Importance

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Abstract

A self-sealing, penetrable, hemostasis valve for a catheter introducer or the like which comprises an elastomeric gasket member having first and second opposed faces adapted to be secured in a valve housing, wherein faces define generally concave surfaces to reduce the central thickness of the gasket member, and a pin hole or slits extending through the first and second opposed faces generally at or through the central region of the gasket member. The generally concave opposed face surfaces are molded to possess a pair of convex cusp-shaped surfaces, each lying in about one-half of the generally concave surfaces, each convex cusp having an edge thereof passing generally through the central region of reduced thickness. The pair of generally convex, cusp-shaped surfaces on the first face is disposed at a 90 degree angle to the pair of generally convex, cusp-shaped surfaces on the second face. Preferably short intersecting slits extend through the reduced thickness central region oriented at a 45 degree angle to the 90 degree lines of intersection of the mating edges of the first and second cusp-shaped surfaces on each face of the elastomeric gasket member. The hemostasis valve of the present invention is preferably implemented in a percutaneous introducer comprising a longitudinally extended housing having a proximal open end for providing an entrance point for the introduction of elongated interventional devices and a second distal open end. An elongated tubular sheath is coupled to and extends distally from distal open end of housing. The hemostasis valve is located within the central passageway of the longitudinally extended housing, and proximal to a side port into the housing.

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First Claim