Self-recovering seal and connector port

Abstract

A self-recovering seal and connector port provided with: a body comprising a first port, a second port, and a third port; a cover fixed to the third port; and a self-restoring seal secured to the third port by the cap; wherein the self-recovery seal has a circular surface, and includes: a first ring located on an edge of the circular surface, and disposed between the main body and the cover; and a second ring located on the center of the circular face, the second ring comprising a raised ridge on a first side of the circular face, the raised ridge defining an inverted conical ramp, and the second ring comprising a tear guide on a second side of the circular face, the tear guide being located on the center of the inverted conical ramp.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This disclosure claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 426,236, filed on November 17, 2022, entitled "Self-Restoring Seal and Connector Port", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] When aspirating body fluids and any solids they carry (e.g., emboli in blood), a negative pressure is maintained on a fluid target (e.g., a vein) to draw out the fluid and solids. A catheter transports these acquired fluids and solids to a port, but to continuously apply negative pressure, the solids and liquids may need to be cleared periodically to avoid clogging the negative pressure source or to identify when solids have been successfully extracted from the fluid target. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention generally relates to a self-restoring connector seal and port that allows a user to insert a needle or other instrument (e.g., to dislodge or extract solids from a port used in conjunction with a catheter for aspiration) through the connector and then remove the needle or other instrument while maintaining a negative pressure on the fluid target. The connector port and seal include several features to ensure that the insertion of the needle or instrument leaves a clean hole in the seal so that negative pressure can be continuously applied when the needle or instrument is inserted and retracted.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention is a device including: a body including a first port, a second port, and a third port; a cap fixed to the third port; and a self-restoring seal fixed to the third port through the cap; wherein the self-restoring seal has a circular face and includes: a first ring located on the edge of the circular face and disposed between the body and the cap; and a second ring located at the center of the circular face, the second ring including a raised ridge on a first side of the circular face, the raised ridge defining an inverted conical slope, and the second ring including a tear guide on a second side of the circular face, the tear guide being at the center of the inverted conical slope.

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention is a self-restoring seal including: a first ring located on the edge of a circular face; and a second ring located at the center of the circular face, including a raised ridge on a first side of the circular face and defining an inverted conical slope, and including a tear guide located on a second side of the circular face, the tear guide being at the center of the inverted conical slope.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is a device, comprising: a main body, which includes a first port, a second port, and a third port; a sealing device, which is connected to the third port, and the sealing device is configured to maintain a seal when pressure is applied to the first port through the second port. The sealing device includes: a first ring, which is located on the edge of a circular surface; and a second ring, which is located at the center of the circular surface. The second ring includes a raised ridge on a first side of the circular surface, the raised ridge defining an inverted conical slope, and the second ring includes a tear guide on a second side of the circular surface, and the tear guide is at the center of the inverted conical slope. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The drawings depict various elements of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0009] In the drawings, some elements may not be shown to scale relative to other elements to more clearly show details. Additionally, where possible, the same reference numerals are used in several drawings to represent the same elements.

[0010] It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be advantageously incorporated into other embodiments without further recitation or explanation. For example, since the drawings may show alternative views and time periods, various elements shown in the first drawing may be omitted from the illustration shown in the second drawing, and it should not be denied that these elements are included in the embodiments shown or discussed in connection with the second drawing.

[0011] Figures 1A to 1C Views of an assembled device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are provided. Figure 1A And 1C Cross-sectional views of a single-valve embodiment and a double-valve embodiment, respectively. Figure 1B A top view of the assembled device.

[0012] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the main body of the device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided.

[0013] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the cover of the device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided.

[0014] Figures 4A to 4G A view of a self-recovery seal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided.

[0015] Figures 5A to 5C Cross-sectional views of the self-recovery seal in various operating states according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present invention generally relates to an improved syringe plunger lock for use with a syringe and plunger system as part of a suction or aspiration device. The improvements described herein provide a variety of benefits including, but not limited to: easier use of the associated device, more precise control of the suction generated by a manual aspiration system, and improved or simplified manufacturing techniques.

[0017] The described system includes a rotary lock to hold the plunger in a known position within the syringe, thereby making it easier and more precise to maintain a vacuum. When the plunger is pulled outward, ribs on the plunger can bypass locking teeth on the rotary lock and prevent the plunger from moving back into the syringe due to the negative pressure generated until the user manually releases the lock.

[0018] Figures 1A to 1B A view of an assembled port adapter 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of the port adapter 100 is provided, Figure 1B A plan view of the port adapter 100 is provided.

[0019] In Figure 1A , a catheter 110 is fixed within a body 120, and an instrument 150 (such as a dilator or guide wire) is inserted through a self - recovering seal 140 that is secured to the body 120 via a cap 130. The body 120 defines a first channel 122 and a second channel 124, wherein the instrument 150 is guided through the first channel 122 into (and out of) the catheter 110, and the second channel connects the first channel 122 (and the fluid target in fluid communication with the catheter 110) to a pressure source 160 (such as, for example, a vacuum pump or syringe). The self - recovering seal 140 serves as a sealing device for the port adapter 100, which allows insertion and removal of the instrument 150 without loss of the effective pressure applied to the fluid target. In other words, the self - recovering seal 140 operates both in an intact state and a punctured state to isolate the first channel 122 from ambient air such that the pressure source 160 applies pressure to the fluid target and does not draw in excessive air through the first channel 122.

[0020] In Figure 1B , the port adapter 100 is shown in a plane perpendicular to the Figure 1A cross - sectional view in Figure 1A The cap 130 is fixed to one end of the body 120, opposite the end to which the catheter 110 is fixed, and obscures the self - recovering seal 140 in the view shown in

[0021] InFigure 1C In this case, the catheter 110 is fixed in the main body 120, and the instrument 150 (such as a dilator or a guide wire) is inserted through the first self - restoring seal 140a and the second self - restoring seal 140b, and the first self - restoring seal and the second self - restoring seal are held in place in the main body 120 via the cover 130. The main body 120 defines a first channel 122 and a second channel 124, wherein the instrument 150 is guided through the first channel 122 into (and out of) the catheter 110, and the second channel connects the first channel 122 (and the fluid target in fluid communication with the catheter 110) to a pressure source 160, such as, for example, a vacuum pump or a syringe.

[0022] An additional third channel 126 (with an associated fourth port) is also shown schematically, which is secured with a Luer activation valve 170 that selectively seals the channel from the external environment but allows an operator to inject fluid (such as dye, saline, contrast agent) into the system. The first self - restoring seal 140a and the second self - restoring seal 140b act as sealing means for the port adapter 100, and the port adapter allows the insertion and removal of the instrument 150 without loss of the effective pressure applied to the fluid target. In other words, the self - restoring seals 140 operate both in the intact state and in the punctured state to isolate the first channel 122 from ambient air, so that the pressure source 160 applies pressure to the fluid target and does not inhale excessive air through the first channel 122. Using two (or more) self - restoring seals 140 provides an air lock 128 between the pair of self - restoring seals 140. This air lock 128 (e.g., between the external air pressure and the air lock pressure, and between the air lock pressure and the internal channel pressure) provides an intermediate pressure differential that allows the pair of self - restoring seals 140 to remain sealed when the pressure source 160 applies a greater pressure differential than a single self - restoring seal can provide.

[0023] The volume of the air lock 128 is determined by the geometry of the two self - restoring seals 140. For example, when using two self - restoring seals 140 with a height (as shown in the X - direction in Figure 1C of 0.20 inches, a distance from the top and bottom of the outer ring to the circular face of 0.065 inches each, an outer diameter (as shown in the Y - direction in Figure 1C of 0.715 inches, and an outer ring thickness (as shown in the Y - direction in Figure 1C of 0.06 inches), the volume is approximately 0.07 cubic inches. It will be understood that this approximate volume does not account for any volume occupied by the inserted instrument 150, nor for the relative volume occupied or vacated by the raised ridges and tear - guiding features of the self - restoring seals 140.

[0024] Figure 2A cross-sectional view of a body 120 for a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. The body 120 includes a first port 210, a second port 220, and a third port 230 that are in fluid communication with each other via a first channel 122 and a second channel 124. The first port 210 is aligned with the third port 230 along the longitudinal length of the body 120 on a common axis. The first channel 122 extends between the first port and the third port, while the second port 220 is disposed between the first port 210 and the third port at an intersecting angle A1 with the common longitudinal axis to connect the second channel 124 to the first channel 122. As shown, the intersecting angle A1 is 45 degrees, but in various embodiments, other angles may be included, including 90 degrees, 60 degrees, 30 degrees, etc.

[0025] The first port 210 includes a first aperture B1 and a second aperture B2 that are different in size from each other. In various embodiments, the size of the first aperture B1 allows a catheter 110 to be inserted, while the second aperture B2 is smaller than the diameter of the catheter 110 to prevent or limit the over-insertion of the catheter 110 into the first channel 122. In various embodiments, the size of the first aperture B1 is configured to engage the inserted catheter 110 via friction in a cavity having a generally cylindrical shape with a diameter of the first aperture B1. Of course, in addition to or as an alternative to the friction fit, various adhesives or welded joints or other connectors may be used. The first aperture B1 matches the inner diameter of the shaft, which reduces the overall path restriction and the possibility of the Venturi effect, thereby reducing the risk of blockage due to turbulence in the restricted portion during the aspiration process.

[0026] The second port 220 includes a third aperture B3 and a fourth aperture B4 that are different in size from each other. In various embodiments, the size of the third aperture B3 allows a pneumatic tube connected to a pressure source 160 to be inserted, while the fourth aperture B2 is smaller than the diameter of the tube to prevent or limit the over-insertion of the tube into the second channel 124. In various embodiments, the size of the third aperture B3 is configured to engage the inserted tube via friction (or an adhesive, a welded joint, or other connectors) in a cavity having a generally cylindrical shape with a diameter of the third aperture B3.

[0027] The third port 230 includes a fifth aperture B5 and a sixth aperture B6 that are different in size from each other. The third port 230 is where a self-sealing member 140 mates with the body 120. The fifth aperture B5 is larger than the sixth aperture B6, and the fifth aperture is reduced to the sixth aperture B6 through an inward bevel 240. As shown, the reduction angle A2 of the inward bevel 240 is approximately 45 degrees, but in various embodiments, the reduction angle may include other angles between 0 degrees and 90 degrees, including 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 30 degrees, 15 degrees, etc.

[0028] When pressure is applied after forming a through - hole through the self - recovering seal 140, the bevel 240 helps to form a seal. For example, when the system is in a vacuum state, the self - recovering seal 140 can be pulled against the bevel 240 and thus compressed or "squeezed" to fill the reduced volume. This compression of the self - recovering seal 140 against the bevel 240 causes any tears or gaps (e.g., those caused by one or more inserted instruments) to be forced closed by the body of the self - recovering seal 140 to close these tears and gaps, thereby maintaining the seal under vacuum pressure. Additionally, the inward bevel 240 can also guide the deflection of the self - recovering seal 140 to reduce unwanted tearing when the instrument 150 pierces the self - recovering seal 140 and to ensure proper closure of any punctures when the instrument 150 is removed. Although described in this disclosure as a "bevel", which is shown (when assembled) as having a generally flat surface with a given angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the port adapter 100, the described bevel can also refer to a curved bevel or a series of straight bevels having multiple different angles defined on a series of straight bevels.

[0029] The body 120 also includes threads 250 disposed on the side of the body 120 that includes the third port 230, and the threads 250 are for connecting and fixing the cap 130 to the body 120 so as to hold the self - recovering seal 140 in place.

[0030] Figure 3 A cross - sectional view of a cap 130 for a port adapter 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. The cap 130 is for fixing the self - recovering seal 140 to the body and guiding the instrument 150 to be inserted through the self - recovering seal 140. The cap 130 includes a first opening 310 on a first side and a second opening 320 on an opposite side. A holding cavity 330 is defined between the first opening 310 and the second opening 320 to hold the self - recovering seal 140 between the cavity 330 in the cap 130 and the third port 230.

