Patent ID: 6916309
Filing Date: 2005-07-12
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A medical valve for selectively permitting fluid to flow between a first medical device and a second medical device, the valve comprising: a housing having an interface suitable for receiving a connector portion of the first medical device; and a seal element made of a flexible material, the seal element having a downstream end in fluid communication with the interface, an upstream end suitable for receiving at least a portion of the second medical device, and a normally substantially closed passage in fluid communication with the downstream end and the upstream end, and a neck portion positioned in a region near the upstream end, the passage being relatively wide in the region of the upstream end and the passage being relatively narrow in the region of the downstream end, the passage adapted to have a relatively small interior volume when in an undisturbed state and a larger interior volume upon the introduction of the second medical device into the upstream end of the passage, the passage adapted to retract to define a restricted flow path and a relatively small interior volume upon the withdrawal of the second medical device from the seal element, at least a portion of the upstream end adapted to initially press against the inserted portion of the second medical device as the second medical device is withdrawn, so that a fluid occupying the interior volume is forced toward the downstream end as the passage retracts.