Expandable sheath and methods of using the same

US10639152B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Thanh Huy Le · Oceanside, US
• Tung T. Le · Tustin, US
• Sovanpheap Mak · Santa Ana, US
• Alpana Kiran Gowdar · Newport Beach, US
• Richard D. White · Brooks Road, US
• Sonny Tran · Westminster, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 18, 2018
• Grant date: May 5, 2020
• Expiry date: Dec 4, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2039/0626
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Disclosed herein are expandable introducer sheaths and methods of making and using the same. The sheaths minimize trauma to a patient's vasculature by allowing for temporary expansion of a portion of the sheath to accommodate passage of a delivery system for an implant, then return to a non-expanded state after the passage of the device. The sheath includes a foldable inner member having a detached flap structure at its distal tip that facilitates expansion of the sheath lumen to increased diameters, and an elastomeric distal end that reduces push and retrieval forces therethrough. The sheath can include a hemostasis seal on its proximal end to prevent the leakage of blood out of the sheath and prevent ballooning of outer layer of the sheath.