Patent ID: 7717886

Claim:
A medical connector for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, the connector comprising: a valve comprising an opening adapted at its proximal end to receive a first medical implement and a wall structure defining an internal cavity, the cavity comprising a neck portion in fluid communication with the opening and a main portion distal the neck portion with a larger internal diameter than the neck portion; a flexible element positioned in the cavity, the flexible element movable between a first position in which the flexible element impedes fluid flow through the valve and a second position in which fluid flow is facilitated through the valve, the flexible element comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, the flexible element in the first position being positioned essentially even with the wall structure at the opening of the valve to facilitate antiseptic swabbing of an outer surface of the proximal end of the flexible element and comprising a first internal diameter in the main portion, a second internal diameter in the main portion distal the first internal diameter, and a third internal diameter in the main portion distal the second internal diameter, the second internal diameter in the main portion being different than the first and third internal diameters in the main portion; and a rigid element configured to act as a fluid conduit through at least a portion of the valve.