A delivery system and method of its use delivers a stent graft prosthesis to a surgical site, such as an abdominal, thoracic or thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm. The delivery system includes a handle defining a conduit, an introducer sheath extending distally through the handle, a substantially straight inner control tube extending through the conduit of the handle and from the distal end of the introducer sheath, and a distal sheath that extends through and beyond a distal end of the introducer sheath. The distal sheath can have, in one embodiment, a diameter equal to or less than that of the introducer sheath. Retraction of the distal sheath through the introducer sheath and the handle exposes a stent graft prosthesis extending about the inner control tube. Removal of the inner control tube from the introducer sheath allows for implantation of additional components through the introducer sheath.

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 catheter hub assembly. The catheter hub assembly includes a catheter hub body, a septum and a septum retainer, the catheter hub body having a distal end, a proximal and an internal wall defining an internal fluid passageway therebetween, the internal wall defining a transitional step within the internal fluid passageway, the septum positioned within the internal fluid passageway such that a distal end of the septum abuts up against the transitional step, the septum retainer at least partially receivable within the internal fluid passageway and having an outer wall shaped and sized to interlock with the inner wall of the catheter hub body, the outer wall including one or more lateral ribs configured to inhibit rotation of the septum retainer relative to the catheter hub body.

An access sheath and method of assembling the access sheath. The access sheath includes a hub, a cartridge carried by the hub, the cartridge having a first valve, a second valve spaced from the first valve along a central axis, and a spacer disposed between the first valve and the second valve, wherein the first valve and the second valve each have at least two slits that extend along, and twist about, the central axis, and a shaft assembly having a shaft hub and a shaft that extends from the shaft hub in the distal direction. The access sheath provides a liquid-tight seal when receiving the introducer and other devices to prevent leakage and blood loss and to decrease device insertion forces.

A system and method is provided for applying an anti-pathogenic material to various surfaces of a medical device, wherein the method includes identifying various surfaces of the medical tests which include noncritical dimensions, and limiting the application of the anti-pathogenic material to those surfaces. Some aspects of the invention further include the application of an anti-pathogenic lubricant material to various parts or components of a medical device to reduce friction.

A catheter assembly includes a catheter hub and an introducer needle. The introducer needle extends through the catheter hub and through a catheter tube so as to assist placement of the catheter tube into a patient's blood vessel. Blood flashback into the catheter tube and/or catheter hub can indicate when the catheter tube is properly positioned within the blood vessel. After proper catheter tube placement is confirmed through blood flashback, the introducer needle is withdrawn. A septum blocks flashback blood from flowing proximally out of the catheter hub. One or more air vents enable air within the hub to vent when flashback blood enters the catheter hub. A porous hydrophobic material covers the one or more air vents. The hydrophobic material allows the air to flow therethrough and through the vents, but repels blood, blocking blood from flowing through the air vents.

An introducer sheath assembly (10) having a sheath tube (12), a hub (16), a valve (30) and a valve-retaining cap (50) on the proximal end of the hub. The cap (50) is so secured to the hub (16) as to have a closed, locked position and also an open position permitting access to the interior of the hub and the valve (30) while the cap (50) remains secured to the hub (16).

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.

The invention relates to an intravenous catheter apparatus comprising: a catheter hub arranged at a proximal end of a catheter tube, the catheter hub having an inner surface defining a chamber; a needle defining an axial direction and having a needle tip, the needle extending through the chamber and the catheter tube when in a ready position; a needle guard slidably arranged on the needle and at least partially received in the chamber when the needle is in the ready position, the needle guard including a base portion and first and second arms extending from the base portion, wherein the first arm is deflected radially outwards by the needle against a restoring force when the needle is in the ready position whereby the needle guard is brought into retaining contact with the catheter hub; and wherein the catheter apparatus includes a valve which separates a distal space arranged in distal direction from the valve from a proximal space arranged on proximal direction from the valve. The invention further provides that the valve opens based on a pressure differential between the pressure prevailing in the distal space and the pressure prevailing in the proximal space.

A system and method is provided for applying an anti-pathogenic material to various surfaces of a medical device, wherein the method includes identifying various surfaces of the medical tests which include noncritical dimensions, and limiting the application of the anti-pathogenic material to those surfaces. Some aspects of the invention further include the application of an anti-pathogenic lubricant material to various parts or components of a medical device to reduce friction.