Patent ID: 6240960
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: A61F,A61M,Y10T

Abstract:
A valve apparatus comprising:(a) a housing having a passageway formed therethrough, said housing further comprising an access port having a bore formed therein;(b) a seal assembly configured to automatically seal said passageway in said housing in response to attachment of a medical device to said access port and automatically unseal said passageway in response to detachment of said medical device from said access port, said seal assembly having an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow through said passageway of said housing and a closed position wherein said passageway is substantially sealed so that fluid flow therethrough is substantially interrupted, said seal assembly comprising:(i) a seal movably disposed in said bore of said access port; and(ii) a biasing mechanism including a collar attached to an outside surface of said seal and extending outwardly therefrom and said biasing mechanism including a resilient flexible member, said resilient flexible member cooperating with said collar to urge said seal into said open position.