Patent Publication Number: US-2021187269-A1

Title: Valve assembly for medical procedures

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/218,995, filed Dec. 13, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/077,610, filed Mar. 22, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,155,104, issued Dec. 18, 2018, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/477,470, filed Jun. 3, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,314,605, issued Apr. 19, 2016, which claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/058,744, filed Jun. 4, 2008, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a valve assembly for medical procedures. 
     Discussion of the Related Art 
     Valve assemblies are used in many medical procedures. More specifically, introducer sheath valves are used in a wide variety of minimally invasive and conventional surgical procedures. For example, laparoscopic and arthroscopic surgical procedures are often performed through trocar assemblies, which include introducer sheath valves. 
     Current introducer sheath valves generally fall into two basic categories: passive and active. A passive introducer sheath valve generally relies on the deformation of a resilient sealing body by the implement inserted through the valve to form the desired fluid tight seal. Active valves include a mechanism that moves a sealing body into contact with the traversing implement. An example of an active valve would be constructed of a housing and a tubular resilient valve carried within the housing. This valve requires a means for varying the pressure in the space within the housing but outside of the tubular valve in order to urge the resilient valve to collapse inwardly to seal around the implement. 
     Another example of an active valve is constructed of an elastomeric sealing body, which will maintain hemostasis by contacting a surgical implement traversing the valve over a very small contact area. The orifice is formed in the thin elastomeric membrane, which extends radially inward from a torroidal balloon having a relatively rigid outer rim and a flexible inner portion. In this example, a vacuum is applied within the torroidal balloon to pull the elastomeric membrane radially outward for implement insertion. Sealing around the implement is actuated by applying a positive pressure within the torroidal balloon expanding the balloon radially inward to block access through the valve. 
     While these and other valve designs are fairly tolerant of various diameters of surgical implements, all of the currently available valves have significant limitation as to the variation in diameter, variation in shape of implement and how many implements which can pass through the valve without damaging it and with optimal sealing properties. For these reasons, it would be desirable to provide improved introducer sheath valves for use in endovascular, laparoscopic and other surgical procedures. Such valves would preferably seal over a wide range of surgical implement diameters, shapes, and multiple implements without imposing the high frictional forces of known valves, regardless of cross-sectional size or shape of the surgical implement traversing the valve. 
     Although specifically discussed as an introducer sheath valve, the invention encompasses other applications such as bariatric port access, medical injection port, vascular access port, valve for insertion sites such as feeding tubes or dialysis access port, etc. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first embodiment provides an introducer sheath valve having an outer tube and an inner tube comprised of a porous substrate with a pressurizable space formed between the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube. 
     A further embodiment provides an introducer sheath valve having an outer tube and an inner tube with a thickness of about 0.0025 mm to about 1 mm with a pressurizable space formed between the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube. 
     An additional embodiment provides an introducer sheath valve having an outer tube and an inner tube comprised of ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) with a pressurizable space formed between the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. These features and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an introducer sheath which carries one embodiment of the introducer sheath valve. 
         FIG. 2  is a cut away view of an introducer sheath which carries one embodiment of the introducer sheath valve. 
         FIG. 2A  is a cut away view of an introducer sheath which carries one embodiment of the introducer sheath valve. 
         FIG. 3  is an expanded view of one embodiment of the introducer sheath valve. 
         FIG. 4  is an end on view of one embodiment of the introducer sheath valve. 
         FIGS. 5A-C  illustrate examples of a porous substrate. 
         FIGS. 6A-C  illustrate magnified examples of a surface of a porous substrate. 
         FIGS. 7A-C  illustrate magnified examples of a surface of a porous substrate with a polymer filling openings or pores in the substrate. 
         FIG. 8  is a cut away view of an introducer sheath which carries one embodiment of the introducer sheath valve. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     A first embodiment comprises an introducer sheath valve constructed of an outer tube and an inner tube comprised of a porous substrate with a pressurizable space formed between the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube. 
       FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the introducer sheath valve  100 . Introducer sheath valve  100  assembly may be attached to an introducer sheath  102 . Sheath  102  may be manufactured of either fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) or extruded high density polyethylene or any other material with suitable biocompatible and mechanical properties. One of skill in the art can readily appreciate that there are a wide variety of potential materials that may be used to facilitate the present invention. Sheath  102  may be of any size but is preferably sized from about 12 to 26 Fr. On the proximal most end of the sheath  102  is the threaded adapter  104 . The threaded adapter  104  may be manufactured of any biocompatible plastic or any biocompatible metal with suitable biocompatible and mechanical properties. Threaded adapter  104  may be attached to sheath  102  by a variety of means which include but are not limited to adhesives such as polyurethane adhesives, quick setting cyanoacrylate adhesives, or ultraviolet cured adhesives. Other means to attach threaded adapter  104  to sheath  102  may include ultrasonic welding, interference fit, thermal bond and insert molding. One of skill in the art can readily appreciate that there are a wide variety of potential means for attaching threaded adapter  104  to sheath  102 . The distal end of the front fitting  106  may be attached to the proximal end of the threaded adapter  104 . The threaded adapter  104 , front fitting  106 , snap ring  108  and snap ring  108 ′ with fill port  112  may be manufactured of any biocompatible metal or plastic with suitable biocompatible and mechanical properties. Snap ring  108  and snap ring  108 ′ with fill port  112  will be discussed further. Front fitting  106  may be attached to threaded adapter  104  with similar means as described in the attachment of threaded adapter  104  and sheath  102 . Of the many features and attributes of front fitting  106 , a few are outlined in the following description. Front fitting  106  is designed to enable a user to grip the device securely. Gripping may be aided by protrusions  107  on the lateral sides of the fitting  106 . These protrusions  107  may be made of a similar material as that of the fitting  106  or may be made of a material with a high coefficient of friction or of a material more compliant than that of front fitting  106 . These protrusions may also be made with grating, a roughening, a raised company logo or design, or striations in the surface in conjunction with the material listed above to further aid in the gripping of the device. These features on the surface of front fitting  106  may also be used to aid in gripping without the use gripping protrusions  107  and may be applied directly to the lateral surface of front fitting  106 . Front fitting  106  also includes the feature of a flush port  109  with fitting. The function and use of a flush port  109  and fitting is commonly known in the arts. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a cross-section of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of  FIG. 1 , the outer sheath assembly may be constructed of a snap ring  108 , an outer tube  110 , and a snap ring  108 ′ with fill port  112 . As discussed previously, snap ring  108  and snap ring  108 ′ with fill port  112  may be constructed of any biocompatible metal or plastic with suitable biocompatible and mechanical properties. Fill port  112  may be located at any point along snap ring  108  or  108 ′. Outer tube  110  preferably has the feature of a sealing lip  204 . Sealing lip  204  aids in the secure fastening of snap ring  108  and snap ring  108 ′ with fill port  112  to outer tube  110 . Sealing lip  204  also provides a seal between tubes  110  and  200 . Outer tube  110  may be attached to snap ring  108  and snap ring  108 ′ with fill port  112  by a variety of methods. The preferable method for connecting the parts is that of insert molding as commonly practiced in the art. Other methods of attachment could include interference fit, adhesion or adhesives, ultrasonic welding and thermal bonding. Outer tube  110  may be constructed of any elastomer, latex or polycarbonate with desirable mechanical and biocompatible properties. In one embodiment, outer tube  110  comprises silicone and has an hourglass shape when not pressurized. When pressurized, the hourglass shape of outer tube  110  becomes distended to indicate a desirable pressure in the pressurizable space  206  (e.g., when the pressurizable space  206  is pressurized with at least one substance to a sufficient pressure to cause the inner tube  200  to collapse such that the pressure is sufficient to prevent back bleeding). Pressurizing methods and means will be described later. This feature of outer tube  110  enables the user of a device to easily and quickly identify the optimal pressure for the device. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  also show an inner tube  200 . Inner tube  200  may be formed with a ring  202  on each end of the inner tube  200 . Inner tube  200  may be constructed of any very thin, strong, drape-able material such as ePTFE, fabrics, silk, or Kevlar® brand fiber. These materials may be used as a single layer construct or a multi-layer construct. In one embodiment, inner tube  200  can be formed of a thin porous substrate, ePTFE similar to that described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0012624 A1 or U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0053892 A1. This construct may be comprised of multiple layers of ePTFE that may be filled or imbibed with a polymer. The filling or imbibing polymer may be the same as the construct or may be a different polymer. One construct can be similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,049,380. Porous substrate configurations will be further discussed with the description of  FIGS. 5A-C ,  FIGS. 6A-C  and  FIGS. 7A-C . 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate rings  202  on the ends of inner tube  200 . Rings  202  are used to create a stiff member to aid in attachment of inner tube  200  to front fitting  106  and to rear fitting  208 . Rings  202  may be made of any material with desirable biocompatible and mechanical properties. Rings are preferably made of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). Inner tube  200  with attached rings  202  may be inserted through the outer tube  110  and attached to the protruding end of front fitting  106 . Snap ring  108  may then be attached to front fitting  106  with an adhesive, but other suitable attachment methods will suffice. The remaining free ring  202  may then be attached to the protrusion on rear fitting  208 . Snap ring  108 ′ with fill port  112  may then be snapped onto rear fitting  208 . Methods for attaching snap ring  108 ′ with fill port  112  and rear fitting  208  are similar to those describe previously. Materials used to manufacture both snap ring  108 ′ with fill port  112  and rear fitting  208  have been discussed previously. 
