Valved manifold

Claim 2

A valve for use in a patient ventilation/aspiration system, comprising: a chamber, including first, second and third ports and a fluid path established between the first and third ports; a valve comprising a stem positioned within said chamber, said stem being constructed and arranged for movement between a first position in which said stem blocks fluid flow through said second port; a second position in which said stem provides a catheter travel pathway between said second and third ports, said catheter travel pathway comprising the fluid flow path throughout said third port; actuation structure linked to said stem and operable to move said stem between said first and second positions; and said valve being further constructed and arranged to avoid blocking fluid flow between said first and third ports.

Claim 3

A valve according to claim 1, wherein said stem has a hollow center cavity opening towards said first port, said hollow center cavity being in open communication with said third port.

Claim 4

A valve according to claim 2, wherein said stem includes a slot transverse said hollow center cavity, said slot being positioned in registration with said third port when said stem is in either of said first or second positions.

Claim 5

A valve according to claim 3, wherein said stem includes: a wall with an outer surface in sealing relationship with said second port when said stem is in said first position; and an opening through said wall into said hollow center cavity, said opening being positioned and configured to register with said second port when said stem is in said second position.

Claim 6

An interface assembly for closed system endotracheal ventilating and aspirating procedures, comprising: a manifold having: a ventilation port in open communication with an interior chamber; a patient connection port in open communication with said interior chamber and forming a fluid flow path with said ventilation port, said patient connection port being out of registration with said ventilation port; and an access port in communication with said interior chamber and in registration with said patient connection port; said access port and patient connection port being positioned to provide a catheter travel pathway through said access port, said interior chamber and said patient connection port, said catheter travel pathway including that portion of the fluid flow path from said interior chamber throughout said patient connection port; and a valve, comprising: a stem positioned within said catheter travel pathway, and constructed and arranged for movement between a first position in which said stem blocks said catheter travel pathway, and a second position in which said stem provides a portion of said catheter travel pathway; and actuation structure linked to said stem and operable to move said stem between said first and second positions; said valve being further constructed and arranged to avoid blocking fluid flow between said ventilation port and said patient connection port.

Claim 7

An interface assembly for closed system endotracheal ventilating and aspirating procedures, comprising: a manifold having: a ventilation port in open communication with an interior chamber; a patient connection port in open communication with said interior chamber and forming a fluid flow path with said ventilation port, said patient connection port being out of registration with said ventilation port; and an access port in communication with said interior chamber and in registration with said patient connection port; said access port and patient connection port being positioned to provide a catheter travel pathway through said access port, said interior chamber and said patient connection port, said catheter travel pathway including that portion of the fluid flow path from said interior chamber throughout said patient connection port; and a valve, comprising: a stem positioned within said catheter travel pathway, and constructed and arranged for movement between a first position in which said stem blocks said catheter travel pathway, and a second position in which said stem provides a portion of said catheter travel pathway; and actuation structure linked to said stem and operable to move said stem between said first and second positions; said valve being further constructed and arranged to avoid blocking fluid flow between said ventilation port and said patient connection port.

Claim 8

An assembly according to claim 5, wherein said ventilation port is oriented generally transverse said catheter travel pathway.

Claim 9

An assembly according to claim 6, wherein said stem is positioned within said interior chamber.

Claim 10

An assembly according to claim 7, wherein said stem has a hollow center cavity opening towards said ventilation port, said hollow center cavity being in open communication with said patient connection port.

Claim 11

An assembly according to claim 8, wherein said stem includes a slot transverse said hollow center cavity, said slot being positioned in registration with said patient connection port when said stem is in either of said first or second positions.

Claim 12

An assembly according to claim 9, wherein said stem includes: a wall with an outer surface in sealing relationship with said access port when said stem is in said first position; and an opening through said wall into said hollow center cavity, said opening being positioned and configured to register with said access port when said stem is in said second position.

Claim 13

An assembly according to claim 5, including a connector comprising: a first part associated with said patient connection port and constituting a female portion comprising an inner cylindrical surface; a second part constituting a male portion comprising an outer cylindrical surface; and said first and second parts being structured and arranged to effect a plug fit connection capable of low friction rotation while maintaining a fluid tight seal at the interface between said first and second parts.

Claim 14

An assembly according to claim 11, wherein said first part is integral with said patient connection port.

Claim 15

An assembly according to claim 12, wherein said second part is structured as a conduit element, including a proximal end received by said first part and a distal end structured to couple with a patient intubation device.

Claim 16

An interface assembly for closed system endotracheal ventilating and aspirating procedures, comprising: a manifold having: a ventilation port in open communication with an interior chamber; a patient connection port in open communication with said interior chamber and forming a fluid flow path with said ventilation port, said patient connection port being out of registration with said ventilation port; and an access port in communication with said interior chamber and in registration with said patient connection port; said access port and patient connection port being positioned to provide a catheter travel pathway through said access port, said interior chamber and said patient connection port, said catheter travel pathway including that portion of the fluid flow path from said interior chamber throughout said patient connection port; and a valve, comprising: a stem positioned within said interior chamber constructed and arranged for movement between: a first position in which said stem blocks fluid flow through said access port; and a second position in which said stem provides a portion of said catheter travel pathway; and actuation structure linked to said stem and operable to move said stem between said first and second positions; said valve being further constructed and arranged to avoid blocking fluid flow between said ventilation port and said patient connection port.

Claim 17

An interface assembly for closed system endotracheal ventilating and aspirating procedures, comprising: a manifold having: a ventilation port in open communication with an interior chamber; a patient connection port in open communication with said interior chamber and forming a fluid flow path with said ventilation port, said patient connection port being out of registration with said ventilation port; and an access port in communication with said interior chamber and in registration with said patient connection port; said access port and patient connection port being positioned to provide a catheter travel pathway through said access port, said interior chamber and said patient connection port, said catheter travel pathway including that portion of the fluid flow path from said interior chamber throughout said patient connection port; and a valve, comprising: a stem positioned within said interior chamber constructed and arranged for movement between: a first position in which said stem blocks fluid flow through said access port; and a second position in which said stem provides a portion of said catheter travel pathway; and actuation structure linked to said stem and operable to move said stem between said first and second positions; said valve being further constructed and arranged to avoid blocking fluid flow between said ventilation port and said patient connection port.

Claim 18

An assembly according to claim 10, wherein said stem has a hollow center cavity opening towards said ventilation port, said hollow center cavity being in open communication with said patient connection port.

Claim 19

An assembly according to claim 15, wherein said stem includes a slot transverse said hollow center cavity, said slot being positioned in registration with said patient connection port when said stem is in either of said first or second positions.

Claim 20

An assembly according to claim 16, wherein said stem includes: a wall with an outer surface in sealing relationship with said access port when said stem is in said first position; and an opening through said wall into said hollow center cavity, said opening being positioned and configured to register with said access port when said stem is in said second position.

Claim 21

An assembly according to claim 14, including a connector comprising: a first part associated with said patient connection port and constituting a female portion comprising an inner cylindrical surface; a second part constituting a male portion comprising an outer cylindrical surface; and said first and second parts being structured and arranged to effect a plug fit connection capable of low friction rotation while maintaining a fluid tight seal at the interface between said first and second parts.

Claim 22

An assembly according to claim 18, wherein said first part is integral with said patient connection port.

Claim 23

An assembly according to claim 19, wherein said second part is structured as a conduit element, including a proximal end received by said first part and a distal end structured to couple with a patient intubation device.