Valve for intravenous catheter
The present invention is directed to a valve assembly in an intravenous catheter that facilitates the administration of fluid to a patient through the intravenous catheter by a needleless device. The valve assembly of the present invention contains means for providing a positive displacement of fluid from the catheter at a time when a needleless device is removed from the valve assembly following its connection to the valve assembly.
1 . A valve assembly for an intravenous catheter comprising:
a housing;
an actuator located within the housing;
a resilient septum adjacent to the actuator; and
means for creating a positive displacement of fluid from the intravenous catheter when a needleless device is removed from the valve assembly following its connection to the valve assembly.
2 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the means is comprised of a support structure located proximal to the resilient septum.
3 . The valve assembly of claim 2 , wherein the resilient septum comprises a compressible material.
4 . The valve assembly of claim 3 , wherein the compressible material is silicone.
5 . The valve assembly of claim 2 , wherein the support structure is a plastic grate.
6 . The valve assembly of claim 2 , wherein the support structure is a metal grate.
7 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the housing has a first portion proximal to a needle protector, and a second portion distal to the needle protector;
the first portion including one or more flow channels in flow communication with the second portion to direct fluid around the resilient septum;
the second portion including a seat for retaining an internal part of the resilient septum, and one or more air vents; and
the resilient septum defines a hollow therein, the resilient septum located within the housing and having a first end positioned against the actuator, the actuator having a plurality of slots in flow communication with one or more flow channels, a stepped second end for seating the resilient septum on the seat in the second portion.
8 . The valve assembly of claim 7 , wherein the hollow comprises an air pocket encompassed by the resilient septum.
9 . The valve assembly of claim 8 , wherein the air pocket is vented to an area exterior to the valve assembly.
10 . The valve assembly of claim 7 , wherein the resilient septum comprises a generally incompressible material.
11 . The valve assembly of claim 10 , wherein the generally incompressible material is silicone.
12 . The valve assembly of claim 10 , wherein the generally incompressible material is synthetic polyisoprene.
13 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the housing has a connection end proximal to a needle protector, a catheter end distal to the needle protector, and a middle portion between the connection end and the catheter end;
the connection end having a female luer for receiving the needleless device;
the middle portion including the actuator, the resilient septum, a flow channel in flow communication with the connection end to direct fluid around the resilient septum, and an expansion chamber;
the catheter end including one or more flow channels in flow communication with an intravenous catheter, and an air vent in communication with the expansion chamber;
the resilient septum defines a hollow therein, the resilient septum located within the housing and having a first end positioned against the actuator, the actuator having a plurality of slots in flow communication with a flow channel, a stepped second end for seating the resilient septum on the seat in the middle portion.
14 . The valve assembly of claim 13 , wherein a portion of the resilient septum bulges into the expansion chamber when the actuator is compressed by the needleless device.
15 . The valve assembly of claim 13 , wherein the resilient septum comprises a generally incompressible material.
16 . The valve assembly of claim 15 , wherein the resilient septum is silicone.
17 . The valve assembly of claim 15 , wherein the resilient septum is synthetic polyisoprene.
18 . A housing assembly for an insertion device catheter, the housing assembly comprising:
a housing having a catheter end and a connection end, said housing defining a flow path extending between said catheter and connection ends;
a valve assembly positioned in said flow path in sealing engagement with said housing, said valve having a substantially solid, resilient component; and
a support structure positioned proximal to the catheter end within the housing.
19 . The housing assembly of claim 18 , wherein the valve assembly comprises an actuator and a resilient septum.
20 . The housing assembly of claim 18 , wherein the support structure includes a plurality of openings through which fluid may pass.
21 . The housing assembly of claim 18 , wherein the support structure is comprised of a substantially solid material.
22 . The housing assembly of claim 21 , wherein the support structure is comprised of plastic.
23 . The housing assembly of claim 18 wherein the housing assembly is used in connection with a needleless device.
24 . A catheter assembly comprising:
a needle protector;
a catheter apparatus; and
a catheter hub comprising:
a housing having a catheter end and a connection end, said housing defining a flow path extending between said catheter and connection ends;
a valve assembly positioned in said flow path in sealing engagement with said housing; and
a support structure positioned proximal to the catheter end within the housing.
25 . The catheter assembly of claim 24 , wherein the support structure further includes a plurality of openings through which fluid may pass.
26 . The catheter assembly of claim 24 , wherein the support structure is comprised of a substantially solid material.
27 . The catheter assembly of claim 26 , wherein the support structure is comprised of plastic.
28 . A catheter assembly comprising:
a needle protector;
a catheter apparatus; and
a valve assembly comprising a housing, an actuator, a resilient septum, and a flow path, wherein the resilient septum contains at least one compressible air pocket.
29 . The catheter assembly of claim 28 , wherein the air pocket is vented to the exterior of the housing.
30 . A catheter apparatus comprising:
a needle protector;
a catheter assembly; and
a valve assembly comprising a housing, an actuator, a resilient septum, and a rigid expansion chamber.
31 . The catheter apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the rigid expansion chamber is vented to the exterior of the housing.
32 . The catheter apparatus of claim 31 , wherein a portion of the resilient septum expands into the rigid expansion chamber when the actuator is depressed by a needleless device.