Flared insert member for use with catheter assembly

1 . An apparatus, comprising:

(a) a cylindrical shaft, the cylindrical shaft being sized for insertion into an insertion port of a cardiovascular catheter guiding sheath, the cylindrical shaft including:

(i) a proximal end,

(ii) a distal end,

(iii) a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the lumen being sized to receive an end effector and a catheter of a cardiovascular catheter instrument, and

(iv) a deformable seal member secured within the lumen, the deformable seal member comprising a material having a lower durometer than a durometer of the cylindrical shaft, the deformable seal member configured to deform against an outer surface of the end effector or catheter when the end effector and catheter are inserted through the cylindrical shaft to thereby form a fluid tight seal against the end effector or catheter while also allowing the catheter to translate through the lumen of the cylindrical shaft, the deformable seal member comprising one or more coupling portions that extend into one or more openings through a sidewall of the cylindrical shaft such that the one or more coupling portions comprise an exposed outer surface; and

(b) an outwardly flared feature at the proximal end of the cylindrical shaft, the outwardly flared feature defining an angled surface leading into the lumen.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , the cylindrical shaft and the outwardly flared feature including a rigid material.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , the deformable seal member including a pair of ramped internal surfaces that converge at a ridge, the ridge being configured to deform against the outer surface of the end effector or catheter when the end effector and catheter are inserted through the cylindrical shaft.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , the deformable seal member including an inner surface having a bell curve shaped cross-sectional profile.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , the deformable seal member including an inner surface having an arcuate cross-sectional profile.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a plurality of ribs extending outwardly from the cylindrical shaft.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , the plurality of ribs extending longitudinally along the cylindrical shaft, the plurality of ribs being angularly spaced apart from each other about the cylindrical shaft.

8 . The apparatus of claim 6 , the plurality of ribs extending circumferentially about the cylindrical shaft, the plurality of ribs being longitudinally spaced apart from each other along the cylindrical shaft.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of exterior fins extending outwardly from the cylindrical shaft, the plurality of exterior fins extending longitudinally along the cylindrical shaft, the plurality of exterior fins being angularly spaced apart from each other about the cylindrical shaft.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of interior fins extending inwardly within the lumen of the cylindrical shaft, the plurality of interior fins extending longitudinally along the lumen of the cylindrical shaft, the plurality of interior fins being angularly spaced apart from each other about the lumen of the cylindrical shaft.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a catheter disposed in the lumen, the catheter being configured to fit within a cardiovascular anatomical structure, the catheter having a first longitudinal region having a first outer diameter and a second longitudinal region having a second outer diameter, the plurality of interior fins being configured to permit the cylindrical shaft to slide along the first longitudinal region of the catheter, the plurality of interior fins being configured to resist sliding of the cylindrical shaft along the second longitudinal region of the catheter.

12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an outwardly flared feature at the distal end of the cylindrical shaft, the outwardly flared feature defining an angled surface leading into the lumen.

13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising the catheter disposed in the lumen, the catheter being configured to fit within a cardiovascular anatomical structure.

14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising the cardiovascular catheter guiding sheath having an insertion port configured to receive the cylindrical shaft, the insertion port defining an opening with a port seal positioned in the opening, the cylindrical shaft being configured to pass through the port seal, the insertion port and the outwardly flared feature being configured to prevent the outwardly flared feature from passing through the insertion port.

15 . A kit, comprising:

(a) a catheter instrument including:

(i) a catheter having a distal end, and

(ii) an end effector at the distal end of the catheter, the catheter and the end effector being sized to fit in a cardiovascular anatomical structure, the end effector including at least one electrode; and

(b) an insert member including:

(i) a cylindrical shaft including:

(A) a proximal end,

(B) a distal end,

(C) a lumen extending from the proximal end of the cylindrical shaft to the distal end of the cylindrical shaft, the lumen being sized to receive the end effector and the catheter, and

(D) a deformable seal member secured within the lumen, the deformable seal member comprising a material having a lower durometer material than a durometer of the cylindrical shaft, the deformable seal configured to deform against an outer surface of the catheter instrument when the catheter instrument is inserted through the cylindrical shaft to thereby form a fluid tight seal against the catheter instrument while also allowing the catheter instrument to translate through the lumen of the cylindrical shaft, the deformable seal member comprising one or more coupling portions that extend into one or more openings through a sidewall of the cylindrical shaft such that the one or more coupling portions comprise an exposed outer surface; and

(ii) an outwardly flared feature at the proximal end of the cylindrical shaft, the outwardly flared feature defining an angled surface leading into the lumen.

16 . The kit of claim 15 , further comprising a cardiovascular catheter guiding sheath, the cardiovascular catheter guiding sheath including an insertion port configured to receive the cylindrical shaft and the catheter instrument.

17 . A method comprising:

positioning an insert member on a catheter, the insert member including:

(i) a cylindrical shaft including:

(A) a proximal end,

(B) a distal end,

(C) a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the lumen receiving the catheter, and

(D) a deformable seal member secured within the lumen, the deformable seal member comprising a material having a lower durometer than a durometer of the cylindrical shaft, the deformable seal member configured to deform against an outer surface of the catheter when the catheter is inserted through the cylindrical shaft to thereby form a fluid tight seal against the catheter while also allowing the catheter to translate through the lumen of the cylindrical shaft, the deformable seal member comprising one or more coupling portions that extend into one or more openings through a sidewall of the cylindrical shaft such that the one or more coupling portions comprise an exposed outer surface; and

(ii) an outwardly flared feature at the proximal end of the cylindrical shaft, the outwardly flared feature defining an angled surface leading into the lumen;

the catheter being sized for insertion into a cardiovascular anatomical structure.