Medical valve with positive flow characteristics
First Claim
1. A medical valve for selectively permitting fluid to flow between a first medical device and a second medical device, the valve comprising:
- a housing having an interface suitable for receiving a connector portion of the first medical device; and
a seal element made of a flexible material, the seal element having a downstream end in fluid communication with the interface, an upstream end suitable for receiving at least a portion of the second medical device, and a normally substantially closed passage in fluid communication with the downstream end and the upstream end, and a neck portion positioned in a region near the upstream end, the passage being relatively wide in the region of the upstream end and the passage being relatively narrow in the region of the downstream end, the passage adapted to have a relatively small interior volume when in an undisturbed state and a larger interior volume upon the introduction of the second medical device into the upstream end of the passage, the passage adapted to retract to define a restricted flow path and a relatively small interior volume upon the withdrawal of the second medical device from the seal element, at least a portion of the upstream end adapted to initially press against the inserted portion of the second medical device as the second medical device is withdrawn, so that a fluid occupying the interior volume is forced toward the downstream end as the passage retracts.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A valve for selectively permitting a fluid flow between first and second medical implements is disclosed. The valve has a housing with an interface suitable for receiving a connector portion of a first medical device such as a catheter, and a seal made of a flexible material. The seal has a first end in fluid communication with the interface, a second end suitable for receiving the second medical device, and at least one slit in fluid communication with the first end and the second end. The slit defines a restricted fluid flow path and a relatively small interior volume when in an undisturbed state, defines an expanded fluid flow path and a larger interior volume upon the introduction of the second medical instrument into the slit, and retracts to define a restricted flow path and a small interior volume upon the withdrawal of the second medical device from the seal.
251 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A medical valve for selectively permitting fluid to flow between a first medical device and a second medical device, the valve comprising:
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a housing having an interface suitable for receiving a connector portion of the first medical device; and
a seal element made of a flexible material, the seal element having a downstream end in fluid communication with the interface, an upstream end suitable for receiving at least a portion of the second medical device, and a normally substantially closed passage in fluid communication with the downstream end and the upstream end, and a neck portion positioned in a region near the upstream end, the passage being relatively wide in the region of the upstream end and the passage being relatively narrow in the region of the downstream end, the passage adapted to have a relatively small interior volume when in an undisturbed state and a larger interior volume upon the introduction of the second medical device into the upstream end of the passage, the passage adapted to retract to define a restricted flow path and a relatively small interior volume upon the withdrawal of the second medical device from the seal element, at least a portion of the upstream end adapted to initially press against the inserted portion of the second medical device as the second medical device is withdrawn, so that a fluid occupying the interior volume is forced toward the downstream end as the passage retracts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification