Abstract: A needleless injection site comprising a housing defining proximal and distal ends and including a reseal member disposed therein. The reseal member has an elastically openable and closable aperture formed therein, and normally resides within the housing in a closed position wherein the aperture is in a closed configuration. The reseal member is deformable such that the application of distally directed pressure thereto will cause the reseal member to distally advance within the housing to an open position wherein the aperture assumes an open configuration. The removal of the distally directed pressure from the reseal member will cause it to resiliently return to the closed position wherein the aperture assumes the closed configuration.

Abstract: A sleeve stopper for use with a port. The sleeve stopper comprises a stopper body having a central membrane portion, a female portion and a male portion, the female and male portions extending from respective opposite sides of the membrane portion. A free end of the female portion defines an inside diameter which is less than an outside diameter defined at a free end of the male portion.

Abstract: A tubing connector has a body, a tubular member, a compression member, a cap and a coupling. The body has a bore extending through it and a body portion of the tubular member is positioned in the bore of the body with an extension portion of the tubular member extending from the bore of the body. The compression member is fitted in the cap and also has a bore extending through it. The cap is provided with an opening and an orifice which are aligned with the bore of the compression member to define a continuous passageway through the cap. The coupling connectively engages the body with the cap. The tubing connector also optionally includes a coupling element which enables connective engagement of the body with an adjoining member. To use the tubing connector, the flexible tube is threaded through the continuous passageway of the cap and fitted over the extension portion of the tubular member. The cap and the body are then connectively engaged around the extension portion.

Abstract: A needless connector is provided which utilizes a resealable preslit septum valve. The valve is resiliently restrained relative to a housing with the valve and housing configured to accept a standard male luer lock having a luer tip which penetrates the valve through the opening to extend within the housing and a luer locking flange of the luer lock extending about the housing. The valve includes a disk shaped upper portion covering the opening, a lower portion spaced from the housing and extending downward from the disk shaped portion into a passageway defined by the housing, and an annular skirt to attach the septum to the housing. The connector exhibits satisfactory leak pressure after multiple connections and disconnects to the luer lock fitting and long periods of indwell of the luer tip.

Abstract: A luer connector which facilitates connection of a hypodermic syringe to the vial, comprising a luer connectable to a syringe and which extends to a sharpened end capable of being driven through a puncturable vial closure to thereby puncture the closure; a luer support, mountable on a vial, and which initially supports the luer in a first position in which the sharpened end of the conduit is pointed toward the closure; a luer driver such that movement of the driver relative to the support causes the luer to be driven so that the sharpened end punctures the closure and enters the vial.

Abstract: A surgical instrument valve assembly is provided with a valve seal where the upper portion of the valve seal is rigidly mounted to the body of the valve assembly. The lower portion of the valve seal is configured to allow some radial movement while the upper portion of the valve seal remains rigidly mounted within the valve assembly. The valve seal may be provided with stay that prevents the valve seal from inverting when an instrument in withdrawn from the valve assembly.

Abstract: The invention is a method to perform a surgical procedure within the beating heart. The instrument provides a seal to surround cardiac tissue, thereby defining a segregated surgical field within the body of the instrument. A suction device is preferred to remove blood and fluids from the surgical field so that a surgical procedure can be performed while the heart continues to beat. The instrument is particularly suitable for a procedure to repair defective or diseased cardiac valves, such as the mitral valve; a procedure which previously required that the heart be stopped so that the corrective surgical procedure could be performed.

Abstract: This invention concerns a catheter protective device useful for a Y-adaptor, where a tubular member is positioned at the proximal end of the Y-adaptor The tubular member protects a catheter from being crushed by a fastener on the Y-adaptor and minimizes blood bleed-back.

Abstract: Apparatus for instilling a medicament into an eye includes a rigid housing for containing a reservoir of medicament and a nozzle for instilling a dose of the medicament into an eye. A displacement pump, sealing a front end of the rigid housing and in fluid communication with the reservoir, provides for metering doses of medicament from the reservoir to the nozzle and for forcing each metered dose through the nozzle. A stopper, slidably disposed within a rear end of the rigid housing, provides for gradually decreasing the housing volume containing the medicament reservoir. A diaphragm provides for accommodating transient decreases in the volume containing the medicament reservoir during metering of doses therefrom by the displacement pump.

