Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An anti-cross contamination valve for use in medical fluid delivery systems comprises a valve housing having a first port, a second port, and a third port that open into a hollow interior. A valve body is rotatably mounted within the hollow interior and has at least one fluid passageway therethrough. A knob is attached to the valve body and extends outside of the valve housing. The at least one passageway includes a first fluid passageway that opens the first port to the third port when the valve body is rotated to a first position with respect to the valve housing. The second port is closed when the valve is in its first position. The at least one passageway also includes a second fluid passageway that opens the second port to the third port when the valve body is rotated to a second position with respect to the valve housing. The first port is closed when the valve is in its second position. In order to prevent the possibility of cross contamination, the valve also includes stop barriers and/or a special passageway/port geometry that prevents the possibility of the first port coming into fluid communication with the second port, or vice versa.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim