Abstract:
Needleless connectors are described herein. A needleless connector includes a body, a valve element at least partially disposed within the body, and a base. The valve element includes a cylindrical portion having an outwardly extending flange at a distal end. The flange has a bottom surface with an outer area and an inner area. The base includes a rim having a top surface that is in contact with at least a portion of the outer area of the flange of the valve element, the rim defining a recess with a bottom surface distally separated from the top surface of the rim, and at least one support member extending from the rim into the recess so as to contact the inner portion of the bottom surface of the flange.
Abstract:
A flexible valve for a connectors is described. In one example, a flexible valve for a connector includes a head having a top section and a column section defining an axial center of the head, wherein the top section includes a top planar surface that is non-perpendicular with respect to the axial center of the column section; a primary seal portion coupled to the head; and a lower portion coupled to the primary seal portion.
Abstract:
A syringe includes a plunger having a plunger tube with proximal and distal ends, a center tube with a center passage that extends within the plunger tube, and a balloon disposed over the center tube and sealingly fixed to at least one of the center tube and the plunger tube. The syringe also includes a barrel having a barrel tube having proximal and distal ends and an interior configured to accept a portion of the plunger, a tip fixedly coupled to the proximal end of the barrel tube, a post fixedly attached to the tip and extending within the barrel tube toward the distal end, the tip configured to partially extend into the center passage of the plunger, and a gas passage extending from a proximal end of the tip to the distal end of the post.
Abstract:
A connector is disclosed that has a housing having a fluid path from a first port through an internal cavity to a second port. The connector also includes a plug that has first and second positions within the internal cavity, where the plug blocks the fluid path between the first port and the internal cavity when in the first position. The plug has a diaphragm that separates the internal cavity into a first volume that is vented and a second volume that includes the fluid path. The plug also includes a biasing element that is disposed within the first volume and that urges the plug toward the first position. Displacement of the plug from the first position toward the second position opens the fluid path and increases the second volume.
Abstract:
A male needleless connector includes a body having a male fitting with a distal port, a valve disposed within the body and having a first position wherein the valve seals the port and a second position wherein the valve does not seal the port, and a sliding seal disposed over a portion of the male fitting and having a first configuration wherein a first portion of the sliding seal is in sealing contact with the male fitting and a second configuration wherein the first portion is not in sealing contact with the male fitting. Moving the sliding seal to the second configuration opens the seal between the sliding seal and the male fitting and displaces the valve to the second position, thereby opening the seal between the valve and the port.
Abstract:
A needleless connector has a body having an internal cavity with a sealing ridge, a port, an output flow channel, and a fluid flow path between the port and output flow channel. The connector also has a collapsible valve disposed within the cavity. The valve includes a cylindrical wall having a center axis, an internal surface, and a shoulder configured to sealingly contact the ridge of the body, thereby blocking the fluid flow path. The valve also includes a head fixedly attached to the wall. The head has a smiley cut at a first angular position about the center axis and a continuous top surface that is generally perpendicular to the axis. The valve also includes a first dimple formed in the internal surface of the cylindrical wall. The dimple extends around the internal surface over an angle in the range of 90-270°.
Abstract:
A syringe includes a plunger having a plunger tube with proximal and distal ends, a center tube with a center passage that extends within the plunger tube, and a balloon disposed over the center tube and sealingly fixed to at least one of the center tube and the plunger tube. The syringe also includes a barrel having a barrel tube having proximal and distal ends and an interior configured to accept a portion of the plunger, a tip fixedly coupled to the proximal end of the barrel tube, a post fixedly attached to the tip and extending within the barrel tube toward the distal end, the tip configured to partially extend into the center passage of the plunger, and a gas passage extending from a proximal end of the tip to the distal end of the post.
Abstract:
A medical connector for minimizing leakage of fluids during connection and disconnection is described. The medical connector includes a body having an inlet port, at least one outlet port adjacent to a male luer portion of the body, and a fluid path between the inlet port and the at least one outlet ports. A retractable seal adjacent to the male luer portion of the body and blocks the outlet ports of the body when the male luer portion of the medical connect is in a disconnected state. The retractable seal is positioned on the body such that it is moved away from the outlet ports upon insertion of the male luer portion of the medical connector into a medical access device thereby unblocking the outlet ports and creating a fluid path through the medical connector.
Abstract:
A needleless connector has a body having an internal cavity with a sealing ridge, a port, an output flow channel, and a fluid flow path between the port and output flow channel. The connector also has a collapsible valve disposed within the cavity. The valve includes a cylindrical wall having a center axis and a shoulder and defining an internal air space, wherein the shoulder is configured to sealingly contact the ridge of the body so as to block the fluid flow path, and a head fixedly attached to the wall, the head having first and second smiley cuts disposed on opposite sides of the head.
Abstract:
A male needleless connector includes a body having a male fitting with a distal port, a valve disposed within the body and having a first position wherein the valve seals the port and a second position wherein the valve does not seal the port, and a sliding seal disposed over a portion of the male fitting and having a first configuration wherein a first portion of the sliding seal is in sealing contact with the male fitting and a second configuration wherein the first portion is not in sealing contact with the male fitting. Moving the sliding seal to the second configuration opens the seal between the sliding seal and the male fitting and displaces the valve to the second position, thereby opening the seal between the valve and the port.