Patent ID: 8622972

Claim:
A peripheral catheter assembly comprising: a hollow catheter hub having a female proximal end and a distal end provided with a catheter tube, at least one infusion port located between the distal and proximal ends, a hollow needle module comprising a needle held by a male socket arranged to sealingly engage the female proximal end, and a sealing member engaged inside the catheter hub in the form of a sealing valve in the form of a unit piece comprising a septum seal having a weakened portion surrounded by deflectable septum walls, and a hollow tubular extension which protrudes towards a free end from the periphery of the septum seal and extends inside the catheter hub past the infusion port towards the distal end of the catheter hub; wherein a portion of the inner periphery of the catheter hub is provided with an annular relief that provides sufficient open space about the septum seal wall and tubular extension for at least partly receiving (1) the deflected septum seal wall or (2) part of the wall of the tubular extension that is displaced outwardly by the deflected septum seal wall due to insertion of the needle module or another male connector into the female proximal end; and wherein upon removal of the needle module or male connector from the female proximal end, the sealing member returns to its initial sealing position and remains stationary inside the catheter hub.