Catheter Apparatus and Associated Methods of Use

A catheter apparatus for use with a hemostasis valve, the hemostasis valve providing a valve body having a first end and an opposing second end with a valve lumen extending therebetween, the hemostasis valve further providing an elongate sheath engaged with the second end, and a compression seal positioned substantially proximal to the proximal end and configured for temporarily creating a reduced inner diameter within the valve lumen, the apparatus comprising:

• an elongate catheter having a first end and an opposing second end;
• an outer surface of the catheter having an outer diameter that is less than a neutral inner diameter of the valve lumen, thereby allowing the catheter to be slidably inserted a distance into the valve lumen;
• the catheter having a length that is greater than a length of the sheath, such that the second end of the catheter may extend a distance beyond a terminal end of the sheath when the catheter is inserted a distance into the valve lumen;
• and
• an at least one protrusion radially extending outwardly from the outer surface of the catheter and having an outer diameter that is less than the neutral inner diameter of the valve lumen but greater than the reduced inner diameter of the valve lumen, the at least one protrusion positioned relative to the first end of the catheter so as to indicate a corresponding distance by which the opposing second end of the catheter extends from the terminal end of the sheath when said protrusion is positioned substantially in line with the compression seal;
• whereby, with the catheter positioned a distance within the valve lumen and the compression seal subsequently creating the reduced inner diameter within the valve lumen, the at least one protrusion contacts the compression seal and prevents the catheter from sliding toward the first end of the valve body.

A combination catheter and hemostasis valve system comprising:

• a hemostasis valve comprising:
• a valve body having a first end and an opposing second end with a valve lumen extending therebetween, the valve lumen having a neutral inner diameter;
• an elongate sheath engaged with the second end of the valve body and in fluid communication with the valve lumen;
• and
• a compression seal positioned substantially proximal to the first end of the valve body and configured for temporarily creating a reduced inner diameter within the valve lumen;
• the hemostasis valve configured for selectively moving between one of a closed state—wherein the compression seal radially collapses so as to create the reduced inner diameter within the valve lumen—and an open state—wherein the compression seal radially moves outwardly so as to no longer create the reduced inner diameter within the valve lumen;
• and
• a catheter apparatus comprising:
• an elongate catheter having a first end and an opposing second end, an outer surface of the catheter having an outer diameter that is less than the neutral inner diameter of the valve lumen, thereby allowing the catheter to be slidably inserted a distance into the valve lumen;
• and
• an at least one protrusion radially extending outwardly from the outer surface of the catheter, the at least one protrusion having an outer diameter that is less than the neutral inner diameter of the valve lumen but greater than the reduced inner diameter of the valve lumen;
• whereby, with the catheter positioned a distance within the valve lumen and the hemostasis valve subsequently moved into the closed state, the at least one protrusion contacts the compression seal and prevents the catheter from sliding toward the first end of the valve body.