Side-arm Port Introducer
A self-sealing introducer is disclosed that allows easy introduction of a catheter into a working channel of a surgical instrument while minimizing fluid leakage before, during and after catheter insertion.
1 . A hysteroscopic system comprising:
a hysteroscope including a working channel and access port having a lumen communicating with the working channel, and a valve disposed in the access port;
an introducer comprising a tube adapted for insertion into the lumen of the access port and a stasis fitting fixed to the tube and adapted for attachment to the access port when the tube is inserted into the lumen;
wherein the tube is sized and dimensioned to extend through the valve when the stasis fitting is attached to the access port.
2 . The hysteroscopic system of claim 4 wherein the stasis fitting comprises a center bore sized and dimensioned to frictionally engage the access port.
3 . The hysteroscopic system of claim 4 wherein said stasis fitting has a funnel shaped recess at its proximal end, said funnel shaped recess terminating distally in a deformable self-sealing valve communicating with a funnel shaped chamber communicating with the proximal end of the tube.
4 . A hysteroscopic system comprising:
a hysteroscope including a working channel and access port having a lumen communicating with the working channel, and a valve disposed in the access port; and
an introducer comprising a tube adapted for insertion into the lumen of the access port and a stasis fitting fixed to the tube and adapted for attachment to the access port when the tube is inserted into the lumen;
said stasis fitting having a funnel shaped recess at its proximal end, said funnel shaped recess terminating distally in a deformable self-sealing valve communicating with a funnel shaped chamber communicating with the proximal end of the tube.
5 . The hysteroscopic system of claim 4 wherein the stasis fitting comprises a center bore sized and dimensioned to frictionally engage the access port.
6 . The hysteroscopic system of claim 5 wherein the tube is sized and dimensioned to extend through the valve when the stasis fitting is attached to the access port.
7 . An introducer for a working channel of an optical surgical device, where said optical surgical device comprises a working channel and an side-arm port communicating with said working channel, and a valve disposed in the side arm port or working cannel, said introducer comprising:
an insertion tube adapted for insertion into the working channel of the optical surgical device, said insertion tube having a distal end and a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the tube defining a proximal opening and a distal opening in the tube; and
a stasis fitting disposed about the proximal end of the tube;
wherein the tube is sized and dimensioned such that its distal end extends into interfering relationship with the valve when the stasis fitting is attached to the access port.
8 . The introducer of claim 7 , wherein the stasis fitting further comprises a funnel shaped recess at its proximal end, said funnel shaped recess terminating distally in a deformable self-sealing valve communicating with a funnel shaped chamber communicating with the proximal end of the tube.
9 . The introducer of claim 8 , wherein the self-sealing valve permits passage of a catheter through the self-sealing valve while substantially maintaining a fluid tight seal.