REDUCED-FRICTION CATHETER INTRODUCER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AND USING THE SAME

• US 20070123825A1
• Filed: 09/13/2006
• Published: 05/31/2007
• 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 8,932,260 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/160
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0046 Coatings for improving slidability
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0668 splittable, tear apart

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 that 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. As well, the sheath introducers can also contain a stationary valve and housing that can be opened to expose a portion of the hub when a conduit penetrates the stationary valve. In both instances, the protruding portion of the hub contains a friction-free pathway for a 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 stationary valve;

a valve housing; and

conduit means within the valve housing, wherein the conduit means can move to open the valve.

2. The sheath introducer of claim 1, wherein the conduit means can move from a first position in which the valve is closed to a second position in which the valve is open.

3. The sheath introducer of claim 1, wherein the conduit means comprises a substantially rigid material.

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

5. The sheath introducer of claim 1, wherein a bottom portion of the conduit means comprises a tip to pierce the valve and open it.

6. The sheath introducer of claim 1, wherein a top portion of conduit means comprises a substantially conical shape.

7. The sheath introducer of claim 1, the conduit means comprises a friction-reduced insertion port.

8. The sheath introducer of claim 1, wherein the valve forms a seal around the conduit means when it is in an open position.

9. A sheath introducer for a catheter, comprising:

a stationary valve;

a valve housing; and

conduit means within the valve housing, wherein the conduit means can move to open the valve.

10. The sheath introducer of claim 9, wherein the conduit means can move from a first position in which the valve is closed to a second position in which the valve is open.

11. The sheath introducer of claim 9, wherein the conduit means comprises a friction-reduced insertion port.

12. The sheath introducer of claim 11, wherein a bottom portion of the conduit means comprises a tip to pierce the valve and open it and a top portion of conduit means comprises a substantially conical shape.

13. The sheath introducer of claim 9, wherein the valve forms a seal around the conduit means when it is in an open position.

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

a stationary valve;

a valve housing; and

conduit means within the valve housing, wherein the conduit can move to open the valve.

15. The sheath introducer of claim 14, wherein the conduit means can move from a first position in which the valve is closed to a second position in which the valve is open.

16. The sheath introducer of claim 14, wherein the conduit means comprises a friction-reduced insertion port for the catheter.

17. The sheath introducer of claim 16, wherein a bottom portion of the conduit means comprises a tip to pierce the valve and open it and a top portion of conduit means comprises a substantially conical shape.

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

providing a stationary valve;

providing a valve housing; and

providing conduit means within the valve housing, wherein the conduit means can move to open the valve.

19. The method of claim 18, including providing the conduit means with a friction-reduced insertion port for the catheter.

20. The method of claim 18, including providing a bottom portion of the conduit means with a tip to pierce the valve and open it and providing a top portion of conduit means with a substantial conical shape.

21. 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 stationary valve, a valve housing, and conduit means within the valve housing, wherein the conduit means can move to open the valve; and

inserting a catheter through the introducer.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the conduit means moves from a first position in which the valve is closed to a second position in which the valve is open.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the conduit means comprises a friction-reduced insertion port for the catheter.

24. 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 stationary valve, a valve housing, and a conduit within the valve housing, wherein the conduit means can move to open the valve;

removing the dilator;

inserting a catheter through the conduit means; and

removing the introducer.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the conduit means can move from a first position in which the valve is closed to a second position in which the valve is open.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the conduit means comprises a friction-reduced insertion port for the catheter.

27. A sheath introducer, comprising:

a sheath hub; and

a sheath cap containing extensions having a configuration substantially matching the sheath hub;

wherein the extensions of the sheath cap and the sheath hub enclose a portion of the sheath between them.

28. The introducer of claim 27, wherein the extensions contain ridges that substantially match notches in the sheath hub.

29. The introducer of claim 28, wherein the ridges and the notches enclose the portion of the sheath.

30. The introducer of claim 27, wherein the sheath cap and the sheath hub can be attached to each other and retain the portion of the sheath.