Abstract: A self-priming IV set valve includes a connector including a valve element that is positioned inside of the connector, and a cap that is removably connected to the connector. When the cap is mounted to the connector a passageway is formed in the connector such that air and liquid are permitted to pass through the connector and into the cap whereupon a hydrophobic filter of the cap prevents the passage of liquid there through while the hydrophobic filter permits the passage of air out of the cap and into the atmosphere. When the cap is not mounted to the connector, the valve element of the connector is configured to open under pressure and close when pressure ceases. Also disclosed is a method of priming the IV set, a cap assembly for a self-priming IV set valve, and a connector for a self-priming IV set valve.

Abstract: A cap assembly for a self-priming IV set valve includes a body portion that is configured to be removably connected to the IV set valve; a hydrophobic filter that is mounted to the body portion; and an actuator having a free end that is configured to either puncture, move or displace a valve element of the IV set valve. A fluid passageway is disposed either in or along the actuator. When the cap assembly is mounted to the IV set valve, the actuator either punctures, moves or displaces the valve element of the IV set valve such that air and liquid within the IV set valve can flow through the fluid passageway and onto the hydrophobic filter, whereupon the hydrophobic filter of the cap assembly prevents the passage of liquid through the hydrophobic filter while the hydrophobic filter permits the passage of air there-through and into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A connector of a self-priming IV set valve including a connector body having a hollow region, and a valve element that is at least partially positioned in the hollow region that is configured to be moved, displaced or punctured by a cap that is releasably connectable to the connector body. When the cap is mounted to the connector, the cap either punctures or moves the valve element and a passageway is formed in the connector such that air and liquid are permitted to pass through the connector and into the cap. When the cap is not mounted to the connector, the valve element of the connector is configured to open under pressure to permit the passage of liquid through the connector and close when pressure ceases.

Abstract: A connector of a self-priming IV set valve including a connector body having a hollow region, and a valve element that is at least partially positioned in the hollow region that is configured to be moved, displaced or punctured by a cap that is releasably connectable to the connector body. When the cap is mounted to the connector, the cap either punctures or moves the valve element and a passageway is formed in the connector such that air and liquid are permitted to pass through the connector and into the cap. When the cap is not mounted to the connector, the valve element of the connector is configured to open under pressure to permit the passage of liquid through the connector and close when pressure ceases.

Abstract: A self-priming IV set valve includes a connector including a valve element that is positioned inside of the connector, and a cap that is removably connected to the connector. When the cap is mounted to the connector a passageway is formed in the connector such that air and liquid are permitted to pass through the connector and into the cap whereupon a hydrophobic filter of the cap prevents the passage of liquid there through while the hydrophobic filter permits the passage of air out of the cap and into the atmosphere. When the cap is not mounted to the connector, the valve element of the connector is configured to open under pressure and close when pressure ceases. Also disclosed is a method of priming the IV set, a cap assembly for a self-priming IV set valve, and a connector for a self-priming IV set valve.

Abstract: A cap assembly for a self-priming IV set valve includes a body portion that is configured to be removably connected to the IV set valve; a hydrophobic filter that is mounted to the body portion; and an actuator having a free end that is configured to either puncture, move or displace a valve element of the IV set valve. A fluid passageway is disposed either in or along the actuator. When the cap assembly is mounted to the IV set valve, the actuator either punctures, moves or displaces the valve element of the IV set valve such that air and liquid within the IV set valve can flow through the fluid passageway and onto the hydrophobic filter, whereupon the hydrophobic filter of the cap assembly prevents the passage of liquid through the hydrophobic filter while the hydrophobic filter permits the passage of air there-through and into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A self-priming IV set valve includes a connector including a valve element that is positioned inside of the connector, and a cap that is removably connected to the connector. When the cap is mounted to the connector a passageway is formed in the connector such that air and liquid are permitted to pass through the connector and into the cap whereupon a hydrophobic filter of the cap prevents the passage of liquid there through while the hydrophobic filter permits the passage of air out of the cap and into the atmosphere. When the cap is not mounted to the connector, the valve element of the connector is configured to open under pressure and close when pressure ceases. Also disclosed is a method of priming the IV set, a cap assembly for a self-priming IV set valve, and a connector for a self-priming IV set valve.

Abstract: A self-priming IV set valve includes a connector including a valve element that is positioned inside of the connector, and a cap that is removably connected to the connector. When the cap is mounted to the connector a passageway is formed in the connector such that air and liquid are permitted to pass through the connector and into the cap whereupon a hydrophobic filter of the cap prevents the passage of liquid there through while the hydrophobic filter permits the passage of air out of the cap and into the atmosphere. When the cap is not mounted to the connector, the valve element of the connector is configured to open under pressure and close when pressure ceases. Also disclosed is a method of priming the IV set, a cap assembly for a self-priming IV set valve, and a connector for a self-priming IV set valve.

Abstract: A valve includes a one-piece plastic body, and a plunger assembly inserted into the body from one end. The body includes a central cylindrical portion extending along a first axis, a tubular outlet portion extending along a second axis parallel to and offset from the first, so as to intersect the central portion only over a portion of the length of each, and a tubular inlet extending along a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and above the intersected portion thereof. An uninterruped 360.degree. band forming a seat remains between the outlet and the inlet. The plunger assembly includes a resilient, circumferential lip that engages the seat in the closed position of the valve, and a circumferential recess adjacent the lip, that permits fluid to flow through the valve in the open position.