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A normally closed valve that may be opened upon insertion of a nozzle permits two-way flow when opened by a luer-taper nozzle. The valve also is able to resist large back pressures. The valve includes a substantially rigid housing that defines a passageway having an inlet section and an outlet secti

A normally closed valve that may be opened upon insertion of a nozzle permits two-way flow when opened by a luer-taper nozzle. The valve also is able to resist large back pressures. The valve includes a substantially rigid housing that defines a passageway having an inlet section and an outlet section. The housing has an exterior inlet face to which the inlet section opens. The inlet section preferably has tapered and expanding zones. The tapered zone is adjacent to the exterior inlet face and is shaped to receive the nozzle. The expanding zone is adjacent to the tapered zone and has a larger inner diameter than the tapered zone's inner diameter. The exterior of the inlet section of the housing may have threads to accept luer-lock threads that may surround the nozzle.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A normally closed valve that may be opened upon insertion of a nozzle, the valve comprising: a housing defining a passageway having an inlet section and an outlet section, the housing being substantially rigid and having an exterior inlet face to which the inlet section opens; a substa

We claim: 1. A normally closed valve that may be opened upon insertion of a nozzle, the valve comprising: a housing defining a passageway having an inlet section and an outlet section, the housing being substantially rigid and having an exterior inlet face to which the inlet section opens; a substantially rigid plug member disposed within the passageway and extending into the inlet section, the plug member being movable between first and second positions respectively corresponding to closed and open modes of the valve; a substantially flexible, resilient gland member having: a seal section disposed over a first end of the plug member, the seal section having a normally closed aperture therethrough, a tubular section connected to the seal section and disposed around the plug member between the plug member and the housing, and an attachment section connected to the tubular section and in contact with the housing; wherein when the valve is in its closed mode, the seal section is substantially aligned with the exterior inlet face of the housing to provide a swabbable surface. 2. The valve as defined by claim 1, wherein the first end of the plug member and the gland member are shaped to permit a length of travel of the seal section with respect to the plug member, and wherein the valve includes means for restricting movement of the seal section through the inlet section beyond the length of travel. 3. The valve as defined by claim 2, wherein the first end of the plug member is spaced away from the seal section when the valve is in its closed mode. 4. The valve as defined by claim 3, wherein the inlet section of the housing's passageway has a tapered zone adjacent the exterior inlet face and being shaped to receive the nozzle, and an expanding zone adjacent to the tapered zone and having a greater inner diameter than the tapered zone's inner diameter, wherein the gland member's seal section has an outer diameter that is larger than the tapered zone's inner diameter and smaller than the expanding zone's inner diameter, and wherein the seal section's aperture opens after the nozzle presses the seal section past the tapered zone into the expanding zone of the inlet section. 5. The valve as defined by claim 4, wherein the plug member has a second end that is shaped to provide a back-pressure seal with the gland member. 6. The valve as defined by claim 5, wherein the tubular section of the gland member is under compression when the valve is fully closed. 7. The valve as defined by claim 6, wherein the exterior of the inlet section of the housing has threads to accept luer-lock threads surrounding a nozzle. 8. The valve as defined by claim 7, wherein the attachment section of the gland member is stretched as the valve is urged by the nozzle from the valve's closed mode to the valve's opened mode. 9. The valve as defined by claim 8, wherein the tubular section of the gland member is further compressed as the valve is urged by the nozzle from the valve's closed mode to the valve's opened mode. 10. The valve as defined by claim 9, wherein the housing includes gland-stopping structure for stopping movement of the gland towards the outlet section of the valve independently of movement of the plug member. 11. The valve as defined by claim 10, further including a plug member-stopping structure for stopping movement of the plug member towards the outlet section of the valve while permitting flow to the outlet section of the valve. 12. The valve as defined by claim 10, wherein the housing includes a rigid annular member disposed between the gland member's attachment section and the gland member's tubular section. 13. The valve as defined by claim 12, wherein the gland member's attachment section includes a flexible wiper member, located at the attachment section's outlet end, for maintaining contact between the attachment section and the housing at the attachment section outlet end. 14. The valve as defined by claim 13, wherein the gland member's attachment section includes a vent port. 15. The valve as defined by claim 14, wherein the housing includes a vent in the inlet section. 16. The valve as defined by claim 7, wherein the second end of the plug member is shaped to provide a flexible member that urges the plug member into the first position. 17. The valve as defined by claim 2, wherein the first end of the plug member is shaped to urge the seal section open. 18. The valve as defined by claim 1 wherein the second end of the plug member has a tapering outer diameter and ribs. 19. The valve as defined by claim 1 wherein the passageway is defined in part by an inner wall, the inner wall being free of ribs. 20. The valve as defined by claim 1 wherein the gland includes a ridge and the passageway is defined in part by a ledge, wherein the ridge is seated on the ledge. 21. The valve as defined by claim 1 wherein the passageway is defined in part by a ledge, the gland being seated on the ledge during both the closed mode and the open mode. 22. The valve as defined by claim 1 wherein the plug member defines a channel for directing fluid through the valve. 23. The valve as defined by claim 1 wherein the plug member is a cannula. 24. The valve as defined by claim 1 wherein the plug member prevents fluid flow through the valve when the valve is in the closed mode. 25. The valve as defined by claim 1 wherein the plug member occludes the passageway when the valve is in the closed mode. 26. The valve as defined by claim 1 wherein the plug member provides at least a portion of an unoccluded fluid path through the valve when the valve is in the open mode. 27. A normally closed valve that may be opened upon insertion of a nozzle, the valve comprising: a housing defining a passageway having an inlet, the housing being substantially rigid and having an exterior inlet face to which the inlet section opens; a plug member disposed within the passageway, the plug member being movable between first and second positions respectively corresponding to closed and open modes of the valve, the plug member having a first end and a second end; a substantially flexible, resilient gland member having: a seal section disposed over the first end of the plug member, the seal section having a normally closed aperture therethrough, and a tubular section connected to the seal section and disposed around the plug member between plug member and the housing, wherein the second end of the plug member is shaped to provide a back-pressure seal with the gland member, and wherein when the valve is in its closed mode, the seal section is substantially aligned with the exterior inlet face of the housing to provide a swabbable surface. 28. The valve as defined by claim 27, wherein the tubular section of the gland member is under compression when the valve is fully closed. 29. The valve as defined by claim 27, wherein the tubular section of the gland member is further compressed as the valve is urged by the nozzle from the valve's closed mode to the valve's opened mode. 30. The valve as defined by claim 27, wherein the housing includes gland-stopping structure for stopping movement of the gland towards the outlet section of the valve independently of movement of the plug member. 31. The valve as defined by claim 27, further including a plug member-stopping structure for stopping movement of the plug member towards the outlet section of the valve while permitting flow to the outlet section of the valve. 32. The valve as defined by claim 27 wherein the plug member and gland member cooperate to control fluid flow through the passageway. 33. The valve as defined by claim 27, wherein the exterior of the housing has threads to accept luer-lock threads surrounding the nozzle. 34. The valve as defined by claim 27 wherein the outlet end of the plug member includes a rib. 35. The valve as defined by claim 27 wherein the gland includes a ridge and the passageway is defined in part by a ledge, wherein the ridge is seated on the ledge. 36. The valve as defined by claim 27 wherein the passageway is defined in part by a ledge, the gland being seated on the ledge during both the closed mode and the open mode. 37. The valve as defined by claim 27 wherein the plug member defines a channel for directing fluid through the valve. 38. The valve as defined by claim 27 wherein the plug member is a cannula. 39. The valve as defined by claim 27 wherein the plug member prevents fluid flow through the valve when the valve is in the closed mode. 40. The valve as defined by claim 27 wherein the plug member occludes the passageway when the valve is in the closed mode. 41. The valve as defined by claim 27 wherein the plug member provides at least a portion of an unoccluded fluid path through the valve when the valve is in the open mode. 42. A normally closed valve that may be opened upon insertion of a nozzle, the valve comprising: a housing defining a passageway having an inlet section and an outlet section, the housing being substantially rigid and having an exterior inlet face to which the inlet section opens; a plug member disposed within the passageway and extending into the inlet section, the plug member being movable between first and second positions respectively corresponding to closed and open modes of the valve, the plug member having a first end and a second end; a substantially flexible, resilient gland member having a seal section disposed over the first end of the plug member, the seal section having a normally closed aperture therethrough, and a tubular section connected to the seal section and disposed around the plug member, wherein the inlet section of the housing's passageway has a tapered zone adjacent the exterior inlet face and is shaped to receive the nozzle, and an expanding zone adjacent to the tapered zone and having a greater inner diameter than the tapered zone's inner diameter, wherein the gland member's seal section has an outer diameter that is larger than the tapered zone's inner diameter and smaller than the expanding zone's inner diameter, and wherein the seal section's aperture opens after the nozzle presses the seal section past the tapered zone into the expanding zone of the inlet section, wherein when the valve is in its closed mode, the seal section is substantially aligned with the exterior inlet face of the housing to provide a swabbable surface. 43. The valve as defined by claim 42 wherein the first end of the plug member and the gland are shaped to permit a length of travel of the seal section with respect to the plug member. 44. The valve as defined by claim 42, wherein the first end of the plug member is shaped to urge the seal section open. 45. The valve as defined by claim 42, further including means for restricting movement of the seal section through the inlet section beyond the length of travel. 