Low profile introducer apparatus

1. An introducer apparatus, comprising:

an outer sleeve having proximal and distal open ends, and having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the outer sleeve having a profile such that at least a portion of the outer sleeve tapers toward the outer sleeve distal end at an angle not exceeding about 2° relative to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus, the distal open end of the outer sleeve having a wall thickness not exceeding about 0.003 inch; and

an inner cannula having proximal and distal open ends, and having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the inner cannula sized to be received within the lumen of the outer sleeve, the inner cannula having a portion that tapers toward the inner cannula distal end, the tapered distal portion of the inner cannula extending distal to the distal open end of the outer sleeve and having a profile such that a generally smooth and gradual diametrical transition is provided from the outer sleeve tapered portion and through the inner cannula open end;

wherein the tapered portion of the outer sleeve comprises between about 5 and 50 mm of the outer sleeve;

wherein the outer sleeve has an outer diameter from about 4 to about 6 French; and

wherein the greatest radial extent of the inner cannula is not greater than the inner diameter of the outer sleeve.

2. The introducer apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve has a diameter from about 4 to about 5 French.

3. The introducer apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the tapered portion of the outer sleeve comprises between about 8 and 20 mm of the outer sleeve.

4. The introducer apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the tapered portion of the outer sleeve comprises about 15 mm of the outer sleeve.

5. The introducer apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tapered portion of the outer sleeve comprises between about 8 and 20 mm of the outer sleeve.

6. The introducer apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve tapered portion is tapered at an angle between about 1° and 1.5°.

7. An introducer apparatus, comprising:

an outer sleeve having proximal and distal open ends, and having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the outer sleeve having a profile such that at least a portion of the outer sleeve tapers toward the outer sleeve distal end at an angle not exceeding about 2° relative to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus, the distal open end of the outer sleeve having a wall thickness not exceeding about 0.003 inch; and

an inner cannula having proximal and distal open ends, and having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the inner cannula sized to be received within the lumen of the outer sleeve, the inner cannula having a portion that tapers toward the inner cannula distal end, the tapered distal portion of the inner cannula extending distal to the distal open end of the outer sleeve and having a profile such that a generally smooth and gradual diametrical transition is provided from the outer sleeve tapered portion and through the inner cannula open end;

wherein the tapered portion of the outer sleeve comprises between about 5 and 50 mm of the outer sleeve;

wherein the outer sleeve has an outer diameter of between about 2-10 French; and

wherein the greatest radial extent of the inner cannula is not greater than the inner diameter of the outer sleeve.

8. The introducer apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the outer sleeve has an outer diameter of about 4-6 French.

9. The introducer apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the tapered portion of the outer sleeve comprises between about 8-20 mm of the outer sleeve.

10. The introducer apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the outer sleeve tapered portion is tapered at an angle of between about 0.5° and 2°.

11. The introducer apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the tapered portion of the outer sleeve comprises between about 8-20 mm of the outer sleeve.

12. The introducer apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the distal open end of the outer sleeve has a wall thickness of between about 0.0005 and 0.0015 inches.

13. An introducer apparatus, comprising:

an outer sleeve having proximal and distal open ends, and having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the outer sleeve having a profile such that at least a portion of the outer sleeve tapers toward the outer sleeve distal end at an angle not exceeding about 2° relative to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus, the distal open end of the outer sleeve having a wall thickness between about 0.0005 and 0.003 inch; and

an inner cannula having proximal and distal open ends, and having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the inner cannula sized to be received within the lumen of the outer sleeve, the inner cannula having a portion that tapers toward the inner cannula distal end, the tapered distal portion of the inner cannula extending distal to the distal open end of the outer sleeve and having a profile such that a generally smooth and gradual diametrical transition is provided from the outer sleeve tapered portion and through the inner cannula open end;

wherein the tapered portion of the outer sleeve comprises between about 5 and 50 mm of the outer sleeve;

wherein the outer sleeve has an outer diameter between about 2-10 French; and

wherein the greatest radial extent of the inner cannula is not greater than the inner diameter of the outer sleeve.

14. The introducer apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the outer sleeve tapered portion is tapered at an angle of between about 0.5° and 2°.

15. The introducer apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the outer sleeve has an outer diameter between about 4-6 French.

16. The introducer apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the distal open end of the outer sleeve has a wall thickness of between about 0.0005 and 0.0015 inch.

17. The introducer apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the tapered portion of the outer sleeve comprises between about 8 and 20 mm of the outer sleeve.

18. The introducer apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the tapered portion of the outer sleeve comprises about 15 mm of the outer sleeve.