Medical valve with a variable diameter seal

Abstract

A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between a first tube end and a second tube end to define a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis between the ends. A plunger plate extends radially from the second tube end of the tube, and a valve housing surrounds the tube about the second tube end and extends from a first valve housing end to a second valve housing end. The valve housing includes a flange extending radially inwardly from the second valve housing end and disposed in spaced relationship with the plunger plate to define a distance dimension D extending therebetween. An elastomeric seal is compressed between the plunger plate and the flange, and one of the valve housing and the tube is axially movable relative to the other to vary the distance between said plunger plate and said flange and adjust an inner diameter of the elastomeric seal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical valve assembly for use in inserting a medical device into a body vessel of a patient, comprising:
 a tube extending between a first tube end and a second tube end to define a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis between said ends;   a plunger plate extending radially from said second tube end of said tube;   a valve housing surrounding said tube about said second tube end and extending from a first valve housing end to a second valve housing end;   said valve housing including a flange extending radially inwards from said second valve housing end and disposed in spaced relationship with said plunger plate to define a distance extending therebetween;   an elastomeric seal compressed between said plunger plate and said flange and having an inner diameter for use in establishing a variable seal of the medical valve assembly; and   one of said valve housing and said tube axially movable relative to the other to vary the distance between said plunger plate and said flange and adjust said inner diameter of said elastomeric seal for variably sealing the medical valve assembly to a variety of differently sized medical devices.