46. The valve as defined by claim 42, wherein the first end of the plug member is shaped to urge the seal section open. 47. The valve as defined by claim 42, wherein the first end of the plug member is spaced away from the seal section when the valve is in its closed mode. 48. The valve as defined by claim 42, wherein the second end of the plug member is shaped to provide a back-pressure seal with the gland member. 49. The valve as defined by claim 42, wherein the plug member includes a ledge disposed between a step and the plug member's outlet end, and the tubular section has a subsection, adjacent the seal section, shaped to correspond to the ledge, to prevent movement of the plug member's ledge past the tubular section's shaped subsection. 50. The valve as defined by claim 42, wherein the tubular section of the gland member is under compression when the valve is fully closed. 51. The valve as defined by claim 42, wherein the tubular section of the gland member is further compressed as the valve is urged by the nozzle from the valve's closed mode to the valve's opened mode. 52. The valve as defined by claim 42, wherein the housing includes gland-stopping structure for stopping movement of the gland towards the outlet section of the valve independently of movement of the plug member. 53. The valve as defined by claim 52, further including a plug member-stopping structure for stopping movement of the plug member towards the outlet section of the valve while permitting flow to the outlet section of the valve. 54. The valve as defined by claim 42, wherein the gland member further includes an attachment section connected to the tubular section and attached to the housing. 55. The valve as defined by claim 54, wherein the attachment section of the gland member is stretched as the valve is urged by the nozzle from the valve's closed mode to the valve's opened mode. 56. The valve as defined by claim 55, wherein the housing includes a rigid annular member disposed between the gland member's attachment section and the gland member's tubular section. 57. The valve as defined by claim 56, wherein the gland member's attachment section includes a flexible wiper member, located at the attachment section's outlet end, for maintaining contact between the attachment section and the housing at the attachment section outlet end. 58. The valve as defined by claim 42, wherein the outlet end of the plug member is shaped to provide a flexible member that urges the plug member into the first position. 59. The valve as defined by claim 42, wherein the exterior of the inlet section of the housing has threads to accept luer-lock threads surrounding the nozzle. 60. The valve as defined by claim 42 wherein the outlet end of the plug member has a tapering outer diameter and ribs. 61. The valve as defined by claim 42 wherein the passageway is defined in part by an inner wall, the inner wall being free of ribs. 62. The valve as defined by claim 42 wherein the gland includes a ridge and the passageway is defined in part by a ledge, wherein the ridge is seated on the ledge. 63. The valve as defined by claim 42 wherein the passageway is defined in part by a ledge, the gland being seated on the ledge during both the closed mode and the open mode. 64. The valve as defined by claim 42 wherein the plug member defines a channel for directing fluid through the valve. 65. The valve as defined by claim 42 wherein the plug member is a cannula. 66. The valve as defined by claim 42 wherein the plug member prevents fluid flow through the valve when the valve is in the closed mode. 67. The valve as defined by claim 42 wherein the plug member occludes the passageway when the valve is in the closed mode. 68. The valve as defined by claim 42 wherein the plug member provides at least a portion of an unoccluded fluid path through the valve when the valve is in the open mode. 69. A normally closed valve that may be opened upon insertion of a nozzle, the valve comprising: a housing defining a passageway having an inlet, the housing being substantially rigid and having an exterior inlet face to which the inlet section opens; a plug member disposed within the passageway and extending toward the inlet, the plug member being movable between first and second positions corresponding to closed and open modes of the valve, the plug member having a first end and a second end, the plug member's shape remaining constant as the plug member is moved between first and second positions; a substantially flexible, resilient gland member having a seal section disposed over the first end of the plug member, the seal section having a normally closed aperture therethrough, and a tubular section connected to the seal section and disposed around the plug member between plug member and the housing; wherein, when the valve is in its closed mode, the seal section is substantially aligned with the exterior inlet face of the housing to provide a swabbable surface. 70. The valve as defined by claim 69 wherein the outlet end of the plug member has a tapering outer diameter and ribs. 71. The valve as defined by claim 69 wherein the passageway is defined in part by an inner wall, the inner wall being free of ribs. 72. The valve as defined by claim 69 wherein the gland includes a ridge and the passageway is defined in part by a ledge, wherein the ridge is seated on the ledge. 73. The valve as defined by claim 69 wherein the passageway is defined in part by a ledge, the gland being seated on the ledge during both the closed mode and the open mode. 74. The valve as defined by claim 69 wherein the plug member defines a channel for directing fluid through the valve. 75. The valve as defined by claim 69 wherein the plug member is a cannula. 