Multi-valve injection/aspiration manifold with needleless access connection

Abstract

An IV manifold includes a plurality of injection/aspiration ports including a needleless access port (NAC). A check valve included in the manifold is generally located between injection ports. A two-way aspiration can be provided by the NAC having a single elongate valve element including a plug at one end. The elongate valve element has properties for resiliently and sealingly biasing the plug into an aperture of the NAC. In use, the plug is mechanically displaced by insertion of a male Luer for injection or aspiration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A manifold adapted for use with an intravenous line, comprising:
 a housing comprising a first port, a second port, and a flow channel between the first and second ports;   a check valve disposed within the flow channel proximate the first port and configured to prevent flow in the flow channel to travel past the check valve in a direction from the second port toward the first port;   at least one access port coupled to the housing between the check valve and the second port, the access port in fluid communication with the flow channel; and   a valve element disposed between the at least one access port and the flow channel, the valve element comprising a spring-biased valve cage configured to be compressed against the valve element such that valve element moves to permit flow between the at least one access port and the flow channel.   
     
     
         2 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the at least one access port comprises a shoulder such that the spring-biased valve cage is retained between a top surface of the valve element and the shoulder. 
     
     
         3 . The manifold of  claim 1 , further comprising a protrusion disposed in the flow channel at the at least one access port such that a fluid in the flow channel is directed toward the at least one access port. 
     
     
         4 . The manifold of  claim 3 , wherein the protrusion is configured to direct the fluid in the flow channel to contact a bottom surface of the valve element. 
     
     
         5 . The manifold of  claim 3 , wherein the protrusion extends from an inside surface of the housing such that a distal end of the protrusion extends toward the at least one access port. 
     
     
         6 . The manifold of  claim 3 , further comprising a cavity between the at least one access port and the flow channel, wherein a valve seat is formed by a cavity surface adjacent to the access port. 
     
     
         7 . The manifold of  claim 6 , wherein the valve element is disposed between the protrusion and the at least one access port such that a top surface of the valve element is engaged against the valve seat and a bottom surface of the valve element is engaged against the protrusion. 
     
     
         8 . The manifold of  claim 7 , wherein the bottom surface of the valve element is concave. 
     
     
         9 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one access port is an injection port. 
     
     
         10 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one access port is an aspiration port. 
     
     
         11 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the flow channel comprises a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the spring-biased valve cage is compressed by insertion of a male Luer fitting into the at least one access port. 
     
     
         13 . A manifold adapted for use with an intravenous line, comprising:
 a housing comprising a first port, a second port, and a flow channel between the first and second ports;   a first valve element disposed within the flow channel proximate the first port and configured to prevent flow in the flow channel to travel past the first valve element in a direction from the second port toward the first port;   a third port coupled to the housing between the first valve element and the second port, the third port in fluid communication with the flow channel; and   a second valve element disposed between the third port and the flow channel such that a fluid flowing in the flow channel between the first port and the second port contacts an inside surface of the second valve element.   
     
     
         14 . The manifold of  claim 12 , wherein the second valve element comprises a spring-biased valve cage configured to be compressed against the second valve element such that the second valve element moves to permit flow between the third port and the flow channel. 
     
     
         15 . The manifold of  claim 14 , wherein an inner surface of the third port comprises a shoulder such that the spring-biased valve cage is retained between a top surface of the second valve element and the shoulder. 
     
     
         16 . The manifold of  claim 14 , wherein the spring-biased valve cage is compressed by insertion of a male Luer fitting into the third port. 
     
     
         17 . The manifold of  claim 13 , further comprising a protrusion disposed in the flow channel at the third port such that a fluid in the flow channel is directed toward the third port. 
     
     
         18 . The manifold of  claim 17 , wherein the protrusion is configured to direct the fluid in the flow channel to contact a bottom surface of the second valve element. 
     
     
         19 . The manifold of  claim 17 , wherein the protrusion extends from an inside surface of the housing such that a distal end of the protrusion extends toward the third port. 
     
     
         20 . The manifold of  claim 17 , further comprising a cavity between the third port and the flow channel, wherein a valve seat is formed by a cavity surface adjacent to third port.