Originally Published MPMN March 2004

PRODUCT UPDATE

Valve Suppliers Put Safety First

Exhibitors at the recent MD&M West trade show displayed the latest in needleless valves

Susan Wallace

The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act requires healthcare employers to evaluate and put in place safety-engineered sharps devices and needleless systems in order to reduce their employees' occupational exposure to HIV, hepatitis C, and other bloodborne diseases. The act also requires that companies review and update their exposure control plans at least annually to reflect changes in sharps safety technology.

Conforming with the act will be easier with new needleless valves that the following medical device companies exhibited at the recent MD&M West 2004 trade show. For more information on these and other types of valves, as well as pumps, please see MPMN's Buyers Guide on page 46. 

A Passive System Automatically Prevents Backflow

Primary prevention techniques eliminate the need to introduce sharps into the workplace, thereby reducing the number of injuries caused by needlesticks. The Ultrasite positive-displacement IV system from B. Braun OEM/Industrial features a needle-free design suitable for the intermittent injection, aspiration, or infusion of fluids.

The product is a normally closed valve with female and male luer lock connections. When accessed with any male luer lock fitting, such as a syringe or IV adapter, the valve opens and enables bidirectional flow. It automatically closes when the male luer is removed, preventing fluid backflow. An alcohol swab cleans the valve connection before each procedure.

As a passive system, the Ultrasite valve cannot use needles, nor does it require additional components or steps to engage the safety feature. 
The valve is available in a variety of configurations, including in-line, y-site, extension set, or dispensing pin assemblies, in either sterile or nonsterile packaging. The latex-free and DEHP-free valve is also offered as a stand-alone unit.

Luer Valves Aspirate or Inject Fluids on Demand

Swabbable luer valves from Halkey-Roberts were developed as needleless injection ports for intravenous applications. The valve stem and body will mate securely with all standard luer syringes and luer connectors. This provides a hermetic seal between the syringe luer tip and the valve.
All raw materials are USP Class VI, and contain no latex or DEHP. Valve bodies are available in polycarbonate or copolyester for ease of bonding. Stems are made of silicone.

Series 2452040xx is a three-piece valve using a female luer lock connector and a male luer lock adapter. Series 2456240xx is a three-piece valve with a swabbable luer lock connected to an in-line y-adapter. It is available in a 4.1- or 3.7-mm inner diameter version. Both sizes have outer diameters of 6.4 mm.

The company also offers a one-way check valve that provides high flow rates across a wide range of pressures. The valve is made of DEHP with a latex-free polycarbonate housing and a silicone seal disk.

Preslit Systems Accept Cannulae Instead of Needles

A preslit needlefree system from Industrie Borla SpA was introduced this year at MD&M West. It is nonlatex and is siliconized for ease of insertion. The unit is compatible with many blunt cannula systems and has a life cycle of more than 200 insertions. 

The company offers preslit y-connectors and preslit injection site components. The connectors come in clear or green ABS and feature septa made of polyisoprene. The preslit injection site devices come in see-through red and clear ABS and also have polyisoprene septa. 

The company also offers two styles of cannulae that are compatible with these components. Blunt plastic cannulae are lipid resistant. They can be sterilized with either EtO or gamma methods.

Vial access cannulae provide needlefree access to single-dose vials. These cannulae are also lipid resistant and EtO and gamma sterilizable.

Needleless Luer Access Sites Fill, Hold, and Release Fluids and Gases 

Needleless access components, also from Industrie Borla SpA, can be used as replacements for needle access ports for drug delivery or intravenous administration applications. They can also be used on endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes and urethral catheters.
 
The valve stem and body will mate securely with all standard luer syringes. Some bodies are available in polycarbonate, polypropylene, or polyvinyl chloride. Stems are made of silicone. 

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