In various examples, a hub for a medical device includes a hub housing including a passage from a proximal end of the hub housing to a distal end of the hub housing. A valve is disposed within the hub. The valve is configured to allow passage of an insertable device through the valve while inhibiting leakage of fluid from the valve. A cap is engaged to the hub housing. The cap includes an opening therethrough sized and shaped to allow passage of the insertable device through the opening. The opening allows access to the passage of the hub housing. An angled sidewall is disposed within the hub. The angled sidewall is configured to retain and deform the valve into a curved shape.

The disclosure sets forth various exemplary embodiments of systems, methods, and/or medical apparatuses including but not limited to: a sheath; and a balloon disposed at a working distal end of the sheath. According to one example embodiment the medical device can include where the sheath can include woven wire reinforcing axial and longitudinal strength, side holes, a one direction distal valve, and can include an inflator. According to one example embodiment the medical device can include where the sheath can include a narrow cross-section of, e.g., 7-8 Fr and balloon of length of, e.g., 12 cm.

An apparatus, method, and system for a steerable medical device, configured to be used in conjunction with guide tools and devices in medical procedures, including endoscopes, cameras, cutting tools and catheters.

A catheter may include an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a lumen; a push member mechanically coupled to the proximal end of the elongate body; and a slidable push grip disposed about an outer perimeter of the push member. The slidable push grip is controllably engageable with the push member. When the slidable push grip is in an engaged state with the push member, the slidable push grip transmits an axial force to the push member to enable the push member to transmit the axial force to the elongate body. When the slidable push grip is in a disengaged state with the push member, the slidable push grip is movable axially in at least one direction along a length of the push member while transmitting substantially no axial force to the push member.

Examples of catheter devices, removable needle devices and kits are disclosed. Also methods for accessing a hollow organ are disclosed. The catheter devices include a body extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the body includes an elongated channel along a longitudinal length of the body extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the body, wherein the elongated channel is configured to receive an elongated needle of the removable needle device, and the body includes one or more cutting edges extending in a proximal direction from the distal end of the body. The body of the catheter devices includes one or more recesses adapted to mate with one or more catches of the removable needle device for coupling the needle device to the catheter device. Methods of using the catheters, removable needle devices and the kits are also disclosed.

Disclosed is an expandable sheath that can be used in conjunction with a catheter assembly to introduce a prosthetic device, such as a heart valve, into a patient. The disclosed sheaths can minimize trauma to the vessel by allowing for temporary expansion of a portion of the introducer sheath to accommodate the delivery apparatus, followed by a return to the original diameter once the prosthetic device passes through. Also disclosed is a sheath having inner and outer layers, where a folded portion of the inner layer extends through a slit in the outer layer, and a portion of the outer layer overlaps the folded portion of the inner layer and where a first polymer is disposed between the outer layer and the folded portion of the inner layer.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and methods to assist in the introduction of an instrument into a patient, and more particularly to medical devices for measuring and/or monitoring forces applied during introduction of an access sheath through a body lumen.

An introducer sheath assembly having a handle portion including a distal end and a proximal end, and an introducer sheath extending outwardly from the distal end of the handle portion, the introducer sheath including a device lumen configured to slidably receive a corresponding device, a guidewire lumen configured to slidably receive a corresponding guidewire, and at least one steering cable disposed within at least one steering cable lumens that are disposed radially outwardly from the device lumen, and the handle portion including at least one steering assembly for modifying the tension of at least one of the at least one steering cables.

An introducer needle can include a needle shaft, a sheath over the needle shaft, and a needle hub around a proximal portion of each of the needle shaft and the sheath. The needle shaft can include a needle slot extending from the proximal portion of the needle shaft through a distal needle tip, which needle tip can include a bevel having a tip bevel and a heel. The needle shaft can include opposite needle-slot walls that either: a) face each other and are parallel or oblique to each other, or b) face toward or away from a bottom of the needle slot. Additionally or alternatively, opposite needle-shaft walls can be parallel to each other. The sheath over the needle shaft can seal the needle slot thereunder but for a sheath opening in a proximal portion of the sheath.

An expandable medical sheath can include a sheath body having a lumen that extends between proximal and distal ends of the sheath. The sheath can have first and second members where the first member has a different elastic modulus than the second member such that one provides elasticity to the sheath and the other provides column strength. The first and second members can be coupled together in alternating sections to form the tubular sheath or the stiffer members can be embedded in the elastic member along all or a portion of the longitudinal length of the sheath. The sheath can automatically move to an expanded state to allow a larger diameter medical device to pass through the lumen, and once through the sheath can automatically return to its initial diameter.