US 12,109,388 B2
Needleless access connectors and valve elements therefor
Tim L. Truitt, Orange, CA (US); and Alex Truman Mazza, Grand Terrace, CA (US)
Assigned to CAREFUSION 303, INC., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by CareFusion 303, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/365,180.
Application 18/365,180 is a continuation of application No. 16/383,445, filed on Apr. 12, 2019, granted, now 11,759,619.
Application 16/383,445 is a continuation of application No. 14/731,150, filed on Jun. 4, 2015, granted, now 10,258,786, issued on Apr. 16, 2019.
Application 14/731,150 is a continuation of application No. 14/165,349, filed on Jan. 27, 2014, granted, now 9,061,130, issued on Jun. 23, 2015.
Application 14/165,349 is a continuation of application No. 12/619,598, filed on Nov. 16, 2009, granted, now 8,636,720, issued on Jan. 28, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2024/0001100 A1, Jan. 4, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61M 39/24 (2006.01); A61M 39/02 (2006.01); A61M 39/10 (2006.01); A61M 39/22 (2006.01); A61M 39/26 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 39/24 (2013.01) [A61M 39/02 (2013.01); A61M 39/10 (2013.01); A61M 39/1011 (2013.01); A61M 39/22 (2013.01); A61M 39/26 (2013.01); A61M 2039/242 (2013.01); A61M 2039/263 (2013.01); A61M 2207/00 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49 (2015.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A needleless access connector comprising:
a housing and a collapsible valve disposed in the housing, the collapsible valve having a first end forming a continuous top surface having a closed circumference, a second end, and an outer side surface between the first and second ends, wherein the collapsible valve comprises a first portion extending from the first end toward the second end, a second portion extending from the first portion toward the second end, and a third portion extending from the second portion to the second end;
the first portion having a substantially cylindrical shape with at least one arcuate cut-out on the outer side surface thereof, the second portion coupled to the first portion and comprising an annular outer surface having a straight cylindrical shape extending from the first portion to the third portion, and the third portion coupled to the second portion and comprising an annular outer surface having a straight cylindrical shape extending from the second portion to the second end;
wherein the collapsible valve comprises a void containing air and extending entirely through the third portion and partially through the second portion when the collapsible valve is coupled to the housing such that the housing and the collapsible valve are configured to provide positive displacement when collapsed.