Peel-away introducer sheath having pitched peel lines and method of making same

1. A peel-away vascular introducer comprising:

a) an elongated tubular sheath having opposed proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis, a circumference, and a pair of diametrically opposed peel lines each having a predetermined length extending from the proximal end substantially to the distal end of the sheath, wherein each opposed peel line has an axially extending pitch extending between the proximal and distal ends of the elongated tubular sheath relative to the longitudinal axis and located entirely within a circumferential half portion of the elongated tubular sheath; and

b) spreadable handles associated with the proximal end of the sheath for splitting the sheath along the peel lines.

2. A peel-away vascular introducer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the axially extending pitch of the peel lines is between about 5° and 45° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sheath.

3. A peel-away vascular introducer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the peel lines are defined by axially extending regions of reduced wall thickness, relative to the wall thickness of a remainder of the sheath.

4. A peel-away vascular introducer as recited in claim 3 , wherein each axially extending region of reduced wall thickness is defined by a concave outer wall surface and a convex inner wall surface.

5. A peel-away vascular introducer as recited in claim 4 , wherein a radius of curvature of the convex inner wall surface is greater than a radius of curvature of the convex outer wall surface.

6. A peel-away vascular introducer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the peel lines are defined by axially extending regions of reduced wall thickness defined by a valley inner wall surface.

7. A peel-away vascular introducer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the peel lines are defined by axially extending regions of reduced wall thickness defined by a valley inner and outer wall surface.

8. A peel-away vascular introducer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the peel lines are defined by axially extending regions of reduced wall thickness defined by a rectangular channel inner wall surface.

9. A peel-away vascular introducer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the peel lines are defined by axially extending regions of reduced wall thickness defined by a trapezoidal inner wall surface.

10. A peel-away vascular introducer as recited in claim 1 , including the elongated tubular sheath having opposed inner and outer wall surfaces with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sheath, wherein each of the peel lines are defined by an axially extending channel within the inner and outer wall surfaces of the tubular sheath.

11. A peel-away vascular introducer as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a dilator accommodated within the sheath.

12. A peel-away vascular introducer comprising an elongated tubular sheath having opposed proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis and a circumference, and a pair of opposing peel lines each extending from the proximal end substantially to the distal end of the sheath, wherein the opposed peel lines each has an axially extending pitch extending between the proximal and distal ends of the elongated tubular sheath relative to the longitudinal axis and located entirely within a circumferential half portion of the elongated tubular sheath.

13. A peel-away vascular introducer as recited in claim 12 , further comprising spreadable handles associated with the proximal end of the sheath for splitting the sheath along the peel lines.

14. A peel-away vascular introducer as recited in claim 12 , wherein the sheath is fabricated from a polyether block amide material.