An introducer assembly includes a distal sheath and a proximal sheath. A splitting element is located at a proximal end of the distal sheath and is arranged to split the distal sheath in a distal direction, so as to deploy first a branch element of a medical device and thereafter the distal end of the medical device. The proximal sheath can then be retracted to release the proximal end of the medical device. Deployment of the medical device from the branch element first enables accurate positioning of the branch element prior to deployment of the main body portion of the medical device.

A valve for sealing the hub of a sheath assembly is provided. The valve includes a valve body having a solid thickness extending between a proximal surface and a distal surface. A bisecting slot extends across the proximal surface of the valve body and terminates at a depth less than the thickness of the valve body such that a portion of the valve body distally of the slot defines a bridge extending between opposed halves of the valve body such that the distal surface of the valve body is substantially continuous and a central portion of the proximal surface of the valve body is concave and defines a concave proximal portion.

A body cavity irrigation and drainage system including a catheter apparatus that has a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, a first flow channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and a second flow channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end and being fluidly isolated from the first flow channel. The catheter apparatus may alterable between: (1) a first state in which the first and second flow channels are linear and parallel to the longitudinal axis along an entire length of the first and second flow channels; and (2) a second state in which a distal portion of the first flow channel curls away from the longitudinal axis in a first direction and a distal portion of the second flow channel curls away from the longitudinal axis in a second direction that is different from the first direction.

An introducer assembly includes an elongate sheath sized for insertion into a blood vessel of a patient and a hub. The hub can be coupled to a proximal portion of the sheath and can include a first hub portion and a second hub portion. The hub can include various features to facilitate breaking apart or separating the introducer assembly from a patient. For example, the first hub portion can have a first notch which can facilitate breaking, splitting, or fracturing the hub. The second hub portion can partially surround the first hub portion and can include two wings and an opening disposed above the first notch. The first hub portion can be formed from a first material and second hub portion can be formed from a second material. In some embodiments, the second material can be stiffer than the first material to facilitate fracturing the hub.

A delivery device for delivering a pacing lead to the His bundle of a patient's heart includes an elongated sheath having a distal end, and a plurality of mapping electrodes positioned at the distal end. The distal end of the sheath may have a distal end face, and the mapping electrodes may include two electrodes that diametrically oppose one another at a position exposed on or spaced from the distal end face. The sheath includes a plurality of flexible sections spaced apart from one another, and a pull wire that causes the sheath to deflect from a substantially straight configuration to a dual hinged curved configuration that maneuvers and positions the electrodes in the vicinity of the bundle of His. The sheath may include a PTFE liner having axially oriented, platelet-like fibril features that enable the sheath to be split along its length from a proximal end to the distal end.

Devices, systems, and methods for performing injections with lowered likelihood of infection include catheters and other injection means with protective coverings. The protective covering can protect the catheter or other injection means before, during, or before and during insertion of the catheter into an insertion site. The protective covering includes two or more parts of interlocking protrusions and channels that allow for sliding motion of the parts relative each other but that resist separation of the parts in the direction perpendicular to the long axis of the two or more parts.

Disclosed is a tearaway sheath introducer. The sheath includes a sheath hub disposed on an end thereof, wherein the sheath is configured to receive a dilator therethrough, further wherein the dilator comprises a hub with a locking mechanism. The sheath hub is configured to retain a cap set having a molded valve therein. The cap set and the valve can be ultrasonically welded to the sheath hub such that the cap set and the valve are integral to the sheath hub. The valve prevents blood from coming out of a patient's incision site after the dilator is removed from the sheath, but before a catheter is inserted. In this way, the present invention improves the process of introducing catheters into the blood vessels.

A renal flow system injects a volume of fluid agent into a location within an abdominal aorta in a manner that flows bi-laterally into each of two renal arteries via their respectively spaced ostia along the abdominal aorta wall. A local injection assembly includes two injection members, each having an injection port that couples to a source of fluid agent externally of the patient. The injection ports may be positioned with an outer region of blood flow along the abdominal aorta wall perfusing the two renal arteries. A flow isolation assembly may isolate flow of the injected agent within the outer region and into the renals. The injection members are delivered to the location in a first radially collapsed condition, and bifurcate across the aorta to inject into the spaced renal ostia. A delivery catheter for upstream interventions is used as a chassis to deliver a bilateral local renal injection assembly to the location within the abdominal aorta.

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 dilator comprises a guide extending through a tube, and a slidable sleeve exterior to the tube, such that a slit in the tube extending from a first end of the tube to a second end of the tube, opposite of the first end, is closed by a force applied via the slidable sleeve. When closed, the slit does not interfere with the tube being used as a dilator to dilate tissues of a patient through which the guide extends. When opened, the slit allows the tube to be placed onto the guide or removed from the guide.