Access device with valve

A medical article comprising:

• a sheath hub comprising one or more inner surfaces defining an inner cavity with an access opening into the inner cavity;
• a sheath body extending distally from a distal portion of the sheath hub;
• a relief element extending from the distal portion of the sheath hub and disposed about a proximal portion of the sheath body, wherein the relief element supports the proximal portion of the sheath body when the proximal portion of the sheath body flexes with respect to the sheath hub;
• and
• a sleeve surrounding the relief element, wherein the sleeve comprises a plurality of ribs.

A medical article comprising:

• a sheath hub comprising one or more inner surfaces defining an inner cavity with an access opening into the inner cavity;
• a sheath body extending distally from a distal portion of the sheath hub;
• a relief element extending from the distal portion of the sheath hub and disposed about a proximal portion of the sheath body, wherein the relief element supports the proximal portion of the sheath body when the proximal portion of the sheath body flexes with respect to the sheath hub;
• and
• a sleeve surrounding the relief element, wherein the sleeve comprises a screened structure.

An access device for placing a medical article within a body space, the access device comprising:

• a needle hub;
• a needle comprising a needle body with a distal end, the needle body extending from needle hub;
• a dilator hub;
• a dilator slideably disposed on the needle body, the dilator comprising an elongated dilator shaft, the elongated dilator shaft extending from the dilator hub;
• a sheath hub comprising one or more inner surfaces defining an inner cavity with an access opening into the inner cavity;
• a sheath body extending distally from a distal portion of the sheath hub, the sheath body slideably disposed on the dilator;
• a relief element extending from the distal portion of the sheath hub and disposed about a proximal portion of the sheath body, wherein the relief element supports the proximal portion of the sheath body when the proximal portion of the sheath body flexes with respect to the sheath hub;
• and
• a sleeve surrounding the relief element, wherein the sleeve is integrally formed with the relief element.

A medical article comprising:

• a sheath hub comprising one or more inner surfaces defining an inner cavity with an access opening into the inner cavity;
• a sheath body extending distally from a distal portion of the sheath hub;
• a relief element extending from the distal portion of the sheath hub and disposed about a proximal portion of the sheath body, wherein the relief element supports the proximal portion of the sheath body when the proximal portion of the sheath body flexes with respect to the sheath hub;
• a sealing surface disposed at one end of the inner cavity and around the access opening;
• and
• a sleeve surrounding the relief element, wherein the sleeve is integrally formed with the relief element.