Vascular introducer sheath and hemostasis valve for use therewith
First Claim
1. A vascular introducer sheath for use with a vascular access system, the vascular introducer sheath comprising:
- a tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and
a hemostasis valve assembly connected to the proximal end of the tubular shaft, the hemostasis valve assembly including a hub having a longitudinal axis and a continuous contact surface, a cap having a continuous contact surface, and a gasket disposed therebetween defining a contact area with the hub and the cap, wherein at least one of the contact surfaces forms a non-orthogonal angle with longitudinal axis to cause the gasket to become curved in response to compression between the hub and the cap and wherein the continuous contact surface of the hub and the continuous contact surface of the cap have parallel contact anglesin cross-section which are the same throughout the contact area of the gasket with the hub and the cap to uniformly distribute forces onto the gasket and to avoid stress concentration points.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vascular introducer sheath including a tubular shaft and a hemostasis valve assembly connected to the proximal end thereof. The hemostasis valve assembly includes a hub, a cap and a normally-flat gasket disposed therebetween. Both the hub and the cap include continuous curved contact surfaces facing the top and bottom surfaces of the gasket. The continuous contact surfaces may be flat or gently curved and may be smooth or include a means to grip the gasket. At least one of the contact surfaces is formed at an angle to cause the gasket to become convex or concave in response to compression between the hub and the cap. The continuous contact surfaces uniformly distribute forces onto the perimeter of the gasket to avoid stress concentration points that may compromise gasket integrity. In addition, the continuous contact surfaces reduce the amount of pressure necessary to impart the curved shape of the gasket.
239 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A vascular introducer sheath for use with a vascular access system, the vascular introducer sheath comprising:
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a tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and
a hemostasis valve assembly connected to the proximal end of the tubular shaft, the hemostasis valve assembly including a hub having a longitudinal axis and a continuous contact surface, a cap having a continuous contact surface, and a gasket disposed therebetween defining a contact area with the hub and the cap, wherein at least one of the contact surfaces forms a non-orthogonal angle with longitudinal axis to cause the gasket to become curved in response to compression between the hub and the cap and wherein the continuous contact surface of the hub and the continuous contact surface of the cap have parallel contact anglesin cross-section which are the same throughout the contact area of the gasket with the hub and the cap to uniformly distribute forces onto the gasket and to avoid stress concentration points. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A hemostasis valve assembly for use with a vascular introducer sheath, the hemostasis valve assembly comprising:
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a hub having a continuous contact surface and a longitudinal axis;
a cap co-axially disposed about the hub, the cap having a continuous contact surface; and
a gasket disposed between the hub and cap defining a contact area with the hub and the cap, the gasket having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface disposed adjacent the contact surface of the cap and the bottom surface disposed adjacent the contact surface of the hub, wherein the contact surface of the hub forms a non-orthogonal angle with longitudinal axis to cause the gasket to become curved in response to compression between the hub and the cap, and wherein the continuous contact surface of the hub and the continuous contact surface of the cap have parallel contact angles in cross-section which are the same throughout the contact area of the gasket with the hub and the cap to uniformly distribute forces onto the gasket and to avoid stress concentration points. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification