Coring-free valve system

Abstract

A system for receiving a needle includes a valve that defines a fluid flow channel, and a housing having a first end, a second end, and a receiving portion. The system further includes a septum formed from a resilient material and mounted in the housing. The septum includes a head portion including a tapered opening, a sealing portion, and an expansion portion extending from the head portion opposite the tapered opening. The expansion portion includes a chamber having a closed end, at least one relief channel, and a plurality of apertures formed in the relief channel. The plurality of apertures facilitates fluid communication between the chamber and the receiving portion when the expansion portion is in an open position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A valve system for receiving a needle comprising:
 a housing defining a fluid flow channel therethrough, the housing having a first end, a second end, and a receiving portion;   a septum having a longitudinal axis and including a resilient material, the septum mounted in the housing for sealing the first end of the housing, the septum comprising:
 a head portion including a tapered opening for receiving the needle; 
 a sealing portion for creating a seal around the needle; 
 an expansion portion extending from the head portion opposite the tapered opening, the expansion portion including a chamber having a closed end, the expansion portion further including a relief channel and apertures formed in the relief channel such that the apertures facilitate fluid communication between the chamber and the receiving portion when the expansion portion is extended parallel to the longitudinal axis into the receiving portion in an open position and the apertures are configured to prevent fluid communication when the expansion portion is in a closed position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The valve system of  claim 1 , wherein movement of the expansion portion between the open and closed positions is caused by advancing the needle through the sealing portion and into the chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a housing cap on the first end of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the housing cap includes a conically shaped opening for receiving the needle through the housing cap and into the head portion of the septum. 
     
     
         5 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a spring for biasing the septum in the closed position when the septum is not in use and for returning the septum to the closed position from the open position upon removal of the needle from the septum. 
     
     
         6 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the spring forms a portion of the resilient material of the septum. 
     
     
         7 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the spring is a coil spring. 
     
     
         8 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a nosecone within the closed end of the chamber, the nosecone adapted to prevent the needle from piercing the closed end and to align the expansion portion with the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the nosecone includes a metallic material. 
     
     
         10 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the resilient material includes at least one of rubber, latex, or silicone. 
     
     
         11 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the relief channel is a spiral channel extending about the length of the expansion portion. 
     
     
         12 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the relief channel includes a plurality of individual channels formed in an outer wall of the expansion portion. 
     
     
         13 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the relief channel includes a full circular cut about a base of the extension portion. 
     
     
         14 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a fluid flow member that extends between the second end and the receiving portion, the fluid flow member is configured to facilitate the passage of fluid through the valve. 
     
     
         15 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a threaded portion at the second end, the threaded portion is configured to couple the valve to a medical device. 
     
     
         16 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the receiving portion is configured to receive the expansion portion when the expansion portion is in the open position. 
     
     
         17 . The valve system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the sealing portion has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the needle such that a seal is formed about the needle. 
     
     
         18 . A septum for receiving a needle comprising:
 a head portion including a tapered opening having a longitudinal axis and adapted to receive the needle;   a sealing portion adapted to create a seal about the needle;   an expansion portion extending from the head portion opposite the tapered opening, the expansion portion including a chamber having a closed end housed within the expansion portion, the expansion portion further including at least one relief channel and a plurality of apertures formed in the relief channel such that the apertures facilitate flow communication through the expansion portion when the expansion portion is extended parallel to the longitudinal axis in an open position and the plurality of apertures are configured to prevent fluid communication when the expansion portion is in a closed position.   
     
     
         19 . The septum in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein movement of the expansion portion between the first and second positions is facilitated by advancing the needle through the sealing portion and into the chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The septum in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the relief channel is a spiral channel about the length of expansion portion. 
     
     
         21 . The septum in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the relief channel includes a plurality of individual channels formed in an outer wall of the expansion portion. 
     
     
         22 . The septum in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the relief channel includes a full circular cut about a base of the expansion portion. 
     
     
         23 . The septum in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the sealing portion has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the needle such that a seal is formed about the needle. 
     
     
         24 . The septum in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the chamber is configured to house a metallic nosecone at the closed end, the metallic nosecone is configured to prevent the needle from piercing the closed end and to align the expansion portion with the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         25 . The septum in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the septum is comprised of a resilient material. 
     
     
         26 . The septum in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein the resilient material is one of rubber, latex, or silicone.