Needleless connector with support member

Abstract

To provide a needleless connector.SOLUTION: A needleless connector comprises: a body including a first port at the top of the body and an inner surface forming an interior cavity; a base including a rim having a top surface, a second port at the bottom of the base, a recess extending from the rim toward the bottom, a support member extending from the rim, and an air passage extending through the recess; and a valve element including a valve wall having a distal end contacting the rim, wherein the valve element is disposed at least partially within the interior cavity, the distal end of the valve element is captured between the body and the base, and the support member resists extension of the valve element toward the recess of the base.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Claims

1. A base attached to a main body, wherein the main body includes an inner surface that forms an internal cavity between the main body and the base, A valve element comprising a valve wall having a distal end forming a valve base coupled to the rim of the base, wherein the valve element is at least partially located within the internal cavity and a fluid channel is formed at least partially between the outer surface of the valve wall and the inner surface of the body, and A needleless connector equipped with, A needleless connector wherein, when the outer surface of the valve wall is subjected to back pressure from the fluid channel, a support member extending from the rim into the recess of the base can resist the movement of the valve base into the recess.

2. The needleless connector according to claim 1, wherein the valve base includes a flange protruding from the valve wall.

3. The needleless connector according to claim 2, wherein the flange is coupled to the distal end of the valve wall.

4. The needleless connector according to claim 1, wherein the rim includes an upper surface that is engaged with the valve base.

5. The needleless connector according to claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the support member is recessed below the upper surface of the rim.

6. The needleless connector according to claim 1, wherein the valve wall includes dimples formed on the inner surface of the valve element.

7. The needleless connector according to claim 1, wherein the recess is located between the upper surface of the rim and a second port at the bottom of the base.

8. The needleless connector according to claim 1, wherein the base includes a fluid passage extending through the outer surface of the base to a second port located at the bottom of the base.

9. The needleless connector according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the support member has a height that extends above the rim.

10. The needleless connector according to claim 1, wherein the air passage extends from the recess through the base to the surrounding environment.

11. The needleless connector according to claim 10, wherein the inner surface of the valve element forms an internal volume that communicates with the air passage.

12. The needleless connector according to claim 1, wherein the fluid channel extends from a second port at the bottom of the base toward a first port at the top of the body.

13. The needleless connector according to claim 1, wherein when the needleless connector is not accessed by a compatible connector, the proximal portion of the valve element blocks a first port located on the upper part of the body.

14. The needleless connector according to claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a female lure attachment portion that forms a first port located on the upper part of the main body.

15. The needleless connector according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the rim defines a plane that intersects the central longitudinal axis of the base.

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