Systems and methods for treating a carotid artery

A method of accessing and treating a carotid artery, the method comprising:

• inserting an arterial access device into an artery, wherein the arterial access device comprises a distal sheath, an aspiration port communicating with an internal lumen of the distal sheath, and a proximal hemostasis valve assembly providing access to the internal lumen of the distal sheath;
• the hemostasis valve assembly comprising:
• (a) a housing defining an internal chamber that communicates with the internal lumen of the distal sheath, wherein the internal chamber is adapted to contain a liquid;
• (b) a first seal member that seals the internal chamber from the internal lumen of the distal sheath, the first seal member having a central passageway that opens for passage of an interventional device into the internal lumen of the distal sheath from the internal chamber, wherein the central passageway is closed in a default state to prevent passage of fluid across the first seal member;
• (c) wherein, when the internal chamber is filled with liquid or gel, the liquid or gel prevents air from entering the internal lumen of the distal sheath via the hemostasis valve assembly when the internal lumen of the distal sheath is aspirated, via the aspiration port;
• a second seal member, wherein the second seal member is positioned on a proximal end of the internal chamber and the first seal member is positioned on a distal end of the internal chamber so that the first seal member and second seal member define the internal chamber therebetween and can enclose liquid or gel within the internal chamber, and wherein the first seal member and second seal member are aligned along a common, straight axis;
• and wherein the internal chamber is pre-filled with liquid prior to a first use of the arterial access device.