Expandable sheath with elastomeric cross sectional portions

US10537431B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Pu Zhou · Maple Grove, US
• Yong Gao · 红钢城街道, CN
• Erik Bulman · Mission Viejo, US
• Baigui Bian · Irvine, US
• Yidong M. Zhu · Irvine, US
• David Delon Williams · Bountiful, US
• Timothy A. Geiser · Laguna Niguel, US
• Michael G. Valdez · Riverside, US
• Sonny Tran · Westminster, US
• Richard D. White · Brooks Road, US
• Thanh Huy Le · Oceanside, US
• Tung T. Le · Tustin, US
• Alpana Kiran Gowdar · Newport Beach, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 2, 2018
• Grant date: Jan 21, 2020
• Expiry date: Oct 2, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2025/0681
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An expandable introducer sheath for passage of implant delivery catheters, such as catheters for delivery of prosthetic heart valves. The expandable sheath balances the amounts, shapes and positions of various stiff and elastic structures in the sheath to selectively program the expandability and buckling stiffness of the sheath. The expandable sheath can include, for example, an expandable tubular layer that includes alternating stiff and elastic wall portions of a single radial thickness. The combination of stiff and elastic wall portions allow for torque and push strength to advance the expandable sheath while at the same time accommodating temporary expansion. The expandable sheath can also be reinforced with a tubular layer of braided fibers or a stent structure for additional strength. Other embodiments include selective use of slots or gaps at the distal end of a stiff wall portion to enhance expandability and distribute strain.