Importance

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Abstract

A medical valve transitions between an open mode that permits fluid flow, and a closed mode that prevents fluid flow. The valve has a housing, a valve member with a distal seal having a normally closed aperture, a first variable volume region and a second variable volume region longitudinally spaced from the first. Insertion of a medical implement into the inlet opens the aperture and fluidly connects the valve inlet and outlet via a fluid path. Withdrawal of the implement closes the aperture and fluidly disconnects the inlet and outlet. The first variable volume region contracts and the second variable volume expands upon withdrawal of the implement. Both variable volumes may be part of the fluid path. The fluid path may have a closed volume before insertion of the implement and an open volume when in an open mode. The closed volume may be substantially equal to the open mode.

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First Claim