Medical valve with positive flow characteristics

A medical valve for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, said valve comprising a body having a cavity in communication with a second medical implement and an opening adapted to receive a first medical implement, and a rigid sealing element positioned within said body and movable between a first position in which said seal prevents fluid flow through said body and a second position in which fluid flow is permitted through said body, said cavity including a fluid space which automatically and reversibly increases in size when said first medical implement is connected to said valve and which contracts in size when said first medical implement is disconnected, said sealing element comprising a piston movably mounted with respect to said body, said piston dividing said cavity into a first fluid filled chamber and a second, air-filled chamber.

A medical valve for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, said valve comprising a body having a cavity in communication with a second medical implement and an opening adapted to receive a first medical implement, and a rigid sealing element positioned within said body and movable between a first position in which said seal prevents fluid flow through said body and a second position in which fluid flow is permitted through said body, said cavity including a fluid space which automatically and reversibly increases in size when said first medical implement is connected to said valve and which contracts in size when said first medical implement is disconnected, said sealing element comprising a piston movably mounted with respect to said body, said piston having a head for engagement by said first medical implement, said head having a slanted surface.

A medical valve for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, said valve comprising a body having a cavity in communication with a second medical implement and an opening adapted to receive a first medical implement, and a rigid sealing element positioned within said body and movable between a first position in which said seal prevents fluid flow through said body and a second position in which fluid flow is permitted through said body, said cavity including a fluid space which automatically and reversibly increases in size when said first medical implement is connected to said valve and which contracts in size when said first medical implement is disconnected, said opening being at a first end of said body, said body having a closed second end and a branch, said branch defining a branch passage leading from said cavity.

A medical valve for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, said valve comprising a body having a cavity in communication with a second medical implement and an opening adapted to receive a first medical implement, a rigid sealing element positioned within said body and movable between a first position in which said seal prevents fluid flow through said body and a second position in which fluid flow is permitted through said body, said cavity including a fluid space which automatically and reversibly increases in size when said first medical implement is connected to said valve and which contracts in size when said first medical implement is disconnected, a piston member movably positioned with in said body, and means for biasing said piston member in the direction of said sealing element, said means for biasing comprising a member cooperating with said body to define an air-filled chamber.

A medical valve for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, said valve comprising a body having a cavity in communication with a second medical implement and an opening adapted to receive a first medical implement, a rigid sealing element positioned within said body and movable between a first position in which said seal prevents fluid flow through said body and a second position in which fluid flow is permitted through said body, said cavity including a fluid space which automatically and reversibly increases in size when said first medical implement is connected to said valve and which contracts in size when said first medical implement is disconnected, a piston member movably positioned within said body, and means for biasing said piston member in the direction of said sealing element, said means for biasing comprising an air-filled member.

A medical valve for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, said valve comprising a body having a cavity in communication with a second medical implement, an opening adapted to receive a first medical implement, and a sealing element positioned within said body and movable between a first position in which said seal prevents fluid flow through said body and a second position in which fluid flow is permitted through said body, said cavity including a fluid space which automatically and reversibly increases in size when said first medical implement is connected to said valve and which contracts in size when said first medical implement is disconnected, said sealing element comprising a piston movably mounted with respect to said body, said piston having a head for engagement by said first medical implement, said head having a slanted surface.

A medical valve for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, said valve comprising a body having a cavity in communication with a second medical implement, an opening adapted to receive a first medical implement, and a sealing element positioned within said body and movable between a first position in which said seal prevents fluid flow through said body and a second position in which fluid flow is permitted through said body, said cavity including a fluid space which automatically and reversibly increases in size when said first medical implement is connected to said valve and which contracts in size when said first medical implement is disconnected, said sealing element comprising a piston movably mounted with respect to said body, said piston dividing said cavity into a first fluid filled chamber and a second, air-filled chamber, said piston including a hollow recess in communication with said air-filled chamber.