Access device with valve
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.
1. A medical article comprising:
a sheath hub comprising one or more inner surfaces defining an inner cavity with an access opening into the inner cavity;
a sheath body extending distally from a distal portion of the sheath hub;
a relief element extending from the distal portion of the sheath hub and disposed about a proximal portion of the sheath body, wherein the relief element supports the proximal portion of the sheath body when the proximal portion of the sheath body flexes with respect to the sheath hub; and
a sleeve surrounding the relief element, wherein the sleeve is integrally formed with the relief element.
2. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein the relief element comprises a channel through which at least a portion of the sheath body extends.
3. The medical article of claim 2 , wherein the relief element comprises a plurality of ribs extending circumferentially around the channel, wherein at least one of the plurality of ribs is spaced axially apart from another rib with respect to the channel.
4. The medical article of claim 3 , wherein adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs are spaced at regular intervals.
5. The medical article of claim 3 , wherein adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs are space at irregular intervals.
6. The medical article of claim 3 , wherein the relief element comprises a plurality of struts circumferentially spaced around the channel and extending axially between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs.
7. A medical article comprising:
a sheath hub comprising one or more inner surfaces defining an inner cavity with an access opening into the inner cavity;
a sheath body extending distally from a distal portion of the sheath hub;
a relief element extending from the distal portion of the sheath hub and disposed about a proximal portion of the sheath body, wherein the relief element supports the proximal portion of the sheath body when the proximal portion of the sheath body flexes with respect to the sheath hub; and
a sleeve surrounding the relief element, wherein the sleeve comprises a plurality of ribs.
8. A medical article comprising:
a sheath hub comprising one or more inner surfaces defining an inner cavity with an access opening into the inner cavity;
a sheath body extending distally from a distal portion of the sheath hub;
a relief element extending from the distal portion of the sheath hub and disposed about a proximal portion of the sheath body, wherein the relief element supports the proximal portion of the sheath body when the proximal portion of the sheath body flexes with respect to the sheath hub; and
a sleeve surrounding the relief element, wherein the sleeve comprises a screened structure.
9. An access device for placing a medical article within a body space, the access device comprising:
a needle hub;
a needle comprising a needle body with a distal end, the needle body extending from needle hub;
a dilator hub;
a dilator slideably disposed on the needle body, the dilator comprising an elongated dilator shaft, the elongated dilator shaft extending from the dilator hub;
a sheath hub comprising one or more inner surfaces defining an inner cavity with an access opening into the inner cavity;
a sheath body extending distally from a distal portion of the sheath hub, the sheath body slideably disposed on the dilator;
a relief element extending from the distal portion of the sheath hub and disposed about a proximal portion of the sheath body, wherein the relief element supports the proximal portion of the sheath body when the proximal portion of the sheath body flexes with respect to the sheath hub; and
a sleeve surrounding the relief element, wherein the sleeve is integrally formed with the relief element.
10. The access device of claim 9 , wherein the relief element comprises a channel through which at least a portion of the sheath body extends through.
11. The access device of claim 10 , wherein the relief element comprises a plurality of ribs extending circumferentially around the channel, wherein at least one of the plurality of ribs is spaced axially apart from another rib with respect to the channel.
12. The access device of claim 11 , wherein adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs are spaced at regular intervals.
13. The access device of claim 11 , wherein adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs are space at irregular intervals.
14. The access device of claim 11 , wherein the relief element comprises a plurality of struts circumferentially spaced around the channel and extending axially between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs.
15. A medical article comprising:
a sheath hub comprising one or more inner surfaces defining an inner cavity with an access opening into the inner cavity;
a sheath body extending distally from a distal portion of the sheath hub;
a relief element extending from the distal portion of the sheath hub and disposed about a proximal portion of the sheath body, wherein the relief element supports the proximal portion of the sheath body when the proximal portion of the sheath body flexes with respect to the sheath hub;
a sealing surface disposed at one end of the inner cavity and around the access opening; and
a sleeve surrounding the relief element, wherein the sleeve is integrally formed with the relief element.
16. The medical article of claim 15 , wherein the relief element comprises a channel through which at least a portion of the sheath body extends.