# US 11,992,647 B2 · Valve retainer ring and related systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,992,647 B2 - Document ID: US11992647B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/565,189 - Filed: 2021-12-29 - Published: 2022-07-21 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2021-01-20 - Assignees: Becton, Dickinson and Company - Applicants: Becton, Dickinson and Company - Inventors: Mohankumar Natesan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11992647B2 ## CPC - A61M 39/225: {Flush valves, i.e. bypass valves for flushing line} - A61M 5/158: Needles {for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body} - A61M 25/0097: {characterised by the hub (tube connectors or tube couplings A61M39/10)} - A61M 25/0606: {"Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters} - A61M 39/06: Haemostasis valves, i.e. gaskets sealing around a needle, catheter or the like, closing on removal thereof - A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings - A61M 39/20: Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes - A61M 2005/1403: {Flushing or purging} - A61M 2039/0205: {for injecting media} - A61M 2039/0633: {the seal being a passive seal made of a resilient material with or without an opening} - A61M 2039/1077: {Adapters, e.g. couplings adapting a connector to one or several other connectors} - A61M 2039/242: {designed to open when a predetermined pressure or flow rate has been reached, e.g. check valve actuated by fluid} - A61M 2039/2433: {Valve comprising a resilient or deformable element, e.g. flap valve, deformable disc} - 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)} ## Abstract A catheter system may include a catheter assembly. The catheter assembly may include the catheter adapter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, an inner surface forming a lumen, the lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end, and a side port disposed between the distal end and the proximal end. The catheter assembly may include an annular valve, which may be disposed within the lumen and aligned with the side port. The annular valve may seal a fluid pathway from the side port to the lumen. The catheter assembly may include a retainer ring disposed proximal and/or proximate the annular valve within the lumen. The catheter assembly may include a catheter extending distally from the distal end of the catheter adapter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A catheter system, comprising: a catheter assembly, comprising: a catheter adapter, comprising a distal end, a proximal end, an inner surface forming a lumen, the lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end, and a side port disposed between the distal end and the proximal end; an annular valve disposed within the lumen and aligned with the side port, wherein the annular valve seals a fluid pathway from the side port to the lumen; a retainer ring disposed proximal to and contacting the annular valve within the lumen; and a catheter extending distally from the distal end of the catheter adapter, wherein in response to fluid infusion through the side port, a proximal end of the annular valve is configured to open to allow fluid to flow proximally through the retainer ring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the inner surface comprises an undercut, wherein the retainer ring is disposed within the undercut. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the annular valve comprises silicon. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the annular valve is cylindrical. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the retainer ring is formed by molding. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the retainer ring is plastic. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The catheter system of claim 1, further comprising a needle assembly, wherein the needle assembly comprises a needle hub and an introducer needle extending distally from the needle hub and through the retainer ring, the annular valve, and the catheter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the side port extends from a top of the catheter adapter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the side port is configured to receive a syringe. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the retainer ring is configured to reduce proximal movement of the annular valve in response to fluid infusion through the side port that opens the annular valve. ### Claim 11 A method of flushing a catheter assembly, comprising: coupling an infusion device to a side port of a catheter adapter of the catheter assembly, wherein the catheter assembly comprises: a catheter adapter, comprising a distal end, a proximal end, an inner surface forming a lumen, the lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end, and a side port disposed between the distal end and the proximal end; an annular valve disposed within the lumen and aligned with the side port, wherein the annular valve seals a fluid pathway from the side port to the lumen; a retainer ring disposed proximal and proximate the annular valve within the lumen; and a catheter extending distally from the distal end of the catheter adapter; activating the infusion device, wherein in response to activating the infusion device, a proximal end of the annular valve is opened to allow fluid to flow proximally through the retainer ring, wherein in response to activating the infusion device, a proximal end of the annular valve is forced against the retainer ring and the retainer ring remains in place. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the infusion device comprises a syringe, wherein activating the infusion device comprises depressing a plunger of the syringe. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, the inner surface comprises an undercut, wherein the retainer ring is disposed within the undercut. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the annular valve comprises silicon. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the annular valve is cylindrical. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the retainer ring is formed by molding. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the retainer ring is plastic. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising uncoupling and removing a needle assembly from the catheter adapter, wherein the needle assembly comprises a needle hub and an introducer needle extending distally from the needle hub and through the retainer ring, the annular valve, and the catheter, wherein the infusion device is activated after the needle assembly is uncoupled and removed from the catheter adapter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the side port extends from a top of the catheter adapter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the catheter is a peripheral intravenous catheter.