Patent ID: 7967809

Claim:
An assembly for providing resistance to fluid leakage comprising: an introducer section having a mouth portion, a stem portion, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein a diameter of the mouth portion decreases over a length of the mouth portion, and wherein a diameter of the stem portion remains substantially the same over a length of the stem portion; a transfer section having a proximal end and a distal end; and a self-sealing membrane at a junction between the stem portion and the proximal end of the transfer section, wherein the self-sealing membrane is composed of a single piece flexible elastomeric material having a conical shape protruding into the transfer section, wherein the self-sealing membrane is fully in-tact prior to the introduction of an auxiliary instrument through the self-sealing membrane, and wherein the fully in-tact self-sealing membrane has a thickness such that the self-sealing membrane stretches into the transfer section after pressure is exerted on the self-sealing membrane by the auxiliary instrument, and wherein the diameter and the length of the stem portion and a ratio of the thickness to a diameter of the self-sealing membrane are configured to provide structural integrity to the assembly resulting in the ability of the self-sealing membrane to resist fluid leakage prior to, during, and after the self-sealing membrane is punctured.