76. The valve as defined by claim 69 wherein the plug member prevents fluid flow through the valve when the valve is in the closed mode. 77. The valve as defined by claim 69 wherein the plug member occludes the passageway when the valve is in the closed mode. 78. The valve as defined by claim 69 wherein the plug member provides at least a portion of an unoccluded fluid path through the valve when the valve is in the open mode. 79. A normally closed valve that may be opened upon insertion of a nozzle, the valve comprising: a housing defining a passageway having an inlet section and an outlet section, the housing being substantially rigid and having an exterior inlet face to which the inlet section opens; a plug member disposed within the passageway and extending into the inlet section, the plug member being movable between first and second positions corresponding to closed and open modes of the valve, the plug member having a first end and a second end; a substantially flexible, resilient gland member having: a seal section disposed over the first end of the plug member, the seal section having a normally closed aperture therethrough, and a tubular section connected to the seal section and disposed around the plug member between plug member and the housing; wherein, when the valve is in its closed mode, the seal section is substantially aligned with the exterior inlet face of the housing to provide a swabbable surface, and wherein the first end of the plug member and the gland are shaped to permit a length of travel of the seal section with respect to the plug member. 80. The valve as defined by claim 79, wherein the valve includes means for restricting movement of the seal section through the inlet section beyond the length of travel. 81. The valve as defined by claim 79, wherein the inlet end of the plug member is spaced away from the seal section when the valve is in its closed mode. 82. The valve as defined by claim 79, wherein the inlet section of the housings passageway has a tapered zone adjacent the exterior inlet face and is shaped to receive the nozzle, and an expanding zone adjacent to the tapered zone and having a greater inner diameter than the tapered zone's inner diameter, wherein the gland member's seal section has an outer diameter that is larger than the tapered zone's inner diameter and smaller than the expanding zone's inner diameter, and wherein the seal section's aperture opens after the nozzle presses the seal section past the tapered zone into the expanding zone of the inlet section. 83. The valve as defined by claim 79, wherein the seal section remains entirely between the plug member and the exterior inlet face when the valve is open. 84. The valve as defined by claim 79, wherein the inlet end of the plug member is shaped to urge the seal section open. 85. The valve as defined by claim 79 wherein the outlet end of the plug member has a tapering outer diameter and ribs. 86. The valve as defined by claim 79 wherein the passageway is defined in part by an inner wall, the inner wall being free of ribs. 87. The valve as defined by claim 79 wherein the gland includes a ridge and the passageway is defined in part by a ledge, wherein the ridge is seated on the ledge. 88. The valve as defined by claim 79 wherein the passageway is defined in part by a ledge, the gland being seated on the ledge during both the closed mode and the open mode. 89. A medical valve having an open mode and a closed mode, the valve comprising: a housing defining a passageway; a plug member movably mounted within the passageway, the plug member having an inlet end and a sealing end, the sealing end formed to substantially seal the passageway when in the closed mode; and a substantially flexible, resilient gland member having a seal disposed over the inlet end of the plug member. 90. The valve as defined by claim 89 wherein the plug member is movable within the passageway between the closed mode and the open mode, the sealing end of the plug member formed to enable liquid to pass through the passageway when in the open mode. 91. The valve as defined by claim 89 wherein the plug member defines a channel for directing fluid through the valve. 92. The valve as defined by claim 89 wherein the plug member is a cannula. 93. The valve as defined by claim 89 wherein the plug member prevents fluid flow through the valve when the valve is in the closed mode. 94. The valve as defined by claim 89 wherein the plug member occludes the passageway when the valve is in the closed mode. 95. The valve as defined by claim 89 wherein the plug member provides at least a portion of an unoccluded fluid path through the valve when the valve is in the open mode. 96. The valve as defined by claim 89 wherein of the housing has an exterior inlet face, the seal of the gland being substantially aligned with the exterior inlet face when the valve is closed to provide a swabbable surface. 97. A medical valve for use with a nozzle, the medical valve having an open mode and a closed mode, the valve comprising: a housing defining a passageway having a tapered section with an inlet port, the passageway also having an expanding section; a plug member mounted within the passageway; and a substantially flexible, resilient gland member having a seal section disposed over the plug member, the seal section having a normally closed aperture therethrough; the seal section being movable through the passageway between the tapered section of the passageway and expanding section of the passageway, the aperture being substantially closed when the seal section is disposed in the inlet port, the aperture being open when the seal section is disposed in the expanding section. 98. The valve as defined by claim 97 wherein the plug member defines a channel for directing fluid through the valve. 99. The valve as defined by claim 97 wherein the gland member is swabbable. 100. The valve as defined by claim 97 wherein the plug member is a cannula. 101. The valve as defined by claim 97 wherein the plug member prevents fluid flow through the valve when the valve is in the close mode. 102. The valve as defined by claim 97 wherein the plug member occludes the passageway when the valve is in the closed mode. 103. The valve as defined by claim 97 wherein the plug member provides at least a portion of an unoccluded fluid path through the valve when the valve is in the open mode.