Patent ID: 8585660
Filing Date: 2013-11-19
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A valve assembly for a catheter comprising: a housing having a lumen extending at least partially therethrough, the lumen having a proximal end and a distal end; a first port opening in fluid communication with the proximal end of the lumen via a first port passage, the first port passage having a first longitudinal axis; a valve disposed in the first port passage, the valve being biased toward a closed configuration to prevent fluid flow therethrough when the first port passage is not in use; a second port opening in fluid communication with the proximal end of the lumen via a second port passage, the second port passage having a second longitudinal axis; a passage selector located distally of the valve; and an external actuator for manual operation of the passage selector, the external actuator configured to switch the passage selector between a first and second position; wherein the first and second port passages merge distally of a vertical plane containing the valve, wherein the first position prevents fluid communication between the distal end of the lumen and the valve, wherein the second position prevents fluid communication between the distal end of the lumen and the second port, and wherein the first longitudinal axis assumes an acute angle with the second longitudinal axis proximal of the merge.