Needlefree valve device

Abstract

Needlefree valve device ( 1 ) for controlling the flow of fluid in a pathway, the device ( 1 ) being operable in a closed and in an open configuration and comprising a first component ( 3 ), a second component ( 9 ), a locking means configured to selectively engage the first component ( 3 ) with the second component ( 9 ) in the open configuration when the first component ( 3 ) is displaced in an opening direction ( 23 ) along a valve axis toward the second component ( 9 ) or in the closed configuration when the first component ( 3 ) is displaced against the opening direction ( 23 ) away from the second component ( 9 ), and a sealing component ( 15 ) having a first resilient portion ( 19 ) and a second resilient portion ( 16 ), the first resilient portion ( 19 ) comprising at least one slit ( 26 ) and contacting the first component ( 9 ) to provide a seal in the closed configuration, wherein the first resilient portion ( 19 ) is adapted to move, buckle or flex to enable fluid flow through the at least one slit ( 26 ) upon application of a mechanical force of the first component ( 3 ) on the first resilient portion ( 19 ) in the opening direction ( 23 ) to assume the open configuration, and wherein the second resilient portion ( 16 ) is adapted to apply a counterforce to return the valve device ( 1 ) to the closed configuration when the mechanical force is no longer applied.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A needlefree valve device for controlling the flow of fluid in a pathway, the device having closed and open configurations and comprising:
 a first flow-through component including a central protrusion comprising at least two flow through channels and at least one divider;   a second flow-through component, the first and second components being relatively movable along a valve axis from the closed configuration to the open configuration and vice versa;   a locking member on the second component selectively engageable with closed and open locking-member engagers on the first component to maintain the device in the closed and open configurations, respectively; and   a sealing component between the first and second flow-through components and having first and second resilient portions, the first resilient portion (a) including at least one slit through a central portion thereof, (b) contacting the first component to provide a seal in the closed configuration, and (c) being adapted to be deformed for fluid flow through the slit upon application of mechanical force thereon by the central protrusion of the first component when assuming the open configuration.   
     
     
         17 . The needlefree valve device of  claim 16  wherein the second resilient portion of the sealing component is adapted to apply a counterforce to return the valve device to the closed configuration when the mechanical force is no longer applied. 
     
     
         18 . The needlefree valve device according to  claim 16  wherein the first component, the second component and the sealing component are substantially axially aligned with respect to the valve axis and the locking member is configured such that the first component is rotatable with respect to the second component around the valve axis by a predetermined angle. 
     
     
         19 . The needlefree valve device according to  claim 16  wherein the sealing component includes a first flange portion contacting the first component in a press fit. 
     
     
         20 . The needlefree valve device according to  claim 19  wherein the sealing component includes a second flange portion contacting the second component in a press fit. 
     
     
         21 . The needlefree valve device according to  claim 16  wherein:
 the locking member comprises a latch; and 
 the closed and open locking-member engagers comprise at least one recess in the first component configured to selectively engage the latch. 
 
     
     
         22 . The needlefree valve device according to  claim 21  wherein the recess is a rectangular shape and a locking arm extends into the recess such that the latch of the second component is adapted to engage with the locking arm in the open and closed configurations. 
     
     
         23 . The needlefree valve device according  claim 21  wherein the latch includes a grip portion extending through the recess beyond the outer surface of the first component such that pressing the grip portion releases the engagement of the latch with the recess. 
     
     
         24 . The needlefree valve device according to  claim 16  wherein the sealing component is made of silicone. 
     
     
         25 . The needlefree valve device according to  claim 16  wherein the second resilient portion of the sealing component is a bellows shape. 
     
     
         26 . The needlefree valve device according to  claim 16  wherein each slit of the at least one slit of the first resilient portion extends from a central point on the central portion. 
     
     
         27 . The needlefree valve device according to  claim 26  wherein there are at least two slits on the central portion. 
     
     
         28 . The needlefree valve device according to  claim 16  wherein the protrusion has a contact surface substantially matching the surface of the central portion. 
     
     
         29 . The needlefree valve device according  claim 28  wherein the contact surface of the protrusion and the surface of the central portion are of a hemispherical shape. 
     
     
         30 . The needlefree valve device according  claim 29  wherein the at least one divider element is adapted to contact the one or more slits in the closed position. 
     
     
         31 . The needlefree valve device according to  claim 16  wherein the first and/or second components include a medical connecting portion such as a male Luer lock entry, male Luer lock exit, female Luer lock entry, female Luer lock exit, a catheter exit, a tube mating port and the like. 
     
     
         32 . The needlefree valve device according to  claim 16  wherein the second component includes a guiding element enabling guidance along the valve axis of the second component inside the first component.