Patent ID: 9352129
Filing Date: 2016-05-31
CPC Classification: A61M

Claim Text:
1. An introducer assembly for use in insertion of a medical device, such as a vasculature catheter, into a patient, the introducer assembly comprising: an introducer sheath tube, a hub having a proximal hub opening and a distal hub opening and a passageway extending between the openings, the hub is secured to a proximal end of the sheath tube such that the hub passageway is aligned with a passageway of the sheath tube, a valve disposed at least partially within the hub for sealing the hub passageway while permitting insertion therethrough of a medical device, the valve sized and configured such that the valve is passable through the proximal hub opening; and a valve-retaining cap, wherein the cap is so affixed to the hub at a proximal end thereof that the cap is movable between a closed position wherein the cap closes at least a portion of the proximal hub opening such that the valve is prevented from passing through the hub proximal opening, and an open position wherein the cap is clear of the proximal hub opening such that the valve is passable through the proximal hub opening thus permitting access to the hub and sheath passageways through the proximal hub opening while the cap remains secured to the hub and the hub remains secured to the sheath tube.