Medical Valve with Expandable Member

Abstract

A medical valve has a resilient member that is forcibly expanded to an expanded volume from a normal volume. Specifically, the valve operates in a closed mode that prevents fluid flow, and an open mode that permits fluid flow. To these ends, the valve has a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and the noted resilient member within the housing. The resilient member and housing form a fluid channel between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid channel at least in part extends through the resilient member. The fluid channel has a given portion formed by a variable volume portion of the resilient member. The variable volume portion has a normal volume when in the closed mode, and an expanded volume when the open mode. The expanded volume is greater than the normal volume.

1 . A method comprising:
 inserting a medical implement through an inlet of a medical valve, the medical valve comprising a housing having the inlet, an outlet, a resilient member, and a moveable plug member located within the resilient member, the resilient member and housing forming a fluid channel having a variable volume portion, the variable volume portion being in fluid communication with the outlet and having a normal volume when the valve is in a closed mode and an expanded volume when the valve is in an open mode, the expanded volume being greater than the normal volume;   moving the medical implement distally within the housing to urge the moveable plug member to move distally and the variable volume portion to expand, movement of the plug member fluidly communicating the inlet and the outlet; and   transferring fluid between the medical implement and the outlet.   
   
   
       2 . The method as defined by  claim 1 , wherein moving the medical implement distally within the housing urges the plug member to move longitudinally toward the outlet. 
   
   
       3 . The method as defined by  claim 1 , wherein the housing and variable volume portion form a space when in the closed mode, the variable volume portion being free to expand into the space when the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode. 
   
   
       4 . The method as defined by  claim 1 , wherein the variable volume portion of the resilient member has an inner dimension, the distal movement of the medical implement causing the inner dimension of the variable volume portion to expand radially as the valve transitions toward the open mode. 
   
   
       5 . The method as defined by  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member includes a proximal portion located proximal of the variable volume portion, the proximal portion having a swabbable portion. 
   
   
       6 . The method as defined by  claim 1 , wherein the plug member also forms at least a portion of the fluid channel, the plug member cooperating with the resilient member to form a flow controller that controls fluid flow through the valve, the flow controller being activated by the medical implement. 
   
   
       7 . The method as defined by  claim 1 , wherein the variable volume portion of the resilient member has the normal volume when no radially compressive forces are applied to it. 
   
   
       8 . The method as defined by  claim 1 , wherein the variable volume portion is formed from a resilient material, the resilient material having a relaxed state when no more than a negligible force is applied to it, the variable volume portion having the normal volume when in the relaxed state. 
   
   
       9 . The method as defined by  claim 1 , wherein the medical implement is a syringe having a luer taper at its distal end. 
   
   
       10 . The method as defined by  claim 1  further comprising:
 removing the medical instrument through the inlet to cause the valve to transition from the open mode to the closed mode.   
   
   
       11 . The method as defined by  claim 10 , wherein removing the medical instrument through the inlet further causes the moveable plug member to move proximally and the variable volume portion to return to the normal volume. 
   
   
       12 . The method as defined by  claim 1 , further comprising injecting fluid from the medical implement to a patient through the valve. 
   
   
       13 . The method as defined by  claim 1  further comprising withdrawing fluid from a patient into the medical implement. 
   
   
       14 . The method as defined by  claim 1  further comprising producing a positive fluid displacement through the outlet after withdrawing the medical implement. 
   
   
       15 . A method comprising:
 inserting a medical implement into a medical valve, the medical valve comprising a housing having an inlet and outlet, a resilient member, and a moveable plug member located within the resilient member, the resilient member and housing forming a fluid channel having a variable volume portion, the variable volume portion being in fluid communication with the outlet and having a normal volume when the valve is in a closed mode and an expanded volume when the valve is in an open mode, the expanded volume being greater than the normal volume;   moving the medical implement distally within the housing to urge the moveable plug member to move distally and the variable volume portion to expand until fluid communication is established between the inlet and outlet;   transferring fluid between the inlet and the outlet; and   withdrawing the medical implement from the valve, withdrawing causing the movable plug member to move proximally, withdrawing causing a positive pressure at the outlet.   
   
   
       16 . The method as defined by  claim 15 , wherein moving the medical implement distally within the housing urges the plug member to move longitudinally. 
   
   
       17 . The method as defined by  claim 15 , wherein the housing and variable volume portion form a space when in the closed mode, the variable volume portion being free to expand into the space when the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode. 
   
   
       18 . The method as defined by  claim 15 , wherein the variable volume portion of the resilient member has an inner dimension, the movement of the medical implement distally causing the inner dimension of the variable volume portion to expand radially as the valve transitions toward the open mode. 
   
   
       19 . The method as defined by  claim 15  further comprising:
 removing the medical instrument through the inlet to cause the valve to transition from the open mode to the closed mode, the medical valve producing a positive fluid displacement through the outlet after removal of the medical implement.   
   
   
       20 . The method as defined by  claim 15 , wherein the plug member also forms at least a portion of the fluid channel, the plug member cooperating with the resilient member to form a flow controller that controls fluid flow through the valve, the flow controller being activated by the medical implement.