Needleless access port valves

• US 7,615,035 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2005
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: B Braun Medical Incorporated (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: B Braun Medical Incorporated (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Peppel, Peter W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons; Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson; Michael J
• Application Number:
  US11/088,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20060229571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,692 Days
• Field of Search: 604/256, 604/86, 604/248, 604/263, 604/264, 604/523, 604/88, 604/170.03, 604/167.02, 604/167.05, 604/201, 604/242, 604/243, 604/288.02, 604/205, 604/206
• US Class Current: 604/256
• 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

Abstract

Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves comprising an inlet coupler. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a coupler comprises an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is adapted to mate with a first medical implement and the outlet is adapted to mate with an inlet of a valve, which has an outlet adapted to mate with a second medical implement.

Claims

1. A needleless access port valve assembly comprising a coupler comprising an inlet and an outlet and a valve comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a cavity comprising a tapered base located therebetween;

wherein the outlet of the coupler comprises a port comprising a round eye-hook and the inlet of the valve comprises a septum; and

wherein the septum is configured to receive the port and the round eye-hook is configured to rotate relative to the septum so that the round eye-hook is wedged between the septum and the tapered base to prevent the round eye-hook from separating from the septum.

2. The needleless access port valve of claim 1, wherein the inlet of the coupler comprises a threaded luer.

3. The needleless access port valve of claim 1, wherein the coupler comprises a pair of fins.

4. The needleless access port valve of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a two-part housing.

5. The needleless access port valve of claim 4, wherein the two-part housing is welded along a seam.

6. The needleless access port valve of claim 4, wherein the septum is disposed between an upper housing part and a lower housing part of the two-part housing.

7. The needleless access port valve of claim 6, wherein the outlet comprises a male threaded luer.

8. The needleless access port valve of claim 1, wherein the coupler comprises a housing over-molded to the round eye-hook.

9. The needleless access port valve of claim 1, wherein the septum comprises a seam.

10. The needleless access port valve of claim 1, further comprising at least one indentation on a top surface of the valve.

11. A needleless access port valve assembly comprising a coupler matingly engaged to a valve;

the coupler comprising an inlet for mating with a first medical implement and the valve comprising an outlet for mating with a second medical implement, wherein the engagement between the coupler and the valve comprises a port comprising a round eye-hook having a fluid opening projecting through a septum and the round eve-hook wedged against the septum to prevent the port from retracting away from the septum.

12. The needleless access port valve of claim 11, wherein the inlet of the coupler comprises a threaded luer.

13. The needleless access port valve of claim 11, wherein the coupler comprises a pair of fins.

14. The needleless access port valve of claim 11, wherein the port is made from a metal material.

15. The needleless access port valve of claim 11, wherein the coupler comprises a housing and the port comprises a linear section extending distally from the housing.

16. The needleless access port valve of claim 11, wherein the valve comprises a two-part housing.

17. The needleless access port valve of claim 16, wherein the septum is disposed in between an upper housing part and a lower housing part of the two-part housing.

18. The needleless access port valve of claim 17, wherein the two-part housing is welded along a seam.

19. The needleless access port valve of claim 11, wherein the outlet comprises a male threaded luer.

20. The needleless access port valve of claim 11, wherein the septum comprises a slit.

21. The needleless access port valve of claim 11, further comprising at least one indentation on a top surface of the valve.

22. A needleless access port valve assembly comprising a coupler matingly engaged to a valve comprising a housing, the coupler comprising a port having a distal section projecting through a slit of a septum in the valve, the distal section comprising a first profile when in a first orientation for projecting through the slit and a second wider profile when in a second orientation for preventing separation of the port from the septum, and wherein the distal section of the port comprises a round eye-hook that touches both the septum and the housing in the second orientation.

27. The needleless access port valve assembly of claim 22, wherein the valve comprises a two-part housing.

28. The needleless access port valve assembly of claim 22, wherein the coupler comprises a threaded inlet luer.

29. The needleless access port valve assembly of claim 22, wherein the valve comprises a threaded outlet luer.

30. The needleless access port valve assembly of claim 22, wherein the port is made from a metal material.

23. A needleless access port valve assembly comprising a coupler matingly engaged to a valve, the coupler comprising a port having a distal section projecting through a slit of a septum in the valve, the distal section comprising a first profile when in a first orientation for projecting through the slit and a second wider profile when in a second orientation for preventing separation of the port from the septum, and wherein the distal section of the port comprises a round eye-hook.

24. The needleless access port valve assembly of claim 23, wherein the valve comprises a two-part housing.

25. The needleless access port valve assembly of claim 23, wherein wherein the coupler comprises a threaded inlet luer.

26. The needleless access port valve assembly of claim 23, wherein wherein the valve comprises a threaded outlet luer.