Abstract: A tip cap is provided for positive sealing engagement with the tip of a syringe barrel. The tip cap includes an inner cap formed from an elastomeric material dimensioned for sealing engagement with the tip of the syringe barrel. The tip cap further includes an outer cap engaged with the inner cap to limit or prevent both axial movement and rotational movement therebetween. The outer cap includes an array of threads for threaded engagement with a luer collar. The luer collar may be a separate component mountable to a syringe barrel or an integral part of the syringe barrel.

Abstract: An infuser for transferring hazardous treatment fluids to and from a medical application includes a spill containing housing having a medical application connecting element and a syringe seat. The syringe seat of the infuser leads to a syringe connecting element that provides a fluid coupling between the syringe and a fluid passage leading to the medical application connecting element. The interior of the housing can be sealed against leaks, for example, by providing the housing in two portions with a gasket provided between the portions. A fluid tight coupling between the syringe and the interior of the housing may be created by integrally forming a septum with the gasket and coupling the syringe with the syringe connecting element through the septum. The infuser can also be provided with two syringe seats so that two different fluids can be transferred. In one embodiment, a second syringe connecting element is provided in fluid-tight communication with a second fluid passage.

Abstract: A skin seal or trocar stabilizer with an inflatable membrane disposed inside, whereby medical instruments may be passed through the skin seal into a endoscopic work space while the inflatable membrane is inflated, thereby allowing the use of normal short conventional open surgery instruments during endoscopic procedures and during insufflation.

Abstract: A vascular introducer sheath including a tubular shaft and a hemostasis valve assembly connected to the proximal end thereof. The hemostasis valve assembly includes a hub, a cap and a normally-flat gasket disposed therebetween. Both the hub and the cap include continuous curved contact surfaces facing the top and bottom surfaces of the gasket. The continuous contact surfaces may be flat or gently curved and may be smooth or include a means to grip the gasket. At least one of the contact surfaces is formed at an angle to cause the gasket to become convex or concave in response to compression between the hub and the cap. The continuous contact surfaces uniformly distribute forces onto the perimeter of the gasket to avoid stress concentration points that may compromise gasket integrity. In addition, the continuous contact surfaces reduce the amount of pressure necessary to impart the curved shape of the gasket.

Abstract: A blood seal 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 blood seal 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: The invention provides a self-retaining needle assembly comprising a hollow outer needle, an outer needle hub that is provided at the basal end of said otter needle and which has a bore communicating with the interior of said outer needle, an inner needle to be passed through said outer needle, an inner needle hub provided at the basal end of said inner needle, and a valve element provided in the bore of said outer needle hub to plug said bore, characterized in that said valve element is a reversible valve element made of an elastic material that has a hole through which said inner needle can be passed. The assembly prevents the liquid leakage due to time-dependent deterioration and facilitates the injection of the blood and other fluids. The invention also provides a reversible element made of an elastic material that has a hole through which a tubular or rod member can be passed. The valve element also prevents the liquid leakage due to time-dependent deterioration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drainage catheter for the therapeutic or diagnostic aspiration of fluid or air from the thoracic or abdominal cavities. The present invention provides a catheter needle, a catheter, a needle hub, a stop cock, and a self-sealing valve. The stop cock is removably secured to the catheter by use of a Luer connection. The stop cock is additionally removably secured to the self-sealing valve, again by use of a Luer connection. Use of the Luer connection allows the catheter to be disassembled from the stop cock as well as allows the stop cock to be disassembled from the self-sealing valve. This invention allows the additional medical procedures while the catheter still remains in the patient.

Abstract: A pre-slit injection site (34) includes a housing (40) with a flow path therethrough. A first end (42) of the housing (40) carries a pre-slit septum (52). One form of a blunt cannula (98), usable with the injection site (34), carries a locking member (100). When the pre-slit injection site (34) slidably receives the blunt cannula (98), the locking member (100) latches to the injection site (34) and creates a mechanically coupled unit. Another form of the cannula (280) includes a tube having a tapered distal end region (298) and having elongate discharge slots (294) for reducing contact surface area and for directing the flow laterally out of the cannula. The cannula may also include a rounded lead post (330), an annular barb (394), and axially oriented grooves (268).

