Medical valve

• US 6,669,673 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2002
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Lopez, George A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, LoAn H.
• Application Number:
  US10/163,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20020143301A1
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 604/30, 604/33, 604/48, 604/93.01, 604/82, 604/89, 604/246, 604/247, 604/249, 604/256, 604/257, 604/523, 604/533, 604/534, 604/535, 604/537, 604/284, 251/149-149
• US Class Current: 604/249
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/10 Coring prevention means, e.g. for plug or septum piecing members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/262 having a fluid space within the valve remaining the same upon connection and disconnection, i.e. neutral-drawback valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/267 having a sealing sleeve around a tubular or solid stem portion of the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/32 with radio-opaque indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 Optical identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/045 pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument
• 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 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 2/00 Non-electric light sources using luminescence using excitation by radioactivity G21H3/02, H01J65/06, H01J65/08; using excitation by an external electromagnetic field or by external corpuscular radiation H01J65/04; Light sources using electrochemiluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

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.

Claims

1. A medical valve for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, said valve comprising:

a body comprising an opening adapted to receive the first medical implement, and a wall structure defining an internal cavity adapted for fluid communication with the second medical implement, said cavity comprising a neck portion in fluid communication with said opening and a main portion with a larger internal diameter than the neck portion; and

a flexible element positioned in said cavity movable between an uncompressed position in which a portion of the flexible element bears against the wall structure near said opening and obstructs fluid flow through said valve and a compressed position in which fluid flow is permitted through said valve, said flexible element comprising a wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, the wall flexing to accommodate axial compression of said flexible element, said flexible element comprising an end fitting against a ring shaped support to assist in securing said flexible element in said cavity, said flexible element in said uncompressed position comprising a first external diameter near said opening, a second external diameter in said neck portion and a third external diameter in said main portion, said second diameter being smaller than said first diameter and said third diameter, and at least a portion of the outer surface of the wall of the flexible element between the second diameter and the third diameter being tapered.

2. The valve of claim 1, wherein an end of the flexible element near the opening of the body in its uncompressed position is substantially flat.

3. The valve of claim 1, wherein said flexible element in the uncompressed position has an end substantially flush with the opening of said cavity of said body.

4. The valve of claim 1, wherein said medical valve further comprises a support member enabling said valve to be removably attached to a fluid dispenser.

5. The valve of claim 1, wherein said flexible element comprises a single molding.

6. The valve of claim 1, further comprising:

a rigid member positioned within the flexible element to assist in supporting the flexible element and to assist in maintaining the flexible element along an axial centerline of the cavity when the flexible element moves between the uncompressed position and the compressed position.

7. The valve of claim 1, wherein the flexible element substantially completely fills the opening in its uncompressed position.