       FIG. 2A  shows an embodiment in which pressurizable space  206  is filled prior to use and then fill port  112  is stopped with plug  207 . This embodiment has largely the same components as shown in  FIG. 2  with the addition of plug  207 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an end on view of the device showing a collapsed inner tube  200 . Snap ring  108 ′ with fill port  112  has a feature that allows pressurizable space  206  to be filled to a sufficient pressure to cause the inner tube  200  to collapse. Pressurizable space  206  may be filled with any suitable material or materials. For example, pressurizable space  206  may be filled with one or more of the following substances: air, silicone, water, saline solution, low volatility biocompatible liquids, glycerin, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, compressible foam, elastomeric spheres, and crosslinked silicone gels. 
     Shown in  FIGS. 5A  through C are perspective views of various porous substrates. Porous substrates can have various shapes or forms that are suited for particular applications. 
       FIG. 5A  depicts a flat, planer substrate  500 A having an outer surface  502  and a thickness  504 .  FIG. 5B  is a cylindrical or tubular porous substrate  500 B having an outer surface  502  and a thickness  504 . 
     Porous substrates can have any form or shape, for example a flat planer shape, a cylindrical or tubular shape, or any other shapes as commonly known in the art. Dimensions of porous substrates can be varied according to a particular application. For example, the wall thickness  504  can be varied as well as the length, width, diameter etc. The particular dimensions can be varied along the substrate&#39;s length, width or across the substrates surface  502 . For example,  FIG. 5C  shows a tubular porous substrate  500 C where the diameter varies along the substrate length, forming a “dog-bone” shape. 
     Porous substrates can be comprised of various materials such as ePTFE, fabrics, silk, Kevlar® brand fibers, or other materials known in the arts. A “porous substrate” is defined as a substrate having openings or pores which may be interconnected. Shown in  FIGS. 6A  through C are magnified partial views of the surface of a porous substrate. Shown in  FIG. 6A  is a porous substrate  600 A having nodes  602  interconnected by fibrils  604 . The openings or pores are shown as  606 A. Porous substrates of this type would be similar to any expanded polymer. Similarly, shown in  FIG. 6B  is a porous substrate  600 B comprised of a solid material  608  having openings or pores  606 B. Porous substrates of this type would be similar to any biocompatible plastic. Openings or pores would be formed by mechanical or etching means. Other opening or pore forming means in plastics are commonly known in the art. Shown in  FIG. 6C  is a porous substrate  600 C comprised of fibers or filaments  610 , having openings or pores  606 C. Porous substrates of this type would be similar to those of woven fabrics or those woven or formed of fibers. 
