Split sheath introducer and method of manufacturing a split sheath introducer
A splittable introducer sheath includes a tubular body portion formed from a first material and at least one stripe extending an entire length of the main body portion, the at least one stripe being formed form a second material. The first material is one of a medium-density polyethylene modified with a friction-reducing additive or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) modified with a friction-reducing additive. The second material is a thermoplastic elastomer modified with a siloxane additive. The sheath is dividable longitudinally along the at least one stripe.
1. A splittable introducer sheath, comprising:
a tubular main body portion formed from a first material; and
at least one stripe joined to the tubular main body portion along an entire length of the tubular main body portion, the at least one stripe formed from a second material different from the first material, the second material including a thermoplastic elastomer modified with a siloxane additive,
wherein the tubular main body portion is dividable longitudinally along the at least one stripe; and
wherein no siloxane additive is present in the tubular main body portion.
2. The splittable introducer sheath of claim 1 , wherein:
the first material is one of a medium-density polyethylene modified with a friction-reducing additive or a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) modified with a friction-reducing additive.
3. The splittable introducer sheath of claim 2 , wherein:
the at least one stripe comprises two stripes located approximately 180 degrees apart.
4. The splittable introducer sheath of claim 2 , wherein:
the second material has a Shore A durometer between about 37 and about 53.
5. The splittable introducer sheath of claim 4 , wherein:
the siloxane additive is a non-leaching siloxane additive.
6. The splittable introducer sheath of claim 5 , wherein:
the first material is a medium-density polyethylene.
7. The splittable introducer sheath of claim 6 , wherein:
the sheath is a 5 French sheath.
8. The splittable introducer sheath of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one stripe has a wall thickness that is substantially equal to a wall thickness of the tubular main body portion.
9. The splittable introducer sheath of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one stripe has a width in the circumferential direction that ranges between about 0.002 inches and about 0.005 inches.
10. The splittable introducer sheath of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one stripe has a width in the circumferential direction that is less than 1/16 inch.
11. A splittable introducer sheath, comprising:
a tubular main body portion formed from one of a medium-density polyethylene modified with a siloxane additive or a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) modified with a siloxane additive; and
at least one stripe joined to the tubular main body portion along an entire length of the tubular main body portion, the at least one stripe formed from a thermoplastic elastomer modified with a siloxane additive;
wherein the tubular main body portion is dividable longitudinally along the at least one stripe;
wherein the second material has a Shore A durometer between about 37 and about 53; and
wherein the at least one stripe has a width in the circumferential direction that ranges between about 0.002 inches and about 0.005 inches.