Vascular access device including a tear-resistant septum

• US 8,062,267 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2007
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Moulton, William G., McKinnon, Austin Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi; Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eisenberg; Rebecca E
• Application Number:
  US11/866,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20080086099A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,511 Days
• Field of Search: 60428801-28804, 604/86, 604201-206, 604533-534
• US Class Current: 604/201
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0258 for vascular access, e.g. blood stream access
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/027 having a particular valve, seal or septum septum A61M2039/0036
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/064 Slit-valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/066 Septum-like element
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1072 with a septum present in the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/045 pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument

Abstract

A vascular access device may include a body, a single-disk septum in communication with the body, and a rigid member supporting the septum. A method of manufacturing a vascular access device may include providing a body, providing a single-disk septum in communication with the body, and supporting the septum with a rigid member.

Claims

1. A vascular access device, comprising:

a body having a top, a bottom, a lumen extending between the top and the bottom, and a top lumen opening defining an area;

a septum coupled to the top of the body, the septum consisting of a disk having a substantially flat top surface and a slit, the septum spanning the top lumen opening, and a portion of the septum being directly above the area of the top lumen opening; and

a rigid member disposed on the top of the body, the rigid member having a plurality of arms, each arm being secured to the body at a pivot point and coupled to a spring, each arm having a top portion above the pivot point and a lower portion below the pivot point, the spring biasing the upper portion of each arm toward the top surface of the septum such that the upper portion of each arm covers a substantial portion of the portion of the septum directly above the area of the top lumen opening.

2. The vascular access device of claim 1, wherein when a force is exerted on the lower portion of each arm in the direction of the body, the top portion of each arm moves in a direction away from the top portion of the septum.

3. The vascular access device of claim 2, wherein when the top portion of each arm moves in a direction away from the top portion of the septum the rigid member is in an open position in which the septum is accessible by a separate access device.

4. The vascular access device of claim 1, wherein when a force is exerted on the lower portion of each arm in the direction of the body, the top portion of each arm moves in a direction away from the top portion of the septum.

5. The vascular access device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of arms comprises two arms.

6. The vascular access device of claim 1, wherein the spring biases the arms to a closed position in which the upper portion of each arm is in contact with the top surface of the septum.

7. The vascular access device of claim 1, wherein the septum has a diameter and the slit of the septum has a length greater than one half the length of the septum diameter.