Introducer with expandable capabilities
An example introducer is disclosed. An example introducer includes an inner liner including a lumen, a proximal region, and at least one folded portion extending longitudinally along the proximal region. The introducer further includes an expandable support member. The support member includes a plurality of ribs extending along a length of the support member. The introducer further includes a sheath attached to at least a portion of the support member and the support member is designed to shift from a first position to an expanded position.
1. An introducer, comprising:
an inner liner including a lumen, a proximal region, and at least one folded portion extending longitudinally along the proximal region;
an expandable support member, the support member includes a plurality of ribs extending along a length of the support member;
a spine member positioned distal to the support member, the spine member having a plurality of reinforcement members extending along a length of the spine member; and
a sheath attached to at least a portion of the support member and the spine member;
wherein the support member is designed to shift from a first position to an expanded position.
2. The introducer of claim 1 , wherein the support member extends around at least a portion of the inner liner.
3. The introducer of claim 1 , wherein the support member is positioned between the inner liner and the sheath.
4. The introducer of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ribs are free to move relative to the liner, the sheath, or both the liner and the sheath.
5. The introducer of claim 1 , wherein the at least one folded portion allows the inner liner to radially expand.
6. The introducer of claim 1 , wherein the at least one folded portion extends along at least a portion of an inner surface of the support member.
7. The introducer of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the sheath is configured to expand as the at least one folded portion radially expands.
8. The introducer of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ribs includes a first set of rib members and a second set of rib members, and wherein the first set of rib members interdigitate with the second set of rib members.
9. The introducer of claim 1 , wherein the support member further includes a spine extending along the length of the support member, and wherein the spine is attached to the sheath.
10. The introducer of claim 9 , wherein the first set of rib members is attached to a first lateral edge of the spine, and wherein the second set of rib members is attached to a second lateral edge of the spine.
11. An introducer, comprising:
an inner liner including a lumen, a proximal region, and at least one folded portion extending along the proximal region;
an expandable support member having a spine extending along a longitudinal axis of the introducer;
a first set of rib members attached to the spine, wherein each of the first set of rib members extends outward from the spine in a first direction;
a second set of rib members attached to the spine, wherein each of the second set of rib members extends outward from the spine in a second direction different than the first direction;
a spine member positioned distal to the support member, the spine member having a plurality of reinforcement members extending along a length of the spine member; and
a sheath attached to at least a portion of the support member and the spine member.
12. The introducer of claim 11 , wherein the first set of rib members and the second set of rib members are configured to expand radially outward.
13. The introducer of claim 11 , wherein the first set of rib members are configured to interdigitate with the second set of rib members.
14. The introducer of claim 11 , wherein the first set of rib members are radially aligned with the second set of rib members.
15. The introducer of claim 11 , wherein the first and second sets of rib members wrap around at least a portion of the inner liner.
16. The introducer of claim 11 , wherein the first and second sets of rib members are positioned between the inner liner and the sheath.
17. The introducer of claim 11 , wherein the first and second set of rib members are free to move relative to the inner liner, the sheath, or both the liner and the sheath.
18. A method for treating a body lumen, the method comprising:
positioning an introducer within the body lumen, the introducer including:
an inner liner including a lumen, a proximal region, and at least one folded portion extending along the proximal region;
an expandable support member, the support member includes a plurality of ribs extending along the length of the support member;
a spine member positioned distal to the support member, the spine member having a plurality of reinforcement members extending along a length of the spine member; and
a sheath attached to at least a portion of the support member and the spine member; and
advancing a treatment device through the introducer sheath to a treatment site.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the advancing the treatment device through the introducer sheath to a treatment site includes expanding at least a portion of the plurality of ribs radially outward.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the advancing the treatment device through the introducer sheath to a treatment site includes expanding the at least one folded portion of the inner liner.