Fluid sampling and measuring apparatus

Claim 1

Apparatus for sampling and measuring the pressure of body fluid, comprising in combination: a connecting valve including, a housing having an elongated chamber, a pair of nipples extending from opposite ends of the housing, with each of said nipples having a passageway communicating between the chamber and the outside of the housing, a seat adjacent the inner end of each nipple relative the chamber, and a stem extending outwardly from the housing intermediate the seats and having a channel communicating between the chamber and the outside of the housing, and double-ended plug means longitudinally biased in the chamber against both of said seats in sealing engagement to prevent escape of fluid through said passageways, each end of the plug means individually retracting into the chamber away from the associated seat responsive to force applied to each end of the plug means to permit passage of fluid between the stem channel and associated nipple passageway; a hollow needle removably connected to the housing stem and communicating with the stem channel for passage of fluid through the needle and stem into the chamber; a manometer having a hollow stem receivable in at least one of said nipple passageways and being of sufficient length to contact the associated end of the plug means; and means for removably connecting the manometer to the associated nipple with the manometer stem extending a sufficient distance into the one passageway to retract said associated end of the plug means from the associated seat and permit passage of fluid from said chamber to the manometer.