# US 2016/0354598 A1 · Valve assembly for medical procedures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0354598 A1 - Document ID: US20160354598A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/077,610 - Filed: 2016-03-22 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-04 - Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. - Applicants: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. - Inventors: David J. Arcaro; James L. Goepfrich; William Wilkie - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160354598A1 ## CPC - A61M 39/228: {with a tubular diaphragm constrictable by radial fluid force} - A61M 39/0613: {with means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure (A61M39/0693 takes precedence)} - A61M 2039/0673: {comprising means actively pressing on the device passing through the seal, e.g. inflatable seals, diaphragms, clamps} - B29C 64/135: the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources - B29L 2031/7546: {Surgical equipment} - B33Y 10/00: Processes of additive manufacturing - B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing - Y10T 29/49764: with testing or indicating - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - Y10T 29/49904: Assembling a subassembly, then assembling with a second subassembly - Y10T 29/49925: Inward deformation of aperture or hollow body wall - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The invention relates to a valve used in medical procedures. More specifically the invention relates to an introducer sheath valve used in minimally invasive and conventional surgical procedures. The valve may accommodate a wide range of surgical implement diameters, shapes, and multiple implements without imposing the high frictional forces of known valves. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An introducer sheath valve comprising: an outer tube; an inner tube comprised of porous substrate; and a pressurizable space formed between an inner surface of the outer tube and an outer surface of the inner tube. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The introducer sheath valve of claim 1, wherein the porous substrate comprises a polymer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The introducer sheath valve of claim 1, further comprising at least one polymer filling at least a portion of the porous substrate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The introducer sheath valve of claim 2, further comprising at least one polymer filling at least a portion of the porous substrate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The introducer sheath valve of claim 1, wherein the pressurizable space is pressurized with at least one substance to a sufficient pressure to cause the inner tube to collapse. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The introducer sheath valve of claim 5, wherein the pressure is sufficient to prevent back bleeding. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The introducer sheath valve of claim 5, wherein at least one interventional device can be advanced through the inner tube. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The introducer sheath valve of claim 1, wherein the inner tube comprises a lubricious material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The introducer sheath valve of claim 1, wherein the inner tube comprises a material selected from the group consisting of ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene), fabrics, silk, and Kevlar®. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The introducer sheath valve of claim 9, wherein the inner tube comprises ePTFE. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The introducer sheath valve of claim 5, wherein the at least one substance comprises a material selected from the group consisting of air, silicone, water, saline solution, low volatility biocompatible liquids, glycerin, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, compressible foam, elastomeric spheres, and crosslinked silicone gels. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The introducer sheath valve of claim 1, wherein the pressurizable space is formed by sealing a first end of the outer tube to a first end of the inner tube and sealing a second end of the outer tube to a second end of the inner tube. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The introducer sheath valve of claim 12, wherein the sealing is accomplished by at least one of the following: interference fit, adhesion, thermal bond, and insert molding. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The introducer sheath valve of claim 13, wherein the interference fit is formed using at least one o-ring. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The introducer sheath valve of claim 1, wherein the pressurizable space maintains a pressure wherein the pressure is attained by an external source. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The introducer sheath of claim 15, where in the pressure is attained by at least one of the following: finger pressure, a leaf spring, and filled syringe. ### Claim 17 An introducer sheath valve comprising: an outer tube; an inner tube having a thickness of about 0.0025 mm to about 1 mm; and a pressurizable space formed between an inner surface of the outer tube and an outer surface of the inner tube. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The introducer sheath valve of claim 17, wherein the porous substrate comprises a polymer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The introducer sheath valve of claim 17, further comprising at least one polymer filling at least a portion of the porous substrate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The introducer sheath valve of claim 18, further comprising at least one polymer filling at least a portion of the porous substrate.