[0031] The first opening 310 includes an inward bevel 340 having a fourth angle A4 to assist in guiding the instrument 150 during insertion. As shown, the fourth angle A4 is 45 degrees, but in various embodiments it can include other angles, including 60 degrees, 30 degrees, 15 degrees, etc. The first opening also includes an outward bevel 360 having a fifth angle A5 to affect the amount of outward bending that allows the self - recovering seal 140 to bend (e.g., toward the first opening 310 and toward the second opening 320), thereby affecting the position where the self - recovering seal 140 bends to affect the closure of the puncture through the self - recovering seal 140. As shown, the fifth angle A5 is 10 degrees, but in various embodiments it can include other angles, including 5 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, etc.

[0032] The second opening 320 includes threads 350 to mate with threads 250 defined on the body 120, thereby holding the cap 130 and the self - recovering seal 140 in place against the body 120. The second opening 320 is sized to mate with the third port 230 of the body 120 and to allow the self - recovering seal 140 to be inserted into the cavity 330. Thus, a user can initially insert the self - recovering seal 140 into the cavity 330 via the second opening 320 and tighten the cap 130 onto the body 120 via the associated threads 250, 350. Similarly, the user can remove the cap 130 from the body 120 by unscrewing the associated threads 250, 350 from each other and can remove the self - recovering seal 140 from the cavity 330 via the second opening 320 (e.g., to replace the self - recovering seal 140).

[0033] Figures 4A to 4F A view of the self - recovering seal 140 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 4A A perspective view of the self - recovering seal 140 is provided, Figure 4B A cross - sectional view of the self - recovering seal 140 is provided, Figure 4C An enlarged detailed view of the tear guide is provided, Figure 4D A cross - sectional view of the self - recovering seal 140 inserted into the cavity 330 is provided, Figure 4E A cross - sectional view of a pair of self - recovering seals 14 inserted into the cavity 330 is provided, Figure 4F A plan view of the self - recovering seal 140 is provided, and Figure 4G The puncture path through the self - recovering seal 140 is shown.

[0034] In various embodiments, the self - recovering seal 140 is made of various flexible materials that allow the cap 130 and the body 120 to compress the self - recovering seal 140 (thereby forming a seal around the outer periphery of the self - recovering seal) and allow pressure to be applied to bend or fold the self - recovering seal towards the lower - pressure side. For example, the self - recovering seal 140 can be made of various rubbers, silicones, nylons, and other materials that are selected to have high elasticity and low hardness. In various embodiments, a material selected to have "high elasticity" refers to a material having an elastic ratio of at least 400%, preferably at least 500%, more preferably at least 600%, and even more preferably at least 700%. In various embodiments, a material selected to have "low hardness" refers to a material having a Shore hardness of 55A or less, preferably 50A or less, more preferably 40A or less, and even more preferably 30A or less.

[0035] Various features of the self - recovering seal 140 control the size and location of any resulting through - hole and provide for a controlled folding of the self - recovering seal 140 around the through - hole upon removal of the instrument, thereby sealing the through - hole.

[0036] As Figures 4A to 4F shown, the self - recovering seal 140 has a generally circular face and includes a first ring 410 located at the outer edge of the circular face, which extends from the first and second sides of the self - recovering seal. In various embodiments, the first ring 410 extends as equal protrusions relative to the first and second sides of the self - recovering seal 140, but may extend as unequal protrusions in other embodiments.

[0037] The self - recovering seal 140 further includes a second ring 420 at the center of the first side and a tear guide 470 at the center of the second side. The second ring 420 includes a raised ridge that defines an inverted conical ramp 440. The inverted conical ramp 440 is aligned (e.g., centered) with the tear guide 470 on the second side, and the tear guide provides a sealing surface after a through - hole is formed through the self - recovering seal 140 (e.g., see Figures 5A to 5C ). Additionally, the inverted conical ramp 440 helps to orient the instrument 150 to the center of the self - recovering seal 140 during insertion. In some embodiments, the self - recovering seal includes a first recess 450 on the first side and a second recess 460 on the second side. Of course, one or both of the first recess 450 or the second recess 460 may be omitted in some implementations. The first recess 450 and / or the second recess 460 define a region of reduced thickness in the self - recovering seal 140, which is more easily pierced by the instrument 150 during insertion and allows for the formation of a through - hole with less tearing in other directions, thereby reducing the size of the through - hole to be sealed.

[0038] A third ring 430 of reduced thickness (relative to the thickness of the first ring 410 and the second ring 420 in the X - direction) is located between the first ring 410 and the second ring 420. The reduced thickness of the third ring 430 causes the self - recovering seal 140 to bend more easily in the third ring 430 than in the other rings 410, 420.

[0039] The second ring 420 has a foot based on the third ring 430 such that the second ring 420 rises above the third ring 430 and extends (from the first side) to a peak equal to that of the first ring 410 (in the X direction). The lowest point of the inverted conical ramp 440 is positioned above the foot or peak of the second ring 420 (e.g., when in the neutral position, the inverted conical ramp 440 does not extend beyond the plane defined by the third ring 430 on the first side of the self - restoring seal 140). Conversely, when in the neutral position, the tear guide 470 extends inwardly from the surface of the third ring 430 on the second side of the self - restoring seal 140 and extends the second recess 460 flush with the plane defined by the third ring 430 on the first side of the self - restoring seal 14.

[0040] In various embodiments, the self - restoring seal 140 is made of various rubbers or plastics to allow the self - restoring seal 140 to bend, flex, or otherwise deform when pushed or pulled by the pressure applied by the pressure source 160 in the first channel 122. Figure 4D Shows the neutral position of the self - restoring seal 140 when the pressures applied on the first and second sides are approximately equal. In various embodiments, the self - restoring seal 140 is designed to prevent or reduce the amount of external air entering the first channel 122 through the self - restoring seal 140 or the amount of internal air (or other fluid) leaving the first channel 122 through the self - restoring seal body 140 by partially folding over the through - hole after the through - hole is introduced through the self - restoring seal 140, so as to re - establish the seal when operating at various pressures. In various embodiments, the self - restoring seal 140 is configured to operate at an applied pressure of ±20 pounds per square inch (psi), ±40 psi, etc.

[0041] In various embodiments, the cover 130 is sized to accommodate two or more self - restoring seals 140, such as Figure 4E the first self - restoring seal 140a and the second self - restoring seal 140b as shown. Figure 4EShows the neutral positions of two self - recovering seals 140a - b. Each self - recovering seal 140a - b is positioned to be concentrically aligned (e.g., coaxially aligned) on a common axis to allow the instrument 150 to be inserted through the respective inverted conical bevel 440 and tear guide 470, thereby forming a centrally - aligned through - hole. The self - recovering seals 140a - b are configured to dock with each other via respective outer first rings 410 to define an air lock 128 between the inner surfaces (e.g., the second side of the first self - recovering seal 140a and the first side of the second self - recovering seal 140b) to provide an intermediate pressure differential (e.g., between the external air pressure and the air lock pressure, and between the air lock pressure and the internal channel pressure), which allows the pair of self - recovering seals 140a - b to remain sealed when a pressure differential greater than that which a single self - recovering seal 140 can provide is applied.

[0042] The pair of self - recovering seals is designed to prevent or reduce the amount of external air entering the air lock 128 through the first self - recovering seal 140a and the first channel 122 through the second self - recovering seal 140b, or the amount of internal air (or other fluid) leaving the first channel 122 through the self - recovering seals 140a - b, by partial collapse on the through - hole after the through - hole is introduced through the pair of self - recovering seals 140a - b, to re - establish the seal while operating at various pressures. In various embodiments, the pair of self - recovering seals 140 is configured to operate at applied pressures of ±40 psi, ±80 psi, etc.

[0043] In various embodiments, the pair of self - recovering seals 140a - b are identical in design. Of course, in some embodiments, the first self - recovering seal 140a can be made of a different material than the second self - recovering seal 140b, have different dimensions, or a combination thereof.

[0044] Although typically discussed in connection with use with an instrument 150 having a generally circular cross - section that self - pierces the self - recovering seal 140 (e.g., a needle with a sharp tip), in various embodiments, as Figure 4F shown, the self - recovering seal 140 can include a piercing slit 480 to help allow other devices to be inserted into the self - recovering seal 140. The piercing slit 480 is a non - circular feature located at the center of the self - recovering seal 140, which can define a region of reduced thickness in the self - recovering seal 140 that is suitable for non - circular instruments 150, circular instruments 150 with a diameter greater than the first recess 450, circular instruments 150 without a cutting tip, or auxiliary tools (e.g., a razor) to pierce the self - recovering seal body 140 in a regular and controllable manner (e.g., reducing the tearing of the circular face outside this region when forming the through - hole).

[0045] AsFigure 4F As shown, the length that the piercing slit 480 extends (shown in the Y direction) includes a portion within the inverted conical ramp 440. However, in various embodiments, the length that the piercing slit extends may be different (greater or smaller) from the length shown. When extending into portions of the self - resealing seal 140 having different prominences (e.g., height in the Z direction), the piercing slit 480 may extend a uniform depth from the surface or to a uniform position defined on the Z - axis. In various embodiments, the piercing slit 480 may be a scored line that does not completely penetrate the self - resealing seal 140 (until the instrument passes through), or may be manufactured to penetrate the self - resealing seal 140 in the absence of the instrument 150 (e.g., providing a pre - formed through - hole).

[0046] Although the first side of the self - resealing seal 140 is shown in Figure 4F In some embodiments, the piercing slit 480 may be alternatively defined on the second side of the self - resealing seal 140, or may include a pair of piercing slits 480 (aligned with each other) on opposite sides of the self - resealing seal 140. In various embodiments, in addition to one or both of the first recess 450 and the second recess 460, one or more piercing slits 480 may be included, or one or more piercing slits 480 may replace one or both of the first recess 450 or the second recess 460.

[0047] In various embodiments, the piercing slit 480 terminates at a crack arrester 482a - b at either end, which reduces the likelihood that the opened through - hole in the self - resealing seal 140 extends beyond the edge of the piercing slit 480. The crack arrester 482a - b defines a region of reduced thickness in the self - resealing seal 140, and the width of this region is greater than the major length of the piercing slit 480 (e.g., the diameter of a circular hole or void in the material of the self - resealing seal 140 is greater than the height of the remaining portion of the piercing slit 480 (as Figure 4F shown, in the Z direction).

[0048] Figure 4G Piercing paths 490a - b (generally or collectively referred to as the piercing path 490) through the self - resealing seal 140 are shown. Depending on the size and cross - sectional shape of the instrument 150 to be inserted into the self - resealing seal 140, the piercing path 490 may have different sizes and shapes to accommodate the instrument 150. For example, a razor may be inserted through a first piercing path 490a guided by the piercing slit 480 to form a through - hole through which various instruments 150 may be inserted. In another example, a needle with a sharp end may be inserted through a second piercing path 490b guided by the first recess 450 to form a through - hole through which various instruments 150 may be inserted.

[0049] Figures 5A to 5C A cross-sectional view of a self-restoring seal 140 in various operating states according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. In Figures 5A to 5C , the first ring 410 remains stationary and is held in place by the cover 130 and the body 120 ( Figures 5A to 5C not shown), while the third ring 430 bends to reposition the second ring 420. In various embodiments, the second ring 420 (initially or due to the bending of the third ring 430) contacts the outward bevel 360 of the cover 130 or the inward bevel 240 of the third port 230, which further guides how the self-restoring seal 140 bends under non-uniform pressure.

