INTRODUCER VALVE
The present invention is directed to a novel valve for an introducer and a method for using the introducer valve to facilitate the insertion of one or more medical devices into a patient's body. The introducer valve of the present invention includes two or more valves seals adapted to form a seal around medical devices having a wide range of sizes. In one embodiment, the valve includes a longitudinal passageway for receiving a medical device, a first seal forming a seal across longitudinal passageway, and an annular second seal, wherein an aperture of the second seal is defined by a semi-toroidal portion that forms a curved inner surface that forms a seal with the medical device.
1 . An introducer valve comprising:
a valve body defining a longitudinal passageway for receiving a medical device;
a first sealing element forming a seal across the longitudinal passageway; and
a second sealing element spaced apart from the first sealing element, wherein the second sealing element comprises a curved inner surface defining a first aperture through the second seal.
2 . The introducer valve of claim 1 , wherein the inner surface has a curved configuration.
3 . The introducer valve of claim 2 , wherein the inner surface is formed by a semicircle, ellipse, cone or parabola.
4 . The introducer valve of claim 1 , wherein the first sealing element has a lower durometer hardness than the second sealing element.
5 . The introducer valve of claim 1 , wherein the first sealing element has a greater thickness than the second sealing element.
6 . The introducer valve of claim 1 , wherein the first sealing element includes a depression and/or indentation in its upper surface.
7 . The introducer valve of claim 1 , wherein the first aperture has a diameter of about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm.
8 . The introducer valve of claim 1 , wherein the first aperture has a diameter equal to or less than the maximum diameter of an insertable medical device by about 5% to about 60%.
9 . The introducer valve of claim 1 , further comprising a third sealing element, wherein the third sealing element has a semi-toroidal shape providing a curved inner surface defining a second aperture through the third sealing element.
10 . The introducer valve of claim 9 , wherein the second aperture is larger than the first aperture.
11 . The introducer valve of claim 9 , wherein the second aperture has a diameter of about 1.5 mm to about 9 mm.
12 . The introducer valve of claim 1 , wherein the valve body is formed by two independent parts that are pressure fitted together.
13 . The introducer valve of claim 1 , wherein the valve body is formed by two independent parts that are adhesively bonded together.
14 . The introducer valve of claim 13 , wherein the adhesively bonded valve body is adapted to be split by a secondary operation creating a passageway through the valve body.
15 . An introducer valve comprising:
a valve body defining a longitudinal passageway for receiving a medical device;
a first sealing element forming a seal across the longitudinal passageway; and
a second sealing element spaced apart from the first sealing element, wherein the second sealing element comprises an inner surface defining a first aperture through the second sealing element, and wherein the valve body is formed from two independent parts that are pressure fitted or adhesively bonded together.
16 . The introducer valve of claim 15 , wherein the second sealing element has a lower flexural modulus than the first sealing element.
17 . The introducer valve of claim 15 , further comprising a third sealing element, wherein the third sealing element comprises an inner surface defining a second aperture through the third sealing element and wherein the third sealing element has a larger aperture than the second sealing element.
18 . The introducer valve of claim 15 , wherein the inner surface is curved.
19 . The introducer valve of claim 15 , wherein the inner surface is formed by a semi-circle, ellipse, cone or parabola.
20 . The introducer valve of claim 15 , wherein the first sealing element includes a depression and/or indentation in its upper surface.
21 . The introducer valve of claim 15 , wherein the valve body includes structure for coupling the valve body to an introducer.
22 . The introducer valve of claim 15 , wherein the valve body is formed by two independent parts that are adhesively bonded together.
23 . The introducer valve of claim 22 , wherein the adhesively bonded valve body is adapted to be split by a secondary operation creating a passageway through the valve body.
24 . An introducer valve comprising:
a longitudinal passageway for receiving a medical device;
a first sealing element forming a seal across the longitudinal passageway;
a semi-toroidal second sealing element spaced apart from the first sealing element,
wherein the semi-toroidal second sealing element defines a first aperture; and
a semi-toroidal third sealing element positioned between the first sealing element and the semi-toroidal second sealing element, wherein the semi-toroidal third sealing element defines a second aperture that is larger than the first aperture.
25 . An introducer valve comprising:
a longitudinal passageway for receiving a medical device;
a first sealing element forming a seal across the longitudinal passageway;
a semi-toroidal second sealing element spaced apart from the first sealing element,
wherein the semi-toroidal second sealing element defines a first, conically shaped aperture; and
wherein the semi-toroidal third sealing element defines a second aperture that is larger than the first aperture.