Abstract: A flow control device with an inlet for fluid and a slit movable member having an oval shape before sealing the inlet at a cam interface and closing the slit. The unsealing of the inlet and the opening of the slit permits the passage of fluid therethrough. The movable member extends by a channel, which can be open or closed, between the inlet and an outlet and has a portion which is expandable laterally. A member external to the flow control device, such as the tip of a Luer taper, can activate the moveable member by depressing it to open the slit and allow the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A tubular shaft instrument, in particular a trocar, has an instrument channel which can be closed off by a flap valve. An actuation element serves to open the flap valve against the force of a closing spring. It is proposed that the actuation element be configured as an element which at least partly surrounds the instrument channel and can rotate about the instrument channel axis, and which is equipped with a circumferential cam bevel, rising in the direction of the instrument channel axis, on which a control section of the flap valve rests, so that a rotation of the rotatable element effects opening or closing of the flap valve.

Abstract: Catheter system consisting of a sleeve, a catheter and a membrane partially arranged in the sleeve, which can be fixed in a skin passage unit in such a way that the catheter protrudes from the skin passage unit towards the interior of the body, wherein the individual components of the catheter system are inseparably connected to one another.

Abstract: A plastic pre-filled syringe which includes an open ended barrel sealed at one end by a moveable stopper and sealed at the other end by a closure frangibly connected to the syringe. The syringe also includes an overcap which can be moved so to engage with the closure whereby removal of the overcap will cause the closure to be separated from the rest of the syringe and reveal the contents for injection.

Abstract: A flow control device has an inlet, an outlet and a conduit connecting the inlet to the outlet enabling fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet. A movable head with a slot therethrough seals the inlet. The head is connected to elongated legs which are flexed when the head is moved out of the inlet, opening the slot, providing a return force for returning the head to its position sealing the inlet. Preferably, the slot is normally open and the inlet closes the slot when the head is in the inlet. Movement of the head out of the inlet opens the slot, permitting the passage of fluid through the head. A spring can bias the head toward the inlet, instead of the elongated legs. A member external to the flow control device, such as the tip of a Luer taper, can open the slot by depressing the head, allowing the flow of fluid through the device.

Abstract: A cannula includes a cannula cap connected to a proximal end of the cannula, which cap has cap body having a bore defining an instrument receiving passageway. A monolithic flapper valve is positioned within the cannula proximal end and adjacent the cap body. The flapper valve includes a flapper, a flapper mount positioned adjacent the cap body, and an integrally formed hinge connecting the flapper mount to the flapper for permitting the flapper to move to an open position when an instrument is positioned within the instrument receiving passageway and for biasing the flapper toward a closed position when the instrument is removed from the passageway. A sealing washer is carried by the flapper mount for positioning between the valve and the cannula cap enclosing the flapper valve within the cannula.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter including a tubular part, a closure, a radially projecting part, and an operating handle. The tubular part has a proximal end and a distal end, at least one inlet opening at the proximal end and at least one outlet opening at the distal end. The closure is connected to the tubular part by a first hinge, with the closure extending beyond the first hinge. The radially projecting part projects from the tubular part. The operation handle is connected to the catheter by means of a second hinge at the end of the closure extension, and by means of a third hinge at the radially projecting part. The total length of the closure extension and the operation handle exceeds the rectilinear distance between the first and the third hinges. The catheter according to this invention provides a simple construction, which can be inserted and operated by one hand of the user and at a convenient site, not necessarily over a receptacle for urine or other bodily fluids.

Abstract: Apparatus formed by a housing having an inlet and an inwardly biased and circumferentially open flexible seal depending from the inlet to engage and seal a fitting as it enters the inlet. A stationary probe within the housing extends axially from an outlet to the inlet, with the probe having a passageway thereinto connected to the outlet and the input is sealed when there is a reflux of fluid into the outlet.

Abstract: A needleless valve connector is disclosed. The needleless valve connector includes a movable diaphragm assembly and an internal central cannula. The proximal portion of the internal cannula has a tapered configuration or is slotted to allow it to be radially compressed to form a tapered configuration. The diaphragm is slit and includes cams formed therein to engage the slotted portion of the internal cannula during downward movement of the diaphragm. The engagement of the cams and the proximal portion of the internal cannula facilitates movement of the diaphragm past the proximal portion of the internal cannula.

