Positive flow valve

Abstract

A closed system, spikeless, positive-flow valve device includes a body defining an internal cavity. At the proximal end of the body is an opening which is preferably sufficiently large to receive an ANSI standard tip of a medical implement. The valve includes a plastic, resilient silicon seal which fills the upper cavity and opening with an oval seal cap having a slit. The opening presses the oval seal cap to keep the slit closed in the decompressed state. The slit opens as the nose of the medical implement compresses the seal into the cavity and the seal cap is free from the opening. The housing also includes a fluid space which facilitates fluid flow between the medical implement and a catheter tip. The fluid space within the valve automatically and reversibly increases upon insertion of the medical implement into the cavity and decreases upon withdrawal of the medical implement, such that a positive flow from the valve toward the catheter tip is effected upon withdrawal of the medical implement, thereby preventing a flow of blood from a patient into the catheter when the medical implement is removed from the valve.

1 . A medical valve for controlling the flow of fluid between a first medical implement and a second medical implement, said valve comprising: 
 a body having a cavity in fluid communication with a second medical implement and an opening adapted to receive a first medical implement;    a sealing element positioned within said body and movable between a first position in which said sealing element prevents fluid flow through said cavity and a second position in which fluid flow is permitted through said cavity, said cavity including a fluid space which automatically and reversibly increases in size when said first medical implement is connected to said valve and which contracts in size when said first medical implement is disconnected, said sealing element including a rigid piston movably mounted with respect to said body; and    a ledge positioned within said cavity, said sealing element having a shoulder engaging said ledge when said sealing element moves into said first position.