US5533708A — Medical coupling site valve body

Claim 1

Independent Claim 142 words

A medical coupling site for use with a male luer, said coupling site comprising: an elastomeric valve element including a tubular valve body defining first and second valve element ends, and a diaphragm extending across said first valve element end; said valve body including a cylindrical inner wall defining a luer receiving cavity between said diaphragm and said second valve element end for receiving a male luer inserted through said diaphragm; and said valve body further including an outer wall whereby a valve body wall thickness is defined between said inner and outer walls; said outer wall defining an outwardly tapered portion tapered outwardly in a direction from said first valve element end toward said second valve element end whereby said valve body wall thickness progressively increases in said direction from said first valve element end toward said second valve element end.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 142 words

A medical coupling site for use with a male luer, said coupling site comprising: an elastomeric valve element including a tubular valve body defining first and second valve element ends, and a diaphragm extending across said first valve element end; said valve body including a cylindrical inner wall defining a luer receiving cavity between said diaphragm and said second valve element end for receiving a male luer inserted through said diaphragm; and said valve body further including an outer wall whereby a valve body wall thickness is defined between said inner and outer walls; said outer wall defining an outwardly tapered portion tapered outwardly in a direction from said first valve element end toward said second valve element end whereby said valve body wall thickness progressively increases in said direction from said first valve element end toward said second valve element end.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 40 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer wall includes a substantially cylindrical portion adjacent to said first valve element end and extending toward said second valve element end to a junction with said outwardly tapered portion.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 35 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 1 including a tubular housing surrounding said valve element, said housing having an inner wall portion tapered outwardly and engaging said outwardly tapered portion of said valve element.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 34 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 3 wherein said tubular housing includes an outer wall portion tapered outwardly for engaging an inner wall of a standard luer lock collar in locking frictional engagement.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 3 including a base, and a flange extending radially outwardly from said valve element, said flange being retained between said housing and said base.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 221 words

A medical coupling site for use with a male luer, said coupling site comprising: an elastomeric valve element including a tubular, substantially cylindrical valve body defining a cavity for receiving a male luer said cavity including opposing ends defining first and second valve element ends, and a diaphragm extending across said first valve element end to close off said cavity at said first valve element end, said diaphragm including an inner surface extending across said cavity and an exterior, exposed surface on a side of said diaphragm opposite said inner surface; an opening defined in said diaphragm for receiving a male luer therethrough, said opening having a first uncoupled position wherein said opening is closed for sealing said cavity when a male luer is uncoupled relative to said site, and a second coupled position wherein said opening is open for receiving a male luer through said diaphragm when the male luer is coupled to said site and wherein said male luer is located extending into said cavity in said second coupled position; wherein said exposed surface faces away from said cavity and includes surface texturing defining a predetermined surface roughness on said exposed surface for decreasing frictional forces upon engagement of a male luer with said diaphragm to thereby facilitate passage of said male luer through said diaphragm into said cavity.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 221 words

A medical coupling site for use with a male luer, said coupling site comprising: an elastomeric valve element including a tubular, substantially cylindrical valve body defining a cavity for receiving a male luer said cavity including opposing ends defining first and second valve element ends, and a diaphragm extending across said first valve element end to close off said cavity at said first valve element end, said diaphragm including an inner surface extending across said cavity and an exterior, exposed surface on a side of said diaphragm opposite said inner surface; an opening defined in said diaphragm for receiving a male luer therethrough, said opening having a first uncoupled position wherein said opening is closed for sealing said cavity when a male luer is uncoupled relative to said site, and a second coupled position wherein said opening is open for receiving a male luer through said diaphragm when the male luer is coupled to said site and wherein said male luer is located extending into said cavity in said second coupled position; wherein said exposed surface faces away from said cavity and includes surface texturing defining a predetermined surface roughness on said exposed surface for decreasing frictional forces upon engagement of a male luer with said diaphragm to thereby facilitate passage of said male luer through said diaphragm into said cavity.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 29 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 6 wherein said predetermined surface roughness comprises a roughness height value greater than approximately 16 microinches to thereby define said surface texturing.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 20 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 7 wherein said roughness height value is on the order of 180 microinches.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 24 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 6 wherein said exposed surface includes a plurality of hills and valleys to define said surface texturing.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 35 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 9 including a lubricious substance located in said valleys wherein said hills prevent said lubricious substance from being removed from said exposed surface during wiping of said diaphragm.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 44 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 9 wherein said hills define small contact areas displaced from a nominal surface defined by said exposed surface such that an area for contacting a male luer is less than an area defined by said nominal surface.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 16 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 6 including a tubular housing containing said valve element.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 30 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 12 wherein said tubular housing includes a flange extending radially inwardly toward said diaphragm over a portion of said first valve element end.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 188 words

A medical coupling site for use with a male luer, said coupling site comprising: an elastomeric valve element having first and second ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending between said first and second ends; a cavity defined between said first and second ends for receiving an end of a male luer; a closure extending across said cavity to close off said first end, said closure having an exposed surface lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis for engaging a male luer and an opening having a first uncoupled position wherein said opening is closed for sealing said cavity when a male luer is uncoupled relative to said site, and a second coupled position wherein said opening is open for receiving a male luer through said closure when the male luer is coupled to said site and wherein an end of the male luer is located extending into said cavity in said second coupled position; and said exposed surface including surface texturing defining a predetermined surface roughness on said exposed surface for decreasing frictional forces upon engagement of a male luer with said valve element.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 188 words

A medical coupling site for use with a male luer, said coupling site comprising: an elastomeric valve element having first and second ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending between said first and second ends; a cavity defined between said first and second ends for receiving an end of a male luer; a closure extending across said cavity to close off said first end, said closure having an exposed surface lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis for engaging a male luer and an opening having a first uncoupled position wherein said opening is closed for sealing said cavity when a male luer is uncoupled relative to said site, and a second coupled position wherein said opening is open for receiving a male luer through said closure when the male luer is coupled to said site and wherein an end of the male luer is located extending into said cavity in said second coupled position; and said exposed surface including surface texturing defining a predetermined surface roughness on said exposed surface for decreasing frictional forces upon engagement of a male luer with said valve element.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 24 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 14 wherein said exposed surface includes a plurality of hills and valleys to define said surface texturing.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 35 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 15 including a lubricious substance located in said valleys wherein said hills prevent said lubricious substance from being removed from said exposed surface during wiping of said diaphragm.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 44 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 15 wherein said hills define small contact areas displaced from a nominal surface defined by said exposed surface such that an area for contacting a male luer is less than an area defined by said nominal surface.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 26 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 14 wherein an opening is defined in said closure at said first end for receiving a male luer therethrough.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 16 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 18 including a tubular housing containing said valve element.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 30 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 19 wherein said tubular housing includes a flange extending radially inwardly toward said opening over a portion of said first valve element end.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 161 words

A medical coupling site for use with a male luer, said coupling site comprising: an elastomeric valve element including a tubular valve body defining first and second valve element ends, and a diaphragm extending across said first valve element end; said valve body including a substantially cylindrical inner wall defining a cavity between said diaphragm and said second valve element end for receiving an end of a male luer inserted through said diaphragm; a tubular housing including a substantially cylindrical outer wall surrounding said valve element, said housing including an insertion end adjacent to said diaphragm; and a flange extending radially inwardly from said outer wall at said insertion end and extending across said first valve element end, said flange defining a locking edge located radially inwardly from said outer wall for contacting a radially outwardly facing surface of a male luer in locking frictional engagement as an end of the male luer is inserted through said diaphragm into said cavity.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 161 words

A medical coupling site for use with a male luer, said coupling site comprising: an elastomeric valve element including a tubular valve body defining first and second valve element ends, and a diaphragm extending across said first valve element end; said valve body including a substantially cylindrical inner wall defining a cavity between said diaphragm and said second valve element end for receiving an end of a male luer inserted through said diaphragm; a tubular housing including a substantially cylindrical outer wall surrounding said valve element, said housing including an insertion end adjacent to said diaphragm; and a flange extending radially inwardly from said outer wall at said insertion end and extending across said first valve element end, said flange defining a locking edge located radially inwardly from said outer wall for contacting a radially outwardly facing surface of a male luer in locking frictional engagement as an end of the male luer is inserted through said diaphragm into said cavity.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 32 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 21 wherein said inner wall defines an inner diameter for said valve body, and said locking edge defines a diameter less than said inner diameter.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 28 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 22 wherein said diaphragm includes an inner surface and said inner surface intersects said cylindrical inner wall at an acute angle.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 33 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 21 wherein said diaphragm includes an exposed surface facing away from said luer receiving cavity and said locking edge extends substantially perpendicular to said exposed surface.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 75 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 21 wherein said valve body includes a cylindrical inner wall and said diaphragm includes an inner surface facing said luer receiving cavity, and including a pair of biasing ribs extending radially inwardly toward each other from said cylindrical inner wall to said inner surface of said diaphragm, each said rib including a hinge point facilitating flexing of said ribs during insertion of a male luer through said diaphragm.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 45 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 25 wherein each said rib includes a thickened end adjacent a central portion of said diaphragm and a thickened end adjacent said cylindrical inner wall, said hinge point being defined by a thin portion intermediate said thickened ends.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 230 words

A medical coupling site for use with a male luer, said coupling site comprising: an elastomeric valve element including a tubular valve body defining a longitudinal axis and first and second valve element ends, and a diaphragm extending across said first valve element end; said valve body including a cylindrical inner wall defining a luer receiving cavity between said diaphragm and said second valve element end for receiving a male luer inserted through said diaphragm; said diaphragm including an inner surface facing said luer receiving cavity; an opening defined in said diaphragm; a pair of biasing ribs extending radially inwardly toward each other from said cylindrical inner wall to said inner surface of said diaphragm, each of said ribs including a first end at said inner wall and a second end at said opening in said diaphragm, said first ends of said ribs having a first thickness, measured in a longitudinal direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, and said second ends of said ribs having a second thickness, measured in said longitudinal direction; and wherein each of said ribs includes a hinge point defined by a thickness, measured in said longitudinal direction, less than said first and second thicknesses and located on each of said ribs intermediate said first and second ends of said ribs to facilitate flexing of said ribs during insertion of a male luer through said diaphragm.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 230 words

A medical coupling site for use with a male luer, said coupling site comprising: an elastomeric valve element including a tubular valve body defining a longitudinal axis and first and second valve element ends, and a diaphragm extending across said first valve element end; said valve body including a cylindrical inner wall defining a luer receiving cavity between said diaphragm and said second valve element end for receiving a male luer inserted through said diaphragm; said diaphragm including an inner surface facing said luer receiving cavity; an opening defined in said diaphragm; a pair of biasing ribs extending radially inwardly toward each other from said cylindrical inner wall to said inner surface of said diaphragm, each of said ribs including a first end at said inner wall and a second end at said opening in said diaphragm, said first ends of said ribs having a first thickness, measured in a longitudinal direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, and said second ends of said ribs having a second thickness, measured in said longitudinal direction; and wherein each of said ribs includes a hinge point defined by a thickness, measured in said longitudinal direction, less than said first and second thicknesses and located on each of said ribs intermediate said first and second ends of said ribs to facilitate flexing of said ribs during insertion of a male luer through said diaphragm.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 34 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 27 wherein each of said ribs includes a thickened portion adjacent to said opening to resist movement of said diaphragm outwardly away from said luer receiving cavity.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 30 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 28 wherein each said thickened portion progressively increases in thickness in a direction from said hinge point toward said opening in said diaphragm.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 28 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 27 wherein each said rib progressively increases in thickness in a direction from said hinge point toward said cylindrical inner wall.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 45 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 27 wherein each said rib includes a thickened end adjacent a central portion of said diaphragm and a thickened end adjacent said cylindrical inner wall, said hinge point being defined by a thin portion intermediate said thickened ends.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 31 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 27 wherein each said rib is defined by a pair of opposing side walls extending substantially perpendicularly from said inner surface of said diaphragm.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 40 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 27 wherein each said rib includes a facing surface extending substantially perpendicularly from said inner surface of said diaphragm, and said facing surfaces being located in facing relationship for engagement with each other.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 40 words

The coupling site as recited in claim 33 wherein said ribs each include a pair of opposing side walls adjacent to respective facing surfaces of said ribs, said side walls extending substantially perpendicularly from said inner surface of said diaphragm.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-07-09	2000-01-08	2000-07-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-07-09	2004-01-08	2004-07-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-07-09	2008-01-08	2008-07-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Medical coupling site valve body

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