Abstract: A device and method for slitting a first elongated flexible catheter/sheath used with an elongated flexible component. The device includes a handle, an elongated groove and a cutter member. The cutter member has a sharp distally located cutting edge and a top surface from which a finger projects distally. The cutting edge is located under the finger and is arranged to be located within the annular space between the component and the first catheter/sheath when the first catheter/sheath is within the groove. The cutting edge serves to slice the first catheter/sheath longitudinally when the first catheter/sheath is pulled in a proximal direction. The finger protects the component from injury.

Abstract: A device and method for slitting a first elongated flexible catheter/sheath used with an elongated flexible component. The device includes a handle, an elongated groove and a cutter member. The cutter member has a sharp distally located cutting edge and a top surface from which a finger projects distally. The cutting edge is located under the finger and is arranged to be located within the annular space between the component and the first catheter/sheath when the first catheter/sheath is within the groove. The cutting edge serves to slice the first catheter/sheath longitudinally when the first catheter/sheath is pulled in a proximal direction. The finger protects the component from injury.

Abstract: An introducer and hemostatic valve for improved torsional guidance and kink resistance includes an entirely circumferentially reinforced introducer connected directly to a valve body formed of a plurality of separable portions and housing a valve element in a central chamber thereof. The plurality of portions may be attached to the introducer during formation of the introducer, the valve body, or both. Alternatively, the plurality of portions may be attached to the introducer by assembly of the portions together in a surrounding relation to the introducer. In use, the plurality of portions are separated from each other and the introducer is cut along its length in order to withdraw the introducer and hemostatic valve over an enlarged proximal end of an access device as the introducer is pulled from the patient's body.

Abstract: A steerable sheath having an inner catheter that can slide and rotate within an outer rigid composite catheter and whereby an entire range of curvatures can be formed by the distal end of the inner catheter through sliding and/or rotating the inner catheter within the outer catheter. The inner catheter can be releasably locked within the outer catheter. Curvature indicia are provided on the inner sheath to facilitate creating a particular three-dimensional curve. Apertures are provided in the inner sheath to permit flushing the device with a single flushing source.

Abstract: A holding device and method of use with a peelable or otherwise splittable introducer sheath or catheter through which a cardiac pacing lead or other elongated flexible instrument extends into the body of a living being. The introducer is arranged to be grasped by a user to pull the introducer in the proximal direction so that can be withdrawn out of the being's body. The holding device comprises a first or “gripper” portion and a second or “splitter” portion. The gripper portion includes at least one gripping member, e.g., a pair of jaws or at least one recessed engagement surface, to grasp or frictionally engage a portion of the periphery of the elongated flexible member to enable the user to hold the pacing lead at a desired position within the being's body. The splitter portion of the holding device is arranged to cause the introducer to separate longitudinally, e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus for introducing a catheter percutaneously into the body of a living being. The apparatus comprises a tubular member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The proximal end portion is in the form of a hollow housing for a hemostatic valve assembly comprising a lubricant reservoir and a valve element. The reservoir is formed of a foam material impregnated with a lubricant liquid, e.g., silicone. The valve element is a disk-like member formed of resilient material, e.g., silicone impregnated with polydimethylsiloxane, located distally of the reservoir and has a openable passageway extending through it for the catheter to pass. The reservoir applies the lubricating fluid-in a controlled manner onto the catheter as it is passed through it, to thereby facilitate the passage of the catheter through the openable passageway in the valve element. The hollow housing is arranged to produce peripheral pressure on the valve element to facilitate its closure.

Abstract: An obturator for use with a conventional sheath introducer or any other tubular member providing access to the interior of the body of a living being. The obturator comprises a shaft in the form of an elongated rod-like element having a distal end. The rod-like element is formed of a first material, e.g., polyester based polyurethane, having a first durometer, e.g., 75 (Shore D). The distal end of the rod like element is in the form of a tip formed of a second material, e.g., aliphatic polyurethane, having a second durometer, e.g., 80 (Shore A), substantially less than that of the first material. The tip is a hollow tubular body having a domed free end. The distal end of the rod-like element includes an annular recess about its periphery which cooperates with the mating shaped hollow interior surface of the tip to secure the tip in place. A radiopaque material, e.g.

Abstract: A needleless device for introducing or withdrawing a fluid to/from the vascular system of a being. The device includes first and second housing sections movably connected with respect to each other and which define a hollow interior in which a pair of resilient valve elements are located. The first housing section includes a first luer fitting for connection to an input line. The second housing section includes a second luer fitting for connection to an output line. A tubular plunger is located within the device and is arranged, when the housing sections are in a first position, to be automatically extended through a first valve element if the input line is connected to the first luer fitting, so that a liquid can be forced from the input line through the device to the output line. When the housing sections are in the first position and the input line disconnected from the first luer fitting, the tubular plunger is retracted out of both valve elements so that the device is fully occluded.

Abstract: A Y-connector including a hemostatic valve for enabling the introduction of an elongated member, e.g., a balloon catheter, into the body of a living being while precluding blood from flowing out of the valve. The Y-connector includes a housing having an interior in which a pair of resilient valve elements and a plunger mechanism are located. One valve element, e.g., a disk-like member, has a small diameter opening therein. The other valve element, e.g., a duck-bill valve elements, includes a normally closed, but openable, aperture therein. The plunger mechanism includes a tubular member having an outer diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the opening in the one valve element. The tubular member is arranged to be moved into and out of the opening in the one valve member and into and out of the aperture in the other valve element.