Abstract: A valve for a packaging container is proposed, wherein the valve comprises at least one base film (10) with an opening (11), at least one frame film (13) encompassing a free region (17), and at least one membrane (12) which is arranged on the base film (10) and covers the opening (11), wherein a fluid is provided between the membrane (12) and the base film (10), wherein the membrane (12) is connected to a surrounding film (20) via at least one connection region (22), the surrounding film (20) being connected on one side to the base film (10) and on its other side to the frame film (13) and the membrane (12) being arranged movably within the free region (17), wherein the surrounding film (20) is open at least in one point, such that a channel (18) is formed.

Abstract: An air circulation cover which provides circulation of air between the inner volume and the external environment and the yoke shaft and the sleeve yoke of the cardan shaft, and prevents the ingress of foreign matter into the inner volume. The cover has a ring-shaped main body providing air passage to the center part, a body support member that seats the main body inside the cover assembly housing, a diaphragm mounted in the center section of body support element, air slots providing air passage located on the body of diaphragm, a wide surface filter element, a filter support element and a body outer edge.

Abstract: An anti-debris device releasably engages and covers an unconnected end of a fluid-conveying quick disconnect connector to prevent debris intrusion. The device comprises a boot defining a cavity shaped to receive the connector, a connector-receiving access opening to the cavity, and a closure member such as flexible sheet slit to form resilient fingers movable between an opening-covering position preventing intrusion of foreign matter when the boot is not being used, but that flex to a connector-receiving position when an unconnected portion of a connector is biased against the closure member. The fingers assist in retaining the device on the connector. Various embodiments allow retaining the anti-debris device to a particular connector when the device is not in use, and/or for storing/protecting multiple connectors. Related methods are also disclosed and discussed.

Abstract: A battery pack has a sealed case. Battery modules are accommodated in the sealed case. An opening in the main body is closed by a rectangular plate-shaped lid member. The lid member has a releasing portion and a joint portion. When the internal pressure of the sealed case increases, the lid member is deformed away from an opening edge of the opening. This discharges gas from the sealed case through the releasing portion. In addition, the joint between the joint portion and the opening edge is maintained even when the internal pressure of the sealed case increases, deforming the releasing portion, and the gas inside the sealed case starts to be discharged. A protrusion of a rib is provided between the releasing portion and the joint portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hemostatic agent applicator capable of effectively placing a fluid hemostatic agent on an incision surface. The present invention is a hemostatic agent applicator for use in disposing a fluid hemostatic agent, including a tool body in which a hollow part surrounded by a wall part is formed and which includes an open end part on a downstream side of the wall part, and an inlet provided to a portion of the wall part of the tool body to communicate with the hollow part. This hemostatic agent applicator is useful in medical settings relating to surgical procedures, particularly for surface bleeding of a liver and internal organ surgery such as a spleen and fibroid enucleation. An applicator further reduced in size can be applied not only in abdominal surgery, but in endoscopic surgery as well.

Abstract: Provided is a food degassing bag which has a stable gas venting operation in response to carbon dioxide gas produced in different amounts and by which a gas venting effect can be obtained even when the internal pressure of a storage bag is low. The storage bag is composed of a packaging film layer 1 and a degassing layer 2. A polyethylene layer 2A and an oxygen barrier layer 2B compose the degassing layer 2. In the degassing layer 2, gas venting through-pores 4 are opened. An adhesive layer 3 adheres the packaging film layer 1 and the polyethylene layer 2A of the degassing layer 2 together. The adhesive layer 3 is formed sequentially with non-adhesive portions showing a stripe pattern. The non-adhesive portions form degassing vents leading to the outside of the storage bag.

Abstract: A hemostasis mechanism includes a housing having a valve body, a connector coupled to a distal end of the valve body, and a cap coupled to a proximal end of the valve body. A first valve is within the housing and has a fixed state of axial compression between the valve body and the cap. A second valve is within the housing and has a range of states of axial compression between the valve body and the connector. The first valve has a self-closing bias and forms a lower pressure seal about a medical device pushed therethrough. The second valve has a self-opening bias and forms a higher pressure seal about the medical device via adjustment of its state of axial compression.

