Expandable sheath with interlock dilator

US11944770B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ABIOMED, INC. · US

Inventors

• Christopher Nason Korkuch · Beverly, US
• Robert Fishman · Fair Haven, US
• Michael Thomas Finnegan · Danvers, US
• Charles DeLorenzo · Danvers, US
• Andrew Gentile · Brookline, US
• Anne Gabrielle McLoughlin · Danvers, US
• Robert Swierczek · Danvers, US
• Matthew D'Agostino · Danvers, US
• Jonathan J. Barry · Stratham, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 6, 2023
• Grant date: Apr 2, 2024
• Expiry date: Apr 6, 2043

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2205/0266
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An expandable introducer sheath with an interlock dilator. The present technology provides an expandable sheath with a step feature inside its distal opening, and a dilator with an interlock that includes a catch surface configured to engage with the step feature and resist further relative movement so that the body of the dilator is prevented from exiting the distal end of the expandable sheath. This interlocking engagement may allow the dilator to be used to extend and maintain tension on the expandable sheath during insertion into a patient, and then to be retracted from the expandable sheath by pulling the dilator in the opposite direction. The present technology also provides a dilator hub with a spring mechanism configured to achieve and maintain a desired tension on the expandable sheath and to prevent overextension of the expandable sheath when the dilator is being inserted into the expandable sheath.