EXPANDABLE INTRODUCER SHEATH TO PRESERVE GUIDEWIRE ACCESS
An introducer sheath is described. The introducer sheath may include a tubular body. The tubular body may extend from a distal end toward a proximal end. The tubular body may include a lumen. The lumen may at least partially be defined by a wall. A channel may be disposed within the wall. The channel may be configured to receive a guidewire. The tubular body may include an expandable portion expandable to increase a cross-sectional area of the lumen.
1 . An introducer sheath comprising:
a tubular body extending from a distal end toward a proximal end, the tubular body comprising:
a lumen defined at least partially by a wall;
a secondary channel being disposed within the wall and configured to receive a guidewire; and
at least one deformable expandable portion configured to increase a cross-sectional area of the tubular body.
2 . The introducer sheath of claim 1 , wherein at least one deformable expandable portion is located between the lumen and the secondary channel.
3 . The introducer sheath of claim 2 , wherein the deformable expandable portion splits when the deformable expandable portion expands beyond a predetermined diameter and/or a predetermined expansion distance.
4 . The introducer sheath of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the tubular body splits when expanded beyond a predetermined diameter and/or a predetermined expansion distance.
5 . The introducer sheath of claim 2 , wherein the tubular body further comprises o a geometric pattern formed on at least a portion of an inner wall of the tubular body to facilitate splitting a portion of the tubular body.
6 . The introducer sheath of claim 5 , wherein the geometric pattern comprises at least one of:
a groove that facilitates splitting of at least a portion of the tubular body;
a groove that facilitates splitting of at least the deformable expandable portion;
a separation line to facilitate splitting of at least a portion of the tubular body;
a separation line to facilitate splitting of at least the deformable expandable portion;
a plurality of grooves running parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body; or
a plurality of grooves that are not parallel to the longitudinal axis.
7 . The introducer sheath of claim 1 , at least one of the deformable expandable portions comprising a plurality of lumens formed in a wall of the deformable expandable portion, the plurality of lumens providing elasticity to the deformable expandable portion.
8 . The introducer sheath of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deformable expandable portion has a uniform thickness.
9 . The introducer sheath of claim 1 , wherein the deformable expandable portion stretches elastically along an arc that curves starting from a first surface of the wall and terminating at a second surface of the wall.
10 . An introducer sheath, comprising:
a hub portion extending from a distal end toward a proximal end, the hub portion having a hub lumen formed therein; and
a tubular body extending from a distal end toward a proximal end, the tubular body comprising:
a lumen defined at least partially by a wall;
a secondary channel being disposed within the wall and configured to receive a guidewire; and
a portion of weakened structural integrity located between the lumen and the secondary channel and including a geometric pattern formed on at least a portion of an inner wall of the tubular body to facilitate splitting a portion of the tubular body, wherein the portion of weakened structural integrity splits when the body expands beyond a predetermined diameter and/or a predetermined expansion distance to increase a cross-sectional area of the tubular body.
11 . The introducer sheath of claim 10 , wherein the portion of weakened structural integrity is located near an inner wall of the lumen and/or on an inner wall of the secondary channel.
12 . The introducer sheath of claim 10 , wherein the wall of the tubular body further comprises a plurality of lumens formed in the wall, the plurality of lumens providing additional elasticity to the tubular body.
13 . The introducer sheath of claim 10 , wherein the at least one deformable expandable portion has a uniform thickness.
14 . The introducer sheath of claim 10 , wherein the deformable expandable portion stretches elastically along an arc that curves starting from a first surface of the wall and terminating at a second surface of the wall.