INTRODUCER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD THEREFOR
An introducer assembly includes a sheath having a sheath proximal end and distal end, and a passage therethrough. The introducer assembly further includes a handle assembly that is mechanically and/or bonded coupled with a tubular sheath.
1 . An introducer assembly comprising:
a sheath extending from a sheath proximal end to a sheath distal end, the sheath having a passage therethrough;
a handle assembly coupled with the sheath at an interface; and
the interface having a textured portion at least prior to coupling with the handle assembly.
2 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the textured portion extends around an outer circumference of the sheath.
3 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sheath is removable from instruments disposable therethrough.
4 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a dilator disposed through the passage.
5 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sheath is formed of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).
6 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sheath is mechanically bonded with the handle assembly.
7 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the interface includes one or more flow holes therein.
8 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sheath includes molecularly oriented material, and the molecularly oriented material allows for the sheath to be removed from devices therein.
9 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the textured portion includes a chemically etched portion.
10 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a valve sealingly associated with the sheath passage.
11 . An introducer assembly comprising:
a sheath extending from a sheath proximal end to a sheath distal end, the sheath having a passage therethrough;
a handle assembly coupled with the sheath at an interface; and
the sheath is coupled with the handle assembly with a mechanical coupling and a chemically bonded coupling.
12 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 11 , wherein the sheath is chemically etched at the interface.
13 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 11 , wherein the sheath is splittable.
14 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 11 , wherein the sheath is formed of molecularly oriented material.
15 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 11 , wherein the mechanical coupling includes flow holes formed in the sheath.
16 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 11 , where the sheath is formed of PTFE.
17 . A method comprising:
forming a fluorinated polymer tube, the polymer tube forming a sheath extending from a sheath proximal end portion to a sheath distal end portion, the sheath having a passage therethrough;
texturizing the sheath proximal end portion and forming an interface; and
coupling a handle assembly with the sheath at the texturized interface.
18 . The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein texturizing includes chemically etching the interface.
19 . The method as recited in claim 18 , wherein chemically etching includes etching with sodium naphthalene/ethylene glycol dimethyl ether solution.
20 . The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein coupling the handle assembly with the sheath includes overmolding the handle assembly on to the sheath.
21 . The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein overmolding includes flowing material through holes of the sheath.
22 . The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein coupling the handle assembly includes mechanically and chemically coupling the sheath with the handle assembly.