Patent ID: 9474889
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: A61M

Claim Text:
1. A medical introducer for providing communication with the arterial system of a patient, the introducer comprising: an introducer housing having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner surface, a flexible sealing member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the sealing member located within the housing having a closable aperture formed therein to allow an instrument to pass through the introducer housing and to seal the aperture when no instrument is passing therethrough, the inner surface of the sealing member forming a seal against an instrument and having a distal end forming an enlarged diameter circular flange and a proximal end having an enlarged diameter, wherein an annular notch is formed in the sealing member just proximal to and positioned between the enlarged diameter circular flange and the enlarged diameter proximal end, the annular notch having an outer surface having a lesser diameter than the enlarged diameter circular flange and the enlarged diameter proximal end, and a constraining structure surrounding and contacting the outer surface of the annular notch, the constraining structure having an internal diameter less than the enlarged diameter circular flange and the enlarged diameter proximal end, the constraining structure in contact with and held in place by the inner surface of the housing, wherein the constraining structure prevents distortion of the annular notch of the sealing member while allowing the enlarged diameter circular flange to expand outwardly as an instrument is passed through the sealing member.