Medical valve and method of use
DCFirst Claim
1. A seal for use in selectively opening and closing a fluid pathway through a medical connector comprising a resilient seal element having a wall having a top end and a bottom end, said wall including at least two generally arcuate segments each having an outwardly extending portion, said segments intersecting one another and defining at least one space between where said segments intersect and a line tangential to the outwardly extending portions of both segments, and at least one segment proximate to said bottom end having a larger maximum diameter than a second segment nearer to said top end of said element.
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Abstract
A closed system, needleless valve device includes a generally tubular body defining an internal cavity. On the proximal end of the body there is an opening which is preferably sufficiently large to receive an ANSI standard tip of a medical implement. The distal end of the body has a generally tubular skirt. The valve also includes a hollow spike having a closed tip. The spike includes at least one longitudinal 18-gauge hole located distal the tip, and is seated inside the cavity such that the tip is below the proximal end of the body. An annular support cuff is connected to the spike which seals off a portion of the cavity of the body such that an upper cavity containing the tip is defined. The valve also includes a plastic, resilient silicone seal which fills the upper cavity and opening and covers the tip of the spike so as to present a flush surface. An adaptor enables the valve to be attached to a resealable container.
198 Citations
12 Claims
- 1. A seal for use in selectively opening and closing a fluid pathway through a medical connector comprising a resilient seal element having a wall having a top end and a bottom end, said wall including at least two generally arcuate segments each having an outwardly extending portion, said segments intersecting one another and defining at least one space between where said segments intersect and a line tangential to the outwardly extending portions of both segments, and at least one segment proximate to said bottom end having a larger maximum diameter than a second segment nearer to said top end of said element.
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6. An element for use in selectively opening and closing a fluid flow path through a medical device, comprising:
a generally cylindrical member having a wall with a first end and a second end, said wall forming at said first end a unitary resealable opening, said member having an inner surface and an outer surface and a centerline extending between said ends, at least one of said surfaces having alternating radially inwardly and radially outwardly extending surfaces with respect to said centerline, said wall comprising a generally resilient material in at least the area of said alternating surfaces and said wall having at least two ring-shaped elements, each element having a diameter and an exterior surface and defining a central passage therethrough, said ring-shaped elements being joined to each other such that their central passages are aligned along said centerline, the diameter of each successive ring-shaped element increasing in a direction from said first end to said second end, and at least some portion of said alternating surfaces being defined by said exterior surfaces of said joined ring-shaped elements, whereby the application of a compressive force along said centerline decreases the length of said member, and when said force is removed, said member generally returns to its original length. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
- 9. A seal element for use in selectively opening and closing a fluid pathway through a medical connector comprising a resilient, generally conical seal element having a first end and a second end and a wall, said wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface of said element, said wall forming at said first end a resealable opening, said element having a centerline extending through said first and second ends thereof, and wherein the radial distance of at least one of said outer or inner surfaces from said centerline alternately varies from a first distance from said centerline to a second distance from said centerline which is different than said first distance moving in a direction from said first end to said second end.
- 11. A seal element for use in selectively opening and closing a fluid pathway through a medical connector comprising a resilient, generally frusto-conical seal element having a first end and a second end and a wall, said wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface of said element, said wall forming at said first end a resealable opening, said element having a centerline extending through said first and second ends thereof, and wherein the radial distance of at least one of said outer or inner surfaces from said centerline alternately varies from a first distance from said centerline to a second distance from said centerline which is different than said first distance moving in a direction from said first end to said second end.
Specification