Abstract: Among other things, there is shown embodiments of a feedgate for a paintball loader having vanes or paddles that permit supplying paintballs into the loader but limit or inhibit escape of paintballs from the loader through the supply hole. Embodiments can include a frame, which may be a single piece or multiple-piece structure, and an insert with flexible vanes or paddles. Embodiments can include a pivotable cap, and/or the insert can snap into the frame.

Abstract: A vehicle component includes an opening that receives a plug. A relief valve is mounted to the plug and has at least one elongated passage extending through a flexible membrane that is movable between a venting position and a sealed position.

Abstract: A venting valve has a securing part and a valve body connected to the securing part and provided with at least one venting slot. A closure tension acts on the venting slot and is caused by a force generated within the venting valve after mounting. The venting valve is made of a unitary elastomer material.

Abstract: Pressure activated valves for catheters with improved tolerance of high pressure and high flow conditions are described. Embodiments of the valve comprise a flexible membrane with one or more linear slits therethrough, and means for applying tension to the flexible membrane in-line with the linear slits. The application of tension may optionally be facilitated by structural features of both the flexible membrane and the valve housing.

Abstract: A spout for a spill-proof beverage container has a side wall defining an outer surface and an inner surface defining a discharge passage. A valve in the discharge passage includes two flanks formed integrally with the side wall and projecting from opposite sides of the inner surface of the spout. The front end faces of the flanks mate with one another along a slit that extends generally parallel to the longer axis of the spout. At least the front portions of the flanks are inclined away from the mouth of the spout such that pressure within the container acts to urge the flanks against one another so as to maintain the slit closed. Deformation of the side wall when the spout is held between the lips of a drinker acts to open the slit and create an opening between the flanks to allow the beverage to be discharged.

Abstract: A deflation control valve that automatically varies the rate of gas flow through said control valve to maintain a constant deflation rate during the deflation or exhaust of gas held in a closed pressurisable vessel to which said valve is connectable, wherein said control valve is manually adjustable to set the deflation rate.

Abstract: A valve having a first housing including a first lumen extending therethrough and a first disk-facing surface, a second housing including a second lumen extending therethrough and a second disk-facing surface, where the second housing is coupled to the first housing so that the second disk-facing surface faces the first disk-facing surface. A flexible disk has at least a portion of an outer edge of the disk extending away from a plane of a central portion of the disk, the outer edge contacting the first disk-facing surface, the disk including a slit extending therethrough which, when acted upon by a fluid pressure of at least a threshold level opens to permit fluid flow between the first and second lumens and which, when acted upon by a fluid pressure less than the threshold level, prevents fluid flow between the first and second lumens.

Abstract: Provided is a small, simple-structured, homogeneous and mass-producible excessive pressure release valve which works even at a relatively low excessive pressure to surely and safely release the pressure to the external world. The excessive pressure release valve has an elastic rubber plate and a reversibly openable slit that passes through the upper and the lower surfaces and release the pressure to the external world when the internal excessive pressure stressing on the lower side surface, pushes and opens the slit toward upper surface side. The elastic rubber plate is made of silicone rubber containing 1-20% by mass of silicone oil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a casting machine for producing a product intended for human consumption from a castable material, in particular a fat material such as chocolate, for example, having a heatable material container for receiving the castable material; at least one nozzle which is in fluid connection with the material container interior, and a pressure source for generating an overpressure in the material container interior. According to the invention, the nozzle has a nozzle orifice or a nozzle constriction, the open cross section or flow cross section of which is flexible. A process according to the invention for producing a product intended for human consumption from a castable material has the following steps: providing a heated castable material in a material container; generating an overpressure in the material container interior; forcing the material through a nozzle in fluid connection with the material container with simultaneous changing of the flow and/or open cross section of the nozzle.

Abstract: A one-way fill valve for use in electronic enclosures is disclosed. The one-way fill valve allows an inert gas to be added to an electronic enclosure without contamination and without excessive leakage. Generally the one-way fill valve includes a membrane layer and a valve layer that restricts flow of gas in one direction but provides significantly less restriction in another direction.

Abstract: To provide a check valve and a sealing bag that are high in certainty of the checking effect and prevented as much as possible from increasing in the production cost.

