Abstract: The present application discloses devices and methods for monitoring the performance of a hemostasis device during a hemostatic procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dilator. The dilator includes a shaft, a lumen and a hub. The shaft has at least two stiffness sections with the stiffness sections becoming less rigid as they approach a distal end of the shaft. The varying stiffness sections allow the dilator to track along the guidewire through torturous vasculature so as the dilator is advanced and the stiffness is changed, the stiffer sheath can advance smoothly through a blood vessel. The dilator may also taper at the distal tip to stretch the initial skin puncture hole larger to accommodate the dilator shaft and ease the sheath tip insertion through to the vasculature. Or the shaft may taper from where it extends beyond the sheath distal tip to the distal end so that it can reach further distal in the vasculature. The dilator may also include an atraumatic tip for easier advancement of the dilator. The dilator distal end may also include one or more radiopaque markers and a shaped distal end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dilator. The dilator includes a shaft, a lumen and a hub. The shaft has at least two stiffness sections with the stiffness sections becoming less rigid as they approach a distal end of the shaft. The varying stiffness sections allow the dilator to track along the guidewire through torturous vasculature so as the dilator is advanced and the stiffness is changed, the stiffer sheath can advance smoothly through a blood vessel. The dilator may also taper at the distal tip to stretch the initial skin puncture hole larger to accommodate the dilator shaft and ease the sheath tip insertion through to the vasculature. Or the shaft may taper from where it extends beyond the sheath distal tip to the distal end so that it can reach further distal in the vasculature. The dilator may also include an atraumatic tip for easier advancement of the dilator. The dilator distal end may also include one or more radiopaque markers and a shaped distal end.

Abstract: A retaining device for axially restraining a sheath connected to a housing and a dilator connected to a hub includes a generally C-shaped clip having spaced apart circumferential ends defining a clearance opening that opens into the clip interior to permit the clip to be mounted on the hub and an enlarged part of the housing. The interior of the clip has first and second inwardly directed ridges located at opposite axial portions of the curved inner circumferential surface for overlapping portions of oppositely facing end surfaces of the hub and the enlarged part of the housing. The clip also includes one or more laterally outwardly extending finger engaging tabs to facilitate removal of the clip, and one or more circumferentially extending through slot communicating the inner surface of the clip with an outer surface of the clip to permit flexing of the clip during removal of the clip.

Abstract: A retaining device for axially restraining a sheath connected to a housing and a dilator connected to a hub includes a generally C-shaped clip having spaced apart circumferential ends defining a clearance opening that opens into the clip interior to permit the clip to be mounted on the hub and an enlarged part of the housing. The interior of the clip has first and second inwardly directed ridges located at opposite axial portions of the curved inner circumferential surface for overlapping portions of oppositely facing end surfaces of the hub and the enlarged part of the housing. The clip also includes one or more laterally outwardly extending finger engaging tabs to facilitate removal of the clip, and one or more circumferentially extending through slot communicating the inner surface of the clip with an outer surface of the clip to permit flexing of the clip during removal of the clip.