Luer valve adapter with expandable end

Claim 1

An adapter having utility in connection with Luer fittings and similar fittings, comprising: a tubular base member having a first generally tubular part adapted for substantially non-retractable slide fit engagement within a catheter, and a second generally tubular part adapted to slide fittingly receive a rigid, cylindrical-in-configuration fitting member; said first and second parts being integrally formed with one another, being made of an elastomeric material, and having a common longitudinal axis of symmetry; said second part having cylindrical side walls of predetermined thickness; a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves of predetermined depth being formed in said second part; each of said grooves having a common predetermined circumferential extent and a common depth, said grooves being circumferentially and substantially equidistantly spaced about said second part, and said second part having a predetermined thickness, where each groove is formed therein, that is less than said predetermined thickness of said cylindrical side walls; a plurality of substantially equidistantly spaced ungrooved areas of said second part being defined between said grooves, said grooves and ungrooved areas alternating about the circumference of said second part, said ungrooved areas having a common circumferential extent that is substantially equal to the common circumferential extent of said grooves, and said ungrooved areas having a thickness substantially greater than the thickness of said grooved parts so that said ungrooved areas do not expand as do said grooved parts upon insertion of a fitting into said second part; a slidably mounted check valve being disposed within said base member; said alternating ungrooved areas being substantially non-expandable and thus countering the expendability of said grooves so that a tight fit is maintained even when said grooves are expanded; said second part expanding radially outwardly as a whole upon insertion thereinto of a fitting due to said alternating arrangement of grooves and ungrooved areas of common circumferential extent about the circumferential extent of said second part; whereby said grooves enable radially outward expansion of said second part when a fitting member is inserted therein, said second part having a greater circumference when expanded radially outward relative to its circumference when in repose.