A medical introducer apparatus for use in inserting an interventional device into a body vessel of a patient. The apparatus includes a housing having a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a chamber positioned between the openings. A hemostatic valve system is provided in the housing chamber. The valve system includes a plurality of generally elastomeric valve members axially arranged in the chamber. The valve members each have a generally circular hole extending therethrough, which hole is sized for substantially leak-free passage of the interventional device. The valve members are aligned in the chamber to be sequentially penetrable by the interventional device, such that a hole in one valve member is covered by an adjoining valve member. A valve opener having a tubular body with a curved portion penetrates the hemostatic valve system to aid in the positioning of the interventional device. The curved portion maintains the valve opener stationary within the valve system.
