US Patent 9370651 Needleless connector with reduced trapped volume

A female connector has a body with an internal cavity having a port and an internal surface. A collapsible valve is disposed within the internal cavity. The valve has a head with an external surface, wherein the head is in sealing contact with the internal surface of the internal cavity at a first location separated from the port so as to create a primary seal and at a second location proximate to the port so as to form a secondary seal when the female connector is not mated with a compatible male connector. The valve also has a neck coupled to the head proximal to the primary seal. The neck has a smiley cut. The valve also has a base portion coupled to the neck proximal to the smiley cut.