Slittable delivery device for the delivery of a cardiac surgical device

1. A slittable delivery device for the delivery of a cardiac surgical device, the delivery device comprising:

a slittable hub having a proximal end and a distal end;

a slittable shaft integrated into the hub;

wherein a proximal portion of the slittable shaft longitudinally splits into an exposed portion, wherein the exposed portion extends from the distal end of the slittable hub to the proximal end of the slittable hub to form a segment of a circumferential surface of the slittable hub, and wherein a slit is formed through the exposed portion upon removal of the slittable delivery device;

a hemostasis valve contained substantially within the hub; and

a cap on a proximal end of the hub and comprising an opening in the cap extending radially outward from a point near a radial center of the cap through a circumferential edge of the cap.

2. The delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the cap at least partially encloses the valve within the hub.

3. The delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the cap is coupled to the hub.

4. The delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the delivery device is at least one of a catheter or sheath.

5. The delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the cardiac surgical device is at least one of an implantable cardiac electrotherapy lead, an inner catheter, an inner sheath, a stylet, a guidewire and a sensor.

6. A slittable delivery device for the delivery of a cardiac surgical device, the delivery device comprising:

a slittable shaft formed of at least a first material;

a slittable hub coupled to the shaft and including a wall including a first wall segment and a second wall segment, wherein the first wall segment includes at least the first material and the second wall segment includes at least a second material that is at least one of harder and more rigid than the first material, and wherein the first and second wall segments extend from a distal end of the slittable hub to a proximal end of the slittable hub;

a hemostasis valve contained substantially within the hub; and

a cap on a proximal end of the hub and comprising an opening in the cap extending radially outward from a point near a radial center of the cap through a circumferential edge of the cap.

7. The delivery device of claim 6 , wherein the second wall segment forms a substantially greater percentage of the wall surface than the first wall segment.

8. The delivery device of claim 6 , wherein the device is at least one of a catheter or sheath.

9. The delivery device of claim 6 , wherein the first and second wall segments are longitudinally extending wall segments.

10. The delivery device of claim 6 , wherein the cardiac surgical device is at least one of an implantable cardiac electrotherapy lead, an inner catheter, an inner sheath, a stylet, a guidewire and a sensor.

11. The delivery device of claim 6 , wherein the delivery device is at least one of a catheter or sheath.

12. A slittable delivery device for the delivery of a cardiac surgical device, the delivery device comprising:

a slittable hub having a proximal end and a distal end;

a slittable shaft integrated into the hub, a proximal end of the shaft longitudinally splitting into an exposed portion and an unexposed portion, the exposed portion extending from the proximal end of the slittable hub to the distal end of the slittable hub to form a segment of a circumferential surface of the slittable hub;

a hemostasis valve contained substantially within the hub; and

a cap on a proximal end of the hub and comprising an opening in the cap extending radially outward from a point near a radial center of the cap through a circumferential edge of the cap.

13. The delivery device of claim 12 , wherein the cardiac surgical device is at least one of an implantable cardiac electrotherapy lead, an inner catheter, an inner sheath, a stylet, a guidewire and a sensor.