Abstract: A fluid flow rate control device, especially adapted for controlling the flow of IV fluid to a patient, comprises a first vented fluid chamber having an upper fluid inlet end with a hollow spike which enables fluid connection with a conventional fluid container. A free floating float valve in the first chamber blocks the flow of fluid into the first chamber from the fluid container according to whether or not the fluid level in the first chamber is at a preestablished fluid level, thereby providing a constant pressure head regardless of fluid level in the fluid container. A lower end of the first chamber is connected, through a flow regulator, such as a screw-type valve, to an upper inlet end of a second, vented, drip chamber, the lower end of which is adapted for connection to a discharge tube, such as an IV tube.

Abstract: A needleless injection site comprising a housing which defines a fluid passage. Disposed within the housing is a reseal member which includes an openable and closable aperture, and an expandable and collapsible reservoir. The reseal member normally resides in a first position within the housing wherein the aperture is closed and the reservoir is collapsed. The reseal member is deformable such that the application of compressive pressure thereto will facilitate the movement thereof within the housing to a second position wherein the reservoir is expanded and the aperture is opened and placed into communication with the fluid passage and the reservoir. The removal of the compressive pressure from the reseal member will facilitate the resilient return thereof to the first position wherein the aperture is closed and the reservoir is collapsed. The collapse of the reservoir is adapted to prevent the creation of a vacuum within the fluid passage when the reseal member resiliently returns to the first position.

Abstract: An implanted single or dual lumen device for repeated accessing of a vessel within a body, especially for hemodialysis, plasmapheresis, and other fluid exchange therapy treatments. The device is characterized by having: no septum for sealing but having instead a resilient material to form a seal; a smooth, streamlined flowpath with low flow resistance and substantially no stagnation points, such that the device is easily and completely flushed; optionally a gradually changing direction of flow path without introducing flow resistance or stagnation points with a change in direction of up to 20 degrees with a minimum bend radius of twice the lumen diameter or up to 30 degrees with a minimum bend radius of four times the lumen diameter; and a positive locking mechanism that accepts and retains a matching needle apparatus. The device is joined to a catheter, in most cases, such that fluids can be extracted from or injected into the vessel or vessels to be accessed.

Abstract: A tip cap assembly is provided for positive sealing engagement with the tip of a syringe barrel of a syringe. The tip cap assembly includes an inner cap formed from an elastomeric material dimensioned for sealing engagement with the tip of the syringe barrel. The tip cap assembly further includes an outer cap engaged with the inner cap, and a collar for mounting the tip cap assembly to the syringe barrel. In addition, the outer cap includes a plurality of frangible portions for evidencing tampering and for connecting the outer cap to the collar.

Abstract: A tip cap is provided for positive sealing engagement with the tip of a syringe barrel. The tip cap includes an inner cap formed from an elastomeric material dimensioned for sealing engagement with the tip of the syringe barrel. The tip cap further includes an outer cap engaged with the inner cap to limit or prevent both axial movement and rotational movement therebetween. The outer cap includes an array of threads for threaded engagement with a luer collar. The luer collar may be a separate component mountable to a syringe barrel or an integral part of the syringe barrel.

Abstract: A valve 1 suitable for use on an indwelling catheter is disclosed. Broadly the valve 1 comprises a valve housing 2 having an elongate valve insert 3 disposed therein. The housing 2 has an inlet 4 at one end thereof and an outlet 5 at an opposed end thereof and defines a longitudinal passage 7 extending from the inlet 4 to the outlet 5. The valve insert 3 includes a cannula 25 having an inlet 26 towards one end 27 thereof and an outlet 28 towards an opposed end 29 thereof. The inlet end 27 of the cannula 25 terminates in a sharp point. The outlet end 29 by contrast is rounded and the actual outlet 28 is spaced axially inwardly from the end 29. The valve insert 3 further includes a seal 40 comprising an annular body 41 of resilient material defining an opening 42 therein through which the outlet end 29 of the cannula 25 projects. The seal 40 has an axial end surface which sealingly engages a seat 19 defined by the housing 2.

