice wherein the housing includes a first section of a first preselected cross-sectional shape and size disposed directly adjacent the connection port and a second section of a second preselected cross-sectional shape and size situated adjacent the first section; a resiliently deformable piston head, having a bore formed therethrough, received within the housing so as to be shiftable between the first and second sections, wherein positioning of the piston head within the first section causes it to be deformed so as to occlude the bore while positioning of the piston head within the second section allows the piston head to assume its un-deformed state in which the bore is un-occluded to thereby provide a fluid path between the connection port and the exit orifice; and means for biasing the piston head into the first section to close off the fluid path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A needleless connector valve, comprising:
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a hollow housing having a connection port and an exit orifice wherein the housing includes a first section of circular cross-section having a first diameter disposed directly adjacent the connection port and a second section of circular cross-section having a second diameter larger than the first diameter disposed adjacent the first section; a resiliently deformable piston head of elliptical cross-section, having a bore formed therethrough oriented along is longitudinal axis, received within the housing so as to be shiftable between the first and second sections, wherein positioning of the piston head in the first section causes it to be deformed so as to have a circular cross-section thereby occluding the bore extending therethrough while positioning of the piston head in the second section allows it to assume is un-deformed elliptical shape in which the bore extending therethrough is un-occluded to thereby provide a fluid path between the connection port and the exit orifice; and means for biasing the piston head into the first section to close off the fluid path whereby insertion of a fluid conduit device into the connection port serves to shift the piston head into the second section to open the fluid path. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A valve mechanism for incorporation within a connector device having a bore formed therein extending between a connection port and an exit orifice, wherein the bore has a first section of reduced diameter directly adjacent the connection port and a second section of enlarged diameter distally adjacent the first section, comprising:
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a resiliently deformable piston head of elliptical cross-section having a bore extending therethrough, wherein the piston head is disposed within the connector device so as to be shiftable between the first and second sections, and wherein positioning the piston head within the first section causes it to be deformed to a circular shape to occlude the bore extending therethrough while positioning the piston head in the second section allows the piston head to assume its un-deformed elliptical shape wherein the bore is un-occluded to provide a fluid path from the connection port to the exit orifice; means for biasing the piston head to position in the first section to close off the fluid path whereby insertion of a fluid conduit device into the connection port serves to shift the piston head into the second section to open the fluid path. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification