Catheter devices with valves and related methods

Abstract

Needle assemblies and related methods are disclosed having a needle hub with a needle, a catheter tube with a catheter hub and having the needle extending through the catheter tube; and a valve positioned in an interior cavity of the catheter hub, the valve having a first section with a first chord, a second chord, and a plurality of slits defining a plurality of flaps, a second section attached to the first section, and a third section attached to the first section; an inside edge formed on the second section and pressed against the first section; an inside edge formed on the third section and pressed against the first section; and wherein a first flow path is provided adjacent the first chord and a second flow path is provided adjacent the second chord.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A needle assembly comprising:
 a needle hub having a body with an interior cavity;   a needle extending from a distal end of the needle hub;   a catheter tube attached to a catheter hub and having the needle extending through the catheter tube; and   a valve positioned in the interior cavity of the catheter hub, said valve comprising:
 a valve body comprising a rim portion having a band defining a plane; 
 a central portion located radially inwardly of the band, the central portion having a convex surface and an opposed concave surface, the convex surface projecting away from the plane defined by the band; and 
 a plurality of slits located centrally of the central portion and having the needle extending therethrough in a ready to use position. 
   
     
     
         17 . The needle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the central portion comprises a plurality of valve sections, including a first section formed of a first material and a second section formed of a second material. 
     
     
         18 . The needle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the convex surface projects proximally of the plane. 
     
     
         19 . The needle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the rim portion comprises an outer perimeter in contact with an interior of the catheter hub. 
     
     
         20 . The needle assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the rim portion engages an interior surface of the interior cavity. 
     
     
         21 . The needle assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising a flow path located between the first valve section and the second valve section and spaced from the plurality of slits. 
     
     
         22 . The needle assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising a third valve section located next to the first valve section and having a flow path between the first valve section and the third valve section. 
     
     
         23 . The needle assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the first valve section and the second valve section have different dimensions. 
     
     
         24 . The needle assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the first valve section and the second valve section have different physical characteristics. 
     
     
         25 . The needle assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the first valve section and the second valve section have different thicknesses. 
     
     
         26 . The needle assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the first valve section is thicker than the second valve section. 
     
     
         27 . The needle assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the first valve section and the second valve section have different durometers. 
     
     
         28 . The needle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the central portion located radially inwardly of the band has a thickness at a center section of the central portion, wherein the thickness at the center section is thicker than a thickness at other portions of the central portion. 
     
     
         29 . The needle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the concave surface and the convex surface deflect under fluid pressure. 
     
     
         30 . The needle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the central portion has a curved surface defining a convex surface. 
     
     
         31 . The needle assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising a needle guard having a proximal wall and at least one arm located proximally of the valve in the ready to use position. 
     
     
         32 . The needle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the central portion has a curved surface defining a concave surface. 
     
     
         33 . A method of manufacturing a needle assembly comprising:
 forming a needle hub and attaching a needle to the needle hub;   attaching a catheter tube to a catheter hub, said catheter hub comprising an interior cavity;   placing a valve comprising a valve body in the interior cavity of the catheter hub, said valve comprising:
 a valve body comprising a rim portion having a band defining a plane; 
 a central portion located radially inwardly of the band, the central portion having a convex surface and an opposed concave surface, the convex surface projecting away from the plane defined by the band; and 
 a plurality of slits located centrally of the central portion and having the needle extending therethrough in a ready to use position; 
   placing the needle through the plurality of slits and through a lumen of the catheter tube in a ready to use position.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the central portion comprises a plurality of valve sections, including a first section formed of a first material and a second section formed of a second material. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the convex surface projects proximally of the plane. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising removing the needle from the catheter tube and flushing a fluid through the catheter hub to deflect the first section and the second section. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the fluid flows through a gap between the first section and the second section. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the first valve section and the second valve section have different dimensions. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the first valve section and the second valve section have different physical characteristics. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the first valve section and the second valve section have different thicknesses. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the first valve section is thicker than the second valve section. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the central portion located radially inwardly of the band has a thickness at a center section of the central portion, wherein the thickness at the center section is thicker than a thickness at other portions of the central portion.