HEMOSTASIS VALVE FOR GUIDE CATHETER CONTROL

1 . An apparatus comprising:

a base to support a hemostasis valve having a driven surface configured to be rotatably driven to rotate a catheter secured thereto, the base comprising:

a drive mechanism; and

a sideloading hemostasis valve holder configured to retain the driven surface of the hemostasis valve in engagement with the drive mechanism.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism is rotatable about a first axis and wherein the sideloading hemostasis valve holder comprises an insertion opening for the hemostasis valve that faces in a direction nonparallel to the first axis.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sideloading hemostasis valve holder comprises:

a channel; and

a clamp resiliently biased for movement toward the channel for clamping the hemostasis valve in the channel.

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the clamp is pivotable towards the channel.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a spring in engagement with the clamp to resiliently bias the clamp for movement towards the channel.

6 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the clamp comprises a groove to receive and contact a side surface of the hemostasis valve within the channel.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sideloading hemostasis valve holder comprises a C-shaped bracket.

8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the hemostasis valve comprises an outer circumferential groove proximate the driven surface and wherein the C-shaped bracket is configured to be received within the outer circumferential groove.

9 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the sideloading hemostasis valve holder comprises a second C-shaped bracket.

10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the drive mechanism is rotatable about an axis and wherein the C-shaped bracket and the second C-shaped bracket extend on opposite sides of the axis.

11 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the C-shaped bracket and the second C-shaped bracket extend on opposite sides of the drive mechanism.

12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sideloading hemostasis valve holder is configured to retain portions of the hemostasis valve above and over top of the drive mechanism.

13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hemostasis valve comprises a valve body with a first leg having a proximal port, a distal port and a lumen extending between the proximal port in the distal port, at least one valve located in the lumen adjacent the proximal port to permit an interventional device to be passed therethrough, the valve body putting a second leg extending at an angle relative to the first leg and in fluid communication with the first leg and wherein the sideloading hemostasis valve holder is configured to contact portions of the hemostasis valve directly above and directly below the second leg.

14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hemostasis valve comprises a valve body with a first leg having a proximal port, a distal port and a lumen extending between the proximal port in the distal port, at least one valve located in the lumen adjacent the proximal port to permit an interventional device to be passed therethrough, the valve body having a second leg extending at an angle relative to the first leg and in fluid communication with the first leg, wherein the driven surface is on a first side of the second leg and wherein the sideloading hemostasis valve holder is configured to contact portions of the hemostasis valve on a second side of the second leg opposite the first side.

15 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a bevel gear.

16 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the hemostasis valve.

17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein hemostasis valve comprises a valve body with a first leg having a proximal port, a distal port and a lumen extending between the proximal port in the distal port, at least one valve located in the lumen adjacent the proximal port to permit an interventional device to be passed therethrough, the valve body having a second leg extending at an angle relative to the first leg and in fluid communication with the first leg.

18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the hemostasis valve further comprises a rotatable connector rotatably connected to the distal port and configured to secure the catheter thereto, the attainable connector having a driven member having the driven surface and configured to be rotatably driven by the drive mechanism, the catheter being rotatingly coupled with the rotatable connector.

19 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a support which is affixed to the base;

a liner actuator to which the support is affixed that has a linear axis along which it may be advanced or retracted in a continuous or incremental manner; and

a bedside support to which the linear actuator is slidingly affixed to allow the linear actuator to move relative to the bedside support,

wherein the support functions to move the base and its affixed valve in concert with the movement of the linear actuator along its linear axis.

20 . A method comprising:

loading a hemostasis valve through a side opening of valve holder of a base having a drive mechanism;

retaining a driven surface of the hemostasis valve in engagement with the drive mechanism with the valve holder; and

rotatably driving the driven surface with the drive member to rotate a catheter secured to the hemostasis valve.