Method to secure an elastic component in a valve

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling fluid flow to provide long-term access to the vascular system, and methods of making the same, are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention describe a wedge or other similarly shaped geometric features for fixing an elastic component and controlling an internal stress of the elastic component.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device to provide access to a vascular system of a patient, comprising:
 a valve component comprising a flexible membrane having a radially outer portion situated between a first housing portion and a second housing portion, wherein the flexible membrane comprises a slit configured to open under a threshold fluid pressure and an outer edge configured to be displaced into a recess by at least one of the first and second housing portions, the recess defined by at least one of the first and second housing portions.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a catheter in fluid communication with the first and second housing portions.   
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the first housing portion is configured to mate with the second housing portion. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the first housing portion includes a first channel extending therethrough and the second housing portion includes a second channel extending therethrough, wherein the first channel and the second channel are in fluid communication with each other. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein one of the first and second housing portions includes a first surface angled relative to a plane defined by the flexible membrane, the first surface being configured to apply radially compressive pressure to the flexible membrane when the flexible membrane is compressed between the first and second housing portions. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the recess is disposed opposite the first surface. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the recess is defined by the first housing portion and the second housing portion defines a protrusion. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the protrusion is configured to cause the flexible membrane to bend at the protrusion in response to the threshold fluid pressure being applied. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the recess is defined by the first housing portion and the second housing portion defines a compression surface configured to displace the flexible membrane into the recess. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the recess is positioned radially outward of the compression surface. 
     
     
         31 . A device to provide access to a vascular system of a patient, comprising:
 a first housing portion;   a second housing portion configured to mate with the first housing portion; and   a flexible membrane configured to be positioned between the first and second housing portions, wherein the flexible membrane comprises a slit configured to open under a threshold fluid pressure and an outer edge configured to be displaced into a recess by the first housing portion, wherein the recess is defined by the second housing portion.   
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a catheter in fluid communication with the first and second housing portions.   
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the first housing portion includes a first channel extending therethrough and the second housing portion includes a second channel extending therethrough, wherein the first channel and the second channel are in fluid communication with each other. 
     
     
         34 . A pressure activated valve for a device to provide access to a vascular system of a patient, the pressure activated valve comprising:
 a flexible membrane configured to be positioned between a first mateable housing portion and a second mateable housing portion, wherein the flexible membrane comprises:
 a slit configured to open under a threshold fluid pressure; and 
 a radially outer portion configured to be displaced into a recess by the first mateable housing portion, wherein the recess is defined by the second mateable housing portion. 
   
     
     
         35 . The pressure activated valve of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 the first mateable housing portion; and   the second mateable housing portion.   
     
     
         36 . The pressure activated valve of  claim 35 , wherein the first mateable housing portion includes a first channel extending therethrough and the second mateable housing portion includes a second channel extending therethrough, wherein the first channel and the second channel are in fluid communication with each other. 
     
     
         37 . The pressure activated valve of  claim 35 , wherein the first and second mateable housing portions are configured to be fluidically coupled with a catheter. 
     
     
         38 . The pressure activated valve of  claim 35 , wherein the first mateable housing portion defines a compression surface configured to displace the radially outer portion of the flexible membrane into the recess. 
     
     
         39 . The pressure activated valve of  claim 35 , wherein the first mateable housing portion defines a protrusion configured to displace the radially outer portion of the flexible membrane into the recess.