Splittable medical valve

A splittable valve assembly comprising:

• a hemostatic valve comprising a valve body and a passageway extending therethrough, the valve body including a wall having at least one line of fissure configured such that the hemostatic valve can be split at least partially open to expose the passageway, thereby allowing removal of a first medical device when situated therein;
• and
• a first sealing element traversing the passageway, the first sealing element configured to be self-sealing for preventing flow of bodily fluid therethrough;
• and
• a second sealing element traversing the passageway, the second sealing element comprising a disk of silicone foam material affixed to the valve body wall having a transverse fissure formed at least partially therethrough aligned with the at least one line of fissure in the valve body wall facilitating having the seal split along with the remainder of the hemostatic valve, the seal having an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture having an inside dimension selected to seal against said first medical device when situated therein.

A splittable valve assembly comprising:

• a hemostatic valve comprising a valve body made of a silastic material and a passageway extending therethrough, the valve body including a wall having two opposing lines of fissure that longitudinally define a first valve half and a second valve half such that the hemostatic valve can be split open along the lines of fissure in order to remove the hemostatic valve from around an first medical device when situated therein, each valve half including a grasping element comprising an integral tab;
• a proximal receiving chamber configured to accept a proximal hub of a dilator to at least temporarily secure the hub therein, thereby preventing movement of the dilator relative to the hemostatic valve;
• and
• a plurality of sealing elements traversing the passageway that include a distal seal that is integral with the valve body, and a proximal seal comprising a valve insert, the valve insert comprising a foam material and including an aperture therethough, the aperture having an inside dimension selected to seal against said first medical device when situated therein;
• wherein the valve body further includes an interfacing region, the interfacing region configured such that the hemostatic valve may be placed over a proximal end of an introducer sheath, thereby substantially eliminating or preventing fluid loss therefrom, the interfacing region further comprising a plurality of steps, each of the plurality of steps sized for placement over a different-diameter splittable introducer sheath.

The splittable valve assembly comprising:

• a hemostatic valve comprising a non-rigid, elastomeric material and which includes a valve body and a passageway extending therethrough, the valve body including a wall having at least one line of fissure configured such that the hemostatic valve can be split open to expose the passageway, thereby allowing removal of a first medical device when situated therein;
• a first, proximal sealing element traversing the passageway, the first sealing element configured to be self-sealing for preventing flow of bodily fluid therethrough;
• a second, distal sealing element traversing the passageway, the second sealing element comprising a foam material and having an aperture extending therethough, the aperture having an inside dimension selected to seal against said first medical device when situated therein;
• and
• wherein the valve body further includes an interfacing region, the interfacing region configured such that the hemostatic valve is attachable to a separate second medical device, thereby at least substantially eliminating or preventing fluid loss therefrom.