Surgical fluid transfer apparatus

1. A surgical fluid transfer apparatus for passage of fluids, which comprises:

a hub defining a longitudinal axis and having an internal chamber;

an elongated member extending from the hub and defining a longitudinal conduit; and

a closure valve disposed within the internal chamber of the hub, the closure valve adapted for longitudinal movement along the longitudinal axis between a first position substantially sealing the internal chamber to prevent passage of fluids and a second position establishing a fluid passage extending through the hub to permit passage of fluids therethrough and beyond the closure valve, the closure valve including a valve housing having inner wall portions defining a general tapered internal bore and a seal member at least partially disposed within the tapered internal bore of the valve housing, the seal member defining a general tapered configuration and having an open condition establishing an internal seal passage through the closure valve, the internal seal passage different than the fluid passage within the hub, the internal seal passage configured to permit passage of an access instrument through the closure valve and into the longitudinal conduit of the elongated member in substantial sealing relation with the access instrument, the seal member defining inner seal portions adapted for displacement to establish the seal passage to permit passage of the access instrument when in the open condition of the seal member and to establish the substantial sealing relation with the access instrument introduced therethrough, the seal member having a closed condition in the absence of the access instrument, the inner wall portions of the valve housing cooperating with the seal member to permit the seal member to assume the closed condition thereof, the fluid passage dimensioned and arranged to permit passage of fluids completely through the hub while the seal member is in the closed condition, the seal member adapted for longitudinal movement relative to the valve housing between an actuated position and an initial position corresponding to the open and closed conditions of the seal member.

2. The surgical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inner wall portions of the valve housing defining the tapered internal bore are adapted to cooperate with the seal member upon movement of the seal member to the initial position to substantially close the inner seal portions thereof.

3. The surgical apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the actuated position of the seal member is a distal longitudinal position and the initial position is a proximal longitudinal position.

4. The surgical apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the seal member is normally biased toward the proximal longitudinal position.

5. A surgical apparatus for passage of fluids, which comprises:

a hub defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends;

an elongated member extending distally from the hub and defining a longitudinal conduit; and

a closure valve mounted within the hub and adapted for longitudinal movement from a proximal position to a distal position, the closure valve including:

a valve housing; and

an internal seal member mounted to the valve housing, the internal seal member defining an internal passage through the closure valve, the internal seal member being adapted for longitudinal movement relative to the valve housing between a first position whereby the internal passage of the seal member is in a substantially closed condition and a second position whereby the internal passage of the internal seal member receives an access instrument, the internal seal member dimensioned and configured to establish a substantial sealing relationship with the access instrument;

wherein the closure valve is dimensioned and arranged to establish a fluid passage extending completely through the hub upon movement of the closure valve to the distal position thereof, the fluid passage independent of the internal passage of the seal member.

6. The surgical apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the seal member is normally biased toward the first position thereof.

7. The surgical apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the seal member defines a general tapered configuration and is received within a corresponding tapered internal bore of the valve housing, the seal member cooperating with wall portions of the valve housing defining the tapered internal bore upon movement of the seal member to the first position to substantially close the internal passage of the seal member.

8. The surgical apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the valve housing is adapted to engage an internal sealing wall within the hub when in the proximal position of the closure valve to close the fluid passage.

9. The surgical apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the closure valve is normally biased toward the proximal position.

10. The surgical apparatus according to claim 9 including a spring engageable with the internal seal member to normally bias the internal seal member to the first position corresponding to a proximal position of the internal seal member relative to the valve housing, to thereby normally bias the closure valve to the proximal position thereof.

11. The surgical apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the valve housing includes a valve gasket, the valve gasket engaging the internal sealing wall when in the proximal position of the closure valve to close the fluid passage.

12. The surgical apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the fluid passage is dimensioned and arranged to permit passage of fluids through the hub while the seal member is in the first position.