A medical valve transitions between an open mode that permits fluid flow, and a closed mode that prevents fluid flow. To that end, the medical valve has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a rigid member movably mounted within the housing, and a resilient member with a sealing portion. The housing also has at least one relief zone that is in fluid communication with the outlet when the valve is in the closed mode. The rigid member may have a proximal end, a distal end, and a flow channel. The relief zone may be radially outward from the sealing portion. The sealing portion may seal the valve and prevent fluid from passing through the valve when in the closed mode.

A catheter assembly including a flexible catheter, a needle having a sharp distal tip, the needle disposed in the flexible catheter and moving from a first position that exposes the needle to a second position, an outer member that is configured to engage and disengage a catheter hub, an inner member disposed in the outer member, and a needle shield for shielding at least a distal end of the needle when the needle is in the second position and the needle being disposed through the needle shield in the first position.

A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between proximal and distal tube ends. A plunger plate extends radially from the distal tube end, and a valve housing surrounds the tube and extends between proximal and distal valve housing ends. The valve housing includes a flange extending radially inwardly from the distal 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 flange to establish a closed condition of the medical valve assembly. The elastomeric seal axially moves one of the valve housing and the tube relative to the other when a medical device is inserted into the medical valve assembly to automatically increase the distance dimension and establish an open and sealed condition of the medical valve assembly with the inserted medical valve.

A surgical access device includes a seal housing and a roller disposed in the housing and defining a working channel. The roller may be stationary or moveable within the seal housing to form both a zero seal in the absence of an instrument, and an instrument seal in the presence of an instrument. Rotation of the roller is contemplated and low-friction surfaces are discussed to reduce instrument insertion forces. Multiple rollers, wiper elements, low-friction braid, pivoting elements and idler rollers are contemplated. The rollers will typically be formed of a gel material in order to facilitate the desired compliance, stretchability and elongation desired.

A catheter assembly comprising a catheter, a needle having a distal tip and disposed within the catheter, a catheter hub connected to the catheter having the needle passing therethrough, the catheter hub including a valve that selectively permits or blocks a flow of fluid through the catheter, and a valve actuator that moves between a first position and a second position to actuate the valve, an outer member that is configured to engage and disengage a catheter hub, and a needle protection member disposed in the outer member, the needle protection member encloses the distal tip of the needle when the valve actuator is in the second position.

Collapsible tube embodiments may be used to promote hemostasis at surgical sites or any other suitable location. In some cases, vascular closure device embodiments may include collapsible tube embodiments in order to promote hemostasis at a surgical site during a vascular closure procedure.

Hemostatic springs and hemostatic seals comprising hemostatic springs facilitate introducing a surgical device into the vasculature of a patient during a surgical procedure. Each hemostatic spring comprises a radial array of spring segments positioned on a circular path about a central axis. Each hemostatic seal is configured to reduce an axial length of the hemostatic spring to constrict the radial array of spring segments to reduce a cross-sectional area of the central passage. Methods include axially inserting the surgical device into the hemostatic seal while compression from the hemostatic seal minimizes fluid leakage. Methods can further include reducing a frictional force of inserting the device into the hemostatic seal by reducing the axial compression to dilate the hemostatic spring.

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 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 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 flange and adjust an inner diameter of the elastomeric seal.

In a sheath device for inserting a catheter into a patient's body, comprising a first sheath (10, 11, 13, 21, 21, 21, 41, 43) having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein when used as intended the distal end of the first sheath is provided for arrangement in the patient's body and the proximal end of the first sheath is provided for arrangement outside the patient's body, and wherein the first sheath comprises a tubular section (11, 21, 21, 21, 41) and a sheath housing (13, 43), which is disposed at the proximal end of the section and comprises a receiving channel (46) for a catheter, according to the invention the tubular section (11, 21, 21, 21, 41) is detachably held in a clamping element (45, 48, 50, 62, 63, 64) of the sheath housing in a non-positive manner so as to be able to easily shorten the tubular section.

Disclosed are a system and method for performing a medical procedure using direct percutaneous access of an aorta. A main sheath is introduced through an incision formed in proximity to the sternum, and positioned along (and preferable against) a posterior portion of the sternum. Instruments passed through the main sheath are used to form a purse-string suture in an exterior wall of the aorta. An opening is formed in the wall of the aorta in a region encircled by the purse-string suture, and a distal end of an introducer sheath is advanced through the opening into the aorta. A medical procedure, which may be a transcatheter aortic valve replacement, is performed using instruments passed through the introducer sheath into the aorta. After the medical procedure, the introducer sheath is withdrawn from the aorta and, as the introducer sheath is withdrawn, the purse-string suture is tightened to close the opening.