Splittable lead introducer with mechanical opening valve
First Claim
1. An introducer for introducing a lead or catheter comprising:
- an introducer sheath having a hollow cylindrical body configured to permit the introduction of a lead or catheter therethrough, said sheath open at its proximal and distal ends;
a tab disposed at the proximal end of said introducer sheath, extending radially outward therefrom;
sliding valve means disposed on said tab, said sliding valve means adapted to slide from a first, open position wherein a forward end of said sliding valve means is disposed over said tab, to a second, closed position wherein said forward end of said sliding valve means is disposed over said open proximal end of said introducer sheath;
such that said sliding valve means, in said closed position, substantially prevents the passage of air and blood through said introducer sheath; and
means for permitting removal of said introducer from said lead or catheter without requiring said introducer to be removed over an end of said lead or catheter.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A transvenous lead introducer having a mechanical valve assembly disposed thereon. In a preferred embodiment, a longitudinally splittable introducer sheath is provided with a sliding valve at or near one end. The sliding valve may be spring-biased to a normally closed position. A semicircular notch may be provided in the forward end of the sliding valve, so that the sheath may be effectively sealed even when a guide wire runs through the sheath. In an alternative embodiment, the sliding valve is adapted to have its forward end inserted into a notch in the cylindrical sheath body. The mechanical valve assembly is further configured to permit use with a splittable lead introducer sheath.
227 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An introducer for introducing a lead or catheter comprising:
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an introducer sheath having a hollow cylindrical body configured to permit the introduction of a lead or catheter therethrough, said sheath open at its proximal and distal ends; a tab disposed at the proximal end of said introducer sheath, extending radially outward therefrom; sliding valve means disposed on said tab, said sliding valve means adapted to slide from a first, open position wherein a forward end of said sliding valve means is disposed over said tab, to a second, closed position wherein said forward end of said sliding valve means is disposed over said open proximal end of said introducer sheath; such that said sliding valve means, in said closed position, substantially prevents the passage of air and blood through said introducer sheath; and means for permitting removal of said introducer from said lead or catheter without requiring said introducer to be removed over an end of said lead or catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An introducer system for introducing a lead or catheter into a body comprising:
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an introducer sheath having a hollow body configured to permit the introduction of a lead or catheter therethrough, said introducer sheath open at its proximal and distal ends; a member disposed at the proximal end of said introducer sheath, extending radially outward therefrom; sliding valve means disposed on said member, said sliding valve means adapted to slide from a first, open position wherein a forward end of said sliding valve means is disposed over said member, to a second, closed position wherein said forward end is disposed over said open proximal end of said introducer sheath such that said sliding valve means, in said closed position, substantially prevents the passage of air and blood through said sheath; means for permitting removal of said introducer sheath and said sliding valve means from said lead or catheter without requiring said introducer sheath and said sliding valve means to be removed over an end of said lead or catheter; and a dilator removably inserted in said introducer sheath, having a conically tapered end and a flared endpiece adapted to facilitate insertion of a guidewire into said dilator, said dilator being adapted to be inserted, tapered end first, into the proximal end of said introducer sheath, such that said flared endpiece is brought into contact with said member. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. An introducer system for introducing a lead or catheter into a body comprising:
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a longitudinally separable introducer sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, said introducer sheath further having a lumen extending therethrough, said lumen configured to permit a lead or catheter to be positioned therethrough; separable valve means positioned on said proximal end of said introducer sheath, said valve means adapted to slide from a first, open position wherein said valve means is disposed away from said lumen, to a second, closed position wherein said valve means is disposed over said lumen such that said valve means, in said closed position, substantially prevents the passage of air and blood through said introducer sheath; and a vessel dilator removably inserted in said introducer sheath, said dilator having a hollow body, said dilator having a first end and a second end, said first end being tapered and having an endpiece and adapted to facilitate insertion of a guidewire into said dilator, said dilator being adapted to be inserted, said first end first, into said proximal end of said introducer sheath. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. An introducer system for introducing a lead or catheter comprising:
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an introducer sheath having a hollow cylindrical body, said sheath open at its proximal and distal ends; a tab disposed at the proximal end of said introducer sheath; a sliding valve member disposed on said tab, said sliding valve member slidable from a first position, wherein a forward end of said sliding valve member is disposed over said tab, to a second position, wherein said forward end of said sliding valve member is disposed over said open proximal end of said introducer sheath; and means for permitting removal of said introducer system from said lead or catheter without requiring said introducer system to be removed over an end of said lead or catheter. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An introducer system for introducing a lead or catheter into a body comprising:
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a longitudinally separable introducer sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, said introducer sheath further having a lumen extending therethrough, said lumen configured to permit a lead or catheter to be positioned therethrough; and longitudinally separable valve means positioned on said proximal end of said introducer sheath, said valve means adapted to slide from a first, open position wherein said valve means is disposed away from said lumen, to a second, closed position wherein said valve means is disposed over said lumen such that said valve means, in said closed position, substantially prevents the passage of air and blood through said introducer sheath. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification