Pressure activated valve for high flow rate and pressure venous access applications

Abstract

A valve comprises a first housing including a first lumen extending therethrough and defining a first disk-facing surface and a second housing including a second lumen extending therethrough and defining a second disk-facing surface, the second housing being mated to the first housing so that the second disk-facing surface faces the first disk-facing surface in combination with a flexible disk gripped between gripping portions of the first and second disk-facing surfaces, the disk including a slit extending therethrough which, when acted upon by a fluid pressure of at least a predetermined threshold level opens to permit fluid flow between the first and second lumens and which, when acted upon by a fluid pressure less than the threshold level remains sealed preventing fluid flow between the first and second lumens and a relief well between opposing portions of the first and second housings radially outside the gripping portions, a width of the relief well exceeding a width of a radially outer portion of the flexible disk so that the radially outer portion of the disk is free to move therewithin.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A device comprising:
 a first housing comprising a first housing relief well defined by a first space positioned radially outward relative to a first housing protrusion;   a second housing comprising a second housing relief well defined by a second space positioned radially outward relative to a second housing protrusion;   a flexible disk comprising a slit valve; and   wherein the first housing relief well or the second housing relief well accommodate movement of a periphery of the flexible disk as a result of fluid flow through the slit valve.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible disk is configured to be positioned between the first housing and the second housing. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the device is configured for injection or aspiration of fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the periphery of the flexible disk is configured to flex into either the first housing relief well or the second housing relief well. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the device is comprises at least one of a peripherally inserted central catheter, a port catheter, a dialysis catheter, or a central venous catheter. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the first housing and the second housing are configured to be coupled. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible disk comprises at least two slit valves both configured to be pressure activated. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the movement of the flexible disk is configured to open the at least one of the two slit valves. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible disk is configured to extend across a lumen. 
     
     
         19 . A device comprising:
 a first housing comprising a first housing relief well configured to be positioned radially outward relative to a first housing protrusion, a second housing comprising a second housing relief well configured to be positioned radially outward relative to a second housing protrusion;   a flexible disk comprising a pressure activated slit valve; and   wherein the first housing relief well defines a space between the flexible disk and the first housing to accommodate movement of an outer portion of the flexible disk as a result of fluid flow through the valve; or wherein the second housing relief well defines a space between the flexible disk and the second housing to accommodate movement of the outer portion of the flexible disk as a result of fluid flow through the valve.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the device is comprises at least one of a peripherally inserted central catheter, a port catheter, a dialysis catheter, or a central venous catheter. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the flexible disk outer portion is configured to move to accommodate vibrations associated with a fluid flow. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the flexible disk is configured to be fixed between the first housing and the second housing. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein at least a part of the flexible disk is configured to be compressed between the first housing protrusion and the second housing protrusion. 
     
     
         24 . A device comprising:
 a first housing comprising a first housing relief well configured to be positioned radially outward relative to a first housing protrusion;   a second housing comprising a second housing relief well configured to be positioned radially outward relative to the second housing protrusion;   a catheter body coupled to either the first housing or the second housing;   a flexible disk comprising a valve;   wherein the first housing relief well or the second housing relief well accommodate movement of a periphery of the flexible disk as a result of fluid flow through the valve.   
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the flexible disk has a substantially elliptical shape. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the first housing and the second housing are coupled. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the valve is a pressure activated slit valve. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the flexible disk comprises at least two valves. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the device is comprises at least one of a peripherally inserted central catheter, a port catheter, a dialysis catheter, or a central venous catheter.