     Porous substrates may be filled with a substance such as a polymer. The polymer used for filling openings or pores may be the same as the polymer of the substrate or of a different polymer. Shown in  FIGS. 7A  through C are magnified partial views of the surface of a porous substrate filled with a substance.  FIG. 7A  shows a porous substrate  700 A having nodes  602  interconnected by fibrils  604  and filled pores  702 .  FIG. 7B  shows a porous substrate  700 B comprising a solid material  608  and filled pores  704 . Shown in  FIG. 7C  is a porous substrate  700 C having fibers  610  and filled openings or pores  706 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of the invention. A sheath  800  similar to sheath  102  is attached to front fitting  802 . Sheath  800  may be of similar dimension and material as that of sheath  102  but is constructed with a cuff at the proximal most end. Front fitting  802  may then be formed around or attached to sheath  800 . Attachment methods are well known in the art and may include adhesive or insert molding. Front fitting  802  may be formed of similar materials to that of front fitting  106 . Front fitting will be recognized to have similar features and advantages as that of front fitting  106  including gripping protrusion  107  (not shown) and flush port  109  with fitting. Snap ring  108 , outer tube  110 , inner tube  200  and pressurizable space  206  have been previously described in detail. Rear snap ring  108 ′ is constructed of materials similar to that of snap ring  108 ′ with fill port  112  and has features similar to that of snap ring  108 ′ with fill port  112 . Rear snap ring  804  may have a featured fill port but preferably does not include a fill port. Pressurizable space  206  may be filled upon assembly utilizing a specialized apparatus. Filling materials have been described previously. 
     EXAMPLES 
     Without intending to limit the scope of the invention, the following examples illustrate how various embodiments of the invention may be made and/or used. 
     Example 1 
     An introducer sheath valve assembly similar to  FIG. 1  was manufactured using the following components and assembly process: 
     Components were fabricated using a rapid prototyping, stereolithography (SLA) process. The parts were fabricated by ProtoCam (Northampton, Pa.) using an SLA material designated as Accura® 25 plastic. This material when cured had an advertised tensile strength of about 38 Mpa, a tensile modulus of about 1590-1660 Mpa, an elongation to break of about 13-20% and a hardness of about 80 Shore D. The tensile and elongation data were derived using test method ASTM D 638. Five parts were fabricated using this SLA process and Accura® 25 plastic material. The parts included a threaded adapter, front fitting, snap ring with fill port, and a rear fitting. 
     Other materials required for the assembly of the introducer sheath valve were purchased items. A silicone o-ring having a round cross sectional shape with an outer diameter of about 14 mm, an inner diameter of about 12 mm, and a width of about 1 mm was procured from McMaster-Carr (Santa Fe Springs, Calif.). FEP rings were fabricated and cut to have an outer diameter of about 12.7 mm (0.475 inches), an inner diameter of about 10.5 mm (0.415 inches), and a thickness of about 0.76 mm (0.030 inches). FEP sheet used to fabricate the rings was procured from Saint-Gobain (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.). The outer tube was manufactured using a mold making rubber for prototype designs, Silastic® T-4 Base/Curing Agent, which was ordered from Dow Corning (K.R. Anderson, Inc. Morgan Hill, Calif.). The material when cured had an advertized tensile strength of about 970 psi, a tear strength of about 150 ppi, a hardness of about 40 Shore D, and an elongation at break of about 390%. The tear strength data was derived using test method ISO 34. Sheaths used for the construction of this device were either FEP or extruded high-density polyethylene with outer diameters ranging from about 7.52 mm to 7.70 mm, and inner diameters ranging from about 6.71 mm to 5.76 mm and were obtained from various suppliers. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing having an outer diameter of about 2.7 mm (0.107 inches), an inner diameter of about 1.7 mm (0.068 inches), and a length of about 19.05 cm was obtained from in house stock. A stainless steel mandrel (used to construct the inner tube) having a diameter of about 11.0 mm and a length of about 304.8 mm was supplied from in-house stock. A three way polycarbonate stop cock valve with a standard luer fitting was supplied from in-house stock. A quick set cyanoacrylate adhesive and a two part polyurethane adhesive were supplied from in-house stock. A Sharpie® fine point permanent marker was procured from in-house stock. 
     The introducer sheath valve was then assembled using the components described above. For the sheath assembly the non-threaded end of the threaded adapter was glued onto the proximal end of the sheath using a two part polyurethane adhesive. The silicone o-ring was then placed in a groove on the threaded end of the threaded adapter. 