Abstract: A needleless injection site comprising a housing which defines a fluid passage. Disposed within the housing is a reseal member which includes an openable and closable aperture, and an expandable and collapsible reservoir. The reseal member normally resides in a first position within the housing wherein the aperture is closed and the reservoir is collapsed. The reseal member is deformable such that the application of compressive pressure thereto will facilitate the movement thereof within the housing to a second position wherein the reservoir is expanded and the aperture is opened and placed into communication with the fluid passage and the reservoir. The removal of the compressive pressure from the reseal member will facilitate the resilient return thereof to the first position wherein the aperture is closed and the reservoir is collapsed. The collapse of the reservoir is adapted to prevent the creation of a vacuum within the fluid passage when the reseal member resiliently returns to the first position.

Abstract: An improved catheterization system includes (i) an occluding wire; (ii) a catheter, and (iii) a fluid supply port in fluid communication with the catheter. The occluding wire includes (i) an elongate wire body; (ii) an occluding tip coupled to a distal end of the elongate wire body; and (iii) a hub coupled to a proximal end of the elongate wire body. The hub of the occluding wire is configured to be coupled to the catheter. The hub of the occluding wire thus prevents the occluding tip from moving in a longitudinal direction with respect to the catheter once the occluding tip has been placed in a desired position with respect to the catheter.

Abstract: An automatic fluid control having a first and second tube members and a slidable valve element capable of moving from a sealed closed position to an open position permitting fluid passage therethrough. In a preferred first embodiment, the elastomeric valve element is slidingly received with a passageway in the first tube. The valve element has a flange portion containing a plurality of slits that, when inverted and stretched, permit fluid to pass therethrough, but when closed, are in contact with the inner wall of the first tube and prevents fluid from passing therethrough. The valve element also can have a rigid plug attached within an opening in the top surface to present a preferably non-deformable contact point for a male luer tip, which, when pressed downward on the valve element, breaks a seal between the valve element and the first tube inner wall.

Abstract: An improved luer lock receiving septum having a configuration which provides rapid and tight resealing and yet allows penetration of the septum by the luer tip with a low penetration force. The elongated septum includes an upper portion of enlarged diameter having a target surface, a central slit, and a central, lower septum extension projecting about the slit below the upper portion and into a housing so that following luer insertion there is provided sufficient room for both the laterally displaced extension of the septum, the luer taper, and the housing to be received into a conventional luer lock connector. The septum is further preferably configured to minimize or eliminate the negative pressure deflection normally associated with the withdrawal of the large diameter luer cannula from an enclosed fluid filled lumen or chamber, by substantially isolating the lumen or chamber from the septum material displacement resultant from luer insertion.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a housing having an end with an input having an entrance and an output and a probe integral with the housing extending from the output to beyond the end of the input. The probe has a passageway connected to the output. A spring-biased seal is disposed about the probe to seal the passageway and is depressible by an exterior member to expose the passageway. The extension of the probe beyond the end of the input permits the swabbing thereof before the depression of the seal.

Abstract: A closed system adapter for catheters is disclosed. The adapter comprises a rigid outer housing having an inlet end with an internal cavity, and outlet end with a central passageway, the outlet end having a series of incrementally larger diameter steps permitting connection to various sized catheters.Positioned within the inlet end internal cavity is a resilient valve member normally biased to a sealed closed position. The valve member includes a generally cylindrical wall with a diaphragm with a pre-slit partitioned across the wall. The cylindrical wall dimensioned to be slightly larger in diameter than the inlet end cavity of the housing except for a recessed area where the diaphragm is positioned. The cylindrical wall providing inward compressive force except in the recess area permitting the diaphragm to remain in a steady state normally closed position without excessive inwardly compressive force.

Abstract: A trocar having a cannula and a valve housing with a polygonal configuration, provides for a floating septum where the float is encouraged in a first direction and restricted in a second direction. The septum includes multiple septum valves which may function with a comnron zero-closure valve, or individually in a valve assembly with an associated zero-closure valve. Various seals can be configured to prevent blow-back. Cup valves, check valves, and reciprocating valves are contemplated, along with various skirt configurations for maintaining pressurized air within the trocar.

Abstract: A disposable seal assembly for use with a reusable cannula, where the seal assembly is designed for use with the cannula during a single medical procedure and the cannula is designed for multiple uses (each time with a different seal assembly) during a number of medical procedures. The seal assembly includes both a flapper valve fluid seal (for sealing the cannula when no medical instrument is inserted through the seal assembly) and at least one instrument seal (for sealing the cannula when a medical instrument is inserted through the seal assembly). Preferably, the seal assembly has a body with a flange which can be snapped onto the cannula before use, and readily removed after use. Also preferably, the flapper valve has an over-centered hinge. In other embodiments, the invention is a seal assembly which includes at least one double instrument seal including a sacrificial flange and a sealing flange, and optionally also a flapper valve.

Abstract: A needleless injection site comprising a housing which defines an interior chamber and a central opening which communicates with the interior chamber. The housing further comprises an elongate, proximally extending dilator projection portion which defines a fluid passage. Disposed within the central opening and the interior chamber is a reseal member which has an elastically openable and closable aperture disposed therein and defines an expandable and collapsible internal reservoir. The reseal member normally resides in a first position within the housing wherein the aperture is in a closed configuration and the reservoir is collapsed. The reseal member is deformable such that the application of distally directed pressure thereto will cause the reseal member to distally advance within the housing to a second position wherein the aperture assumes an open configuration and communicates with the fluid passage and the reservoir.

Abstract: A self-sealing needle injection hub has two resilient, elastomeric sealing members mounted adjacent one another in a housing, both having pierced passages through which a needle can be inserted. The outer member is thick and relatively rigid; the inner member is thinner and flexible. Both members are radially compressed by the housing, the inner member bowing away from the outer member at its center. The action of withdrawing a needle from the hub, combined with the pressure of blood on the inner member, maintains the inner member flat against the outer member, thereby further compressing the passage through the inner member.

Abstract: An injection site and unsharpened drug transfer spike for facilitating coupling a syringe to a fluid line. The injection site has a uniquely designed housing and septum comprised of only two parts. The drug transfer spike has a positive locking member for restricting retraction from the injection site once it is inserted for injecting a medicant. The positive locking member preferably comprises a annular ridge defined about the shaft of the drug transfer spike. The septum includes a pair of axially aligned, oppositely oriented conical recesses with adjacent apices either separated by a thin membrane or intersecting at the time of manufacture. The housing has an inlet for receiving the septum and comprises a plurality of fingers with inwardly extending tabs for constraining the septum therewithin. The septum is ideally adapted to be applied to injection sites, Y-connectors, vial adaptors, single or multi-dose vials and blood collection tubes.

Abstract: A medical adapter having both a needleless valve and a sharpened cannula is used to connect or adapt pierceable septa containers or other devices having different sizes to needleless connection. The adapter includes a needleless site at one end and a sharpened cannula at the other end protected by spring arms. These arms include claws at their distal ends to grasp the neck of the pierceable septum device to which the sharpened cannula is to be inserted. The claws include sharpened points for gripping the device. The arms are located on either side of the adapter body and are connected to the body through springs. Handles are also included on the arms for use by the operator to separate the arms against the spring forces during engagement of the adapter with the septum. In one case, the handles include finger grips located above the springs for pressing the handles inward to open the arms and claws and in another case, the handles are located closer to the distal ends of the arms for pulling the arms outward.

Abstract: A one-piece hemostasis valve located within a longitudinally extended housing, with the valve comprising an extended sealing neck having a passageway therethrough, communicating with a sealing chamber having opposing sealing exit lips and preferably support shoulders on the outside of the valve adjacent to the sealing neck to provide support for the valve. The passageway of the extended sealing neck contains narrowed and broadened portions to prevent blood loss when receiving a guidewire and catheter inserted through the passageway of the sealing neck.