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 unique external injection port cover is provided that is open at one end, closed at the other end, and includes a set of spiraling screw threads on the inside. It is designed to be screwed into place over a specially adapted external injection port having its own corresponding screw threads. The inside of the closed end of the cover includes an inwardly pointing projection. A sponge is provided inside the open end, and a shatterable plastic capsule containing a combination of antiseptic, bactericidal and virucidal agents is provided between the sponge and the projection. A flexible o-ring seal is provided on the inside of the cover near the open end.When the present invention is screwed into place over an injection port, the o-ring first creates a seal over the end of the port. As the invention is tightened down, the pressure between the projection and the breakable capsule causes the capsule to rupture thereby releasing the antiseptic agents inside to be soaked up by the sponge.

Abstract: Filtration apparatus suitable for use as a bladder evacuator includes a hinged, perforate flap 4 that is resiliently biased to extend across an opening 8 through the neck 7 of a squeezable bottle 1 for filtering out solids from liquid discharged when the bottle 1 is squeezed. Return of the liquid when the bottle 1 is released deflects the perforate flap 4 away from the opening 8 against the bias to allow solids to enter the bottle 1 with the returning liquid. A hinged imperforate flap 5 overlies the perforate flap 4 to be deflected with it by the returning liquid, but separates from it across the opening 8 when the bottle 1 is squeezed. The two flaps 4,5 are part of a folded sheet that is clamped onto a rim 6 of the bottle-neck 7 under a shoulder 12 of the bottle-cap 2; the shoulder 12 holds the perforate flap 4 against deflection away from the opening 8 when the bottle 1 is squeezed. As an alternative to a bottle, a squeeze-bulb 20 coupled to a cylinder 21 may be used with a single, perforate flap 24.

Abstract: A surgical sealing sleeve (1, 32) for preventing undesirable leakage from the humoral fluid filled interior of a mammal organ to an access environment during its temporary seating in an access tissue to the mammal organ. The surgical sealing sleeve (1, 32) has an axially extending rigid tubular sleeve (2) for attachment to the access tissue and having an axially extending passageway (5). The sleeve (2) includes an inner sleeve member (3, 33) nested at least along a portion of its length within an outer sleeve member (4). Each of the inner and outer sleeve members has a proximal end and a distal end, the inner sleeve member (3, 33) having at least one distally directed sheath support member 9(A and 9B, 34) terminating proximal to the distal end of the outer sleeve member.

Abstract: An apparatus for the introduction or removal of fluid based material from a body of a patient by a clinician. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for connecting into a blood vessel of the patient's blood vessel to continuously introduce fluid based material into or remove the fluid based material from the patient's body. The connecting mechanism is fluidically sealed and self-sealing such that fluid based material cannot escape therefrom and contact the clinician at all times during installation and operation of the apparatus. The apparatus is also comprised of a device for controlling whether the fluid based material is introduced into or removed from the blood vessel while the connecting means is in contact with the blood vessel without the escape of the fluid based material therefrom. The controlling device is in fluidic communication with the connecting mechanism.

Abstract: In a laparoscopic surgery or the like, access is provided to an opening in a body cavity that contains insufflation gas at an insufflation pressure. The flow of insufflation gas from the body cavity through the opening is limited in response to the sensed insufflation pressure in the cavity.

Abstract: A normally closed valve that may be opened upon insertion of a nozzle permits two-way flow when opened by a luer-taper nozzle. The valve also is able to resist large back pressures. The valve includes a substantially rigid housing that defines a passageway having an inlet section and an outlet section. The housing has an exterior inlet face to which the inlet section opens. The inlet section preferably has tapered and expanding zones. The tapered zone is adjacent to the exterior inlet face and is shaped to receive the nozzle. The expanding zone is adjacent to the tapered zone and has a larger inner diameter than the tapered zone's inner diameter. The exterior of the inlet section of the housing may have threads to accept luer-lock threads that may surround the nozzle.

Abstract: A seal is adapted for use with a suction and/or irrigation device to prevent fluid flow through a flow passage defined in the device when an instrument is inserted therethrough. The seal includes a wall traversing the flow passage. A peripheral portion of the wall occupies a plane substantially perpendicular to of the flow passage and a central portion of the wall extends away from that plane in a direction toward the device's opening. The central portion of the wall is pierceable by an instrument and the central portion is adapted for sealing contact with an external surface of the instrument upon such insertion. A seal assembly and a suction-irrigation device are also described.

