Patent ID: 8052646

Claim:
A dilator and sheath assembly comprising: a) a dilator having: 1) an elongated dilator stem having a proximal dilator end; and 2) a dilator hub fixedly connected to the proximal dilator end, wherein the dilator hub includes a locking portion at a distal portion thereof; and b) a sheath having: 1) an elongated tubular portion having a proximal sheath end, a distal sheath end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal sheath end and the distal sheath end, wherein the tubular portion is sized to frictionally retain the dilator stem; 2) at least one tear seam extending in a plane between the proximal sheath end and the distal sheath end; 3) a sheath hub fixedly connected to the proximal sheath end, wherein the sheath hub includes an elongated tubular portion having a proximal portion, a mating locking portion recessed within the proximal end of the sheath; and 4) a valve assembled to the sheath hub proximal of the proximal sheath end, wherein the locking portion of the dilator hub and the mating locking portion of the sheath provide a releasably locking engagement between the dilator and the sheath.