Hemostasis cannula valve apparatus and method of using same

Claim 1

A hemostasis cannula comprising: a housing having an opening on an outer first end and an introducer sheath on an inner second end of the housing; and, a self-sealing gasket assembly mounted in the housing and including a unitary first member joined to a second member, the first member having a first surface facing said outer first end and a second surface facing said inner second end, at least three radially extending slits extending from the second surface part way into the first member, a first circular central aperture extending inwardly from said first surface and intersecting with said at least three radially extending slits, the second member having a circular second central aperture extending therethrough and substantially aligned with said first central aperture and located between said introducer sheath and said first member, and the second member joined directly to the periphery of the second surface of the first member, and wherein said first and second circular central apertures are of substantial equal diameter and related to the diameter of catheters or guidewire devices intended to be used therewith to provide a sealing and wiping action on such catheters or guidewire devices passing therethrough.