Catheter introducer with fluid chamber valve
First Claim
1. A catheter introducer which comprises a tubular sheath having an axis, and a housing carried on one end of said sheath, said housing enclosing a fluid-filled chamber large enough to permit said catheter to extend through said chamber, said chamber carrying a pair of valves aligned along said axis and communicating with said fluid-filled chamber, said valves serving to substantially retain said fluid within said housing while allowing a catheter to pass through said valves and through said tubular sheath, whereby said valves and fluid-filled chamber prevent the backflow of blood both in the presence and the absence of a catheter extending through said valves.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter introducer comprises a tubular sheath having an axis, and a housing carried on one end of the sheath. The housing encloses a fluid-filled chamber and carries a pair of valves aligned along the axis, the valves being at opposed ends of the fluid-filled chamber and communicating therewith. The valves serve to substantially retain the fluid within the housing, while allowing a catheter to pass through the valves and through the tubular sheath. The fluid of the chamber is preferably a gel or high viscosity liquid. The valves and fluid-filled chamber prevent the backflow of blood both in the presence and the absence of a catheter or the like extending through the valves and chamber.
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Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A catheter introducer which comprises a tubular sheath having an axis, and a housing carried on one end of said sheath, said housing enclosing a fluid-filled chamber large enough to permit said catheter to extend through said chamber, said chamber carrying a pair of valves aligned along said axis and communicating with said fluid-filled chamber, said valves serving to substantially retain said fluid within said housing while allowing a catheter to pass through said valves and through said tubular sheath, whereby said valves and fluid-filled chamber prevent the backflow of blood both in the presence and the absence of a catheter extending through said valves.
- 7. A catheter introducer which comprises a tubular sheath having an axis, and a housing carried on one end of said sheath, said housing enclosing a fluid-filled chamber large enough to permit said catheter to extend through said chamber, said chamber carrying a pair of tricuspid valves aligned along said axis on opposed ends of the fluid-filled chamber and communicating with said fluid-filled chamber, said valves serving to substantially retain said fluid within said housing while allowing a catheter to pass through said tricuspid valves and through said tubular sheath, said fluid of the fluid-filled chamber being a hydrophobic gel, whereby said valves and fluid-filled chamber prevent the backflow of blood both in the presence and in the absence of a catheter extending through said valves.
- 11. A catheter introducer which comprises a tubular sheath having an axis, and a housing carried on one end of said sheath, said housing enclosing a fluid-filled chamber large enough to permit said catheter to extend through said chamber, said chamber carrying a pair of valves aligned along said axis on opposed ends of said fluid-filled chamber, said valves communicating with said fluid-filled chamber, said valves serving to substantially retain said fluid within the housing while allowing a catheter to pass through said valves and through said tubular sheath, said fluid comprising a hydrophobic fluid, whereby said valves and fluid-filled chamber prevent the backflow of blood both in the presence and the absence of a catheter extending through said valves.
Specification