Embodiments of an actuated cannula seal are disclosed In some embodiments, a cannula seal includes a base portion that engages with a cannula; and a seal portion integrally formed with the base portion, the sealing portion capable of engaging with an instrument shaft, the sealing portion capable of being actuated by an actuator so that the sealing portion is continually in motion relative to the instrument shaft. The actuation of the sealing portion can be accomplished by rotation or vibration of the sealing portion relative to the instrument shaft.

Embodiments of a catheter insertion device are discussed comprising: an approximately hollow cylindrical catheter sleeve, at whose distal end a catheter is attached; a needle sleeve with a hollow needle, which is attached thereto and which, when ready for use, extends through the catheter sleeve and the catheter, and; a needle protective element that is arranged inside the catheter sleeve while being able to move on the needle. Said needle protective element has an engaging section that engages with an engaging device, which is formed in the vicinity of the needle tip, when the hollow needle is withdrawn from the catheter sleeve. A check valve is placed inside the catheter sleeve between the catheter and the needle protective element. The hollow needle, when ready for use, extends through said check valve, and the check valve automatically closes once the needle is withdrawn.

Hemostasis valves and methods for making and using hemostasis valves are disclosed. An example method for assembling a hemostasis valve may include positioning a plunger along a threaded proximal end region of a main body. The threaded proximal end region may include one or more threads and an axial slot extending through the one or more threads. The method may also include advancing the plunger along the threaded proximal end region to a position where a proximal end of the plunger is disposed distally of at least a portion of the one or more threads and disposing a nut adjacent to the threaded proximal end region. The method may also include aligning an alignment tab of the nut with the axial slot, engaging the nut with the one or more threads while the alignment tab is aligned with the axial slot, and rotating the nut 45-270.

Hemostasis valves and methods for making and using hemostasis valves are disclosed. An example hemostasis valve may include a main body having a distal end region and a proximal end region. A first seal member may be disposed within the proximal end region of the main body. A cartridge may be at least partially disposed within the proximal end region of the main body. The cartridge may include a second seal member. A plunger may be coupled to the proximal end region of the main body. A rotation limiting member may be positioned adjacent to the proximal end region of the main body. A tab member may be positioned adjacent to the proximal end region of the main body. The tab member may be designed to rotate relative to the proximal end region of the main body until the tab member engages the rotation limiting member.

Hemostasis valves and methods for making and using hemostasis valves are disclosed. An example hemostasis valve may include a main body having a distal end region and a proximal end region. A first seal member may be disposed within the proximal end region of the main body. A cartridge may be at least partially disposed within the proximal end region of the main body. The cartridge may include a second seal member. The cartridge may have one or more projections formed thereon. The proximal end region of the main body may have one or more recesses formed therein. The one or more recesses may be designed to engage the one or more projections. A plunger may be coupled to the proximal end region of the main body.

Loading tools for use with medical devices are disclosed. An example loading tool may be suitable for use with a drug-coated expandable medical device. The loading tool may include a tubular sleeve having a distal end region, a proximal end region, and a lumen extending therethrough. The distal end region may include a reduced distal tip designed to interact with a hemostasis valve having a resilient seal member.

Loading tools for use with medical devices are disclosed. An example loading tool may include a tubular sleeve having a proximal end region, a distal end region, and a lumen. The distal end region may be designed to be engaged with a resilient seal member of a hemostasis valve so that a medical device disposed within the lumen can be passed through the resilient seal member. The tubular sleeve may include a tube wall. At least a portion of the tube wall may overlap to define an overlapping region.

Bypass elements for medical valves and methods of using the same are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention include an insert having a tip that is adapted to displace a valve element without penetrating it, and a lumen that fluidly communicates with a lumen of a valve housing distal to the valve element when the bypass element is engaged. Bypass elements are used, in certain embodiments, to facilitate fluid pressure and ECG signal measurements through implanted medical devices including catheters.

Needle assemblies and related methods having a needle hub with a needle, a catheter tube with a catheter hub and having the needle extending through the catheter tube in a ready to use position. A valve is positioned in an interior cavity of the catheter hub, the valve having sections that can deflect in a distal direction and sections that can deflect in a proximal direction to open a fluid flow path through the valve. The valve can be deflected by a multi-piece valve opener.

Needle assemblies and related methods in which a valve opener is used to push into a valve on the valve to open the valve. The needle assemblies each includes a needle hub with a needle, a catheter tube with a catheter hub and the valve and valve opener positioned in the interior cavity of the catheter hub. The valve can have a valve skirt and a nose section of the valve opener can locate therein. One or more reliefs can be provided with the valve opener so that an elbow or diagonal section on a needle guard can project from a holding space within the valve opener through the relief.