Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of manufacturing a pressure transducer of the optical fiber type and an improved pressure transducer of that type, the method including the steps of providing a housing having a greatest interior dimension less than twice the diameter of the optical fibers, deforming the housing by applying pressure thereto such that an interior dimension of the housing along one axis thereof exceeds twice the diameter of the optical fibers, and releasing the pressure on the housing so that the housing substantially resumes its undeformed state and fixedly traps the optical fibers at a preselected location within the housing. An improved pressure transducer of the optical fiber type has a housing receiving the distal end of an optical path, the housing including an aperture, and a pressure sensitive membrane disposed in covering relation to the aperture under tension.

Abstract: A dilator is axially movable to have its tubular member movably extended through the tubular portion of an introducer with the dilator hub abuttable against the tubular portion proximal edge. A locking finger mounted to the introducer tab (or handle) is radially extendable into a hub recess to lockingly retain the dilator and introducer in a coupled relationship to prevent accidental axial separation. The recess is formed by the hub main body and a radially extending flange to open radially outwardly. In one embodiment, the introducer tab is of a flexibility for being manually bent to move the locking finger out of the recess to permit axial separation while in a second embodiment, a flange notch is provided for the locking finger to relatively move axially therethrough when the dilator and introducer are relatively rotated from a position where the locking finger abuts against the flange.