Valve for dilator and sheath assembly

Abstract

A sheath assembly includes an elongated hollow sheath body having a proximal body end, a distal body end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal body end and the distal body end. A sheath hub is fixedly connected to the proximal body end and includes a hub proximal end and a hub distal end with a through passage extending from the hub distal end to the hub proximal end and in communication with the hollow sheath body. The sheath hub further defining a valve seat proximate the hub proximal end. A valve is seated in the valve seat and includes a valve body with a bisecting slot extending into a proximal surface of the valve body and terminating at a depth less than the thickness of the valve body such that the remaining portion of the valve body distally of the slot defines a bridge extending between opposed halves of the valve body such that a distal surface of the valve body is substantially continuous, the valve extending across and sealing the through passage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A valve for sealing the hub of a sheath assembly, the valve comprising a valve body with a bisecting slot extending into a proximal surface of the valve body and terminating at a depth less than the thickness of the valve body such that the remaining portion of the valve body distally of the slot defines a bridge extending between opposed halves of the valve body such that a distal surface of the valve body is substantially continuous. 
     
     
         2 . The valve according to  claim 1  wherein a central portion of the proximal surface of the valve body is concave. 
     
     
         3 . The valve according to  claim 2  wherein the valve body includes a groove in the distal surface extending about the central portion. 
     
     
         4 . The valve according to  claim 2  wherein a portion of the distal surface of the valve body opposite the concave proximal portion is convex. 
     
     
         5 . The valve according to  claim 1  wherein a sealing slit extends through the valve body from the proximal surface of the valve body to the distal surface of the valve body. 
     
     
         6 . The valve according to  claim 5  wherein the sealing slit extends at an angle between 45° to 135° relative to the bisecting slot. 
     
     
         7 . The valve according to  claim 6  wherein the sealing slit extends at an angle of approximately 90° relative to the bisecting slot. 
     
     
         8 . The valve according to  claim 5  wherein the sealing slit extends at an angle between 20° to 70° relative to a longitudinal axis of the valve body. 
     
     
         9 . The valve according to  claim 8  wherein the sealing slit extends at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the longitudinal axis of the valve body. 
     
     
         10 . The valve according to  claim 8  wherein a proximal opening of the sealing slit is on one side of the longitudinal axis and a distal exit of the sealing slit is on an opposite side of the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . The valve according to  claim 1  wherein the valve body includes a plurality of post receiving apertures extending into the distal surface of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The valve according to  claim 10  wherein the post receiving apertures are in a non-symmetrical pattern relative to at least one axis of the valve body. 
     
     
         13 . The valve according to  claim 11  wherein the post receiving apertures are in a non-symmetrical pattern relative to each axis of the valve body. 
     
     
         14 . A sheath assembly comprising:
 an elongated hollow sheath body having a proximal body end, a distal body end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal body end and the distal body end;   a sheath hub fixedly connected to the proximal body end, the sheath hub having a hub proximal end and a hub distal end and defining a through passage extending from the hub distal end to the hub proximal end and in communication with the hollow sheath body, the sheath hub further defining a valve seat in proximity to the hub proximal end;   a valve according to  claim 1  seated in the valve seat and extending across and sealing the through passage; and   one or more cap members secured to the sheath hub proximal end such that the valve is retained in the valve seat.   
     
     
         15 . The sheath assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the sheath body includes at least one tear seam extending in a plane between the proximal body end and the distal body end and the sheath hub includes at least one longitudinal notch, and wherein the at least one tear seam, the at least one longitudinal notch and the bisecting slot are co-planar. 
     
     
         16 . The sheath assembly of  claim 14  wherein the one or more cap members define a depending skirt configured to receive a proximal portion of the sheath hub therein and wherein the skirt and hub have interlocking tabs and recesses to secure the one or more cap members to the hub. 
     
     
         17 . The sheath assembly of  claim 14  wherein the valve includes a groove in the proximal surface of the valve body and a portion of the one or more cap members is received in the groove. 
     
     
         18 . A dilator and sheath assembly comprising:
 a dilator including an elongated dilator stem having a proximal dilator end and a dilator hub fixedly connected to the proximal dilator end, wherein the dilator hub includes a locking portion at a distal portion thereof; and   a sheath assembly according to  claim 14  wherein the at least one cap member defines a mating locking portion such that the locking portion of the dilator hub and the mating locking portion of the cap provide a releasably locking engagement between the dilator and the sheath.   
     
     
         19 . The dilator and sheath assembly of  claim 18  wherein the locking portion of the dilator hub and the mating locking portion of the cap are rotated between the locking engagement and a non-locking engagement. 
     
     
         20 . The dilator and sheath assembly of  claim 19  wherein the locking portion of the dilator hub and the mating locking portion of the cap have a ramped engagement therebetween.