[0050] Figure 5A A through hole 510 formed between the first side and the second side of the self-restoring seal 140 (e.g., by inserting the instrument 150 from the first side shown on the left to the second side shown on the right) is shown. In Figure 5A , the first side and the second side are subject to substantially equal pressure, and the self-restoring seal 140 is shown in a neutral position. The inverted conical bevel 440 helps to align the instrument 150 such that the through hole 510 is substantially aligned on the center line of the self-restoring seal 140, and the first recess 450 and the second recess 460 ( Figure 5A not shown in ) help to align the tear and minimize accidental or secondary tears. Depending on the specifications of the instrument 150 and whether the instrument 150 is hollow or solid, the cross-sectional area of the through hole 510 may be larger or smaller than Figure 5A that shown.

[0051] In Figure 5B , such as when a pressure source 160 applies a negative pressure (such as vacuum suction) to the first channel 122, the third ring 430 bends inward (relative to the first channel 122). When pulled inward, the walls of the inverted conical bevel 440 are pulled together to seal the through hole 510 ( Figure 5B not shown in ) during the operation of the pressure source 160, which uses the punctured self-restoring seal 140 to apply suction to a fluid target through the port adapter 100 (e.g., sucking a blood clot from a vein). In various embodiments, when a threshold negative pressure is applied to the second side of the self-restoring seal 140, the second side of the third ring 430 contacts the inward bevel 240 of the third port 230, which indicates how the self-restoring seal 140 bends inward, thereby causing the third ring 430 and the second ring 420 to move so as to fold inward at the center to seal the through hole 510. In various embodiments, the magnitude of the threshold negative pressure is less than the applied negative pressure (e.g., -X psi when the pressure source applies -n*X psi to the fluid target, where n is a negative pressure safety factor selected by the designer, such as 1.1, 1.5, 2, 3, etc.).

[0052] In Figure 5C , such as when the pressure source 160 applies positive pressure to the first channel 122, the third ring 430 bends outward (relative to the first channel 122). When pushed outward, the walls of the tear guide 470 are pulled together, and a positive pressure is applied to the fluid target via the port adapter 100 using the puncturable self - recovering seal 140 during the operation of the pressure source 160 (e.g., injecting a substance into a vein), thereby sealing the through - hole 510 ( Figure 5B not shown in). In addition to the walls of the tear guide 470 being pulled together to seal the through - hole 510, or alternatively, the outer edge of the second ring 420 can be pushed towards the center by the outward bevel 360 of the cap 130, allowing at least a portion of the inverted conical bevel 440 to be pushed together to close the through - hole 510, so that when a threshold positive pressure is applied to the second side of the self - recovering seal 140, the third ring 430 and the second ring 420 are urged to move and fold inwardly at the center to seal the through - hole 510. In various embodiments, the magnitude of the threshold positive pressure is less than the positive pressure applied by the pressure source 160 (e.g., -Y psi when the pressure source applies -p*Y psi to the fluid target, where p is a positive pressure safety factor selected by the designer, such as 1.1, 1.5, 2, 3, etc.).

[0053] In various embodiments, the designer can select different materials for the self - recovering seal 140, adjust the absolute and relative perimeters (e.g., in the ZY plane) of the respective rings 410, 420, 430, and adjust the absolute and relative thicknesses of the respective rings 410, 420, 430 to affect how easily the self - recovering seal 140 closes the through - hole 510 (e.g., at what threshold pressure) when a pressure differential is applied to the self - recovering seal 140. Additionally or alternatively, the designer can change the position of the edge of the through - hole in the cap 130 (e.g., 360) relative to the diameter of the second ring 420 to position the cap 130 to contact the raised ridge sooner or later when the self - recovering seal 140 bends outward. Additionally or alternatively, the designer can change the position of the edge of the third port 230 (e.g., adjusting the fifth aperture B5, the sixth aperture B6, the second angle A2, and their combinations) relative to the mating of the second side of the self - recovering seal 140 to contact and disconnect from the third ring 430 sooner or later when the self - recovering seal 140 bends inward.

[0054] The present disclosure can also be understood with reference to the following numbered sub - items.

[0055] Sub-item 1: A device, comprising: a main body, which includes a first port, a second port, and a third port; a cover, which is fixed to the third port; and a self - recovering seal, which is fixed to the third port through the cover, wherein the self - recovering seal has a circular face and includes: a first ring, which is located on the edge of the circular face and is disposed between the main body and the cover; and a second ring, which is located at the center of the circular face, the second ring includes a raised ridge on the first side of the circular face, the raised ridge defines an inverted conical slope, and the second ring includes a tear guide on the second side of the circular face, and the tear guide is at the center of the inverted conical slope.

[0056] Sub-item 2: The device according to any one of sub-item 1 and sub-items 3 to 11, wherein the first port is aligned with the third port on a common axis; and the second port is disposed between the first port and the third port at an angle intersecting the common axis.

[0057] Sub-item 3: The device according to any one of sub-item 1, sub-item 2, and sub-items 4 to 11, wherein the third port includes an inwardly inclined cut surface that mates with the self - recovering seal.

[0058] Sub-item 4: The device according to any one of sub-items 1 to 3 and sub-items 5 to 11, wherein the cover includes a through - hole with a diameter size determined relative to the diameter of the second ring, and when a positive pressure is applied to the second side of the circular face, the edge of the through - hole is positioned to contact the raised ridge.

[0059] Sub-item 5: The device according to any one of sub-items 1 to 4 and sub-items 6 to 11, wherein the self - recovering seal includes a third ring, the thickness of the third ring is reduced relative to the first ring and the second ring, and the third ring is located between the first ring and the second ring.

[0060] Sub-item 6: The device according to any one of sub-items 1 to 5 and sub-items 7 to 11, wherein when a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side and between the lowest point of the inverted conical slope and the tear guide, the self - recovering seal is configured to fold the inverted conical slope to seal the through - hole when a negative pressure is applied from the second port to the first port.

[0061] Sub-item 7: The device according to any one of sub-items 1 to 6 and sub-items 8 to 11, wherein when a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side and between the lowest point of the inverted conical slope and the tear guide, the self - recovering seal is configured to fold the tear guide to seal the through - hole when a positive pressure is applied from the second port to the first port.

[0062] Dependent item 8: The device according to any one of dependent items 1 to 7 and 9 to 11, wherein when a through-hole is formed between the first side and the second side of the self-restoring seal, the circular surface is configured to fold inwards in the direction of lower pressure to maintain the seal between the first side and the second side under a pressure difference of up to 40 pounds per square inch between the first side and the second side of the circular surface.

[0063] Dependent item 9: The device according to any one of dependent items 1 to 8, 10 and 11, further comprising: a Luer activation valve provided in the fourth port of the body.

[0064] Dependent item 10: The device according to any one of dependent items 1 to 9 and 11, further comprising: a second self-restoring seal fixed to the self-restoring seal by the cover, wherein the second self-restoring seal has a circular surface and comprises: a first ring located at the edge of the circular surface and provided between the body and the cover; and a second ring located at the center of the circular surface, the second ring including a raised ridge on the first side of the circular surface that defines an inverted conical slope, and the second ring including a second tear guide on the second side of the circular surface at the center of the inverted conical slope; wherein the second self-restoring seal is concentrically aligned with the self-restoring seal on a common axis between the tear guide and the second tear guide; and wherein the second self-restoring seal and the self-restoring seal form an air lock between the first side of the circular surface of the second self-restoring seal and the second side of the circular surface of the self-restoring seal.

[0065] Dependent item 11: The device according to any one of dependent items 1 to 10, wherein when through-holes are formed between the first side and the second side of the self-restoring seal and between the first side and the second side of the second self-restoring seal, the circular surface of the self-restoring seal and the circular surface of the second self-restoring seal are configured to fold inwards in the direction of lower pressure to maintain the seal between the first side of the circular surface and the second side of the second circular surface under a pressure difference of up to 80 pounds per square inch between the first side of the circular surface of the self-restoring seal and the second side of the circular surface of the second self-restoring seal.

[0066] Dependent item 12: A self-restoring seal, comprising: a first ring located at the edge of a circular surface; and a second ring located at the center of the circular surface, including a raised ridge on the first side of the circular surface that defines an inverted conical slope, and including a tear guide on the second side of the circular surface at the center of the inverted conical slope.

[0067] Sub-item 13: The self - recovering seal according to any one of sub - item 12 and sub - items 14 to 19, wherein the tear - guiding member has a cavity centered on the inverted conical slope and having a radius smaller than that of the second ring, and the tear - guiding member includes a first lowest point aligned with the second lowest point of the inverted conical slope at the thinnest point of the self - recovering seal.

[0068] Sub - item 14: The self - recovering seal according to any one of sub - item 12, sub - item 13 and sub - items 14 to 19, wherein when a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side and a negative pressure is applied to the second side, the second ring is configured to fold the inverted conical slope inward to seal the through - hole.

[0069] Sub - item 15: The self - recovering seal according to any one of sub - items 12 to 14 and sub - items 16 to 19, wherein when a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side and a positive pressure is applied to the second side, the tear - guiding member is configured to fold inward to seal the through - hole.

[0070] Sub - item 16: The self - recovering seal according to any one of sub - items 12 to 15 and sub - items 17 to 19, wherein when a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side, the circular surface is configured to fold inward in the direction of the lower pressure to maintain the seal between the first side and the second side under a pressure difference of up to 40 pounds per square inch between the first side and the second side of the circular surface.

[0071] Sub - item 17: The self - recovering seal according to any one of sub - items 12 to 16 and sub - items 18 to 19, wherein the first ring is configured to dock with the ring of a second self - recovering seal to define an air lock between the second side of the circular surface and the second self - recovering seal when the first ring is concentrically aligned with the ring.

[0072] Sub - item 18: The self - recovering seal according to any one of sub - items 12 to 17 and sub - item 19, wherein the first ring is configured to dock with the ring of a second self - recovering seal to define an air lock between the first side of the circular surface and the second self - recovering seal when the first ring is concentrically aligned with the ring.

[0073] Sub - item 19: The self - recovering seal according to any one of sub - items 12 to 18 further includes: a puncture slit defined on the circular surface and located at the center of the circular surface, and the puncture slit defines a region of reduced thickness in the self - recovering seal to reduce tearing of the circular surface outside the region when forming a through - hole.

[0074] Sub-item 20: A device, comprising: a main body, which includes a first port, a second port, and a third port; a sealing device, which is connected to the third port, and the sealing device is configured to maintain a seal when pressure is applied to the first port through the second port. The sealing device includes: a first ring, which is located on the edge of a circular surface; and a second ring, which is located at the center of the circular surface. The second ring includes a raised ridge on a first side of the circular surface, the raised ridge defines an inverted conical slope, and includes a tear guide on the second side of the circular surface and at the center of the inverted conical slope.

[0075] Sub-item 21: The device according to any one of sub-items 20 and 22 to 31, wherein the lowest point of the inverted conical slope is located at a height between the peak and the bottom of the raised ridge.

[0076] Sub-item 22: The device according to any one of sub-items 20, 21, and 23 to 31, wherein the peak of the raised ridge matches the peak of the first ring.

[0077] Sub-item 23: The device according to any one of sub-items 20 to 22 and 24 to 31, wherein the first port and the third port are aligned on a common axis; and the second port is disposed between the first port and the third port at an angle intersecting the common axis.

[0078] Sub-item 24: The device according to any one of sub-items 20 to 23 and 25 to 31, wherein the third port includes an inward beveled surface that cooperates with the sealing device.

[0079] Sub-item 25: The device according to any one of sub-items 20 to 24 and 26 to 31, wherein the sealing device includes a cover, and the cover includes a through hole with a size of the aperture determined relative to the diameter of the second ring. When positive pressure is applied to the second side of the circular surface, the edge of the through hole is positioned to contact the raised ridge.

[0080] Sub-item 26: The device according to any one of sub-items 20 to 25 and 27 to 31, wherein the sealing device includes a third ring, the thickness of the third ring is reduced relative to the first ring and the second ring, and the third ring is located between the first ring and the second ring.