Abstract: A two-way damper is provided including a retaining member and a baffle. The baffle comprises a flexible member with a first portion secured and held in a fixed position by the retaining member and a second portion normally oriented in a first position, but free to move relative to said first position. The baffle also comprises a third portion, arranged between the first and second portions, being flexible and resilient and allowing the second portion to move to a second position relative to the first position upon the application of a pressure differential across the baffle above a threshold pressure and causing the second portion to return to the first position upon the application of a pressure differential across the baffle below the threshold pressure.

Abstract: A vascular access device having a spring-biased septum is provided for preventing the leakage of blood during the placement and use of vascular catheters and similar devices. The structure of the device includes a housing with an internal channel. A spring-biased septum is placed securely within the channel such that it substantially blocks blood flow through the channel. The spring-biased septum includes an elastic plug having a pre-slit or pre-molded hole and a biasing element disposed about the elastic plug. A needle or other object may be withdrawn through the slit or hole, after which the biasing element forces the hole closed, preventing blood leakage.

Abstract: One provides (101) a plurality of one-way degassing valves (202) that are to be installed on corresponding containers and places (102) a viscous liquid (such as silicon oil) (205) in each of the plurality of one-way degassing valves to provide a corresponding plurality of installable one-way degassing valves (208). These teachings then provide for automatically and non-destructively determining (103), prior to installation of these valves on the corresponding containers, whether the viscous liquid has been properly placed. By one approach, this can comprise using a captured image (210) of at least a portion of each such one-way degassing valve to make this determination.

Abstract: A pressure actuated valve comprises a first membrane having a slit extending through the membrane at a nonzero draft angle relative to a perpendicular to a surface of the membrane, material of the membrane biasing the slit closed so that the slit remains closed when a fluid pressure applied to the membrane is below a threshold level and, when the fluid pressure is at least the threshold level, edges of the slit separate from one another to permit fluid flow through the membrane.

Abstract: Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a housing having a longitudinal bore and a collapsible seat disposed within the bore. The seat has a first position defining a first seat inner diameter when the apparatus is in the run-in position and a second position defining a second seat inner diameter when the apparatus is in the set position. The first seat inner diameter is greater than the second seat inner diameter. A plug element is adapted to be disposed into the bore and landed on the seat to move the seat from the first position to the second position. While in the second position, the seat restricts fluid flow through the bore and provides additional support to the plug member landed on the seat.

Abstract: The present invention presents various novel approaches to solving the problems inherent in measuring biological pressures in high pressure systems. Thus, to protect a pressure transducer exposed to fluid flows at higher pressures than its overpressure rating, a novel valve is used that closes a protected leg in which the transducer is located. The various exemplary embodiments of such valves each have a high pressure input, one or more low pressure inputs, and an output. In operation, when a high pressure fluid flow occurs at a high pressure input, such valves automatically close the low pressure inputs. Alternatively, a novel transducer system is presented, which automatically limits the effective pressure sensed by a transducer to a certain maximum.

Abstract: A valve assembly mounted in a resealable/reclosable storage bag. The valve assembly includes a base and a valve element. The valve element includes a stem with a convex cap attached at one end and a valve gate attached at the opposite end. The stem extends into a hole in the base. The resilient quality of the cap, acting against the top of the base, holds the gate against the bottom of the base, thereby forming a seal between the gate and the base that is strong enough to preserve the vacuum inside the bag. A cavity extends into the stem from the cap end. A hole in the stem runs from the cavity to outside the stem. When the stem is pressed down, a vacuum source may draw air between the gate and the base, through the hole in the stem, into the cavity, and subsequently outside the bag.

Abstract: A valve assembly mounted in a resealable/reclosable storage bag. The valve assembly includes a base and a valve element. The valve element includes a stem with a convex cap attached at one end and a valve gate attached at the opposite end. The stem extends into a hole in the base. The resilient quality of the cap, acting against the top of the base, holds the gate against the bottom of the base, thereby forming a seal between the gate and the base that is strong enough to preserve the vacuum inside the bag. A cavity extends into the stem from the cap end. A hole in the stem runs from the cavity to outside the stem. When the stem is pressed down, a vacuum source may draw air between the gate and the base, through the hole in the stem, into the cavity, and subsequently outside the bag.

