IP Library Granted Patent US 10,864,353
Granted Patent B2
US 10,864,353 · App. 15/887,170 · Granted Dec 15, 2020

Access device with valve

Inventors: Steven F. Bierman (Del Mar, CA); Richard A. Pluth (San Diego, CA)
Assignee: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
A61M25/06A61M25/0668A61M39/22A61M25/0097A61M25/0693A61M29/00A61M2025/0098A61M2039/244
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,864,353
App. No.
15/887,170
Granted
Dec 15, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A splittable sheath includes a splittable sheath body, a splittable sheath hub, and a valve element. The sheath body comprises a generally flexible tubular structure, a proximal end, and a distal end. The sheath body defines a longitudinal axis and is splittable into two halves along a pre-determined line generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The sheath hub extends from the proximal end of the sheath body and defines a longitudinal axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the sheath body. The sheath body and sheath hub form an inner cavity along their respective longitudinal axes. The valve element includes a resilient plate and a sealing element. The resilient plate includes a distal portion extending radially inwardly from a side of the inner cavity. The sealing element includes a sealing surface and is supported by the resilient plate such that the sealing element is biased toward a position against a second sealing surface on at least one of the splittable sheath body and hub to substantially seal the inner cavity.

Claims (76)

1. A medical article comprising:

a sheath including a sheath hub, the sheath hub comprising:

one or more inner surfaces defining an inner cavity with an access opening into the inner cavity, and

a first sealing surface disposed at one end of the inner cavity and around the access opening, and

a valve element comprising:

a resilient plate comprising a sealing portion, the sealing portion extending into the inner cavity from one of the one or more inner surfaces of the sheath hub, the sealing portion having two opposing sides with an aperture passing through the resilient plate between the two opposing sides, the sealing portion being moveable to transition the valve element between an open position and a closed position, and

a sealing element being at least partially positioned on the sealing portion and extending through the aperture such that the sealing element is positioned on the two opposing sides of the sealing portion of the resilient plate when the valve element is in both the open position and the closed position, the sealing element comprising a second sealing surface supported on one of the two opposing sides of the sealing portion, the second sealing surface being movable with the sealing portion to the closed position to bear against the first sealing surface of the sheath hub to substantially seal at least a portion of the access opening into the inner cavity,

wherein a first portion of the sealing element covers at least one of the two opposing sides of the sealing portion, wherein a second portion of the sealing element covers at least the other of the two opposing sides of the sealing portion, and wherein the sealing portion is at least partially positioned between the first and second portions of the sealing element through the aperture.

2. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein the aperture passing through the resilient plate is offset relative to a longitudinal axis, about which the access opening is positioned, when the sealing element is in the closed position.

3. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein the resilient plate includes a plurality of apertures.

4. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein the sealing element further comprises an alignment element configured to facilitate attachment of the sealing element to the resilient plate.

5. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second sealing surfaces extends around the substantial entirety of a perimeter of the one or more inner surfaces when the valve element is in the closed position.

6. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein the sealing element further comprises a raised portion with respect to the second sealing surface, and wherein the raised portion extends away from the sealing portion of the resilient plate.

7. The medical article of claim 6 , wherein the raised portion comprises a substantially dome-like shape.

8. The medical article of claim 6 , wherein the raised portion has a height sufficient to inhibit contact between the second sealing surface and a device extending through the inner cavity.

9. The medical article of claim 6 , wherein the raised portion comprises a coating.

10. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein the resilient plate further comprises a weakened portion configured to facilitate bending of the resilient plate such that the sealing portion of the resilient portion moves with respect to the sheath hub.

11. The medical article of claim 10 , wherein the weakened portion comprises a fold line.

12. The medical article of claim 10 , wherein the resilient plate is bent at the weakened portion to be substantially non-planar to preload the valve element into the closed position.

13. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein the sheath hub and the resilient plate comprise a pair of corresponding attachment elements configured to restrict at least one of radial and rotational movement of the resilient plate relative to a longitudinal axis.

14. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein the valve element is biased toward the closed position.

15. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein the resilient plate further comprises a flexible material with properties inhibiting cold-setting when the resilient plate is held in a flexed position for extended periods of time.

16. The medical article of claim 15 , wherein the resilient plate comprises Nitinol.

17. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein the sheath hub is splittable into two portions along pre-determined split lines generally parallel to a longitudinal axis, about which the access opening is positioned.

18. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein the sheath further comprises a sheath body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a tubular structure extending therebetween, and wherein the sheath hub extends from the proximal end of the sheath body and the inner cavity extends along the longitudinal axis of the sheath body.

19. The medical article of claim 18 , wherein the sheath body is splittable into two portions along two pre-determined split lines generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular structure.

20. A medical article comprising:

a sheath including a sheath hub, the sheath hub comprising:

one or more inner surfaces defining an inner cavity with an access opening into the inner cavity, and

a first sealing surface disposed at one end of the inner cavity and around the access opening, and

a valve element comprising:

a resilient plate comprising a sealing portion extending into the inner cavity from one of the one or more inner surfaces of the sheath hub, the sealing portion having two opposing sides with an aperture passing through the resilient plate between the two opposing sides, and

a sealing element being disposed on at least the two opposing sides of the sealing portion of the resilient plate, extending through the aperture, and comprising a second sealing surface supported on one of the two opposing sides of the sealing portion, the second sealing surface being movable with the sealing portion to a closed position to bear against the first sealing surface of the sheath hub to substantially seal at least a portion of the access opening into the inner cavity

wherein a first portion of the sealing element covers at least one of the two opposing sides of the sealing portion, wherein a second portion of the sealing element covers at least the other of the two opposing sides of the sealing portion, and wherein the sealing portion is at least partially positioned between the first and second portions of the sealing element through the aperture.

21. The medical article of claim 20 , wherein the resilient plate includes a plurality of apertures.

22. The medical article of claim 20 , wherein the sealing element further comprises an alignment element configured to facilitate attachment of the sealing element to the resilient plate.

23. The medical article of claim 20 , wherein at least one of the first and second sealing surfaces extends around the substantial entirety of a perimeter of the one or more inner surfaces when the valve element is in the closed position.

24. The medical article of claim 20 , wherein the sealing element further comprises a raised portion with respect to the second sealing surface, and wherein the raised portion extends away from the sealing portion of the resilient plate.

25. The medical article of claim 24 , wherein the raised portion comprises a substantially dome-like shape.

26. The medical article of claim 24 , wherein the raised portion has a height sufficient to inhibit contact between the second sealing surface and a device extending through the inner cavity.

27. The medical article of claim 24 , wherein the raised portion comprises a coating.

28. The medical article of claim 20 , wherein the resilient plate further comprises a weakened portion configured to facilitate bending of the resilient plate such that the sealing portion of the resilient portion moves with respect to the sheath hub.

29. The medical article of claim 28 , wherein the weakened portion comprises a fold line.

30. The medical article of claim 28 , wherein the resilient plate is bent at the weakened portion to be substantially non-planar to preload the valve element into the closed position.

31. The medical article of claim 20 , wherein the sheath hub and the resilient plate comprise a pair of corresponding attachment elements configured to restrict at least one of radial and rotational movement of the resilient plate relative to a longitudinal axis.

32. The medical article of claim 20 , wherein the valve element is biased toward the closed position.

33. The medical article of claim 20 , wherein the resilient plate further comprises a flexible material with properties inhibiting cold-setting when the resilient plate is held in a flexed position for extended periods of time.

34. The medical article of claim 33 , wherein the resilient plate comprises Nitinol.

35. The medical article of claim 20 , wherein the sheath hub is splittable into two portions along pre-determined split lines generally parallel to a longitudinal axis, about which the access opening is positioned.

36. The medical article of claim 20 , wherein the sheath further comprises a sheath body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a tubular structure extending therebetween, and wherein the sheath hub extends from the proximal end of the sheath body and the inner cavity extends along the longitudinal axis of the sheath body.

37. The medical article of claim 36 , wherein the sheath body is splittable into two portions along two pre-determined split lines generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular structure.

38. A medical article comprising:

a sheath including a sheath hub, the sheath hub comprising:

one or more inner surfaces defining an inner cavity with an access opening into the inner cavity, and

a first sealing surface disposed at one end of the inner cavity and around the access opening, and

a valve element comprising:

a resilient plate comprising a sealing portion, the sealing portion extending into the inner cavity from one of the one or more inner surfaces of the sheath hub, the sealing portion having two opposing sides with an aperture passing through the resilient plate between the two opposing sides, the sealing portion being moveable to transition the valve element between an open position and a closed position, and

a sealing element being at least partially positioned on the sealing portion and extending through the aperture such that the sealing element is positioned on the two opposing sides of the sealing portion of the resilient plate when the valve element is in both the open position and the closed position, the sealing element comprising a second sealing surface supported on one of the two opposing sides of the sealing portion, the second sealing surface being movable with the sealing portion to the closed position to bear against the first sealing surface of the sheath hub to substantially seal at least a portion of the access opening into the inner cavity,

wherein the sealing element further comprises an alignment element configured to facilitate attachment of the sealing element to the resilient plate.

39. The medical article of claim 38 , wherein the aperture passing through the resilient plate is offset relative to a longitudinal axis, about which the access opening is positioned, when the sealing element is in the closed position.

40. The medical article of claim 38 , wherein the resilient plate includes a plurality of apertures.

41. The medical article of claim 38 , wherein at least one of the first and second sealing surfaces extends around the substantial entirety of a perimeter of the one or more inner surfaces when the valve element is in the closed position.

42. The medical article of claim 38 , wherein the sealing element further comprises a raised portion with respect to the second sealing surface, and wherein the raised portion extends away from the sealing portion of the resilient plate.

43. The medical article of claim 42 , wherein the raised portion comprises a substantially dome-like shape.

44. The medical article of claim 42 , wherein the raised portion has a height sufficient to inhibit contact between the second sealing surface and a device extending through the inner cavity.

45. The medical article of claim 42 , wherein the raised portion comprises a coating.

46. The medical article of claim 38 , wherein the resilient plate further comprises a weakened portion configured to facilitate bending of the resilient plate such that the sealing portion of the resilient portion moves with respect to the sheath hub.

47. The medical article of claim 46 , wherein the weakened portion comprises a fold line.

48. The medical article of claim 46 , wherein the resilient plate is bent at the weakened portion to be substantially non-planar to preload the valve element into the closed position.

49. The medical article of claim 38 , wherein the sheath hub and the resilient plate comprise a pair of corresponding attachment elements configured to restrict at least one of radial and rotational movement of the resilient plate relative to a longitudinal axis.

50. The medical article of claim 38 , wherein the valve element is biased toward the closed position.

51. The medical article of claim 38 , wherein the resilient plate further comprises a flexible material with properties inhibiting cold-setting when the resilient plate is held in a flexed position for extended periods of time.

52. The medical article of claim 51 , wherein the resilient plate comprises Nitinol.

53. The medical article of claim 38 , wherein the sheath hub is splittable into two portions along pre-determined split lines generally parallel to a longitudinal axis, about which the access opening is positioned.

54. The medical article of claim 38 , wherein the sheath further comprises a sheath body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a tubular structure extending therebetween, and wherein the sheath hub extends from the proximal end of the sheath body and the inner cavity extends along the longitudinal axis of the sheath body.

55. The medical article of claim 54 , wherein the sheath body is splittable into two portions along two pre-determined split lines generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular structure.

Assignments (9)
MERGER Recorded Oct 2, 2024
From: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
To: ICU MEDICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 069101/0767 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 16, 2022
From: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061179/0320 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2020
From: ACCESS SCIENTIFIC, LLC; ASSPV, LLC
To: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
Reel/Frame 052656/0817 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2020
From: FORTRESS CREDIT CORP.
To: ACCESS SCIENTIFIC, LLC; ASSPV, LLC
Reel/Frame 052639/0577 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2019
From: ACCESS SCIENTIFIC, LLC
To: ASSPV, LLC
Reel/Frame 051335/0783 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2019
From: ACCESS SCIENTIFIC, LLC; ASSPV, LLC
To: FORTRESS CREDIT CORP.
Reel/Frame 049834/0367 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 16, 2019
From: ACCESS SCIENTIFIC, INC.
To: ACCESS SCIENTIFIC, LLC
Reel/Frame 049769/0829 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 4, 2018
From: ACCESS SCIENTIFIC, INC.
To: ACCESS SCIENTIFIC, LLC
Reel/Frame 045977/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 1, 2018
From: BIERMAN, STEVEN F.; PLUTH, RICHARD A.
To: ACCESS SCIENTIFIC, INC.
Reel/Frame 045962/0106 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 14238832
Provisional Application 61524645 · Aug 17, 2011
Related Publication 20180221628A1 · Aug 9, 2018