Medical valve with positive flow characteristics

Abstract

A medical valve device for use in selectively establishing a fluid flow between first and second medical implements is disclosed. The valve has a body defining a passage from a first port to a second port. The valve defines a first fluid volume when both medical implements are connected thereto, and a second, smaller volume when one of the implements is disconnected, thereby causing a positive flow of fluid from the valve to the second medical implement when the first implement is disconnected.

Description

Technical field [0001] The present invention generally relates to a medical valve, and more specifically to a valve that, when connected between a first medical device such as a fluid source and a second medical device such as a catheter, facilitates the flow of fluid therebetween, And when the first medical device is disconnected, a positive flow of fluid in the direction of the second medical device can be generated through the valve. Background technique [0002] Connectors and valves are usually used in the treatment of parenteral therapy in hospitals and in medical settings to selectively allow fluid to flow between two points. These valves are usually placed on the fluid flow path leading to the patient or other destinations. For example, the tubing can lead to a catheter with the tip of the catheter located in the patient's body. [0003] By setting the valve in this way, a fluid source or other pipelines can be connected to it for supplying fluid from the fluid source to ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Because of the small channel space of these catheters, even a small amount of suction will draw a sufficient amount of blood through the catheter back to the valve so that the blood is drawn into the tip of the catheter where it may block the passage

[0010] It is more difficult to overcome the above problems when considering other aspects of the standard that the valve must meet

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