Abstract: A hose coupling comprises a coupling element with a throughflow channel and a plug member with a plug projection for insertion into the throughflow channel of the coupling element. The plug projection opens a valve when inserted. To retain the plug member on the coupling element, detents are used that each have a locking nose engaging behind a retaining member. Thereby, withdrawing the plug member is inhibited. The plug member may take a second position in which the plug projection does not yet push open the valve, but already seals the throughflow channel. Thus, additional hose clamps may be omitted.

Abstract: A needless valve is described which avoids the suctioning problems of the prior needleless devices upon deactivation and which preferably provides a positive self-purging effect. The valve is self-purging at the end of an administration cycle, avoiding clogging of attached catheters or other devices, and ensures that substantially all of liquid received into the valve is delivered to the receiver. The valve is also extremely simple in design and easy to construct and assemble, since it consists of only three pieces. The valve has a base with a connector for fluid communication attachment to tubing or other device, a solid elongated fluid channeling rod, and an internal fluid flow conduit; a flexible hollow expandable and contractible plug fitting over and moveable along the rod; and a tubular housing fitting over the plug and attached to the base.

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 hemostasis valve assembly adapted for use within a catheter introducer is disclosed. The valve assembly includes first, second and third sealing members wherein the second sealing member comprises a guide wire seal. The guide wire seal includes a plurality of lip members defining two pairs of diametrically opposed slits and an aperture intersecting at least one of the slits. The aperture is adapted to sealing engage a small diameter guide wire for preventing fluid flow out of the catheter introducer through the valve assembly, while the slits allow for the passage of a large diameter elongated member or catheter. Two pairs of diametrically opposed pre-load ribs extend radially towards the aperture for pressing the lip members together in sealing engagement. A substantially spherical inner surface is provided for guiding the guide wire to the aperture.

Abstract: A low profile gastrostomy feeding device having a bolster portion, a balloon member, and tubular member extending between the bolster portion and the balloon member. The bolster portion includes an anti-reflux valve, a closure member, an inflation valve housing, and a cap retainer portion. An inflation lumen and a feeding lumen are provided by the tubular member. The inflation lumen curves as it passes through the bolster portion from the tubular member to the inflation housing.

Abstract: A medical valve has a body which includes a wall structure defining an internal cavity having an inside and an outside. The body also has 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 body has a fluid escape space in its wall structure. The valve also has a spike with a tip and at least one hole located at or near the tip. The spike has a passageway in communication with the hole that allows fluid to flow through the spike. A resilient seal in the cavity surrounds the spike. This 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. The fluid escape space is in fluid communication with the outside of the cavity when the seal is in its compressed state.

Abstract: An access port comprises a base and a flexible conduit. The port is subcutaneously implanted and the conduit is attached directly or indirectly to a blood vessel or other body lumen or cavity. An actuator mechanism is provided with a linkage which opens a valve in the port in response to percutaneous insertion of a needle into the access port. In particular, insertion of the needle opens the clamping mechanism to permit flow through the conduit between the blood vessel and the needle.

Abstract: A surface access double hemostatic valve comprises a first hemostatic valve mounted in the wall of a hemodialysis graft, a chamber extending from the first hemostatic valve, and a second hemostatic valve mounted at the distal end of the chamber for positioning at the surface of the skin of the patient. The graft having the surface access double hemostatic valve mounted thereon is surgically installed in the skin of the patient. Thereafter the interior of the chamber is sterilized and a blood access member is inserted through the second hemostatic valve, through the chamber, through the second hemostatic valve, and into the interior of the graft for access to blood flowing therethrough to effect hemodialysis.

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: An adapter for attaching a fluid handling device to a catheter tubing includes a body with a proximal end, a distal end and a passageway therethrough. The body has a proximal end that has a fitting for attaching a fluid handling device. The distal end of the body includes an elongate receptacle with an inside surface that has least one engagement lug. There is an elongate resilient member disposed within the receptacle with a first end and a second end and a coaxial passage therethrough. The passage has an inside diameter to accept and form a releasable substantially fluid tight connection to a preselected catheter tube. The resilient member has a first conjugate engagement to the receptacle engagement lug at the first end and a second engagement at the second end. The adapter also has a latch member disposed over the receptacle to contain the resilient member that has a distal axial access port therein to receive the catheter tube into the resilient member passage.

Abstract: A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The cannula has an improved inexpensive flexible flapper valve and can be manufactured with a reusable cannula tube but disposable flapper valve assembly to minimize cost.

Abstract: A universal seal is shown with orbital movement of a center opening for use in endoscopic surgery. A two part seal housing encloses the universal seal in an annulus surrounding an insertion port. The outer periphery of the universal seal is clamped between the two parts at the outer edge of the annulus. An inner ring of the universal seal is free to move from side-to-side inside the annulus while maintaining rubbing contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the annuluses for vertical support. The seal housing and universal seal are mounted on a proximal end of a cannula which allows access therethrough for the endoscopic surgery. The center opening of the universal seal is in general alignment with the insertion port of the seal housing, but the center opening and inner ring may move from side to side when medical instruments are inserted through the insertion port, the center opening, and the cannula and moved from side to side.

Abstract: A medicament container has a body having an open mouth defining an axis, a pierceable plug engaged over and sealing the mouth, a ring engaged around the mouth and over the plug and formed with a hole through which an outer surface of the plug is exposed, and a cap engageable around the mouth over the ring and plug. The cap holds an elastomeric element bearing elastically through the hole against the plug outer surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portal for subcutaneous implantation, where the portal includes a housing having a first end, a second end, an inner wall, and a lumen between the first and second open ends. In one preferred embodiment, the first open end of the housing is sealed by a elastomeric septum, which has been injection molding into place. The elastomeric septum is bonded to the inner wall of the housing adjacent the first open end. The second open end is sealed to define a reservoir accessible through the septum.

Abstract: A medical article is molded from a silane-grafted polyolefin copolymer and crosslinked to have improved compression set and sealability so that the crosslinked article can be sterilized with substantially no changes in size or shape.

Abstract: The catheter is a catheter for controlling the circulation of fluid through it, from or to a vessel in which the catheter is inserted. The catheter comprises a long tubular body that is open especially at its distal end (5), over which there is arranged a cap (5) having an essentially flat distal wall (7) in which there is formed at least one slit forming a valve (7).The slit in the cap has a length that is greater than or equal to the inside diameter of the body of the catheter. The said slit preferably extends also into the side of the cap, and a tube is inserted into the distal portion of the catheter in order to support the sleeve during aspiration.

Abstract: A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade with an improved sheath mounting and shield design. Hydrophilic coatings or components are also employed on the shield and cannula to facilitate quicker shield action covering the pointed blade and ease of entry of the cannula tube through the body cavity wall. The sheath and obturator handle and housing assembly may be fabricated as a single plastic piece.

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: The invention is an apparatus and 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: A catheter hub including a housing having a connection end defining a first fluid passageway and a catheter end defining a second fluid passageway. The housing includes a plurality of hub walls arranged in a geometric configuration. The hub walls define a valve chamber. The catheter hub further includes a valve positioned in the valve chamber for controlling fluid flow through the chamber between the first and second fluid passageways. The catheter hub further includes an actuator for actuating the valve. The catheter hub regulates fluid flow between the first and second fluid passageways.

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: Medical intravenous administration connectors according to a first embodiment include a first coupling member having a female luer, a valve member having a substantially rigid stem and a substantially resilient body with a sealing surface, and a second coupling member having a fluid coupling extending from one end and an internal valve member support. The coupling members are structured to couple to each other with the valve member being biased to a closed position. When assembled, the valve stem extends into the female luer, and the valve body biases the sealing surface against an annular ring in the first coupling member thereby blocking fluid communication. Vanes are provided in the second coupling member on which the resilient body of the valve sits, with the vanes acting as a centering mechanism for the valve. The valve is opened for fluid flow through the assembly by coupling a male luer to the female luer of the assembly.

Abstract: A cap are disclosed that can be attached to at least two of the following hydraulic fittings found on a medical device: a blood port according to DIN 13 090, part 3, comprising a male DIN nipple and surrounding female threaded collar; a male DIN nipple according to DIN 13 090, part 3; a tapered male barb nipple; and a dialysate port according to DIN 58 352, part 2. When fully attached to one of such ports, the cap serves to maintain an internal condition, such a sterility, of the medical device until time of use. A preferred embodiment of the cap comprises a female receptacle adapted to receive one of the foregoing male nipples, a male projection adapted to be inserted into the dialysate port, a manually grippable portion facilitating manual attachment and detachment of the cap, and a channel or analogous feature defined by the female receptacle for venting of the medical device through the male nipple whenever the cap is fully attached to the male nipple.

Abstract: A female tube connector defining a tapered socket having an open, inner end communicating with the lumen of a tube, and a sealing cap proportioned to close the connector and to seal the tapered socket. The sealing cap comprises a cap body and a tapered projection proportioned to sealingly fit within the tapered socket. The projection is carried by the cap body and extends beyond the cap body by a distance to permit the projection to substantially completely occupy the whole length of the tapered socket when the cap is closing the female connector. The projection has an outer surface that carries an antiseptic material, so that upon such closure the interior of the tube connector can be sterilized between uses.

Abstract: The invention comprises a closed system blood sampling device comprising a bifurcated capillary tube which has a first branch having a cannula shaped end for withdrawing and conveying blood to a communicating blood collection zone. The blood collection zone is for storing a quantity of withdrawn blood. It also feeds an initial fraction of withdrawn blood to a communicating blood disposal chamber which has an air permeable liquid sealed end. The second branch of the bifurcated capillary tube is connected to and is in fluid communication with the blood collection zone. It terminates in an opening adapted to receive a blood withdrawal device. Also disclosed is a method of sampling blood from a patient having an artery fitted with a venipuncture device which is attached to an injection site which contains the closed blood sampling device described.

Abstract: A percutaneous catheter introducer (PCI) is disclosed having a transparent housing, a valve seal disposed within the housing, a rotatable suture ring including a tab, and a sheath extending through the suture ring and into the housing. The transparent housing allows for detection of emboli formation inside the percutaneous catheter introducer. The rotatable suture ring permits versatility of movement when sewing the PCI device to the patient.

Abstract: A hemostasis valve which includes a tubular body having a lumen therethrough and an elongated housing attached to the tubular body. The body has a recess formed in one end. The housing has a longitudinal bore at one end and a compression chamber formed at another end which communicates with the bore. A resilient seal which comprises a cone-shaped membrane portion disposed in the recess for substantially blocking and controlling the loss of body fluids from the lumen. A compressible second seal for selectively opening and closing the bore in response to a compressive force is disposed in the compression chamber. The compressible seal has a longitudinal first passageway that communicates with the bore and a raised annular portion which serves as a selective opening to the bore. The compressible seal responds to compressive forces so as to reduce or increase the size of the opening provided by the raised annular portion to selectively seal or unseal the bore.

Abstract: A sheath assembly for use in introducing a catheter or other medical instrument into a vessel in the body of a patient. The sheath assembly includes an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member with a conically shaped cap at its distal end. A locking mechanism prevents advancement of the inner tubular member and associated cap in a distal direction of the vessel of the patient independent of the outer tubular member, but allows free movement of the inner tubular member in the proximal direction independent of the outer tubular member.

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: Apparatus and method wherein a housing with an outlet has a cap with an inlet and is affixed to the housing with a flexible flange that depends from the inlet of the cap to engage and circumferentially seal a fitting as it enters the inlet, the housing containing an interior seat for a flexible plug that extends within the housing to the cap for circumferentially sealing the inlet at the flexible flange, with the plug expanding from a circular to an elliptical cross section by the insertion of a Luer fitment into the inlet of the cap to a stop position within the housing, and the plug having an interior passageway extending from an open end to a head with a slit extending therethrough at the inlet.

Abstract: A device for forming a leakproof closure on the terminus of a tubing having an elastic wall. The device consists of a plug insertion tool and a plug. The plug is a elongate member having a convex distal end and a proximal end. The plug insertion tool has a handle portion which is dimensioned to be grasped by a user for manipulation. The distal end of the insertion tool has a rod projecting axially therefrom which is adapted to releasably engage the proximal end of the plug. The plug is dimensioned to fit snugly within the elastically distended lumen of the tubing. In operation, the plug insertion tool is releasably attached to the proximal end of the plug by engagement means such as mating threads and the distal end of the plug inserted into the open end of the tubing and advanced by means of the insertion tool. The intralumenal portion of the plug forms a leakproof seal with the elastic wall of the tubing.

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. The valve is created by placing the spike with the seal thereon within the body.

Abstract: An improved infusion set of the type including a length of flexible tubing with a hollow needle or catheter projecting from a first end and a connection fitting attached to a second. The fitting is a hollow generally "Y"-shaped tubular body with a first opening connected to the first end of the tubing. Second opening and the third openings, communicating through an orifice, accept a standard tapered fitting. The improvement includes a valving element formed as a standard tapered fitting removably and rotatably fitted to the second opening. The valving element permits or blocks communication between the third opening and the first opening and may removably seal the second opening. The valving element includes a tapered tube with a narrower first end, a wider second end, an inner surface and an outer surface and a transverse opening penetrating both surfaces. This opening is positioned to align with the orifice when the valving element is installed in the second opening and is rotated to a first position.