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 disposed at an angle of about 10-30 degrees relative to the sheath axis. In addition, the introducer assembly includes a dilator having a grip portion, such as a recessed grip portion.
1 . An introducer assembly comprising:
an elongate introducer sheath extending from a proximal portion to a distal portion, the introducer sheath defined in part by a longitudinal sheath axis, the elongate introducer sheath including a passage therethrough;
a handle assembly coupled with the proximal portion of the introducer sheath, the handle assembly including one or more handles;
the one or more handles defined in part by a longitudinal handle axis; and
the longitudinal handle axis is disposed at an angle of about 10-30 degrees relative to the longitudinal sheath axis.
2 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a dilator, the dilator extending from a dilator proximal portion to a dilator distal portion, the dilator including a dilator grip.
3 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 2 , wherein the dilator grip has an elongate cross-section defined in part by a grip longitudinal axis.
4 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein the dilator has a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the grip longitudinal axis is substantially parallel with the longitudinal handle axis when the dilator is in the locked position.
5 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein the dilator has a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the grip longitudinal axis is substantially transverse to the longitudinal handle axis when the dilator is in the unlocked position.
6 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 2 , wherein the dilator grip includes a recessed portion.
7 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 2 , wherein the dilator grip includes at least one indication thereon.
8 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the dilator includes an annular snap.
9 . An introducer assembly comprising:
an elongate introducer sheath extending from a proximal portion to a distal portion, the introducer sheath defined in part by a longitudinal sheath axis, the elongate introducer sheath including a passage therethrough;
a handle assembly coupled with the proximal portion of the introducer sheath, the handle assembly including one or more handles, the one or more handles defined in part by a longitudinal handle axis; and
a dilator including a dilator hub, the dilator hub having a grip portion, the grip portion having an elongate cross-section.
10 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 9 , wherein the longitudinal handle axis is disposed at an angle of about 10-30 degrees relative to the longitudinal sheath axis.
11 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 9 , wherein the dilator grip portion has an elongate oval cross-section.
12 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 9 , wherein the grip portion having a width greater than about 0.75 inches.
13 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 9 , wherein the grip portion has a first width and a second width, and the first width is greater than the second width, the first width is more proximal to a proximal end portion of the dilator.
14 . The introducer assembly as recited in claim 9 , wherein the grip portion includes at least one recessed portion.
15 . A method comprising:
disposing a dilator within a passage of a sheath assembly, the sheath assembly including an elongate introducer sheath extending from a proximal portion to a distal portion, the introducer sheath defined in part by a longitudinal sheath axis, the sheath assembly including a handle assembly having one or more handles, the one or more handles defined in part by a longitudinal handle axis, the longitudinal handle axis is disposed at an angle of about 10-30 degrees relative to the longitudinal sheath axis; and
gripping the dilator at a recessed dilator gripping portion.
16 . The method as recited in claim 15 , further comprising locking the dilator with the sheath assembly.
17 . The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein locking the dilator includes disposing a dilator gripping portion axis substantially parallel with the longitudinal handle axis.
18 . The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein locking the dilator includes rotating the dilator relative to the sheath assembly.
19 . The method as recited in claim 15 , further comprising snap-fittedly coupling the dilator with the sheath.
20 . The method as recited in claim 15 , further comprising removing the sheath assembly from the dilator with the handle assembly.
21 . A method comprising:
disposing a dilator within a passage of a sheath assembly, the sheath assembly including an elongate introducer sheath extending from a proximal portion to a distal portion, the introducer sheath defined in part by a longitudinal sheath axis, the sheath assembly including a handle assembly having one or more handles, the one or more handles defined in part by a longitudinal handle axis, the dilator including a dilator hub, the dilator hub having a grip portion, the grip portion having an elongate cross-section; and
gripping the dilator at the dilator grip portion.
22 . The method as recited in claim 21 , wherein gripping the dilator includes gripping a recess within the dilator grip portion.
23 . The method as recited in claim 21 , further comprising locking the dilator with the sheath assembly.
24 . The method as recited in claim 23 , wherein locking the dilator includes disposing a dilator gripping portion axis substantially parallel with the longitudinal handle axis.
25 . The method as recited in claim 23 , wherein locking the dilator includes rotating the dilator relative to the sheath assembly.
26 . The method as recited in claim 21 , further comprising unlocking the dilator from the sheath assembly, including disposing a dilator gripping portion axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal handle axis.