Transapical introducer

Abstract

A transapical introducer includes a housing near a proximal end of the introducer, a first valve in the housing, a proximal tube coupled to the housing, and a distal tube coupled to a distal end of the proximal tube.

1 . An introducer comprising:
 a housing near a proximal end of the introducer;   a foam seal located in the housing;   a flexible proximal tube coupled to the housing; and   a rigid distal tube coupled to a distal end of the proximal tube;   wherein the proximal tube is more flexible than the distal tube and is capable of being clamped to prevent fluid flow therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The introducer of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal tube is translucent. 
     
     
         3 . The introducer of  claim 1 , wherein the foam seal includes a first slit on a first surface of the foam seal and a second slit on a second surface of the foam seal, the first surface being opposite the second surface and the first slit being generally perpendicular to the second slit. 
     
     
         4 . The introducer of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a shoulder and a housing cap, the foam seal being positioned between the shoulder and the housing cap. 
     
     
         5 . The introducer of  claim 4 , wherein the housing further comprises at least one foam seal retaining element. 
     
     
         6 . The introducer of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one foam seal retaining element is a spike extending radially inward from the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The introducer of  claim 4 , wherein the housing further comprises a plurality of spikes spaced circumferentially around an inside of the housing, each of the plurality of spikes extending radially inward from the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The introducer of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal tube is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyfluoroethylene, polyurethane, and polyethylene. 
     
     
         9 . The introducer of  claim 1 , wherein the distal tube is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, carbon reinforced nylon, and composite wound tubing. 
     
     
         10 . The introducer of  claim 1 , wherein the distal tube is formed of a material with a modulus of elasticity greater than about 10 GPa. 
     
     
         11 . The introducer of  claim 10 , wherein the modulus of elasticity of the material forming the distal tube is greater than about 40 GPa. 
     
     
         12 . The introducer of  claim 11 , wherein the modulus of elasticity of the material forming the distal tube is greater than about 100 GPa. 
     
     
         13 . The introducer of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal tube is formed of a material with a modulus of elasticity between about 0.35 GPa and about 1.75 GPa. 
     
     
         14 . The introducer of  claim 13 , wherein the modulus of elasticity of the material forming the proximal tube is between about 0.5 GPa and about 1 GPa. 
     
     
         15 . An introducer comprising:
 an introducer housing near a proximal end of the introducer;   a first tube coupled to the introducer housing;   a valve housing on the first tube; and   a flap hingedly connected to the valve housing, the flap having a first closed position and a second open position;   wherein, when in the first closed position, a proximal end of the first tube is fluidly sealed from a distal end of the first tube and, when in the second open position, the proximal end of the first tube is in fluid communication with the distal end of the first tube.   
     
     
         16 . The introducer of  claim 15 , wherein the flap is connected to the valve housing by a pin. 
     
     
         17 . The introducer of  claim 15 , wherein a biasing mechanism biases the flap toward the first closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The introducer of  claim 17 , wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring. 
     
     
         19 . The introducer of  claim 15 , further comprising a second tube coupled to a distal portion of the first tube. 
     
     
         20 . The introducer of  claim 19 , wherein the first tube is translucent.