Importance

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Abstract

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carried on a hub along the axis and through a septum like end of the elongate resilient member allows the needle to be withdrawn from the septum like end and to reseal the passage.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

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First Claim