Reduced-friction catheter introducer and method of manufacturing and using the same

• US 20060149293A1
• Filed: 11/29/2005
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Wortley, Ronald, King, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 9,597,483 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0046 Coatings for improving slidability
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/2426 Slit valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/06 Body-piercing guide needles or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0668 splittable, tear apart
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves

Abstract

Tear-away and non-tear-away sheath introducers for catheters, methods for making such introducers, and methods for using such introducers are described. The sheath introducers contain movable valves that are encapsulated in a movable housing unlike conventional valves that are stationary. The movable housing allows the valve to move along the axis of the introducer. As the movable valve and housing travel along the axis, a portion of the hub protrudes past the valve and is exposed. The protruding portion of the hub contains a friction-free pathway for the catheter into the sheath introducer. The introducers can therefore be used with any catheter, regardless of the size or material, because of the reduced or eliminated frictional force between the catheter and introducer.

Claims

1. A sheath introducer, comprising:

a non-stationary valve;

a non-stationary valve housing; and

a hub containing a valve penetration member.

2. The sheath introducer of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a substantially flexible material.

3. The sheath introducer of claim 1, wherein the valve housing and penetration member comprise a substantially rigid material.

4. The sheath introducer of claim 1, wherein the valve housing comprises two parts that are removably attached to each other.

5. The sheath introducer of claim 1, wherein the valve moves from a closed position to an open position where the valve is penetrated by the valve penetration member.

6. The sheath introducer of claim 5, wherein a portion of the penetration member extends above the valve after penetration.

7. The sheath introducer of claim 6, wherein the extended portion of the penetration member comprises a friction-reduced insertion port.

8. The sheath introducer of claim 1, the valve forming a seal around the penetration member in an open position.

9. A sheath introducer for a catheter, comprising:

a movable valve;

a movable valve housing; and

a hub containing a valve penetration member.

10. The sheath introducer of claim 9, wherein the valve moves from a closed position to an open position where the valve is penetrated by the valve penetration member.

11. The sheath introducer of claim 10, wherein a portion of the valve penetration member extends above the valve after penetration.

12. The sheath introducer of claim 11, wherein the extended portion of the penetration member comprises a friction-reduced insertion port.

13. The sheath introducer of claim 9, the valve forming a seal around the penetration member in an open position.

14. A system for inserting a catheter into a body, the system comprising a sheath introducer containing:

a movable valve;

a movable valve housing; and

a hub containing a valve penetration member.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the valve moves from a closed position to an open position where the valve is penetrated by the valve penetration member, with a portion of the valve penetration member extending above the valve after penetration and the valve forming a seal around the penetration member in the open position.

16. The sheath introducer of claim 15, wherein the extended portion of the penetration member comprises a friction-reduced insertion port.

17. A method for making a sheath introducer, the method comprising:

providing a non-stationary valve;

providing a non-stationary valve housing; and

providing a hub containing a valve penetration member.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the valve moves from a closed position to an open position where the valve is penetrated by the valve penetration member, with a portion of the valve penetration member extending above the valve after penetration and the valve forming a seal around the penetration member in the open position.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the extended portion of the penetration member comprises a friction-reduced insertion port.

20. A method for inserting a catheter into the body, the method comprising:

inserting a tear away sheath introducer into a portion of the body, the introducer containing a movable valve, a movable valve housing, and a hub containing a valve penetration member; and

inserting a catheter through the introducer.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the valve moves from a closed position to an open position where the valve is penetrated by the valve penetration member, with a portion of the valve penetration member extending above the valve after penetration and the valve forming a seal around the penetration member in the open position.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the extended portion of the penetration member comprises a friction-reduced insertion port.

23. A method for inserting a catheter into the body, the method comprising:

inserting a tear away sheath introducer into a portion of the body, the introducer containing a dilator, a movable valve, a movable valve housing, and a hub containing a valve penetration member; and

removing the dilator;

inserting a catheter through the movable valve; and

removing the introducer.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the valve moves from a closed position to an open position where the valve is penetrated by the valve penetration member.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein a portion of the valve penetration member extends above the valve in the open position and the valve forms a seal around the penetration member in the open position.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the extended portion of the penetration member comprises a friction-reduced insertion port.