US 2002/0000253 A1 · Medical flush valve

Abstract

A valve apparatus is provided that includes a housing having proximal and distal ends and defining a passageway therethrough. An access port of the housing defines a bore configured for selective communication with the passageway. The valve apparatus includes a hollow insert which is disposed in the distal end of the passageway and includes a portion that is disposed beneath the bore defined by the access port. The housing additionally includes retention tabs on the distal end that engage corresponding openings in a fitting that is attached to the housing and includes a nipple slidingly received within the insert. A seat on the nipple contacts a flange of the insert to form a substantially leak proof connection. A substantially identical fitting engages corresponding retention tabs on the access port and is configured to slidingly receive a plunger, disposed in the bore, within a passage defined by the nipple. A sealing ring disposed in the bore around the plunger is compressed by the nipple and acts to prevent leakage past the plunger. The plunger is biased upwards out of the passageway, defined by the housing, by the resilience of the insert, so that fluid can readily flow between the proximal and distal ends of the passageway. Attachment of a medical device to the fitting on the access port pushes the plunger downward so that a flushing passage defined by the plunger establishes fluid communication between the medical device and the proximal end of the passageway, thereby permitting introduction of material from the medical device into the proximal end of the passageway, and to another medical device in fluid communication therewith. Upon detachment of the medical device, the resilience of the insert moves the plunger upward in the bore so that fluid communication between the flushing passage and the proximal end of the passageway is disestablished, and fluid communication between the proximal and distal ends of the passageway is reestablished.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A valve apparatus for use in conjunction with at least one medical device, the valve apparatus comprising:

(a) a housing having a passageway formed therethrough and said passageway having proximal and distal ends, said housing further comprising an access port having a bore formed therein;
(b) a first fitting attached to said access port;
and
(c) an insert substantially disposed within said passageway;
(d) a plunger slidingly disposed in said bore and having an open position wherein fluid is substantially free to flow between said proximal and distal ends of said passageway, and a closed position wherein fluid flow between said proximal and distal ends of said passageway is substantially prevented, said plunger assuming said closed position in response to attachment of the medical device to said first fitting and said plunger assuming said open position in response to detachment of the medical device from said first fitting, wherein in said closed position said plunger pinches a portion of said insert substantially shut so as to substantially prevent fluid flow between said proximal and distal ends of said passageway.

2 more elements

A system for use in implementing medical procedures, the system comprising:

(a) at least one medical device;
and
(b) a manifold including a plurality of valve apparatuses arranged in a predetermined configuration, each valve apparatus comprising:
(i) a housing having a passageway formed therethrough and said passageway having proximal and distal ends, said housing further comprising an access port having a bore formed therein;
(ii) a first fitting attached to said access port;
(iii) an insert substantially disposed within said passageway;
and
(iv) a plunger slidingly disposed in said bore and having an open position wherein fluid is substantially free to flow between said proximal and distal ends of said passageway, and a closed position wherein fluid flow between said proximal and distal ends of said passageway is substantially prevented, said plunger assuming said closed position in response to attachment of said at least one medical device to said first fitting and said plunger assuming said open position in response to detachment of said at least one medical device from said first fitting, wherein in said closed position said plunger pinches a portion of said insert substantially shut so as to substantially prevent fluid flow between said proximal and distal ends of said passageway.

5 more elements

A drainage system for use in medical applications, the drainage system comprising:

(a) a first medical device;
(b) a valve apparatus, including:
(i) a housing having a passageway formed therethrough and the passageway having proximal and distal ends, said housing further comprising an access port having a bore formed therein;
(ii) a fitting attached to said access port;
(iii) an insert substantially disposed within said passageway;
and
(iv) a plunger slidingly disposed in said bore and having at least an open position wherein fluid is substantially free to flow between said proximal and distal ends of said passageway and a closed position wherein fluid flow between said proximal and distal ends of said passageway is substantially prevented, said plunger assuming said closed position in response to attachment of said first medical device to said fitting and said plunger assuming said open position in response to detachment of said first medical device from said fitting, wherein in said closed position said plunger pinches said tubing substantially shut so as to substantially prevent fluid flow between said proximal and distal ends of said passageway;
(c) a catheter in fluid communication with said proximal end of said passageway;
(d) a drainage tube in fluid communication with said distal end of said passageway;
and
(e) a drainage reservoir in fluid communication with said drainage tube.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Medical flush valve

Life of this patent

Medical flush valve

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34