Abstract: A manual operating means for the manual emergency and/or auxiliary operation of a normally electrically or pneumatically actuated valve. Same comprises a manual operating member which in a ready for use condition is so fixed at a housing recess in the valve in a sealing manner that its inner side faces the interior of the housing recess and its outer side is accessible for the application of a manual operating force. The manual operating member is provided with venting means which, in order to avoid the establishment of gage pressure in the housing recess due to leakage, render possible the flow of air from the inner side to the outer side thereof and in the opposite direction prevent the entry of foreign matter in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A valve assembly mounted in a resealable/reclosable storage bag. The valve assembly includes a base and a valve element. The valve element includes a stem with a convex cap attached at one end and a valve gate attached at the opposite end. The stem extends into a hole in the base. The resilient quality of the cap, acting against the top of the base, holds the gate against the bottom of the base, thereby forming a seal between the gate and the base that is strong enough to preserve the vacuum inside the bag. A cavity extends into the stem from the cap end. A hole in the stem runs from the cavity to outside the stem. When the stem is pressed down, a vacuum source may draw air between the gate and the base, through the hole in the stem, into the cavity, and subsequently outside the bag.

Abstract: A valve assembly mounted in a resealable/reclosable storage bag. The valve assembly includes a base and a valve element. The valve element includes a stem with a convex cap attached at one end and a valve gate attached at the opposite end. The stem extends into a hole in the base. The resilient quality of the cap, acting against the top of the base, holds the gate against the bottom of the base, thereby forming a seal between the gate and the base that is strong enough to preserve the vacuum inside the bag. A cavity extends into the stem from the cap end. A hole in the stem runs from the cavity to outside the stem. When the stem is pressed down, a vacuum source may draw air between the gate and the base, through the hole in the stem, into the cavity, and subsequently outside the bag.

Abstract: A receptacle is fitted with a dispenser head which includes a body and a nozzle secured to the body. The nozzle is provided with a dispenser orifice, made through an elastically deformable wall organized to bulge outwards under the effect of the pressure of a substance. The nozzle is closed at rest and is opened by deformation of the elastically deformable wall under the effect of the pressure of the substance being dispensed.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus for a patient having a surgically created stoma in the stomach. The apparatus enables feeding liquids of varying viscosities without a suction pump. The simplified, replaceable feeding bottle design makes the apparatus useable by hospital personnel and by patients at home. A decorative cover provides additional privacy.

Abstract: A water heater includes a spud connected to a tank wall and surrounding an opening in the tank wall. A support surface is provided in the spud, preferably by the tank wall, that supports a heat trap within the spud. A pipe is inserted into the spud and a portion of the heat trap is disposed between the end of the pipe and the support surface. The heat trap preferably includes and elongated portion that acts as a dielectric between the tank and the pipes.

Abstract: In a drill bit which has a reservoir for storing a supply of lubricant, generally grease, a lubricant passage is formed for flow of lubricant from the reservoir to the bearing. A relief port is formed in the drill bit body to connect at least one of the reservoir and the lubricant passage with an outside surface of the drill bit body. A normally-closed relief valve is mounted in the relief port to selectively permit fluid flow through the relief port and protect the lubrication system against changes in pressure, especially increases in pressure on the grease side, such as might be caused by thermal expansion of the grease or the production of off-gases by the grease. The valve is provided in the form of a small screw-in unit capable of separate manufacture and testing and comprises a valve body carrying a flexible diaphragm element. Venting is provided via a puncture in the diaphragm element.

Abstract: The valve assembly has inlet and outlet members with valve elements disposed between the two members. The valve is a resilient membrane having one or more through holes. When there is no pressure differential across the valve, the hole walls in the membrane collapse inwards closing off the valve against liquid flow. At or above a threshold pressure differential across the valve, the membrane is stretched which opens up the hole or holes to allow the passage of liquid.

Abstract: A mouth piece exhalation valve for a nebulizer or breathing circuit. The nebulizer has an internal passageway containing an offset causing an inspiration mist flow to bypass the exhaust valve without impingement. The offset includes a deflector which aids in the deflection of the inspiration mist flow away from the exhaust valve. The deflector is also utilized for directing the exhaust flow upon expiration by a patient through the exhaust valve. The exhaust valve design includes a flap or disc having leaves formed by peripheral arcuate cuts to facilitate the opening and the closing of the leafs in accordance with the expiration and inhalation of a patient respectively. The cuts also aid in the re-introduction of any accumulation of fluid on the external surface of the disc and valve back into the inspirational cycle so as to minimize any external buildup of fluid.