[0081] Sub-item 27: The device according to any one of sub-items 20 to 26 and 28 to 31, wherein when a through hole is formed between the first side and the second side and between the lowest point of the inverted conical slope and the tear guide, the sealing device is configured to fold the inverted conical slope to seal the through hole when negative pressure is applied to the first port through the second port.

[0082] Sub - item 28: The device according to any one of sub - items 20 to 27 and 29 to 31, wherein when a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side and between the lowest point of the inverted conical inclined surface and the tear guide, the sealing device is configured to fold the tear guide to seal the through - hole when a positive pressure is applied from the second port to the first port.

[0083] Sub - item 29: The device according to any one of sub - items 20 to 28, 30 and 31, further comprising: a Luer activation valve disposed in the fourth port of the body.

[0084] Sub - item 30: The device according to any one of sub - items 20 to 29 and 31, wherein the sealing device further comprises: a third ring located on the second edge of the second circular surface; and a fourth ring located at the center of the second circular surface, the fourth ring including a second raised ridge on the first side of the second circular surface, the second raised ridge defining a second inverted conical inclined surface, and the fourth ring including a second tear guide on the center of the second inverted conical inclined surface and on the second side of the second circular surface; wherein the first side of the second circular surface and the second side of the circular surface form an air lock; and wherein the second ring and the fourth ring are coaxially aligned.

[0085] Sub - item 31: The device according to any one of sub - items 20 to 30, wherein the sealing device is configured to maintain a seal after piercing the circular surface and the second circular surface under a pressure difference of 80 pounds per square inch applied between the first side of the circular surface and the second side of the second circular surface.

[0086] The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided in this disclosure are intended to provide a thorough and complete disclosure of the entire scope of the subject matter to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art, and not to limit or restrict the scope of the claimed subject matter in any way. The aspects, examples, and details provided in this disclosure are considered sufficient to convey possession and enable those of ordinary skill in the relevant art to practice the best mode of the claimed subject matter. Descriptions of structures, resources, operations, and behaviors that are well - known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may be brief or omitted to avoid obscuring the less - known or unique aspects of the subject matter of this disclosure. Unless explicitly stated herein, the claimed subject matter should not be construed as limited to any embodiment, aspect, example, or detail provided in this disclosure. Whether shown or described jointly or separately, each (structural and method) feature is intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment having a specific set of features. Additionally, any or all of the functions and actions shown or described may be performed in any order or simultaneously.

[0087] After obtaining the description and illustration of the present disclosure, those of ordinary skill in the relevant art can conceive of variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments that fall within the spirit of the broader aspects of the general inventive concept provided in the present disclosure and that do not depart from the broader scope of the present disclosure.

[0088] As used in the present disclosure, the phrase "at least one" in reference to a list of items refers to any collection of those items, including a collection having a single member and every potential combination thereof. For example, when referring to "at least one of A, B, or C" or "at least one of A, B, and C", the phrase is intended to cover the following collections: A, B, C, A - B, B - C, and A - B - C, where these collections may include one or more examples of a given member (e.g., A - A, A - A - A, A - A - B, A - A - B - B - C - C, etc.) and any order thereof.

[0089] As used in the present disclosure, the term "determine" includes a variety of actions, which may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., via a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), retrieving, parsing, selecting, choosing, establishing, etc.

[0090] As used in the present disclosure, the terms "substantially", "about", "approximately", and other relative terms include values within ±5% of the stated quantity, percentage, or range, unless a different approximation is explicitly cited in relation to the stated quantity, percentage, or range, or if the context of the value indicates a different approximation is more appropriate. For example, a value identified as about X% can be understood to include values between 0.95*X% and 1.05*X% or between X - 0.05X percent and X + 0.05X percent, but may stop at zero or one hundred percent in various cases. In another example, a feature described as substantially parallel or perpendicular to another feature should be understood to be parallel or perpendicular within ±9 degrees. Any value expressed in relative terms should be understood to include the stated value as well as any range or sub - range between the indicated or implied extreme values.

[0091] As used in the present disclosure, all numbers given in examples (whether approximate or otherwise expressed) inherently include values within the precision and rounding error of that number. For example, the number 4.5 should be understood to include values between 4.45 and 4.54, and the number 4.50 should be understood to include values between 4.495 and 4.504. Additionally, any number or range that explicitly or by context refers to an integer quantity (e.g., about X users, between about Y and Z states) should be understood to be rounded down or up to the next integer value (e.g., X ± 1 users, Y - 1 and Z + 1 states).

[0092] The following claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but rather should be accorded the full scope consistent with the claim language. In the claims, reference to a single element does not mean "one and only one" unless expressly stated, but rather "one or more" or "at least one". The word "a" or "an" means one or more unless expressly stated otherwise. No feature of any claim should be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the claim expressly recites the feature using the phrase "means for" or "step for". All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described in this disclosure, known or later coming to be known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art, are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the claims. Additionally, nothing in this disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public, whether or not the subject matter is expressly recited in the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising: a body including a first port, a second port, and a third port; a cap fixed to the third port; and a self - recovering seal fixed to the third port through the cap, wherein the self - recovering seal has a circular face and includes: a first ring located at an edge of the circular face and disposed between the body and the cap; and a second ring located at a center of the circular face, the second ring including a raised ridge on a first side of the circular face, the raised ridge defining an inverted conical slope, and the second ring including a tear guide on a second side of the circular face, the tear guide being located at a center of the inverted conical slope.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first port is aligned with the third port on a common axis; and the second port is disposed between the first port and the third port at an angle intersecting the common axis.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein The third port includes an inward beveled surface that mates with the self - recovering seal.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The cap includes a through - hole having an aperture size determined relative to a diameter of the second ring, wherein when a positive pressure is applied to the second side of the circular face, an edge of the through - hole is positioned to contact the raised ridge.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The self - recovering seal includes a third ring, the thickness of the third ring being reduced relative to the first ring and the second ring, and the third ring being located between the first ring and the second ring.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein, When a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side and between a lowest point of the inverted conical slope and the tear guide, the self - recovering seal is configured to fold the inverted conical slope to seal the through - hole when a negative pressure is applied from the second port to the first port.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein, When a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side and between a lowest point of the inverted conical slope and the tear guide, the self - recovering seal is configured to fold the tear guide to seal the through - hole when a positive pressure is applied from the second port to the first port.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein When a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side of the self - recovering seal, the circular face is configured to fold inward in a direction of lower pressure to maintain a seal between the first side and the second side at a differential pressure of up to 40 pounds per square inch between the first side and the second side.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a Luer activation valve disposed in a fourth port of the body.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second self - recovering seal fixed to the self - recovering seal through the cap, wherein the second self - recovering seal has a circular face and includes: a first ring located at an edge of the circular face and disposed between the body and the cap; and A second ring, which is located at the center of the circular surface, the second ring includes a raised ridge on a first side of the circular surface, the raised ridge defining an inverted conical slope, and the second ring includes a second tear guide on a second side of the circular surface, the second tear guide being at the center of the inverted conical slope; wherein, the second self - recovering seal is concentrically aligned with the self - recovering seal on a common axis between the tear guide and the second tear guide; and wherein, the second self - recovering seal and the self - recovering seal form an air lock between the first side of the circular surface of the second self - recovering seal and the second side of the circular surface of the self - recovering seal.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, When a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side of the self - recovering seal and between the first side and the second side of the second self - recovering seal, the circular surface of the self - recovering seal and the circular surface of the second self - recovering seal are configured to fold inwards in the direction of the lower pressure to maintain a seal between the first side of the circular surface of the self - recovering seal and the second side of the second circular surface under a pressure difference of up to 80 pounds per square inch.

12. A self - recovering seal, comprising: A first ring, which is located at the edge of the circular surface; and A second ring, which is located at the center of the circular surface, includes a raised ridge on a first side of the circular surface and defines an inverted conical slope, and includes a tear guide located on a second side of the circular surface, the tear guide being at the center of the inverted conical slope.

13. The self - recovering seal according to claim 12, wherein, The tear guide is a cavity at the center of the inverted conical slope and has a radius smaller than that of the second ring, and the tear guide includes a first lowest point aligned with a second lowest point of the inverted conical slope at the thinnest point of the self - recovering seal.

14. The self - recovering seal according to claim 12, wherein, When a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side and a negative pressure is applied to the second side, the second ring is configured to fold the inverted conical slope inwards to seal the through - hole.

15. The self - recovering seal according to claim 12, wherein, When a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side and a positive pressure is applied to the second side, the tear guide is configured to fold inwards to seal the through - hole.

16. The self - restoring seal according to claim 12, wherein, When a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side, the circular surface is configured to fold inwards in the direction of the lower pressure to maintain a seal between the first side and the second side under a pressure difference of up to 40 pounds per square inch.

17. The self - recovering seal according to claim 12, wherein, The first ring is configured to dock with the ring of a second self - recovering seal to define an air lock between the second side of the circular surface and the second self - recovering seal when the first ring is concentrically aligned with the ring.

18. The self - recovering seal according to claim 12, wherein, The first ring is configured to dock with a ring of a second self - recovering seal to define an air lock between the first side of the circular face and the second self - recovering seal when the first ring is concentrically aligned with the ring.

19. The self - recovering seal according to claim 12, further comprising: A puncture slit defined on the circular face and centered on the circular face, the puncture slit defining a region of reduced thickness in the self - recovering seal to reduce tearing of the circular face outside of the region when forming a through - hole.

20. An apparatus comprising: A body including a first port, a second port, and a third port; A sealing device connected to the third port, the sealing device being configured to maintain a seal when pressure is applied to the first port through the second port, the sealing device comprising: A first ring located at the edge of a circular face; And A second ring located at the center of the circular face, the second ring including a raised ridge on a first side of the circular face, the raised ridge defining an inverted conical bevel, and the second ring including a tear guide on a second side of the circular face, the tear guide being at the center of the inverted conical bevel.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein, The lowest point of the inverted conical bevel is at a height between the peak and the bottom of the raised ridge.

22. The device according to claim 20, wherein, The peak of the raised ridge matches the peak of the first ring.

23. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein, The first port is aligned with the third port on a common axis; And The second port is disposed between the first port and the third port at an angle intersecting the common axis.

24. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein, The third port includes an inwardly beveled surface that mates with the sealing device.

25. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein, The sealing device includes a cap, the cap including a through - hole with an aperture size determined relative to the diameter of the second ring, wherein when positive pressure is applied to the second side of the circular face, the edge of the through - hole is positioned to contact the raised ridge.

26. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein, The sealing device includes a third ring, the thickness of the third ring being reduced relative to the first and second rings, and the third ring being located between the first and second rings.

27. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein, When a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side and between the lowest point of the inverted conical bevel and the tear guide, the sealing device is configured to fold the inverted conical bevel to seal the through - hole when negative pressure is applied to the first port from the second port.

28. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein When a through - hole is formed between the first side and the second side and between the lowest point of the inverted conical bevel and the tear guide, the sealing device is configured to fold the tear guide to seal the through - hole when positive pressure is applied to the first port from the second port.

29. The apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising: A Luer activation valve disposed in a fourth port of the body.

30. The device according to claim 20, wherein, The sealing device further comprises: A third ring located at a second edge of a second circular face; and The fourth ring, which is located at the center of the second circular surface, the fourth ring includes a second raised ridge on a first side of the second circular surface, the second raised ridge defining a second inverted conical ramp, and the fourth ring includes a second tear guide on a second side of the second circular surface, the second tear guide being at the center of the second inverted conical ramp; wherein, the first side of the second circular surface and the second side of the circular surface form an air lock; and wherein, the second ring and the fourth ring are coaxially aligned.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein, The sealing device is configured to maintain a seal after piercing the circular surface and the second circular surface when a pressure difference of 80 pounds per square inch is applied between the first side of the circular surface and the second side of the second circular surface.

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