Medical valve with a variable diameter seal
Inventors
Furnish, Greg • Appling, Anthony • Morris, Ben • Zeis, Timothy S.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10881846-B2
Publication Date
2021-01-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between a first and second tube end along an axis, and a plunger plate extends radially from the second tube end. A valve housing surrounds the tube and includes a radially inwardly extending flange. A compression member is biased against the plunger plate and compresses an elastomeric seal from a non-compressed condition to a compressed condition to establish a sealed condition of the medical valve assembly. An inner surface of the elastomeric seal in the non-compressed condition has a plurality of planar portions and a plurality of radiused portions, with adjacent planar portions interconnected with one of the radiused portions to improve a closure of the elastomeric seal during compression. The inner surface preferably includes three planar portions and three radiused portions to define a generally triangular-shaped inner surface as viewed in cross section in the non-compressed condition.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to a medical valve assembly for use in inserting a medical device into a body vessel of a patient. The assembly includes a tube extending between first and second tube ends along an axis, a plunger plate extending radially from the second tube end, and a valve housing surrounding the tube about the second tube end, with a flange extending radially inwards from the second valve housing end and disposed in spaced relationship with the plunger plate to define a distance extending therebetween.
An elastomeric seal extends between the plunger plate and the flange and has an inner surface defining an inner diameter for establishing a variable seal of the medical valve assembly. A compression member disposed within the valve housing is biased against the plunger plate to compress the elastomeric seal from a non-compressed condition to a compressed condition, decreasing the inner diameter and establishing a closed condition of the medical valve.
In the non-compressed condition, the elastomeric seal inner surface has a plurality of planar portions and a plurality of radiused portions with adjacent ones of the planar portions interconnected with one of the radiused portions. The seal may also include a generally triangular shaped inner surface cross-section, alternating planar portions and convex radiused portions interconnected, multiple inward ribs, an annular void extending radially inward from an outer surface toward an inner surface, an optional stability band seated within a wedge-shaped annular void, durometer differences between an outer portion and an inner portion, and mating curved outer surfaces for retention and compression.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are directed to a medical valve assembly and an elastomeric seal. Across the independent claims, the coverage emphasizes a variable seal formed by compressing an elastomeric seal to decrease inner diameter and establish a closed condition, together with inner-surface geometry characterized by planar and radiused portions, including embodiments where the inner surface is generally triangular in cross-section.
Variable medical valve assembly with planar and radiused elastomeric seal inner surface
A medical valve assembly includes a tube along an axis, a plunger plate extending radially from a tube end, a valve housing with a radially inward flange spaced from the plunger plate, and an elastomeric seal between the plunger plate and the flange with an inner surface defining an inner diameter for establishing a variable seal. A compression member biased against the plunger plate compresses the elastomeric seal to decrease the inner diameter and establish a closed condition, where in the non-compressed condition the elastomeric seal inner surface has planar portions and radiused portions with adjacent planar portions interconnected with radiused portions.
Elastomeric seal having inner surface with alternating planar and convex radiused portions
An elastomeric seal for use with a medical valve assembly includes a seal body having an inner surface around an axis A and an outer surface disposed radially outwardly from the inner surface, where the inner surface has planar portions and convex radiused portions interconnected such that adjacent planar portions are interconnected with a radiused portion.
The claim set covers both the overall medical valve assembly and the elastomeric seal geometry used within it.
Stated Advantages
More consistent closure at lower compression.
Less compression required to achieve closure.
Improved reliability.
Improved shelf life with reduced creep and sticking when capped.
Documented Applications
Use of the medical valve assembly for inserting a medical device into a body vessel of a patient.
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