Filtertek Inc.

Ricky R Ruschke

John A Leahey

Ronald J Kay

Michael Leonhard

Jan W M Mijers

Edward Kandel

Mark A Kinsley

Jan W Mijers

Christine A Kurtz

Tracy L Leahey

Michael G Leonhard

A fluid handling device, such as a needlefree access device, includes a housing having an inlet and an inlet channel; and a flow control member comprising a combination outlet, biasing and piston member. The flow control member includes a piston section moveable between a closed position in which the piston section is in the inlet channel and an open position in which the piston section is inside the housing below the inlet channel but allows fluid to flow through the inlet channel; a biasing section connected to the piston section that normally biases the piston section into the inlet channel; and an outlet section connected to the biasing section having an outlet fitting in fluid communication with the inside of the housing. The piston section, biasing section and outlet section are connected together such that they can be handled as one piece when assembled with the housing to make the needlefree access device. The access device can be configured as a Y-site access device, or used on other devices such as an IV bag. A check valve made by a two shot molding process is also disclosed.

Fluid handling device and method of making same

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of valve apparatus and combination filter valve assemblies. One exemplary embodiment provides a combination filter valve apparatus suitable for filtering objectionable particulate matter from a fluid and for selectively occluding a fluid flow opening. In this exemplary embodiment, the apparatus generally includes an outer member, a sealing member, and filtration media disposed generally between the outer member and the sealing member. The filtration media may be configured to generally support the sealing member for resilient movement relative to a fluid flow opening between open and closed positions. In the open position, the sealing member may be spaced apart from the fluid flow opening. In the closed position, the sealing member may be in sealing engagement with and substantially blocking the fluid flow opening, thereby inhibiting the ingress of fluid into or egress of fluid out of the fluid flow opening.

Valve apparatus, combination filter valve assemblies and devices, systems, and methods including the same

A fluid handling device, such as a needlefree access device, includes a housing having an inlet and an inlet channel; and a flow control member comprising a combination outlet, biasing and piston member. The flow control member includes a piston section moveable between a closed position in which the piston section is inside the housing below the inlet channel but allows fluid to flow through the inlet channel; a biasing section connected to the piston section that normally biases the piston section into the inlet channel; and an outlet section connected to the biasing section having an outlet fitting in fluid communication with the inside of the housing.

An intravenous filter device comprises a filter housing having a front side, a back side, a first end, a second end, an inlet and an outlet, the housing containing a hydrophilic filtration media and defining a flow path such that intravenous fluid entering the housing through the inlet passes through the filtration media before passing out of the housing through the outlet. Inlet and outlet tubing connectors, both preferably attached to the front side of the filter housing, form, respectively, the housing inlet and outlet. In the preferred embodiment the connectors are raised above the front side or the housing such that tubing connected to the connectors does not intersect the front side of the housing. At least one vent hole in the housing provides a passageway for gas to escape from the housing, the vent hole being preferably open to the front side of the housing. A hydrophobic membrane is positioned between the vent hole and the flow path at a position along the flow path between the inlet and the hydrophilic filtration media. In a preferred embodiment, a tubing clip is provided to help orient the filter to make it self priming and prevent I.V. set tubing from kinking,

Intravenous filter device

An air elimination device for removing air or gas bubbles from aqueous liquids flowing through an intravenous delivery system. The device comprises a housing having an interior chamber, an inlet passage, an outlet passage, and one or more vent openings. The inlet passage delivers the liquid into the interior chamber. The outlet passage delivers the liquid from the interior chamber. A hydrophobic membrane is attached to the housing and positioned over the vent openings. The hydrophobic membrane allows gas bubbles in the aqueous liquid that enter the interior chamber of the housing to pass through the vent openings while preventing the liquid from passing through the vent openings. The outlet passage comprises a stem which extends inwardly into the interior chamber and terminates in an interior end. The vent openings are shaped and located in the housing such that at least a portion of a vent opening will be positioned at a higher elevation than that of the interior end of the stem irrespective of the orientation of the housing.

Air eliminator

A center flow check valve of the diaphragm type is inexpensive to manufacture and has reliably great sensitivity in both forward and reverse flow. The valve includes an imperforate diaphragm that is loose, e.g., is not affirmatively held in place by a pin or the like, and the center portion of the diaphragm as well as the periphery move axially in various modes of operation. Various elements help to keep the diaphragm centered. A reverse flow path directs back flow to the center of the downstream surface of the diaphragm. The back flow lifts the diaphragm from support edges about which it flexes during forward flow and seals it against a concave sealing surface. The diaphragm is protected against strong pressure in the forward direction by a flow deflector and against strong back flow pressure by the concave sealing surface. In the absence of forward or backward fluid pressure, the diaphragm assumes a neutral configuration in which it seals against back flow by making line contact with a convex curved surface disposed on the upstream side of the diaphragm.

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Woodstock, IL, United States of America

Ricky R Ruschke