Needle with sealing valve

A needle assembly comprising:

• a hollow needle having a pointed distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end;
• a needle hub having a distal hub end fixedly connected to the needle, a proximal hub end having an opening, and a passageway extending therethrough along the longitudinal axis between the distal hub end and the proximal hub end;
• a valve disposed within the passageway, wherein the valve comprises a sealing member having at least one through-opening disposed along the longitudinal axis, and the sealing member including a proximal portion defining a recess thereinto from a proximal valve end;
• a non-resilient support member disposed in the passageway proximally of, adjacent to and in supportive engagement of the sealing member such that the proximal portion of the sealing member surrounds a distal end of the support member and the support member is secured in the passageway against proximal movement with respect to the passageway;
• and
• a plunger disposed in and secured within the passageway proximate the sealing member and slidable between a first position wherein the at least one through-opening is closed such that the hollow needle and the proximal hub end are not in fluid communication with each other and a second position wherein the plunger biases the at least one through-opening to an open position, such that the hollow needle and the proximal hub end are in fluid communication with each other.

A combination passageway and valve comprising:

• a passageway comprising:
• a first end;
• a second end;
• a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end;
• a passage fluidly communicating the first end and the second end;
• and
• a wall forming the passageway;
• and
• a valve disposed in the passage between the first end and the second end, wherein the valve comprises:
• a sealing member having at least one through-opening disposed along the longitudinal axis;
• a support member disposed in the passageway proximally of, adjacent to and supportive of the valve such that a proximal end of the valve surrounds a distal end of the support member and the support member is secured in the passageway against proximal movement with respect to the passageway;
• and
• a plunger disposed proximate the sealing member and the support member and slidable between a first position wherein the at least one through-opening is closed such that the first end and the second end are not in fluid communication with each other and a second position wherein the plunger biases the at least one through-opening to an open position, such that the first end and the second end are in fluid communication with each other,
• wherein the sealing member, the support member and the plunger are wholly disposed within the passageway, and the passageway includes a first inwardly directed protrusion proximate the distal end of the passageway to provide a forward stop for the valve, and a second inwardly directed protrusion proximally from the first inwardly directed protrusion and so positioned and shaped to permit insertion of the valve and the support member therepast during assembly and to thereafter be engaged by the support member to retain the support member and the valve distally thereof and between the first and second inwardly directed protrusions.