# US 9,872,977 B2 · Piston for a needleless valve system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,872,977 B2 - Document ID: US9872977B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/458,116 - Filed: 2014-08-12 - Published: 2014-12-04 - Granted: 2018-01-23 - Earliest claimed: 2012-01-20 - Assignees: CareFusion 303, Inc. - Applicants: CareFusion 303, Inc. - Inventors: Tyler Devin Panian; Jonathan Yeh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872977B2 ## CPC - A61M 39/20: Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes - A61M 5/30: Syringes for injection by jet action, without needle, e.g. for use with replaceable ampoules or carpules - A61M 39/26: Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof {(check valves A61M39/24)} - B05B 9/0413: {with reciprocating pumps, e.g. membrane pump, piston pump, bellow pump (B05B9/0409 takes precedence)} - F16J 1/01: characterised by the use of particular materials (F16J1/02 takes precedence) - A61M 2039/0009: {Assemblies therefor designed for particular applications, e.g. contrast or saline injection, suction or irrigation} - A61M 2039/0036: {characterised by a septum having particular features, e.g. having venting channels or being made from antimicrobial or self-lubricating elastomer} - A61M 2039/0072: {Means for increasing tightness of the septum, e.g. compression rings, special materials, special constructions} - Y10T 137/0318: Processes - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A piston for a needleless valve system comprising a head portion configured to be disposed in the needleless valve system and controlling fluid flow through the needleless valve system. The head portion comprising a continuous top surface, and an opening disposed proximate the continuous top surface, wherein the continuous top surface is non-planar when the opening is in an open position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A piston for a needleless valve system, the piston comprising: a head portion having a continuous top surface and compression features; wherein, when the head portion is in a relaxed state, the top surface being non-planar and the compression features separated to form an opening adjacent the top surface, and when the compression features are pressed together to close the opening between the compression features, the top surface being substantially planar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The piston of claim 1, wherein the top surface comprises a depression when the head portion is in a relaxed state. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The piston of claim 2, wherein the depression comprises a trough. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The piston of claim 1, wherein the opening comprises an elliptical, an oval, or a diamond shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The piston of claim 1, wherein the opening passes through the head portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The piston of claim 5, wherein the opening extends along a diameter of the head portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The piston of claim 6, wherein the opening is centrally disposed along a center axis of the head portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The piston of claim 1, wherein the compression features are disposed along a circumference of the head portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The piston of claim 8, wherein the compression feature comprises a bulge. ### Claim 10 A needleless valve system comprising: a housing comprising a fluid port; and a piston comprising a head portion having a continuous top surface and compression features, the top surface being non-planar and the compression features separated to form an opening adjacent the top surface when the head portion is in a relaxed state, and the top surface being substantially planar when the compression features are pressed together to close the opening between the compression features; wherein, the piston, disposed in said housing, comprises (i) an open position, when the head portion does not extend into the fluid port, with the compression features separated to form the opening, and (ii) a closed position, when the head portion extends into the fluid port, with the compression features pressed together to close the opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The needleless valve system of claim 10, wherein the top surface comprises a depression when the opening is in the open position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The needleless valve system of claim 10, wherein the opening passes through the head portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The needleless valve system of claim 12, wherein the opening extends along a diameter of the head portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The needleless valve system of claim 12, wherein the opening is centrally disposed along a center axis of the head portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The needleless valve system of claim 12, further comprises a bulge disposed along a circumference of the head portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The needleless valve system of claim 12, wherein in the closed position, the head portion is positioned in the fluid port such that the fluid port is fluidly sealed, and in the open position, the head portion is displaced from the fluid port such that the fluid port is not fluidly sealed. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The needleless valve system of claim 10, wherein the housing is configured to engage with a needleless syringe. ### Claim 18 A needleless valve system comprising: a housing comprising a fluid port; and a piston having a head portion configured to extend into the fluid port and a base portion, the head portion comprising a continuous top surface and compression features, the top surface being non-planar and the compression features separated to form an opening positioned adjacent the top surface when the head portion is in a relaxed state, and the top surface being substantially planar when the compression features are pressed together to close the opening between the compression features; wherein, the piston comprises an open position within said housing, when the head portion does not extend into the fluid port, and the compression features are separated by the opening; and a closed position within said housing, when the head portion is urged by the base portion to extend into the fluid port such that the compression features are pressed together to close the opening. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The needleless valve system of claim 18, wherein an outer surface of the head portion is engaged against the fluid port such that the compression features are directed toward the opening in the closed position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The needleless valve system of claim 18, wherein an outer surface of the head portion is separated from an inner surface of the fluid port such that the compression features are unrestrained.