Catheter valves

Abstract

The invention is directed to methods and devices to facilitate positioning of a catheter into a vessel and selectively controlling flow of fluids through the catheter until desired using one or more valves.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A valve for use with a catheter hub and a luer connector, the catheter hub having an interior cavity extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the luer connector, the valve comprising;
 a tubular base having an interior surface defining a cavity therein, the tubular base comprising a proximal end and a distal end;   a valve wall extending distally within the cavity of the tubular base, where a plurality of adjacent interior surfaces of the valve wall are spaced at the proximal end of the tubular base to form an opening and define a valve lumen;   where at the distal end of the tubular base the plurality of adjacent interior surfaces of the valve wall are biased together to close a distal opening such that the plurality of adjacent interior surfaces that contact to form a sealed configuration obstructing the valve lumen such that valve wall prevent fluid backflow in a proximal direction through the valve lumen, wherein when the plurality of adjacent interior surfaces of the valve wall separate upon insertion of a portion of the luer connector causing the valve to assume an open configuration that allows fluid flow in a distal direction through the valve lumen; and   a plurality of flexible ribs extending from the interior surface of the tubular base and coupled to a portion of the valve wall such that the plurality of flexible ribs prevent prolapse of the valve wall upon removal of the luer connector from within the valve lumen.   
     
     
         3 . The valve of  claim 2 , where the distal opening comprise a single slit opening at the distal end of the valve. 
     
     
         4 . The valve of  claim 2 , where the distal opening comprises a tri-slit opening at the distal end of the valve. 
     
     
         5 . The valve of  claim 2 , further comprising a flange extending around a perimeter of the tubular base. 
     
     
         6 . The valve of  claim 2 , where the valve wall forms a single flap valve configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The valve of  claim 2 , where the valve wall forms a multiple flap valve configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The valve of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of leg extensions extending proximally from the tubular base, the plurality of leg extensions being elastically compressible. 
     
     
         9 . The valve of  claim 8 , where each leg extension of the plurality of leg extensions are spaced from an adjacent leg extension by a gap. 
     
     
         10 . The valve of  claim 9 , where the plurality of leg extensions are distributed circumferentially positioned about the tubular base of the valve. 
     
     
         11 . The valve of  claim 2 , further comprising an actuating body slidably located within the interior cavity of the catheter hub and having an actuating body lumen extending therethrough, the actuating body including a shoulder surface. 
     
     
         12 . The valve of  claim 11 , where a distal portion of the actuating body comprises a tubular shape having a diameter less than a diameter of the shoulder surface. 
     
     
         13 . The valve of  claim 11 , where the actuating body comprises a plurality of alignment features to prevent rotation of the actuating body when positioned in a catheter hub. 
     
     
         14 . The valve of  claim 2 , where the valve comprises a single slit opening at a distal end of the valve. 
     
     
         15 . The valve of  claim 2 , where the valve comprises a tri-slit opening at a distal end of the valve. 
     
     
         16 . The valve of  claim 2 , where the tubular base includes a flanged configured for positioning within a groove in an interior cavity of the catheter hub to prevent fluid flow around the valve. 
     
     
         17 . The valve of  claim 2 , where the valve wall forms a single flap valve configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The valve of  claim 2 , where the valve wall forms a multiple flap valve configuration.