Medical valve and method of use
First Claim
1. A medical connector for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, the connector comprising:
- a housing member comprising an opening adapted at its proximal end to receive a first medical implement and a wall structure defining an internal cavity, the cavity comprising a neck portion in fluid communication with the opening and a main portion distal the neck portion with a larger internal diameter than the neck portion;
a flexible element positioned in the cavity, the flexible element movable between a first position in which the flexible element obstructs fluid flow through the housing member and a second position in which fluid flow is facilitated through the housing member, the flexible element comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, the flexible element in the first position being positioned to facilitate antiseptic swabbing of an outer surface of the proximal end thereof and comprising a first external diameter near the opening, a second external diameter in the neck portion, and a third external diameter in the main portion, the second external diameter being smaller than the first external diameter and the third external diameter, the flexible element in the first position further comprising a first internal diameter in the main portion, a second internal diameter in the main portion distal the first internal diameter, and a third internal diameter in the main portion distal the second internal diameter, the second internal diameter in the main portion being smaller than the first and third internal diameters in the main portion; and
a rigid element positioned inside the cavity and configured to act as a fluid conduit through at least a portion of the housing member.
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Accused Products
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.
343 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A medical connector for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, the connector comprising:
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a housing member comprising an opening adapted at its proximal end to receive a first medical implement and a wall structure defining an internal cavity, the cavity comprising a neck portion in fluid communication with the opening and a main portion distal the neck portion with a larger internal diameter than the neck portion; a flexible element positioned in the cavity, the flexible element movable between a first position in which the flexible element obstructs fluid flow through the housing member and a second position in which fluid flow is facilitated through the housing member, the flexible element comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, the flexible element in the first position being positioned to facilitate antiseptic swabbing of an outer surface of the proximal end thereof and comprising a first external diameter near the opening, a second external diameter in the neck portion, and a third external diameter in the main portion, the second external diameter being smaller than the first external diameter and the third external diameter, the flexible element in the first position further comprising a first internal diameter in the main portion, a second internal diameter in the main portion distal the first internal diameter, and a third internal diameter in the main portion distal the second internal diameter, the second internal diameter in the main portion being smaller than the first and third internal diameters in the main portion; and a rigid element positioned inside the cavity and configured to act as a fluid conduit through at least a portion of the housing member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A medical connector for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, the connector comprising:
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a housing member comprising an opening adapted at its proximal end to receive a first medical implement and a wall structure defining an internal cavity, the cavity comprising a neck portion in fluid communication with the opening and a main portion distal the neck portion with a larger internal diameter than the neck portion; a flexible element positioned in the cavity, the flexible element movable between a first position in which the flexible element obstructs fluid flow through the housing member and a second position in which fluid flow is facilitated through the housing member, the flexible element comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, the flexible element in the first position being positioned to facilitate antiseptic swabbing of an outer surface of the proximal end thereof and comprising a first external diameter near the opening, a second external diameter in the neck portion, and a third external diameter in the main portion, the second external diameter being smaller than the first external diameter and the third external diameter, the flexible element in the first position further comprising a first internal diameter in the main portion, a second internal diameter in the main portion distal the first internal diameter, and a third internal diameter in the main portion distal the second internal diameter, the second internal diameter in the main portion being smaller than the first and third internal diameters in the main portion; and a spike positioned inside the cavity and configured to act as a fluid conduit through at least a portion of the housing member. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification