Patent ID: 8475416

Claim:
A method for mitigating negative pressure within a flow channel of a luer receiving valve during the withdrawal of a male luer from the valve, the valve comprising a luer valve housing having an inlet and a housing proximal portion adjacent the inlet, a septum having a septum proximal portion within the housing proximal portion and a resealable slit formed in the septum proximal portion, said resealable slit extending within a housing central portion, and a flow channel distal of said resealable slit, the method comprising: inserting a male luer mounted within a threadable luer lock connector shroud into the septum through at least a portion of the resealable slit; receiving the housing proximal portion into said threadable luer lock connector shroud, along with the septum proximal portion; and restraining the septum against deflection induced by the male luer into the distal flow channel when the male luer has been inserted into the septum through said at least a portion of the slit and placed in fluid communication with the distal flow channel wherein the septum has a central portion having a distal end and the slit has a closed distal portion extending to the distal end of the central portion, and said step of inserting a male luer causes a portion of the slit that extends through the distal end of the central portion of the septum to open from a closed sealing position, said restraining being accomplished at least in part by a distal support portion of said housing provided adjacent the distal end of the central portion of the septum through which said resealable slit extends; wherein the septum further comprises a distal portion having a lateral portion, the restraining step comprising restraining said lateral portion of the septum against said deflection.