Patent ID: 8444602

Claim:
An introducer for use in inserting an interventional device into a body vessel of a patient, the introducer comprising: a housing, said housing having a proximal opening, a distal opening, an interior housing surface, and a chamber disposed between said proximal opening and said distal opening within said interior housing surface, said interior housing surface including a plurality of tabs axially and circumferentially spaced therealong; a valve system disposed in said housing chamber, said valve system comprising a plurality of identical valve members axially arranged in said chamber, each said valve member having a generally circular hole extending therethrough and sized for passage of said interventional device, each said valve member being aligned in said chamber such that each of said holes is penetrable by said interventional device, and such that said hole in one valve member is covered by an adjoining valve member, each said identical valve member comprising a notch disposed along a circumferential edge thereof, said notch positioned along said circumferential edge such that one of said tabs is receivable therein when said valve member is arranged in said chamber; a sheath extending distally from the housing distal opening, said sheath defining a conduit for said interventional device; said valve members being axially arranged in said chamber such that said holes are substantially non-coaxial and are offset from a center portion of said valve members, said holes further being capable of substantially conforming to a profile of the interventional device passed therethrough; and wherein said plurality of identical valve members comprises four valve members, said valve members being aligned in said housing such that each of said holes is disposed in a distinct quadrant of said valve system.