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US 7,559,530 B2Granted
Valved fluid connector
AssigneeIndustrie Borla S.p.A.
InventorsTodd M. Korogi, Scott P. Jarnagin, Theodore J. Mosler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valved fluid connector reversibly attachable to a standard female connector and providing a flow channel between them comprising a tubular member, an elastic member surrounding at least a portion of the proximal end of the tubular member, the elastic member reversibly sealing the tubular member. When the valved fluid connector is engaged with a standard female connector device, the female connector urges the elastic member of the valved male connector into a stretched position to open the valve and permit fluid communication between the devices.
Claims98
A valved male connector for providing fluid flow comprising:
- a tubular housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end engagable with a female connector;
- a tubular member positioned within the housing comprising:
- an axial conduit between a proximal end and a distal end;
- an outer surface;
- and
- an internal wall element forming an upper and lower opposing conduit, the
- wall element bisecting the axial conduit into an upper and lower axial conduit;
- an elastic member comprising:
- a forward and a rearward end, the forward end adjacent the proximal end of the tubular housing;
- a flange section positioned at the reward end securable within the tubular housing;
- a first laterally protruding sliding seal on the interior surface of the elastic member adjacent the exterior surface of the tubular member;
- an interior surface portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the tubular member exterior surface positioned forwardly from the first laterally protruding sliding seal;
- a valve member integral with the forward end and in sealing relationship with the proximal end of the tubular member;
- and
- a movable conduit defined by the first laterally protruding sliding seal, the
- interior surface portion and outer surface of the tubular member;
- and an annular collar located within the housing between the elastic member and the tubular housing and in contact with the flange section, the annular collar slidably movable between the tubular housing and the elastic member.
14 more elements
A valved male connector assembly comprising:
- a tubular section having an axial conduit between a proximal end and a distal end, an outer surface and an internal wall element forming an upper and lower opposing conduit bisecting the axial conduit into an upper and lower axial conduit;
- an elastic member comprising:
- a forward and a rearward end;
- a flange section positioned at the reward end;
- a first laterally protruding sliding seal on the interior surface of the elastic member adjacent the exterior surface of the tubular member;
- an interior surface portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the tubular member exterior surface positioned forwardly from the first laterally protruding sliding seal;
- a valve member integral with the forward end and in sealing relationship with the proximal end of the tubular member;
- and
- a movable conduit defined by the first laterally protruding sliding seal, the interior surface portion and outer surface of the tubular member;
- an annular collar abutting the elastic member, the annular collar slidably movable with the elastic member;
- wherein contact with a female connector positions the movable conduit to include at least a portion of the lower opposed conduit, the internal wall and at least a portion of the upper axial conduit permitting fluid communication between the lower and upper axial conduits.
8 more elements
A valved male connector for providing fluid flow comprising:
- a tubular housing having a proximal end and a distal end and an inner and outer wall, the proximal end engagable with a female connector;
- a tubular member positioned within the housing and having a proximal end and a distal end;
- an elastic member with a forward end and a rearward flange end, the forward end surrounding the tubular member, a valve member at the forward end of the elastic member and in sealing relationship with the proximal end of the tubular portion, the valve member being biased by the elastic member;
- and
- an annular collar located within the housing between the elastic member and the inner wall of the housing and in contact with the flange, the annular collar slidably movable between the tubular housing and the elastic member, wherein the annular collar upon engagement with a female connector surface causes stretching of the elastic member, biasing the valve member.
2 more elements
A fluid connector comprising:
- a housing;
- an elastic member comprising a forward end integral with a valve member and a rearward end comprising a flange secured within the housing;
- a tubular member with a proximal end positioned within the elastic member;
- the proximal end of the tubular member in sealing relationship with the valve member of the elastic member and a distal end secured to the housing;
- an annular collar member located between the housing and the elastic member and in contact with the flange, the annular collar member slidably movable between the housing and the elastic member;
- wherein the annular collar member is urged rearwardly from the tubular member proximal end stretching the elastic member and opening the valve member
- wherein engagement with a female connector urges the annular collar rearwardly from the proximal end of the tubular member elongating at least a portion of the elastic member, opening the valve member and permitting fluid communication with the female connector.
4 more elements
A valved male connector comprising:
- a housing;
- a tubular member contained within the housing with a proximal end and a distal end, a first stepped area and a second stepped area positioned forwardly of the first stepped area defining a first groove;
- an elastic member comprising:
- forward and rearward ends;
- an interior and exterior surface, the interior surface adjacent the tubular member;
- at least one lateral protrusion on the exterior surface;
- and a valve member at the forward end of the elastic member and in reversible
- sealing relationship with the proximal end of the tubular member
- wherein a female connector surface axially displaces the lateral projection causing stretching of the elastic member.
6 more elements
A valved male assembly comprising:
- a tubular portion comprising:
- a proximal end;
- and
- a first stepped area and a second stepped area positioned forwardly from the first stepped area forming a groove;
- an elastic member comprising:
- a forward end surrounding the proximal end of the tubular portion;
- and
- a rearward end surrounding at least a portion of the groove but not secured to the distal end of the tubular portion;
- laterally extending protrusions positioned between the forward and rearward end;
- and
- a valve member at the forward end of the elastic member, the valve member in sealing relationship with the proximal end of the tubular portion;
- wherein sealable engagement with a female connector contacts the laterally extending protrusions urging the elastomeric member into a stretched position opening the valve member.
9 more elements
A valved male connector comprising:
- a tubular member having a proximal end;
- and
- an elastic member surrounding the tubular member proximal end the elastic member having a forward end, the forward end integral with a valve member in sealing relationship with the proximal end of the tubular member, the elastic member upon contact with a female connector further having means for reversibly transitioning between an unstretched configuration and a stretched configuration;
- wherein the valve member is in sealing relationship with proximal end of tubular member when the elastic member is in an unstretched configuration and the valve member is in an unsealing relationship with proximal end of tubular member when the elastic member is in a stretched configuration.
1 more element
A valved fluid connector comprising:
- a tubular member having a distal end, a proximal end and a stepped area spaced distally from the proximal end;
- an elastic member comprising:
- inner and outer surfaces;
- laterally extending protrusions projecting from the outer surface;
- and
- opposite rearward and forward ends, the forward end surrounding the proximal end of the tubular member and the rearward end surrounding a portion of the stepped area of the tubular member, wherein the rearward end of the elastic member and the distal end of the tubular member are unattached;
- and
- a valve member at the forward end of the elastic member, the valve member in sealing relationship with the proximal end of the tubular member
- wherein stretching of the elastic member by a female connector contact surface during engagement therewith, opens the valve member to permit fluid communication between both connectors.
6 more elements
A method for improving human safety during manipulation or transfer of fluid or chemical agents comprising:
- a) providing contact of a fluid or chemical agent with a valved male connector, the valved male connector comprising:
- a housing;
- an elastic member comprising a forward end integral with a valve member and a rearward end comprising a flange secured within the housing;
- a tubular member with a proximal end positioned within the elastic member;
- the proximal end of the tubular member in sealing relationship with the valve member of the elastic member and a distal end secured to the housing;
- and
- an annular collar member located between the housing and the elastic member and in contact with the flange, the annular collar member slidably movable between the housing and the elastic member, wherein engagement with a female connector contact surface moves the annual collar causing stretching of the elastic member, opening the valve member to permit fluid communication between both connectors;
- and b) transferring or manipulating the fluid or chemical agent.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.