Methods and apparatus for inhibiting introduction of air into the vasculature during a percutaneous procedure

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for inhibiting the introduction of air into the body during a percutaneous procedure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a device defining a distal end and a proximal end and including a distal hemostasis valve associated with the distal end, a proximal hemostasis valve associated with the proximal end, an instrument passage lumen located between the hemostasis valves and defining a degassing region with a distal end and a proximal end, an inlet port in fluid communication with degassing region distal end and an outlet port in fluid communication with degassing region proximal end;   a source of fluid; and   a supply line having a first end in fluid communication with the fluid source and a second end in fluid communication with the inlet port.   
     
     
         2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the fluid source comprise a container at least partially filled with fluid; and   the system further comprises a return line having a first end in fluid communication with the outlet port and a second end in fluid communication with the container such that fluid flowing through the outlet port is discharged into the container.   
     
     
         3 . A system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the return line is at least partially disposed coaxially within the supply line. 
     
     
         4 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a circulation pump along the supply line.   
     
     
         5 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the device comprises an introducer sheath including a proximal handle and a guide sheath that defines the instrument passage lumen; and   the inlet and outlet ports are associated with the handle.   
     
     
         6 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the degassing region distal end abuts the distal hemostasis valve; and   the degassing region proximal end abuts the proximal hemostasis valve.   
     
     
         7 . A system, comprising:
 a device defining a distal end and a proximal end and including a proximal hemostasis valve associated with the proximal end, an instrument passage lumen extending through the device and defining a perimeter and a degassing region with a distal end and a proximal end, an inlet port that delivers fluid into degassing region from a plurality of locations around the perimeter of the instrument passage lumen and an outlet port in fluid communication with degassing region proximal end   a container at least partially filled with a fluid;   a supply line having a first end in fluid communication with the fluid container and a second end in fluid communication with inlet port; and   a return line having a first end in fluid communication with the instrument passage lumen and a second in fluid communication with the fluid container.   
     
     
         8 . A system as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a circulation pump operatively coupled to the supply line.   
     
     
         9 . A system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein
 the device comprises an introducer sheath including a proximal handle and a guide sheath that defines the instrument passage lumen; and   the inlet and outlet ports are associated with the handle.   
     
     
         10 . A system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the return line is at least partially disposed coaxially within the supply line. 
     
     
         11 . A system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the inlet port includes an annular lumen that extends around the perimeter of the instrument passage and a plurality of spaced openings that are connected to the annular lumen. 
     
     
         12 . A system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the inlet port is associated with the distal end of the degassing region. 
     
     
         13 . A system as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a distal hemostasis valve associated with the distal end of the device.   
     
     
         14 . A method for inhibiting the introduction of air into a body passage during a percutaneous procedure, the method comprising the step of:
 pushing air bubbles out of a vascular access device by circulating a fluid in only an antegrade direction in a proximal portion of the vascular access device to an outlet port.   
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:
 supply fluid from a container to the vascular access device; and   returning fluid from the outlet port to the container.   
     
     
         17 . A device for use in a vascular access procedure, the device comprising:
 a housing defining a distal end and a proximal end and having an instrument passage lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end;   a distal hemostasis valve associated with the distal end of the housing;   a proximal hemostasis valve associated with the proximal end of the housing;   an inlet port associated with the housing distal end, proximal of the distal hemostasis valve and in fluid communication with the instrument passage lumen; and   an outlet port proximal of the inlet port and in fluid communication with the instrument passage lumen.   
     
     
         18 . A device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein
 the instrument passage lumen defines a longitudinal axis and a perimeter that extends around the longitudinal axis; and   the inlet port delivers fluid from a plurality of locations around the perimeter of the instrument passage lumen.   
     
     
         19 . A device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the inlet port includes an annular lumen that extends around the perimeter of the instrument passage lumen and a plurality of spaced openings that are connected to the annular lumen. 
     
     
         20 . A device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the inlet port is associated with the distal end of the instrument passage lumen. 
     
     
         21 . A device as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising:
 at least one brush located within the instrument passage lumen.   
     
     
         22 . A device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein
 the housing comprises a vascular access device handle; and   the instrument passage lumen is defined by a sheath having a portion thereof within the vascular access device handle.   
     
     
         23 . A device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the housing is configured to be secured to a vascular access device.