US 11,697,000 B2
Access device with valve
Steven F. Bierman, Del Mar, CA (US); and Richard A. Pluth, San Diego, CA (US)
Assigned to SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC., Plymouth, MN (US)
Filed by Smiths Medical ASD, Inc., Plymouth, MN (US)
Filed on Nov. 12, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/95,952.
Application 17/095,952 is a continuation of application No. 15/887,170, filed on Feb. 2, 2018, granted, now 10,864,353.
Application 15/887,170 is a continuation of application No. 14/238,832, granted, now 9,884,169, issued on Feb. 6, 2018, previously published as PCT/US2012/051495, filed on Aug. 17, 2012.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/524,645, filed on Aug. 17, 2011.
Prior Publication US 2021/0060304 A1, Mar. 4, 2021
Int. Cl. A61M 25/06 (2006.01); A61M 39/22 (2006.01); A61M 25/00 (2006.01); A61M 29/00 (2006.01); A61M 39/24 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 25/06 (2013.01) [A61M 25/0668 (2013.01); A61M 39/22 (2013.01); A61M 25/0097 (2013.01); A61M 25/0693 (2013.01); A61M 29/00 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0098 (2013.01); A61M 2039/244 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A medical article comprising:
a sheath hub comprising one or more inner surfaces defining an inner cavity with an access opening into the inner cavity;
a sheath body extending distally from a distal portion of the sheath hub;
a relief element extending from the distal portion of the sheath hub and disposed about a proximal portion of the sheath body, wherein the relief element supports the proximal portion of the sheath body when the proximal portion of the sheath body flexes with respect to the sheath hub; and
a sleeve surrounding the relief element, wherein the sleeve is integrally formed with the relief element.