Needleless valve
First Claim
1. A valve assembly for connecting intravascular fluid flow components, said valve assembly comprising:
- a substantially tubular housing;
a compressible elastomeric septum slidably disposed within said tubular housing for axial movement between a proximal position and a distal position of said septum;
a biasing element configured and positioned to bias said septum toward said proximal position;
a slit formed axially through said septum;
a first interior contour within said tubular housing, said first contour being smaller than a transverse dimension of said septum, for compressing said transverse dimension when said septum is in said proximal position, thereby holding said slit in a closed state; and
a second interior contour within said tubular housing, said second contour being located distally from said first contour, said second contour being at least as large as said transverse dimension of said septum, for eliminating compression of said transverse dimension when said septum is in said distal position, thereby allowing said slit to assume an open state;
wherein said septum is slidable from said proximal position to said distal position by application of an axial force to a proximal surface of said septum.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A needle-less valve connector which employs a pre-slit elastomeric septum capable of axial movement proximally and distally within a housing. Connection of a blunt connector to the housing pushes the septum in the distal direction. A spring member biases the septum toward the proximal direction. The slit through the septum is held in the closed position, when the septum is in the proximal position, by an interference fit between the inside surface of the housing and the peripheral surface of the septum, with the interference fit causing an inward radial compression of the septum, orthogonal to the slit axis. The outer, or proximal, end surface of the septum can be shaped with a concave contour which causes the slit to completely close when the septum is in the proximal position. When a blunt connector is connected to the housing, the septum is pushed to a distal position, where radial stress is relieved, allowing the septum to expand or be expanded, thereby opening the slit. The axial locations of the housing structures which vary the radial loads to open and close the slit are selected to insure that the septum is sealed before the septum fully reaches the proximal position, thereby maintaining a seal between the blunt connector and the septum until after the slit is sealed. The structure which opens the slit, or allows the slit to open, is positioned to open the slit only after sufficient force is applied to the septum by the blunt connector, to insure that a seal exists between the blunt connector and the septum before opening of the slit.
170 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A valve assembly for connecting intravascular fluid flow components, said valve assembly comprising:
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a substantially tubular housing; a compressible elastomeric septum slidably disposed within said tubular housing for axial movement between a proximal position and a distal position of said septum; a biasing element configured and positioned to bias said septum toward said proximal position; a slit formed axially through said septum; a first interior contour within said tubular housing, said first contour being smaller than a transverse dimension of said septum, for compressing said transverse dimension when said septum is in said proximal position, thereby holding said slit in a closed state; and a second interior contour within said tubular housing, said second contour being located distally from said first contour, said second contour being at least as large as said transverse dimension of said septum, for eliminating compression of said transverse dimension when said septum is in said distal position, thereby allowing said slit to assume an open state; wherein said septum is slidable from said proximal position to said distal position by application of an axial force to a proximal surface of said septum. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A valve assembly for connecting intravascular fluid flow components, said valve assembly comprising:
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a substantially tubular housing; a compressible elastomeric septum slidably disposed within said tubular housing for axial movement between a proximal position and a distal position of said septum, said septum having a substantially elliptical transverse cross section; a biasing element for biasing said septum from said distal position to said proximal position; a slit formed axially through said septum, said slit being perpendicular to the major axis of said elliptical cross section; a first interior contour formed in said tubular housing, said first interior contour creating a circular lumen having a diameter smaller than said major axis of said elliptical cross section of said septum, said first interior contour aligning with said septum when said septum is in said proximal position, for applying substantially radial force to compress said major cross sectional axis of said septum, to close said slit; and a second interior contour formed in said tubular housing, said second interior contour creating an elliptical lumen having a transverse cross section larger than the transverse cross section of said septum, said second interior contour aligning with said septum when said septum is in said distal position, for eliminating radial force on said septum, to allow said septum to expand and open said slit; wherein said septum is slidable from said proximal position to said distal position by axial force exerted by a fluid fitting being connected to a proximal portion of said tubular housing. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification