Dilator - introducer locking hub and sheath valve apparatus

Abstract

A dilator is axially movable to have its tubular member movably extended through the tubular portion of an introducer with the dilator hub abuttable against the tubular portion proximal edge. A locking finger mounted to the introducer tab (or handle) is radially extendable into a hub recess to lockingly retain the dilator and introducer in a coupled relationship to prevent accidental axial separation. The recess is formed by the hub main body and a radially extending flange to open radially outwardly. In one embodiment, the introducer tab is of a flexibility for being manually bent to move the locking finger out of the recess to permit axial separation while in a second embodiment, a flange notch is provided for the locking finger to relatively move axially therethrough when the dilator and introducer are relatively rotated from a position where the locking finger abuts against the flange. In the third embodiment, a slider is axially movable on the tab between a locking finger locked coupling position, a valving position blocking fluid flow through the tubular portion when the dilator and introducer are axially separated, and a valve open position permitting axial separation of the dilator and the introducer; while a fourth embodiment has a slider and an introducer notched flange.