# US 11,305,102 B2 · Pressure activated proximal valves

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- Number: US 11,305,102 B2
- Document ID: US11305102B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/947,610
- Filed: 2018-04-06
- Published: 2018-08-09
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2005-12-02
- Assignees: C. R. Bard, Inc.
- Applicants: C. R. Bard, Inc.
- Inventors: Daniel B. Blanchard; Kelly B. Powers; William R. Barron
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305102B2

## CPC

- A61M 5/16881: {Regulating valves}
- A61M 25/0075: {Valve means}
- A61M 39/22: Valves or arrangement of valves {(A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405)}
- A61M 39/223: {Multiway valves}
- F16K 15/147: {the closure elements having specially formed slits or being of an elongated easily collapsible form}
- G06Q 20/1085: {involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]}
- G06Q 20/3223: {Realising banking transactions through M-devices}
- G06Q 20/352: {Contactless payments by cards}
- G06Q 20/4012: {Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]}
- G07F 19/205: {Housing aspects of ATMs}
- H04M 1/72412: using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
- A61M 1/772: {operating alternately}
- A61M 25/0693: {Flashback chambers}
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00})
- H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08)

## Abstract

A catheter assembly for regulation or transfer of fluids to and from a patient. The catheter assembly may include a catheter and a valve assembly. The valve assembly may include a diaphragm having two unidirectional slit valves that open in different directions, a first unidirectional slit valve opening distally in response to an infusion-induced pressure and a second unidirectional slit valve opening proximally in response to an aspiration-induced pressure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A catheter assembly, comprising:
a catheter including a lumen; and
a valve assembly coupled to a proximal end of the catheter, the valve assembly including a diaphragm, the diaphragm comprising:
a first unidirectional slit valve located in a central portion of the diaphragm, wherein the first unidirectional slit valve is structurally designed to:
open distally in response to an infusion-induced pressure; and
remain closed when subjected to an aspiration-induced pressure;
a second unidirectional slit valve located in a lateral portion of the diaphragm, the lateral portion connecting the central portion to a peripheral portion of the diaphragm, wherein the lateral portion of the diaphragm is thinner than the peripheral portion of the diaphragm, wherein the second unidirectional slit valve is structurally designed to:
open proximally in response to the aspiration-induced pressure; and
remain closed when subjected to the infusion-induced pressure and
a reinforcing member coupled to the lateral portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve assembly includes a valve housing comprising a distal portion attached to a proximal portion, and wherein the peripheral portion of the diaphragm is captured between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the valve housing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The catheter assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a third unidirectional slit valve located in the lateral portion of the diaphragm, the third unidirectional slit valve structurally designed to:
open proximally in response to the aspiration-induced pressure; and
remain closed when subjected to the infusion-induced pressure.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The catheter assembly according to claim 3, wherein the first unidirectional slit valve, the second unidirectional slit valve, and the third unidirectional slit valve are substantially parallel to one another.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The catheter assembly according to claim 3, wherein the second unidirectional slit valve and the third unidirectional slit valve are positioned through the lateral portion of the diaphragm at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the diaphragm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first unidirectional slit valve and the second unidirectional slit valve are substantially parallel to one another.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second unidirectional slit valve is positioned through the lateral portion of the diaphragm at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the diaphragm.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first unidirectional slit valve is located in a center of the central portion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the central portion has a dome shape extending into a lumen of the diaphragm.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The catheter assembly according to claim 9, wherein the central portion is designed to maintain the dome shape when subjected to the aspiration-induced pressure.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the central portion comprises a reinforced area.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral portion of the diaphragm has a first thickness, wherein the central portion of the diaphragm has a second thickness, and wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein a first end of the reinforcing member is coupled to the lateral portion of the diaphragm and a second end is coupled to the central portion of the diaphragm.