A male reflux valve comprising a distal body portion and a proximal body portion, the proximal body portion having a male connection for connection to a female connection of an access device, a valve element operatively positioned within the distal body portion, a core operatively positioned within the distal body portion to retain the valve element into sealing engagement with the distal body portion and an actuator reciprocably retained within a generally circular cylindrical longitudinal bore of the proximal body portion in engagement with the valve element to open the valve element when engaged by the female connection of the access device.

The application relates to a connecting element, in particular for connecting vessels and for producing a fluidic connection between vessels or elements joined to the connecting element. The invention also relates to an elastic spring element as a valve element.

A catheter integral with a valved needle-free connector provides a safety catheter device configured to receive a blunt cannula and sharp needle forming an insertion mechanism. The sharp needle is mounted within a needle tube and a control handle is used to slide the sharp needle out of and into the protective needle tube. When the insertion mechanism is mounted to the connector and the control handle is used to slide the sharp needle out of the tube, a blunt cannula first moves into contact with and enters the bore of the valve mechanism of the connector opening it and protecting it from damage that may be caused by the sharp needle. The sharp needle is then extended through the connector and extends out the distal end of the catheter so that a venipuncture procedure may be performed to properly locate the catheter in the patient's circulatory system. Once located, the needle may be retracted into the insertion mechanism, the insertion mechanism disconnected from the connector, and discarded.

The invention relates to a connecting element, in particular for connecting vessels and for producing a fluidic connection between vessels or elements joined to the connecting element. The invention also relates to an elastic spring element as a valve element.

A gland member within a medical valve is configured to have a substantially consistent or enlarging internal volume as the valve transitions from a closed mode to an open mode. The valve has a housing forming an interior containing a flow path, and a stationary post member within the interior. The post member has a lumen that is a part of the flow path. The lumen has an opening to the interior of the housing. The valve further includes a gland member circumscribing the post member to produce a variable volume region formed at least in part between the gland member itself and the post member. The variable volume region is a part of the flow path, while the gland member occludes the post lumen opening when in the closed mode. The variable volume region has an open volume that is no less than its closed volume.

A medical connector for minimizing leakage of fluids during connection and disconnection is described. The medical connector includes a body having an inlet port, at least one outlet port adjacent to a male luer portion of the body, and a fluid path between the inlet port and the at least one outlet ports. A retractable seal adjacent to the male luer portion of the body and blocks the outlet ports of the body when the male luer portion of the medical connect is in a disconnected state. The retractable seal is positioned on the body such that it is moved away from the outlet ports upon insertion of the male luer portion of the medical connector into a medical access device thereby unblocking the outlet ports and creating a fluid path through the medical connector.

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to medical connectors with a housing comprising a proximal body member and a base member that form an internal cavity with a proximal abutment surface. An elastomeric seal with a collar and without a guide member is positioned within the internal cavity. A rigid, hollow elongated portion is located within the internal cavity such that in an open configuration, a tip of the elongated portion is more proximal than a proximal surface of the elastomeric seal.

A coupling member for a closed fluid transfer system includes a housing having a fluid connection and a coupling side. A first channel extends from the fluid connection toward the coupling side for fluidly connecting the fluid connection and the coupling side. An elastomer member surrounds an opening of the first channel, or forms a second channel adjoining the first channel. An elastomer member opening of the second channel is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The sealing surface is formed between a first position, in which the sealing surface seals the opening or the elastomer member opening of the second channel, and a second position, in which the sealing surface exposes the opening of the first channel or the elastomer member opening of the second channel for fluid communication with the coupling side.

Disclosed is a first medical connector configured to be removably attachable with a second medical connector to permit fluid flow between the first and second medical connectors. The first medical connector can include a first region with a luer-compatible connection portion being configured to engage luer-compatible medical devices, and a second region comprising a resilient seal and a first luer-incompatible connection portion. The first luer-incompatible connection portion can inhibit engagement with luer-compatible medical devices and permit engagement with a second luer-incompatible connection portion of the second medical connector. In some embodiments, the first region of the first medical connector does not rotate with respect to the second region of the first medical connector in an initial stage of use, but the first medical connector is configured to transition from the initial stage of use to a subsequent stage of use in which the first region of the first medical connector and the second region of the first medical connector can be rotated with respect to each other.

Disclosed is a first medical connector configured to be removably attachable with a second medical connector to permit fluid flow between the first and second medical connectors. The first medical connector can include a first region with a luer-compatible connection portion being configured to engage luer-compatible medical devices, and a second region comprising a resilient seal and a first luer-incompatible connection portion. The first luer-incompatible connection portion can inhibit engagement with luer-compatible medical devices and permit engagement with a second luer-incompatible connection portion of the second medical connector. In some embodiments, the first region of the first medical connector does not rotate with respect to the second region of the first medical connector in an initial stage of use, but the first medical connector is configured to transition from the initial stage of use to a subsequent stage of use in which the first region of the first medical connector and the second region of the first medical connector can be rotated with respect to each other.