Patent ID: 8177760

Claim:
A valved connector for controlling the flow of fluid, comprising: a connector housing having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet configured to receive a male luer fitting; and a valve assembly having a first position that prevents fluid flow through the connector housing and a second position that permits fluid flow through the connector housing, the valve assembly biased in the first position and movable from the first position to the second position by the male luer fitting, the valve assembly comprising: a valve element including an upper portion, a slit portion and a lower portion, the upper and lower portions having bores extending through the valve element to the slit portion, the valve element having an outer wall with a reduced outer diameter at the slit portion to create a gap between the valve element and the connector housing, wherein movement of the male luer fitting into the upper portion bore causes the slit portion to open radially by compressing the outer wall against the connector housing; and a support disk having a hole through the center thereof, the valve element positioned on the support disk.