A robotic catheter system including a first drive mechanism configured to interact with an elongated medical device to cause the elongated medical device to move along its longitudinal axis. A wiper assembly includes a first wiping surface moving toward and away from the longitudinal axis. A controller provides a signal to a motor to move the first wiping surface toward the longitudinal axis when the elongated device is being withdrawn from a patient.

This invention is an air block for industrial, medical, and non-medical uses. For example, the air block is connected to the proximal end of a vascular access catheter. The air block is either removably connected to the proximal end of the catheter or it is integral to the proximal end of the catheter. The air block permits introduction of other catheters or instrumentation through its central lumen and on into a lumen of the catheter while minimizing fluid loss or gain into the catheter. The air block further prevents air from entering the catheter and provides for removal of the air or other gas from the central lumen before it can enter the catheter where it could cause harm to the patient. The air block can be attached to various standard proximal catheter terminations including Luer fittings and hemostasis valve outer barrels.

This invention is an air block for industrial, medical, and non-medical uses. For example, the air block is connected to the proximal end of a vascular access catheter. The air block is either removably connected to the proximal end of the catheter or it is integral to the proximal end of the catheter. The air block permits introduction of other catheters or instrumentation through its central lumen and on into a lumen of the catheter while minimizing fluid loss or gain into the catheter. The air block further prevents air from entering the catheter and provides for removal of the air or other gas from the central lumen before it can enter the catheter where it could cause harm to the patient. The air block can be attached to various standard proximal catheter terminations including Luer fittings and hemostasis valve outer barrels.

A self-sealing catheter valve that includes a flexible tubular part having a distal opening and an opposite proximal opening, and a proximal valve part. The proximal valve part has a curved self-sealing flexible diaphragm disposed inside the flexible tubular part and has a base perimeter united with a circumferential wall of the flexible tubular part. The curved self-sealing flexible diaphragm has a concave surface facing towards the proximal opening, and a convex surface facing towards the distal opening, and a flexible diaphragm wall of the curved self-sealing flexible diaphragm has a traverse slit. The self-sealing catheter valve provides an efficient self-closing mechanism for a peripheral catheter assembly and constitutes an efficient barrier against potential contagious spread from the patient to the surrounding environment by blood born disease e.g. HIV, hepatitis and Ebola viruses.

A delivery system and method of its use delivers a stent graft prosthesis to a surgical site, such as an abdominal, thoracic or thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm. The delivery system includes a handle defining a conduit, an introducer sheath extending distally through the handle, a substantially straight inner control tube extending through the conduit of the handle and from the distal end of the introducer sheath, and a distal sheath that extends through and beyond a distal end of the introducer sheath. The distal sheath can have, in one embodiment, a diameter equal to or less than that of the introducer sheath. Retraction of the distal sheath through the introducer sheath and the handle exposes a stent graft prosthesis extending about the inner control tube. Removal of the inner control tube from the introducer sheath allows for implantation of additional components through the introducer sheath.

A delivery system and method of its use delivers a stent graft prosthesis to a surgical site, such as an abdominal, thoracic or thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm. The delivery system includes a handle defining a conduit, an introducer sheath extending distally through the handle, a substantially straight inner control tube extending through the conduit of the handle and from the distal end of the introducer sheath, and a distal sheath that extends through and beyond a distal end of the introducer sheath. The distal sheath can have, in one embodiment, a diameter equal to or less than that of the introducer sheath. Retraction of the distal sheath through the introducer sheath and the handle exposes a stent graft prosthesis extending about the inner control tube. Removal of the inner control tube from the introducer sheath allows for implantation of additional components through the introducer sheath.

A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between a first tube end and a second tube end to define a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis between the ends. A plunger plate extends radially from the second tube end of the tube, and a valve housing surrounds the tube about the second tube end and extends from a first valve housing end to a second valve housing end. The valve housing includes a housing flange extending radially inwardly from the second valve housing end and disposed in spaced relationship with the plunger plate to define a distance dimension D extending therebetween. An elastomeric seal is compressed between the plunger plate and the housing flange, and one of the valve housing and the tube is axially movable relative to the other to vary the distance between said plunger plate and said housing flange and adjust an inner diameter of the elastomeric seal.

A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between a first tube end and a second tube end to define a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis between the ends. A plunger plate extends radially from the second tube end of the tube, and a valve housing surrounds the tube about the second tube end and extends from a first valve housing end to a second valve housing end. The valve housing includes a housing flange extending radially inwardly from the second valve housing end and disposed in spaced relationship with the plunger plate to define a distance dimension D extending therebetween. An elastomeric seal is compressed between the plunger plate and the housing flange, and one of the valve housing and the tube is axially movable relative to the other to vary the distance between said plunger plate and said housing flange and adjust an inner diameter of the elastomeric seal.

Embodiments herein include an insertion tool for inserting a medical device into another medical device, such as a hemostasis sealing valve, and related methods. In an embodiment, an insertion tool includes a guide sheath and a protection tube. The guide sheath can include a flared proximal end. The guide sheath can further include a central lumen. The guide sheath can further include a locking notch disposed on the inner surface between the proximal end and the distal end. The protection tube can include a flared proximal end. A portion of the protection tube can be situated within the central lumen of the guide sheath. The flared proximal end of the protection tube can be sized to fit within the locking notch and can have an outer diameter larger than portions of the inner surface immediately adjacent to the locking notch. Other embodiments are also included herein.

A steerable endoluminal device adapted for delivery into a patient's vasculature. The device includes a tubular member having a distal deflection portion that extends to the distal end and a main body portion that extends from the deflectable portion to the proximal end, the tubular member further including a stiff portion extending along the distal deflection portion, and being formed of polymeric material, which is disposed circumferentially adjacent to the stiff portion. The stiff portion is made of a material that has an elastic modulus greater than the elastic modulus of the polymeric material. A pull wire extends between the proximal end and the distal end of the tubular member and is attached to the distal deflection portion to control deflection of the distal deflection portion of the tubular member.