Needleless access port valves
First Claim
1. A needleless access port valve assembly comprising a plunger assembly comprising a continuous band adapted to flex and stretch when urged by a medical implement;
- the band, which comprises a length and a cross-sectional circumference of smaller dimension than the length, is compressed only along two opposed surfaces between an inlet connector assembly comprising a port and a valve body comprising a port;
said band integrally formed with a plunger comprising a base;
the band being compressed between a seat on the valve body and a seat on the inlet connector assembly and comprising an arcuate shaped structure having two hollow cavities located between the plunger and the band such that part of the base is exposed at the cavities.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves having a stretchable or flexible band. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the band is held in between a flange section of an inlet connector assembly and a shoulder section of the valve body. A plunger integrally formed with the band is movable inside a nozzle to control fluid flow through the inlet of the valve. When the plunger is urged by a medical implement to open the valve inlet, the band flexes to accommodate the moving plunger.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A needleless access port valve assembly comprising a plunger assembly comprising a continuous band adapted to flex and stretch when urged by a medical implement;
- the band, which comprises a length and a cross-sectional circumference of smaller dimension than the length, is compressed only along two opposed surfaces between an inlet connector assembly comprising a port and a valve body comprising a port;
said band integrally formed with a plunger comprising a base;
the band being compressed between a seat on the valve body and a seat on the inlet connector assembly and comprising an arcuate shaped structure having two hollow cavities located between the plunger and the band such that part of the base is exposed at the cavities. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- the band, which comprises a length and a cross-sectional circumference of smaller dimension than the length, is compressed only along two opposed surfaces between an inlet connector assembly comprising a port and a valve body comprising a port;
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9. A needleless access port valve assembly comprising a plunger assembly comprising an axially extending plunger and an integrally formed band having a perimeter with a constant thickness throughout, the band being disposed in between an inlet connector assembly comprising an inlet port and a valve body comprising an outlet port;
- said inlet connector assembly and said valve body defining a groove and only a portion of said band perimeter with the constant thickness throughout is disposed in said groove and being compressed thereby;
wherein said band and said band perimeter comprise a first length when said plunger is in a first position and a second length, which is longer than the first length, when said plunger is in a second position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- said inlet connector assembly and said valve body defining a groove and only a portion of said band perimeter with the constant thickness throughout is disposed in said groove and being compressed thereby;
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16. A needleless access port valve assembly comprising an inlet connector assembly comprising an inlet port, a plunger assembly means for regulating fluid flow, and a valve body comprising an outlet port, said plunger assembly means comprising an integrally formed plunger comprising a base, spring means for stretching and unstretching having a perimeter, and at least one hollow cavity disposed between the plunger and the spring means, the at least one hollow cavity extending to the base of the plunger, the spring means and perimeter being compressed in between a groove defined by a flange on the inlet connector assembly and a shoulder on the valve body;
- wherein the spring means and perimeter flex in response to a force applied on the plunger and are less flexed when said force is removed from said plunger.
- View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification