Patent ID: 8758307

Claim:
A self-priming IV set valve comprising: a connector including a hollow body, a frustoconical portion extending away from the body, and a valve element located in a chamber defined by the body and the frustoconical portion; and a cap that is configured to encompass and be removably connected to an outer surface of the frustoconical portion of the connector, said cap including a hydrophobic filter and an actuator extending in a direction away from the hydrophobic filter and toward the valve element, the hydrophobic filter being configured to permit the passage of air but not liquid; wherein, when the cap is mounted to the connector, the actuator extends through the frustoconical portion of the connector and engages the valve element to form a passageway in the connector such that air and liquid are permitted to pass through the connector and into the cap whereupon the hydrophobic filter of the cap prevents the passage of liquid through the hydrophobic filter while the hydrophobic filter permits the passage of air out of the cap and into the atmosphere, and, wherein, when the cap is not mounted to the connector, the valve element of the connector is configured to open under pressure to permit the passage of liquid through the connector and close when pressure ceases.