Abstract: The present invention is directed to a zero crack-pressure, high-flow valve assembly especially suited for use with blood salvage or recovery systems. The valve assembly cooperates with a valve seat defining an opening for selectively providing fluid communication between two adjacent chambers based on a pressure differential between the chambers. The valve assembly includes a disk coupled to a concentric ring support by a plurality of flexible or elastic arms, thereby permitting the disk to move relative to the ring support in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the plane of the ring support and the disk. The connecting arms also define fluid flow passages between the disk and ring support. The valve assembly is mounted so that the disk is normally spaced-apart from the valve seat, allowing fluid to flow between the two chambers. By increasing the relative pressure of the downstream chamber, the disk closes against the valve seat, blocking the opening.