# US 9,750,662 B2 · Syringe with gravity-assisted valve > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,662 B2 - Document ID: US9750662B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/974,209 - Filed: 2015-12-18 - Published: 2016-07-28 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-14 - Assignees: CareFusion 303, Inc. - Applicants: CareFusion 303, Inc. - Inventors: George Michel Mansour; Tyler Devin Panian - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750662B2 ## CPC - A61J 1/2096: {Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents} - A61J 1/20: Arrangements for transferring {or mixing} fluids, e.g. from vial to syringe - A61J 1/201: {having one piercing end} - A61J 1/2048: {Connecting means} - A61J 1/2072: {for internal venting} - A61J 1/22: with means for metering the amount of fluid - A61J 1/1412: {Containers with closing means, e.g. caps} - A61J 1/1487: {with friction fit, e.g. connecting tubes directly to a protruding port} - A61J 1/2037: {having valve means} - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE ## Abstract Syringes for providing fluid communications are provided. The syringes include a connector body section having a tip portion and a gravity-assisted valve, and a barrel section. One or more syringes include a configuration of the gravity-assisted valve to allow bidirectional fluid communications between the tip portion and a fluid reservoir when the syringe is pointed downward. One or more syringes include a configuration of the gravity-assisted valve to prohibit fluid communication from the fluid reservoir to the tip portion when the syringe is pointed upward. One or more syringes include a gas pathway extending from an interstitial space of the connector body section to an interior volume of the plunger defining a gas reservoir. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A syringe comprising: a connector body section defining a longitudinal axis and comprising, a tip portion for fluid ingress and egress; and a gravity-assisted valve comprising a valve body defining an elongated valve cavity generally aligned with the longitudinal axis, a first port operatively coupled to the tip portion, a second port, and a valve member movable between a sealable end of the elongated valve cavity proximal to the first port and a non-sealable end of the elongated valve cavity proximal to the second port; and a barrel section generally aligned with the longitudinal axis and slidably engaged with a plunger, the barrel section defining a fluid reservoir within a volume of the barrel section controllable by an end of the plunger proximal the connector body section, the fluid reservoir operatively coupled to the second port of the gravity-assisted valve, wherein the gravity-assisted valve is configured to allow bidirectional fluid communications between the tip portion and the fluid reservoir when the syringe is oriented with the tip portion pointing in a generally downward direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The syringe of claim 1, wherein the sealable end of the elongated valve cavity is proximal to the fluid reservoir and the non-sealable end is distal to the fluid reservoir. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The syringe of claim 1, wherein the gravity-assisted valve is configured to allow fluid communication from the tip portion to the fluid reservoir when the syringe is oriented with the tip portion pointing in a generally upward direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The syringe of claim 1, wherein the gravity-assisted valve is configured to prohibit fluid communication from the fluid reservoir to the tip portion when the syringe is oriented with the tip portion pointing in a generally upward direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The syringe of claim 1, further comprising a gas pathway extending from an interstitial space of the connector body section to an interior volume of the plunger defining a gas reservoir. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The syringe of claim 1, wherein the tip portion is non-tapered and configured for sealed engagement with a female luer fitting. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The syringe of claim 1, wherein the valve member comprises a substantially spherical element. ### Claim 8 A syringe comprising: a connector body section defining a longitudinal axis and comprising, a tip portion for fluid ingress and egress; and a gravity-assisted valve comprising a valve body defining an elongated valve cavity generally aligned with the longitudinal axis, a first port operatively coupled to the tip portion, a second port, and a valve member movable between a sealable end of the elongated valve cavity proximal to the first port and a non-sealable end of the elongated valve cavity proximal to the second port; and a barrel section generally aligned with the longitudinal axis and slidably engaged with a plunger, the barrel section defining a fluid reservoir within a volume of the barrel section controllable by an end of the plunger proximal the connector body section, the fluid reservoir operatively coupled to the second port of the gravity-assisted valve, wherein the gravity-assisted valve is configured to prohibit fluid communication from the fluid reservoir to the tip portion when the syringe is oriented with the tip portion pointing in a generally upward direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The syringe of claim 8, wherein the sealable end of the elongated valve cavity is proximal to the fluid reservoir and the non-sealable end is distal to the fluid reservoir. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The syringe of claim 8, wherein the gravity-assisted valve is configured to allow bidirectional fluid communications between the tip portion and the fluid reservoir when the syringe is oriented with the tip portion pointing in a generally downward direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The syringe of claim 8, wherein the gravity-assisted valve is configured to allow fluid communication from the tip portion to the fluid reservoir when the syringe is oriented with the tip portion pointing in a generally upward direction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The syringe of claim 8, further comprising a gas pathway extending from an interstitial space of the connector body section to an interior volume of the plunger defining a gas reservoir. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The syringe of claim 8, wherein the tip portion is non-tapered and configured for sealed engagement with a female luer fitting. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The syringe of claim 8, wherein the valve member comprises a substantially spherical element. ### Claim 15 A syringe comprising: a connector body section defining a longitudinal axis and comprising, a tip portion for fluid ingress and egress; and a gravity-assisted valve comprising a valve body defining an elongated valve cavity generally aligned with the longitudinal axis, a first port operatively coupled to the tip portion, a second port, and a valve member movable between a sealable end of the elongated valve cavity proximal to the first port and a non-sealable end of the elongated valve cavity proximal to the second port; a barrel section generally aligned with the longitudinal axis and slidably engaged with a plunger, the barrel section defining a fluid reservoir within a volume of the barrel section controllable by an end of the plunger proximal the connector body section, the fluid reservoir operatively coupled to the second port of the gravity-assisted valve; and a gas pathway extending from an interstitial space of the connector body section to an interior volume of the plunger defining a gas reservoir. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The syringe of claim 15, wherein the sealable end of the elongated valve cavity is proximal to the fluid reservoir and the non-sealable end is distal to the fluid reservoir. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The syringe of claim 15, wherein the gravity-assisted valve is configured to allow bidirectional fluid communications between the tip portion and the fluid reservoir when the syringe is oriented with the tip portion pointing in a generally downward direction. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The syringe of claim 15, wherein the gravity-assisted valve is configured to allow fluid communication from the tip portion to the fluid reservoir when the syringe is oriented with the tip portion pointing in a generally upward direction. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The syringe of claim 15, wherein the gravity-assisted valve is configured to prohibit fluid communication from the fluid reservoir to the tip portion when the syringe is oriented with the tip portion pointing in a generally upward direction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The syringe of claim 15, wherein the tip portion is non-tapered and configured for sealed engagement with a female luer fitting.