US5645538A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Needleless valve for use in intravenous infusion
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1994-09-15
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Granted: 1997-07-08
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Expires: 2014-09-15
Abstract
Abstract An IV component has at least one opening and a valve associated with the opening. The valve is normally closed to prevent fluid communication through the opening. A needleless connector can be engaged with a male element of the valve to open the valve and thereby establish a passageway for fluid communication thorough the opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank M. Richmond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J1/00; A61J1/05; A61J1/10; A61J1/14; A61J1/1475; A61J1/20; A61J1/2089; A61J1/2096; A61M; A61M39/00; A61M39/22; A61M39/26; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/1411; A61J1/2003; A61J1/2006; A61J1/201; A61J1/202; A61J1/2037; A61J1/2048; A61J1/2055; A61J1/2058; A61J1/2062; A61J1/2068; A61J1/2075; A61J1/2079; A61J1/2082; A61J1/2086; A61M39/02; A61M39/0208; A61M39/28; A61M39/286; A61M39/287; A61M5/162; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7879; Y10T137/7888; Y10T137/789; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/877; Y10T137/87708; Y10T137/87716
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A device for holding liquid medicament, comprising: an IV component having an opening formed therein; a valve including a valve body operably engaged with the opening and having a first position, wherein a passageway for fluid communication is established through the opening, and a second position, wherein fluid communication through the opening is not permitted, the valve including a male valve element having a skirt disposed in the valve body and an engagement surface extending outwardly beyond the valve body for contacting a spikeless/needleless connector to cause the valve element to reciprocate relative to the IV component; wherein the valve is biased to the second position and is engageable with the spikeless/needleless connector to establish the first position of the valve.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A device for holding liquid medicament, comprising: an IV component having an opening formed therein; a valve including a valve body operably engaged with the opening and having a first position, wherein a passageway for fluid communication is established through the opening, and a second position, wherein fluid communication through the opening is not permitted, the valve including a male valve element having a skirt disposed in the valve body and an engagement surface extending outwardly beyond the valve body for contacting a spikeless/needleless connector to cause the valve element to reciprocate relative to the IV component; wherein the valve is biased to the second position and is engageable with the spikeless/needleless connector to establish the first position of the valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the IV component is a component selected from the group of components consisting of: IV containers, bags, syringes, spikes, fluid lines, drip chambers, filters, Burette chambers, stopcocks, multiport valves, and connector fittings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
A valve, comprising: a hollow body defining a fluid passageway therethrough; a resilient valve disc positioned in the fluid passageway and biased to a closed configuration, wherein the disc blocks fluid flow through the fluid passageway, the disc being movable to an open configuration, wherein fluid flow is permitted through the fluid passageway; and a male valve element formed with a skirt and an engagement surface extending outwardly from the fluid passageway for contacting a spikeless/needleless connector, wherein the spikeless/needleless connector can be advanced against the valve element to urge the valve element against the valve disc and thereby move the valve disc to the open configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
A valve, comprising: a hollow body defining a fluid passageway therethrough; a resilient valve disc positioned in the fluid passageway and biased to a closed configuration, wherein the disc blocks fluid flow through the fluid passageway, the disc being movable to an open configuration, wherein fluid flow is permitted through the fluid passageway; and a male valve element formed with a skirt and an engagement surface extending outwardly from the fluid passageway for contacting a spikeless/needleless connector, wherein the spikeless/needleless connector can be advanced against the valve element to urge the valve element against the valve disc and thereby move the valve disc to the open configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
104 words
The valve of claim 3, wherein an engagement portion of the valve body is configured as a male luer fitting, and the valve element is reciprocatingly disposed in the engagement portion, and the valve further comprises: a support element positioned on the valve body on the side of the valve disc opposite the valve element; a retainer element positioned in the valve body on the opposite side of the disc from the support element, to hold the center of the disc against the support element; at least one protrusion or groove formed on the body for contacting the valve disc in the open configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The valve of claim 4, further comprising a tamper evident cap engaged with the valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-07 | 2001-01-06 | 2001-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-07 | 2005-01-06 | 2005-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-07 | 2009-01-06 | 2009-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |