LEAD INTRODUCER WITH MECHANICAL OPENING VALVE

摘要

A transvenous lead introducer (60) having a mechanical valve assembly (70) disposed thereon. In a preferred embodiment, a longitudinally splittable introducer sheath (61) is provided with a sliding valve at or near one end. The sliding valve may be spring-biased to a normally closed position. A semicircular notch (98) may be provided in the forward end of the sliding valve, so that the sheath may be effectively sealed even when a guidewire runs through the sheath. In an alternative embodiment, the sliding valve is adapted to have its forward end inserted into a notch in the cylindrical sheath body.