A methods of placing large bore aspiration catheters is disclosed. The method of removing a vascular obstruction includes the steps of transvascularly advancing a distal end of an aspiration catheter into proximity with an obstruction, activating a low flow, detection mode of aspiration through the catheter, and thereafter activating a momentary control to activate a high flow, aspiration mode of operation and draw obstructive material into the distal end of the access catheter.

A hemostasis valve may be used with a catheter such as an aspiration catheter. The hemostasis valve comprises a support, and at least a first lever, pivotably carried with respect to the support. A collapsible tubular sidewall defining a valve lumen is carried by the support. A filament is formed into a loop around the tubular sidewall, the filament having at least a first tail portion extending away from the loop to the first lever. A first spring may be configured to move the first lever in a direction that pulls the first tail portion away from the tubular sidewall, reducing the diameter of the valve lumen in response to reducing the diameter of the loop. A second tail portion may extend away from the loop to a second lever. Each tail portion may be attached to its respective lever, or may be slidably advanceable around a fulcrum on the lever and attached with respect to the support.

An activator attachment that can be attached to the proximal end of a catheter adapter and can activate a blood control valve within the catheter adapter.

A split dilator aspiration system is disclosed. The system includes a catheter, having an elongate, flexible tubular body with a proximal end, a distal end, a side wall defining a central lumen, and a handle on the proximal end. A dilator is advanceable through the central lumen, the dilator having an elongate body, cannulated to receive a guidewire, and an axially extending split along at least a portion of the elongate body, configured to allow removal of a portion of the dilator laterally from the guidewire.

A hemostasis valve body provides strong sealing around a medical device during insertion of the medical device into a blood vessel, low forces for tearing, and stability during insertion of the medical devices as well as during peel away. The valve body comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, an edge, helical slits, and a pair of longitudinal cuts. The helical slits are positioned at a center of the valve body and traverse the first surface to the second surface. The helical slits provide a seal around the medical device. Each respective longitudinal cut extends from the first surface partially through the valve body to a depth short of the second surface for at least part of a length of the respective longitudinal cut. The longitudinal cuts facilitate a separation of the valve body into two parts during a peel away action.

A method of manufacturing a seal assembly for a surgical access assembly includes forming a seal assembly having a monolithic construction. The seal assembly includes a support member, seal sections connected to the support member, bridges disposed between adjacent seal sections and interconnecting the adjacent seal sections, and a plurality of standoffs extending from each seal section. The method also includes placing the seal assembly into a treatment bath, cutting the bridges, and folding the seal assembly.

A hub is provided for a sheath, catheter, or other tubular device that includes a tubular body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a hub passage extending between the proximal end and the distal end; a valve mounted in the tubular body adjacent the proximal end comprising a proximal surface adjacent the proximal end and a distal surface adjacent an intermediate region of the hub passage; a side port comprising a first end coupled to an outer surface of the tubular body adjacent the intermediate region, a second outer end, and a port passage extending between the second end and the first end and communicating with the intermediate region of the hub passage; and a guide element in the side port adjacent the first end for directing fluid introduced into the second end through the port passage towards the distal surface of the valve.

A hemostasis valve body provides strong sealing around a medical device during insertion of the medical device into a blood vessel, low forces for tearing, and stability during insertion of the medical devices as well as during peel away. The valve body comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, an edge, helical slits, and a pair of longitudinal cuts. The helical slits are positioned at a center of the valve body and traverse the first surface to the second surface. The helical slits provide a seal around the medical device. Each respective longitudinal cut extends from the first surface partially through the valve body to a depth short of the second surface for at least part of a length of the respective longitudinal cut. The longitudinal cuts facilitate a separation of the valve body into two parts during a peel away action.

A catheter assembly is disclosed, which includes a catheter; a catheter hub fixed to a proximal end portion of the catheter; a needle having a needlepoint, and inserted into the catheter so as to be separable; an elongated member coupled to the needle; a protector displaceable in an axial direction in a range regulated with respect to the elongated member, and configured to cover at least the needlepoint of the needle in accordance with evulsion of the needle from the catheter; and wherein, in an initial state, the catheter and the needle are exposed from a distal end of the elongated member, and the elongated member overlaps the catheter hub and the protector.

A sheath for producing a fully sealed access to the interior of a vessel of an animal or human body comprises a base sheath having a tubular body defining a pass-through channel. The base sheath is adapted to be inserted into the vessel through a vessel aperture. A wall of the tubular body of the base sheath has a through channel. This channel extends in the wall from the distal end towards the proximal end. The channel can be present separately from the pass-through channel of the base sheath or can form a sideways extension of the pass-through channel, at least at the distal end. Such through channel is adapted to conduct blood from the vessel to the proximal end of the sheath when the sheath has been inserted into a vessel.