Abstract: A method is provided for operating a vascular closure device assembly that includes a sheath having a sheath main body defining a beveled distal end and a sheath mounting portion, a housing within which the sheath mounting portion is disposed, and a dilator engaging the sheath through the housing. The method includes: inserting at least a portion of the dilator into the housing such that the dilator moves the sheath into a first configuration in which a tip of the beveled distal end is located on a side corresponding to a side of a vessel in which an opening is located; inserting the tip into the vessel; and displacing the dilator axially away from the housing such that the dilator causes the sheath to rotate move into a second configuration in which the tip of the beveled distal end is located on a side opposite the side of the vessel.

Abstract: A vascular closure device assembly, comprises a sheath comprising: a sheath main body defining a channel therethrough, a sheath engagement portion, and a sheath mounting portion located at a proximal end of the sheath main body. The assembly comprises a housing within which the sheath mounting portion is secured such that the sheath is rotatable relative to the housing, and such that the housing inhibits axial displacement of the sheath relative to the housing. The assembly also includes a dilator comprising a dilator main body, and a dilator engagement portion extending from the dilator main body towards the sheath. The dilator engagement portion is configured to engage the sheath engagement portion such that axial displacement of the dilator relative to the sheath causes the sheath to rotate relative to the housing, and wherein the housing is configured to inhibit axial displacement of the sheath during rotation.

Abstract: A vascular closure device assembly, comprises a sheath comprising: a sheath main body defining a channel therethrough, a sheath engagement portion, and a sheath mounting portion located at a proximal end of the sheath main body. The assembly comprises a housing within which the sheath mounting portion is secured such that the sheath is rotatable relative to the housing, and such that the housing inhibits axial displacement of the sheath relative to the housing. The assembly also includes a dilator comprising a dilator main body, and a dilator engagement portion extending from the dilator main body towards the sheath. The dilator engagement portion is configured to engage the sheath engagement portion such that axial displacement of the dilator relative to the sheath causes the sheath to rotate relative to the housing, and wherein the housing is configured to inhibit axial displacement of the sheath during rotation.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging catheter has flexibility at a distal end and has relatively high rigidity at a proximal end while avoiding an increase in outer diameter of a sheath. The diagnostic imaging catheter includes a rotatable drive shaft having a distal portion provided with an ultrasound transducer, a sheath in which the drive shaft is positioned and which extends in an axial direction, and a rigidity changing part provided inside the sheath and configured to make the rigidity of the drive shaft higher at the proximal end than at the distal end.