Large-diameter introducer sheath having hemostasis valve and removable steering mechanism

US6338725B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Medtronic Ave, Inc. · US

Inventors

• George D. Hermann · Los Gatos, US
• Kirsten Freislinger · Menlo Park, US
• Steven Kim · Los Altos, US
• Jay A. Lenker · Laguna Beach, US
• Michael A. Evans · Palo Alto, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 23, 1998
• Grant date: Jan 15, 2002
• Expiry date: Sep 23, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2210/127
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A catheter introducing system includes an introducer catheter comprising a flexible sheath having a hemostasis valve and an obturator having a steering mechanism operated by a proximal actuator handle. The catheter introducer system will usually be introduced with the obturator inside of the flexible sheath so that the obturator can effect steering by laterally deflecting the distal end of the combined sheath and obturator. Such catheter introducing systems are particularly useful for large diameter sheaths which are not readily introduced over guide wires. A first exemplary hemostasis valve comprises a compressed foam insert having an axial lumen therein. A second exemplary hemostasis valve comprises an elastomeric insert which receives and seals over the catheter.