Abstract: A medical valve has a body which includes a wall structure defining an internal cavity having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has an opening sufficiently large to receive a tip of a delivery end of a medical implement which transfers fluid through the delivery end. The valve also has a spike with a tip contained within the cavity and at least one hole located distal the tip. The spike has a passageway in communication with the hole that allows fluid to flow through the spike. The valve also has a resilient seal in the cavity which surrounds the spike. The seal is adapted to be moved into a compressed state upon insertion of the tip of the medical implement into the opening. The seal is sufficiently resilient to return to a decompressed state upon removal of the tip of the medical implement from the opening. In Addition, the seal has at least two tires in contact with the spike proximal the hole, preventing the flow of fluid through the valve when the seal is in the decompressed state.

Abstract: A closed system, needleless valve device includes a generally tubular body defining an internal cavity. On the proximal end of the body there is an opening which is preferably sufficiently large to receive an ANSI standard tip of a medical implement. The distal end of the body has a generally tubular skirt. The valve also includes a hollow spike having a closed tip. The spike includes at least one longitudinal 18-gauge hole located distal the tip, and is seated inside the cavity such that the tip is below the proximal end of the body. An annular support cuff is connected to the spike which seals off a portion of the cavity of the body such that an upper cavity containing the tip is defined. The valve also includes a plastic, resilient silicone seal which fills the upper cavity and opening and covers the tip of the spike so as to present a flush surface. An adaptor enables the valve to be attached to a resealable container.

Abstract: A plastic adaptor top for adapting to a chosen syringe a standard cartridge of the kind having a neck with a flange and being closed by a rubber membrane sealingly secured against the flange by a metal cover having its edge beaded behind the flange. This plastic top has a bore for receiving the neck part of the cartridge, which bore has a diameter making it fit over the metal cover and is provided with protrusions gripping behind the edge of the metal cover when the neck part is inserted in the bore. The outer contour of the adaptor top is provided with threads coaxial with the bore to receive a needle hub in a way causing the needle to penetrate the membrane of the cartridge when the hub is mounted on the thread of the plastic top.

Abstract: A disposable seal assembly for use with a reusable cannula preferably includes a flapper valve fluid seal and at least one instrument seal. The instrument seal has a sacrificial flange and a sealing flange that protrude from an inner baffle connected to the assembly's main body by a flexible outer baffle, and at least one elastomeric rib extending between the inner baffle and the body to prevent inversion of the inner baffle. Preferably, a surface of the sacrificial flange is configured to prevent the flanges from sticking together during use. An adaptor, tethered to the assembly's main body, has a central channel with an hourglass profile, a concave distal flange, distal bumpers for preventing the adaptor from translating too far into the main body, and a grip portion shaped to allow a user conveniently to separate the adaptor from the main body. Other aspects include systems with a reusable cannula, and methods for using such systems.

Abstract: A catheter introducer assembly includes an introducer sheath mounted on a dilator. The distal end of the dilator protrudes beyond the distal end of the sheath and defines an arrowhead having a proximally facing surface that cooperates with the distal end of the sheath to reduce the risk of tissue trauma while facilitating smooth entry into and through tissue. The proximal hubs of the dilator and sheath are configured with respect to the relation between the distal end of the dilator and sheath to provide smooth controlled withdrawal of the dilator through the sheath. The sheath is attached, at its proximal end, to a housing with a mechanical connection that does not require the use of adhesives, welding or other bonding techniques. The connection also may incorporate an integral strain relief for the proximal end of the sheath.

Abstract: A valve and and a valved trocar jacket tube by which there is no need of an adapter, types of a clamp or the like to be used are not limited, and leakage of an inert gas from an abdominal cavity can be prevented. In the valve and the valved trocar jacket tube, when a pair of rings are relatively rotated at a predetermined angle in the opposite directions, a cylindrical section in a rubber-like member is opened. In case of employing a clamp or the like, it is inserted into the abdominal cavity through the opened cylindrical section. Since the rubber-like member has elasticity, the cylindrical section is close together with the clamp or the like inserted.

Abstract: A surgical trocar assembly includes a disposable valve assembly, a cannula assembly, and a trocar with a handle. The cannula assembly includes a cannula base having a valve assembly coupling device at its proximal end, and a cannula extending from its distal end. The disposable valve assembly has a coupling device for removably coupling it with the cannula base. The valve assembly also includes a valve body with a fluid passage communicating with the hollow cannula when it is coupled to the cannula base. A slit or flapper valve and a universal washer are mounted within the valve body and allow the insertion of the trocar or other endoscopic instruments therethrough while providing a fluid sealing of the fluid passage. The valve assembly may be provided with a side port which optionally contains an automatic valve actuated by a luer coupling. Several different valve assembly-cannula base couplings are disclosed as well as several different types of trocars.

Abstract: An aseptic connector comprises a first member and a second member. The first member preferably includes a resilient septum, and the second member preferably includes a penetrating member. Preferably, the septum is formed from an elastomeric material such as a silicone elastomer. The penetrating member preferably includes an extending penetrating element to penetrate the resilient septum. The aseptic connector further comprises a resilient sealing element that contacts the penetrating member and one of an inner wall of the first member and an inner wall of the second member to create a seal between the penetrating member and one of the inner wall of the first member and the inner wall of the second member. The seal created is suitable to withstand relatively high pressures (for example, those experienced during the injection of contrast media in CT procedures). A fluid delivery system comprising at least a first aseptic connector as described above is also provided.

Abstract: A modular trocar assembly having a cannula, a passive valve seal assembly and an instrument seal assembly all releasably joined to define a central axial bore, where the passive valve seal assembly contains a valve seal which prevents passage of gas through the trocar assembly into the atmosphere when no instrument is inserted but which opens to allow for insertion of an instrument, and where the instrument seal assembly contains an instrument reducer seal which prevents passage of gas through the trocar assembly into the atmosphere when an instrument is inserted through the valve seal. The passive valve seal assembly and the instrument seal assembly are preferably composed of plastic so as to be disposable, while the cannula is preferably composed of a sterilizable material to enable reuse.

Abstract: A surface access hemostatic valve comprises a tube and a hemostatic valve mounted at the distal end of the tube for positioning at the surface of the skin of the patient. The graft having the surface access hemostatic valve mounted thereon is surgically installed in the skin of the patient. Thereafter the interior of the tube is sterilized and an access member is inserted through the hemostatic valve, through the tube, and into the interior of the graft.

Abstract: An injection site for passing a needle into an enclosed space surrounded by a wall, typically defined by a tubular section incorporated in a tubular set. An aperture in the wall communicates between the enclosed space and the exterior, having an elastic, needle-pierceable member such as a plug occluding the aperture. The plug is exposed to the exterior on one side and defines a route of needle access through the plug and aperture to the enclosed space. A first flange is positioned adjacent to the plug and extends transversely outwardly from the plug. The first flange carries a second flange, which extends longitudinally relative to the plug, and is spaced transversely outwardly from the plug to define a catch area for needles, which catch area surrounds the plug.

Abstract: A self-sealing hemostasis valve having a first membrane with an opening offset from the center and a second membrane with an opening offset from the center in a direction opposite of the offset in the first membrane. The two membranes are joined about their outer edges. Access through the two elastomeric membranes without tearing is available at the intersection of the openings in the membrane assembly when the two membranes are deformed by an instrument being inserted through the hemostasis valve.

Abstract: A partitioned hemostasis valve system for use with a splittable sheath, including a partitioned hemostasis valve housing which holds a partitioned hemostasis valve formed in at least two separate and distinct sections. Pivotable wing portions are secured to the partitioned valve housing such that upon pressure being placed on these wing portions, the separate sides of the partitioned hemostasis valve housing and the partitioned hemostasis valve are separated. The partitioned hemostasis valve system may also include a splittable adaptor system for securing to a splittable sheath.

Abstract: A medical connector is for use in transferring fluids to and from a patient. The connector has a primary conduit, which has an upstream branch in fluid communication with a primary source of fluid and a downstream branch in fluid communication with a patient. The connector also has a secondary conduit in fluid communication with said primary conduit. Additionally, the connector has a hollow, resilient valve positioned such that the primary fluid can flow through the valve when the valve is in a decompressed state. The valve has a tab extending into the secondary conduit such that a luer inserted in the secondary conduit compresses the tab, thereby preventing flow of the primary fluid through the connector while permitting both flow of fluid to the patient from the luer and flow of fluid from the patient to the luer.