Expandable sheath

US11406796B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Pu Zhou · Maple Grove, US
• Erik Bulman · Mission Viejo, US
• Timothy A. Geiser · Laguna Niguel, US
• Michael G. Valdez · Riverside, US
• Yidong M. Zhu · Irvine, US
• Baigui Bian · Irvine, 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
• Yong Gao · 红钢城街道, CN
• David Delon Williams · Bountiful, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 23, 2019
• Grant date: Aug 9, 2022
• Expiry date: Oct 3, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2025/0024
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A delivery sheath includes an outer tubular layer and an initially folded inner tubular layer. When an implant passes therethrough, the outer tubular layer expands and the inner tubular layer unfolds into an expanded lumen diameter. The sheath may also include selectively placed longitudinal support rods that mediate friction between the inner and outer tubular layers to facilitate easy expansion, thereby reducing the push force needed to advance the implant through the sheath's lumen.