Apparatus and method for a catheter adapter with valve.

摘要

An over the needle catheter with adapter (10) that has an integral valve (11) in a passage (14). Distal (12) and proximal (13) parts form the adapter (10) along an axis "A". The distal part (12) communicates with a catheter (15). A hub (17) conjugates with the proximal part (13) and has a needle (18) extending along the axis "A" and through the passage (14) when the hub (17) is within the proximal part (13). A valve assembly (19) has an elongate resilient member (20) captured in the passage (14) between the parts (12,13). A proximal portion of the valve assembly (19) is engaged by a fitting (22) to open the valve. A valve seat (23) in the passage has a frusto-conical surface (24) located coaxial about the axis "A" and facing the distal part (12). The seat (23) engages a chamfered surface (25) on the elongate resilient member (20) to seal and prevent flow and to allow flow when the seal is broken by axial compression of the elongate resilient member (20) by the fitting (22). A septum like end (28) across the elongate resilient member (20) permits the needle (18) to pass therethrough in a resealable fashion. The elongate resilient member (20) has a diametrically reduced cylindrical body (32) extending to the septum like end (28). The passage (14) has an annular space (33) about the reduced cylindrical body (32) and terminates in a distal area (34). The distal area (34) has flow channels (37) which extend between the annular space (33) and the distal part (12). A method has steps of locating the parts along an axis "A" and capturing the elongate resilient member (20) by engaging the axially aligned parts (12,13) to force the elongate resilient member (20) against a valve seat (24) for sealing the passage (14) and preventing flow. Placing a needle (18) carried on a hub (17) along the axis "A" and through a septum like end (28) of the elongate resilient member (20) allows the needle (18) to be withdrawn from the septum like end (28) and to reseal the passage (14). Applying fastening means to secure the parts is a step. <IMAGE> <IMAGE>