Importance

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Abstract

An improved medical stopcock valve assembly (10,40,60,80) of the type the valve body (11,111,62) of which has extending fluid-directing tubes (14,16,18,114,116,118,66,68,70,214,216,218) at least some of which have a female Luer lock fitting (30,130,72) adapted to receive a Luer lock cap (32) when not in use, is provided with a blind portion (34,42,44,46,48,52,88,90,92,188,190,192) for receiving and storing a cap (32,132,232) when it is out of use such as during a fluid sampling procedure In one form, the blind portion is formed as a female Luer lock fitting (34',130,54). Alternatively, recessed blind portions (188,190,192) may be provided for receiving and engaging the outer rim (233) of the cap (232) to sealably enclose the entire cap interior to maintain it sterile. In one embodiment, a blind fitting (34) is formed on the valve body (11). In another embodiment, a modified Luer cap (50) having a blind extension (52) thereon is mounted on a Luer fitting (70) of a valve (60) such that the blind extension (52 ) of the cap (50) can receive and store an out-of-use cap (32). In another embodiment, a cap storage member (84) having plural blind extensions (88,90,92) may be slidably attached to and detached from a valve (80).

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First Claim