     For the outer tube assembly, an hourglass shaped silicone tube (outer tube) was insert molded using Silastic® T-4 around the snap ring with fill port. The Silastic® T-4 was mixed per manufacturer&#39;s instructions, degassed as commonly known in the art, and poured into a custom two part mold housing the snap ring with fill port and the snap ring with fill port and cured. Curing time was a minimum of about 1 hour at about 75 degrees Celsius. Insert molding was performed in-house as commonly known in the art. The outer tube assembly was then removed from the mold and flash removed. The final outer tube dimensions were a tube wall thickness of about 2.7 mm, a largest outer diameter of about 17.8 mm, and a smallest outer diameter (at the smallest portion of the hourglass shape) of about 12.75 mm and a length of about 22.5 mm. 
     The inner tube assembly was then constructed using a thin porous ePTFE membrane. The thin porous ePTFE membrane was constructed as per U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0012624 A1 or U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0053892 A1. The thin porous membrane was rolled onto the stainless steel mandrel for five complete wraps then cut. On the same roll, a thin membrane produced according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 7,049,380 was rolled for two complete wraps then cut. The thin porous ePTFE membrane was then rolled for another five complete wraps then cut. The final thickness of the construct was about 30 microns. FEP rings were then manually stretched over a Sharpie® fine point permanent marker, removed from the marker and placed on the wrapped tube construct at about 32.5 mm inner ring to inner ring intervals. The assembly was then placed in an ESPEC laboratory oven (model number STPH-201) at about 320 degrees Celsius for about 14 minutes. The assembly was then removed from the oven and allowed to cool to room temperature. The assembly was then stripped off the mandrel and segments were cut to include two FEP rings per segment. 
     The inner tube assembly was then inserted through the outer tube assembly such that the FEP rings extended from each end of the outer tube assembly. The FEP ring on the snap ring with fill port side was fitted over the protruding diameter of the front fitting. Cyanoacrylate adhesive was applied to the inner surface of the snap ring. The front fitting and the outer tube assembly were snapped together by hand. The remaining FEP ring was fitted over the protruding diameter of the rear fitting. Cyanoacrylate adhesive was applied to the inner surface of the snap ring with fill port and the rear fitting and snap ring with fill port were snapped together by hand. 
     The valve assembly was then threaded onto the sheath assembly. The PVC tubing was adhered to the fill port with cyanoacrylate adhesive and a three way stopcock valve was attached to the end of the tubing. The pressurizable space between the outer tube and the inner tube was pressurized through the stopcock valve to the desired pressure before testing using a syringe filled with water. 
     This example of the introducer sheath valve may be provided in a prefilled configuration by pressurizing the space between the outer tube and the inner tube and then using a plug or plugging substance to occlude the fill port. 
     Example 2 
     An introducer sheath valve assembly similar to  FIG. 8  was manufactured using the following components and assembly process: 
     The parts were fabricated by ProtoCam (Northampton, Pa.) using an SLA material designated as Accura® 25 plastic. This material when cured had an advertised tensile strength of about 38 Mpa, a tensile modulus of about 1590-1660 Mpa, an elongation to break of about 13-20% and a hardness of about 80 Shore D. The tensile and elongation data were derived using test method ASTM D 638. Three parts were fabricated using this SLA process and Accura® 25 plastic material. The parts included two snap rings and a rear fitting. 
     Other materials required for the assembly of the introducer sheath valve were purchased items. The front fitting was manufactured in-house using a urethane plastic for prototype designs, Smooth-Cast® 300 urethane, which was ordered from ProtoCam (Northampton, Pa.). This material when cured had an advertised tensile strength of about 3,000 psi and a hardness of about 70 Shore D. A silicone o-ring having a round cross sectional shape with an outer diameter of about 14 mm, an inner diameter of about 12 mm, and a width of about 1 mm was procured from McMaster-Carr (Santa Fe Springs, Calif.). FEP rings were fabricated in house and cut to have an outer diameter of about 12.7 mm (0.475 inches), an inner diameter of about 10.5 mm (0.415 inches), and a thickness of about 0.76 mm (0.030 inches). FEP sheet used to fabricate the rings was procured from Saint-Gobain (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.). The outer tube was manufactured in-house using a mold making rubber for prototype designs, Silastic® T-4 Base/Curing Agent, which was ordered from Dow Corning (K.R. Anderson, Inc., Morgan Hill, Calif.). The material when cured had an advertized tensile strength of about 970 psi, a tear strength of about 150 ppi, a hardness of about 40 Shore D, and an elongation at break of about 390%. The tear strength data was derived using test method ISO 34. The sheaths used for the construction of this device was extruded high-density polyethylene with outer diameters ranging from about 7.52 mm to 7.70 mm, and inner diameters ranging from about 6.71 mm to 5.76 mm and was procured from in-house stock. A stainless steel mandrel (used to construct the inner tube) having a diameter of about 11.0 mm and a length of about 304.8 mm was supplied from in-house stock. A quick set cyanoacrylate adhesive and a two part polyurethane adhesive were supplied from in-house stock. A Sharpie® fine point permanent marker was procured from in-house stock. 