Abstract: An adjustable medical outdwelling, normally closed, pressure-responsive slit valve flow control for fluid (liquids and gases) and related methods wherein a diaphragm having a slit therein may be flexed both distally and proximally by respective pressure differentials across the diaphragm. One or more adjustment members are provided on one or both sides of the diaphragm to selectively adjust the amount of pressure differential required to open the slit valve.

Abstract: A cut-off valve consists of a hollow rigid body and a flexible or supple forated plug. The plug defines a flow pate therethrough and is sealed in the rigid body between the rigid body's inlet and outlet to define a free volume in the rigid body between the inlet and the plug. The plug flexes or deforms in response to a differential pressure thereacross to collapse into the flow path when the differential pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold thereby stopping the flow.

Abstract: An adjustable medical outdwelling, normally closed, pressure-responsive slit valve flow control for fluid (liquids and gases) and related methods wherein a diaphragm having a slit therein may be flexed both distally and proximally by respective pressure differentials across the diaphragm. One or more adjustment members are provided on one or both sides of the diaphragm to selectively adjust the amount of pressure differential required to open the slit valve.

Abstract: A tank isolation valve assembly for use in an effluent discharge path to provide a vapor barrier to prevent back flow of gases while enabling fluid and solid substances to pass through in a desired flow direction. The assembly includes a main housing having an apertured outlet wall structure with an internal surface defining a valve receiving region, a second member coupled to the main housing and having an apertured wall structure with a valve member retaining surface facing the valve receiving region, and an isolation valve member. In one embodiment, the second member is a mating inlet housing with an inlet for connection to an effluent discharge port, and the main housing has an outlet port and a valve chamber. In another embodiment, the second member is a valve plate with a dished peripheral portion in sealed contact with a portion of the inner surface of the main housing. The isolation valve member is a flexible diaphragm mounted in the valve chamber in sealing relation therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-valved variable pressure device for hydrocephaly having a vertical capsule with sloped ends ending in upper and lower coupling sectors appropriate for connection to a proximal catheter and a distal catheter that constitute the input and output for a cephalo-rachidian liquid through the body. The liquid or volume has its pressure controlled by means of two valves which maintain a constant drained volume along a wide range of pressures the device is submitted to.

Abstract: An infant feeding bottle that is nipple-equipped at one end that is further equipped with a pressure equalizing apertured diaphragm member at the opposite end. The diaphragm member allows room air to pass therethrough into the air space in the bottle when the bottle is inclined and liquid is withdrawn through the nipple, thereby equalizing the interior air pressure. The diaphragm member is gas and liquid tight when the inside and outside pressures are equal and the bottle is in an upright configuration with the feeding liquid resting on the diaphragm member. The diaphragm member has a central portion which is dome configured and provided with apertures that are in a sealed shut configuration when the diaphragm member is relaxed yet that are opened when the diaphragm member is expanded responsive to differential air pressure.

Abstract: A one-way air valve that is mounted removably at one end of a baby bottle housing having two threaded open ends, with the opposite end receiving a conventional nipple, the one-way air valve includes a central diverging passage defined by opposed converging side walls which has a tiny slit elongated along the apex portion of the converging side walls and an annular base sized for attachment to the open end of said baby bottle, the valve being concavely mounted into the bottle to avoid breakage and to prevent leakage of the contents, while preventing colic in the child.

Abstract: A bi-directional cracking valve that can be selectively opened. Bi-directional cracking valve (10, 70) is formed using an elastomeric membrane (34). Centered within the elastomeric membrane is a slit (36) that remains closed, blocking fluid flow through the device until a differential pressure across the elastomeric membrane exceeds a predefined cracking pressure, sufficient to force fluid through the slit. The elastomeric membrane is an integral part of an elastomeric cylinder (28), which is mounted in a valve carrier (12). The valve carrier includes ports disposed at opposite ends and the ports are adapted to couple to tubing. An operator can selectively enable fluid flow through the device by squeezing side tabs (40, 42) disposed on opposite sides of the elastomeric membrane together, forcing the slit open. A latch (46) is provided to keep the bi-directional cracking valve in an open state.

