Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves incorporating a piston comprising slit along an upper piston section for accommodating fluid flow. The slit is closed by the relative geometry of the piston and the valve housing, which acts to terminate fluid flow from between the inlet and outlet of the valve assembly.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves incorporating a piston comprising slit along an upper piston section for accommodating fluid flow. The slit is closed by the relative geometry of the piston and the valve housing, which acts to terminate fluid flow from between the inlet and outlet of the valve assembly.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves incorporating a piston comprising slit along an upper piston section for accommodating fluid flow. The slit is closed by the relative geometry of the piston and the valve housing, which acts to terminate fluid flow from between the inlet and outlet of the valve assembly.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves comprising a piston comprising an integrated gilled sheath. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the sheath is secured to a valve housing and provides the needed recoil function to return a core from a second position to a first position to close the valve upon removal of a medical implement.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves having a stretchable or flexible band. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the band is held in between a flange section of an inlet connector assembly and a shoulder section of the valve body. A plunger integrally formed with the band is movable inside a nozzle to control fluid flow through the inlet of the valve. When the plunger is urged by a medical implement to open the valve inlet, the band flexes to accommodate the moving plunger.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves incorporating a piston comprising slit along an upper piston section for accommodating fluid flow. The slit is closed by the relative geometry of the piston and the valve housing, which acts to terminate fluid flow from between the inlet and outlet of the valve assembly.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves comprising an inlet coupler. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a coupler comprises an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is adapted to mate with a first medical implement and the outlet is adapted to mate with an inlet of a valve, which has an outlet adapted to mate with a second medical implement.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves comprising a stretched body. In one aspect of the present invention, a plug is positioned inside a slip port. When the plug is pushed by a medical implement and moves to a second position, the plug abuts the valve body and stretches the valve body. When the medical implement is subsequently removed, the stretched body forces the plug back to its first position.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves having a pliant valve housing interacting with an inlet connector assembly. The pliant valve housing has an integrally formed valve stem and one or more ports. The valve stem cooperates with a nozzle on the inlet connector assembly to form a slip port, which can open when exerted by force to permit flow or closes when the force is removed.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves comprising a resilient valve body. The resilient valve body includes a tapered set port that stretches when a plug is pushed by a medical implement which in turn pushes the set port. Pushing the plug against the set port opens fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port. Upon removal of the medical implement, the resilient valve body pushes the plug back to its closed position.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves comprising a self-closing slip port. The slip port is configured to receive a medical implement and has a first flattened configuration before insertion of the medical implement and a second less flattened configuration after the medical implement is inserted therein and received thereby. The slip port is self-closing subsequent to removing the medical implement. The slip port of the type described may be incorporated in a Y-site or an injection site.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves having a pliant valve body configured to expand to accommodate a plug when the same is pushed by a syringe or a medical implement and contract when the syringe or medical implement is removed to return the plug to its original position. The plug can move distally and tilt when inside the pliant valve body or remain generally upright when its top surface incorporates flow channels. Interior baffles are included for fluid flow through the interior cavity of the valve. The baffles can vary in shape, number, contour, and can include a ramp.

Abstract: A capless medical valve includes a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a valve bore, all three of which meet at a common transition zone bounded by a transition surface. A valve member confined within the valve bore has a spherical head and a generally cylindrical stem sized to fit within the inlet and extending from the head toward the transition zone. A spring in compression biases the valve member toward the inlet, so that the spherical head is normally seated against the transition surface, but can be mechanically displaced off its seat by inserting a syringe tip or fitting into the inlet.

Abstract: A wrench, such as a socket, for a torquing device, such as a ratchet wrench for cooperating with a fastener, such as a nut or bolt. The fastener has plurality of faces that join each other at respective edges. The fastener also has radii that are measured from the center of the fastener to the respective faces thereof, a first radius from the center of the fastener which is normal to the face of the fastener; a second radius at an angle of approximately 15.degree. from the first radius and a third radius at an angle of approximately 15.degree. plus a flank angle from the first radius. The coupling element includes a plurality of adjoining surfaces. Each surface includes an adjoining flank section at each end thereof that is angled with respect to the surface in a direction away from the corner of the fastener, the angle being the flank angle.