Medical valve with fluid escape space

A method of transferring a first fluid through a medical valve, said valve comprising a body having an inner surface and an outer surface and defining an internal cavity, said body having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end having an opening sufficiently large to receive a delivery end of a medical implement which transfers fluid through said delivery end, and a seal within the cavity of said body, said seal having an outer surface and said valve containing a second fluid in said cavity between said outer surface of said seal and said inner surface of said body, said body further including a fluid escape space leading from said cavity between said outer surface of said seal and said inner surface of said body, said method comprising the steps of:

• a. inserting the tip of a medical implement into the opening in the proximal end of said body;
• b. compressing said seal in the distal direction by applying a force to the medical implement;
• c. expelling said second fluid outside said cavity through said fluid escape space contained in said body of said valve;
• and
• d. transferring said first fluid through said medical valve.