     The introducer sheath valve was then assembled using the components described above. To make the sheath assembly, the polyethylene sheath was RF (radio frequency) formed to create a cuff at the proximal most end. The cuff was approximately 0.94 mm thick and had an outer diameter 8.59 mm. The front fitting was insert molded over the cuff on the sheath using Smooth-Cast® 300 urethane. Smooth-Cast® 300 was mixed per manufacture&#39;s instructions and poured into a custom two-part mold. Insert molding was performed in-house as commonly known in the art. The assembly was then removed from the mold and flash removed. 
     For the outer tube assembly, an hourglass shaped silicone tube (outer tube) was molded using Silastic® T-4 silicone. The Silastic® T-4 was mixed per manufacture&#39;s instructions, degassed as commonly known in the arts, and poured into a custom two-part mold and cured. Curing time was a minimum of about 1 hour at about 75 degrees Celsius. Insert molding was performed in-house as commonly known in the art. The outer tube was then removed from the mold and flash removed. The final outer tube dimensions were a tube wall thickness of about 2.7 mm, a largest outer diameter of about 17.8 mm, and a smallest outer diameter (at the smallest portion of the hourglass shape) of about 12.75 mm and a length of about 22.5 mm. The snap rings were snapped onto the ends of the silicone tube. The silicone tube edges were lifted and a cyanoacrylate adhesive was applied between the edge of the silicone tube and the snap ring. The assembly was then placed at room temperature until the adhesive was fully cured according to manufacturer&#39;s instructions. 
     The inner tube assembly was made according to the method described in Example 1. 
     The inner tube assembly was then inserted through the outer tube assembly such that the FEP rings extended from each end of the outer tube assembly. Cyanoacrylate adhesive was then applied to the protruding diameter of the front fitting on the sheath assembly and the FEP ring was fit over the protruding diameter of the front fitting. Cyanoacrylate adhesive was applied to the inner surface of a snap ring on the outer tube assembly. The front fitting and outer tube assembly were snapped together by hand. Cyanoacrylate adhesive was applied at the base of the protruding diameter of the rear fitting. The remaining FEP ring was fitted over the protruding diameter of the rear fitting. 
     The pressurizable space between the outer tube and the inner tube was then pressurized with glycerin. In order to pressurize the space with glycerin, the valve assembly was placed in an in-house made fixture. The fixture consisted of a movable housing to grasp the rear fitting and a stationary housing to grasp the snap ring and outer tube assembly. This fixture maintained a gap of approximately 2.0 mm between the rear fitting and the snap ring during pressurizing. The fixture also consisted of a cuff containing two o-rings on its interior with a diameter designed to form a tight seal around the rear fitting and the snap ring. The cuff was fitted with an aperture extending through the cuff and a tube connected to the aperture. The tube was connected to a syringe filled with glycerin. The cuff was fitted over the gap between the rear fitting and the snap ring and the pressurizable space was filled with glycerin to the desired pressure. Once the space was filled, and while the cuff was still fitted over the gap between the rear fitting and the snap ring, the movable housing was pushed toward the snap ring to close the gap. Excess glycerin was removed from the outside of the introducer sheath valve assembly. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, the present invention should not be limited to such illustrations and descriptions. It should be apparent that changes and modifications may be incorporated and embodied as part of the present invention within the scope of the following claims.