Abstract: In a system comprising a container and a liquid contained therein that builds up a gas or vapor pressure, a sealing valve having a concave shaped portion and a slit extending through said portion, allows venting of the vapor from the container to the ambient at a predetermined vapor threshold pressure. The vapor threshold pressure at which the slit opens for venting can be adjusted by valve restraining means which are preferably formed by a protrusion at the inside of a cap covering the sealing valve. The vapor threshold pressure at which venting takes place, can to a large extent be adjusted without affecting the dispensing characteristics of the valve.

Abstract: A suction pressure regulating valve automatically maintains the suction pressure of a swimming pool cleaning system to be consistent with the optimum range of water suction pressure when the valve is used with suction type automatic swimming pool cleaners. The valve is a water immersed device which permits water to bleed through an orifice, which orifice opens in proportion to suction pressure within the valve. The valve has a conical body which readily adapts in line with the flexible hose that connects the swimming pool filter system with the suction type automatic swimming pool cleaner. This type of pool cleaner moves about the sides and the bottom of a swimming pool, continuously cleaning those surfaces. The valve orifice is protected from air incursion by an anti-vortex plate when the valve is near the surface of the pool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resealable port (2), or an injection site (24), for use with a syringe cone (16), the port being formed with a housing including a conduit (1) sealed by a resealable diaphragm (7) wherein a sealing annulus (6) is juxtaposed to, and interacts with, the diaphragm (7) to form an annulus and diaphragm assembly whereby the arrangement of the housing and the assembly is such that action of the syringe cone (16) as it passes through the diaphragm generates a cantilever action about a point (12) which serves to seal the diaphragm and the annulus in the housing.

Abstract: A bottle capping and pressurizing device for capping and pressurizing a bottle containing an effervescent beverage, the bottle capping and pressurizing device including a housing member, the housing member substantially enclosing a chamber, a piston slidably within the chamber, an attachment apparatus for attaching the housing member to the bottle, the attachment apparatus including a capping surface for covering the mouth of the bottle, a passage leading from the interior of the chamber to the capping surface, and a one way flow valve for transferring air through the passage solely in a direction from the interior of the chamber to the capping surface, the one way flow valve including a flexible diaphragm overlaying the capping surface and at least one slit provided in the flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: A temperature sensing apparatus (10) adapted for sensing the temperature of a food item in an oven includes a body (12) which encloses a chamber (34). The chamber houses an indicator (20) which is viewed through a glass pane (28). Slight amounts of water vapor that infiltrate into the chamber during washing are safely vented by a pressure relief valve (36) having a unitary body of resilient material. The check valve includes a membrane portion (40) with a diametrically extending slit (46) therethrough. The slit remains closed under most conditions. When pressure builds in the chamber during heating due to rapid expansion of infiltrated water vapor, the membrane portion deforms sufficiently to open the slit before the pressure reaches a level that may fracture the glass pane or cause other damage. When the pressure falls, the membrane portion returns to its initial position closing the slit.

Abstract: A hemostasis cannula comprising a housing having a passage therethrough sized to receive a catheter and a valve body mounted in the passage. The valve body includes an opening in one side thereof which forms a seal around a catheter enclosed within the cannula. The opening includes a cylindrical recess and four tapered slits extending from the base of the recess to a point shaped opening at the other side of said valve body. The method of making the slits includes cutting them with a four sided pyramid shaped tool.

Abstract: A closed-end catheter having a flat-surfaced valve positioned in a recess about the distal portion of the catheter for preventing retrograde flow of blood therethrough when positioned in a blood vessel of a patient. The valve catheter comprises a flexible material, cylindrical tube having a U-shaped outer wall extending longitudinally about the distal portion thereof. A flat-surfaced valve is positioned in the recess along the U-shaped distal portion and attached to the outer wall. The valve is formed by inserting a flat-surfaced rod in the U-shaped portion of the tube to stretch the outer wall. A flat-surfaced layer of flexible material is applied over the flat-surfaced rod to the stretched outer wall. The flexible material layer is cured and a longitudinal fluid aperture formed therein with the rod remaining in the passage of the U-shaped portion. The rod is then removed and a plug inserted into the passage to close the distal end of the catheter.