Introducer sheath and methods

Abstract

A medical device for accessing body tissue or fluid is disclosed. The medical device may include an introducer sheath and a valve that impedes the flow of fluid through the introducer sheath. An assembly for selectively coupling components of a medical device is also disclosed. The assembly may comprise two components configured to engage with one another by at least a snap fit-type connection. This connection may facilitate disengagement of the two components via actuation of a release mechanism.

1 . An introducer sheath for use during a percutaneous biopsy procedure, the introducer sheath comprising:
 a first elongate member comprising a lumen that extends through the first elongate member, the lumen configured to accommodate a portion of a second elongate member; and   a first hub disposed adjacent a proximal end of the first elongate member, the first hub configured to selectively couple to the second elongate member;   wherein the lumen extends through the first hub.   
     
     
         2 . The introducer sheath of  claim 1 , wherein the first hub is configured to selectively couple to the second elongate member via a snap fit-type connection. 
     
     
         3 . The introducer sheath of  claim 2 , wherein the first elongate member is configured to disengage from the second elongate member in response to actuation of a release mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The introducer sheath of  claim 3 , wherein the release mechanism comprises one or more depressible members. 
     
     
         5 . The introducer sheath of  claim 4 , wherein the first elongate member is configured to disengage from the second elongate member without rotation of the first elongate member relative to the second elongate member. 
     
     
         6 . The introducer sheath  claim 5 , wherein the first hub comprises a component configured to function as a portion of a detent. 
     
     
         7 . The introducer sheath of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first elongate member comprises a rigid hypotube; and   the introducer sheath is not configured for use in vascular procedures.   
     
     
         8 . A hub assembly for selectively coupling two components of a medical device, the hub assembly comprising:
 a first component comprising a first lumen and a proximal end; and   a second component comprising a distal region configured to frictionally engage the proximal end of the first component;   wherein disposition of the distal region of the second component into engagement with the proximal end of the first component couples the second component to the first component via at least a snap fit-type connection.   
     
     
         9 . The hub assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the snap fit-type connection comprises a detent. 
     
     
         10 . The hub assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the second component is configured to disengage from the first component in response to actuation of a release mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The hub assembly  claim 10 , wherein the first component comprises a first elongate member configured to be percutaneously inserted into a patient and the second component comprises a second elongate member configured to be at least partially disposed within the first elongate member. 
     
     
         12 . The hub assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first component comprises a valve configured to restrict fluid movement from the first lumen across the valve. 
     
     
         13 . A method of selectively coupling components of an introducer sheath, the method comprising:
 obtaining an introducer sheath, the introducer sheath comprising a first elongate member, wherein a lumen extends through the first elongate member;   disposing a second elongate member relative to the first elongate member, such that a portion of the second elongate member is disposed within the lumen; and   coupling the second elongate member to the first elongate member by longitudinally translating the second elongate member with respect to the first elongate member.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein coupling the second elongate member to the first elongate member is done only by translating the second elongate member longitudinally with respect to the first elongate member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein coupling the second elongate member to the first elongate member comprises translating the second elongate member longitudinally with respect to the first elongate member and compressing a portion of the second elongate member. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising uncoupling the second elongate member from the first elongate member. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein uncoupling the second elongate member from the first elongate member does not comprise rotating the second elongate member relative to the first elongate member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein uncoupling the second elongate member from the first elongate member comprises depressing a depressible button. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein uncoupling the second elongate member from the first elongate member is performed with one hand.