Reduced-friction catheter introducer and method of manufacturing and using the same
First Claim
1. A sheath introducer for a catheter, comprising:
- a hub including a splittable valve penetration member that forms a friction-reduced port for insertion of the catheter through the sheath introducer;
a valve housing movable with respect to the hub; and
a valve positioned in the valve housing biased in a closed position to prevent fluid flow therethrough, the valve comprising;
a base including an opening;
a closed upper surface including a slit; and
a channel extending from the base opening to the upper surface, the channel abutting an outer surface of the splittable valve penetration member in the closed position,wherein movement of the valve housing with respect to the hub transitions the valve from the closed position to an open position.
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Accused Products
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.
435 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A sheath introducer for a catheter, comprising:
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a hub including a splittable valve penetration member that forms a friction-reduced port for insertion of the catheter through the sheath introducer; a valve housing movable with respect to the hub; and a valve positioned in the valve housing biased in a closed position to prevent fluid flow therethrough, the valve comprising; a base including an opening; a closed upper surface including a slit; and a channel extending from the base opening to the upper surface, the channel abutting an outer surface of the splittable valve penetration member in the closed position, wherein movement of the valve housing with respect to the hub transitions the valve from the closed position to an open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for inserting a catheter into a body, the system comprising a sheath introducer comprising:
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a hub including a splittable valve penetration member comprising one or more stress risers; and a valve housing movable with respect to the hub, the valve housing including a valve biased in a closed position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for inserting a catheter into a body, the method comprising:
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providing a tear away sheath introducer, comprising; a sheath; a sheath hub coupled to a proximal end of the sheath, the sheath hub including a splittable valve penetration member; a valve housing coupled to the sheath hub, the valve housing including a valve, the valve comprising; a base including an opening; a closed upper surface including a slit; and a channel extending from the base opening to the upper surface, the channel abutting an outer surface of the splittable valve penetration member; inserting a distal portion of the sheath into the body; moving the valve housing with respect to the sheath hub to cause the splittable valve penetration member to penetrate the closed upper surface of the valve through the slit; and inserting the catheter into an opening of the splittable valve penetration member extending through the closed upper surface of the valve, through the tear away sheath introducer, and into the body. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification