Expandable introducer sheath having a steering mechanism
First Claim
1. An introducer sheath for providing a prosthesis delivery system percutaneous access to a patient'"'"'s vasculature comprising:
- a sheath component having a longitudinally-extending, radially-expandable portion, the sheath component defining a central lumen;
a steering element slidably disposed within the sheath component and positioned such that first and second segments thereof longitudinally extend along the radially-expandable portion, wherein the first segment of the steering element runs in parallel with a first side of the radially-expandable portion and wherein the second segment of the steering element runs in parallel with an opposing second side of the radially-expandable portion, such that the first and second segments of the steering element are parallel to each other, andwherein in a slackened configuration the steering element permits a width of the radially-expandable portion to increase and wherein in a taut configuration the steering element prevents expansion of the radially-expandable portion and bends a distal portion of the sheath component.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An expandable introducer sheath provided with a steering mechanism is disclosed. The introducer sheath is configured for providing a prosthesis delivery system percutaneous access to a patient'"'"'s vasculature. The introducer sheath includes a sheath component defining a central lumen and having a longitudinally-extending, radially-expandable portion. The sheath component also includes a steering wire slidably disposed within a wall thereof that longitudinally extends along the radially-expandable portion. When the steering wire is in a slackened configuration, the steering wire permits a width of the radially-expandable portion to increase. When the steering wire is in a taut configuration, the steering wire permits a distal portion of the sheath component to be manipulated or bent in order to align a distal port of the introducer sheath, for instance, with an ostium of a branch vessel.
24 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An introducer sheath for providing a prosthesis delivery system percutaneous access to a patient'"'"'s vasculature comprising:
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a sheath component having a longitudinally-extending, radially-expandable portion, the sheath component defining a central lumen; a steering element slidably disposed within the sheath component and positioned such that first and second segments thereof longitudinally extend along the radially-expandable portion, wherein the first segment of the steering element runs in parallel with a first side of the radially-expandable portion and wherein the second segment of the steering element runs in parallel with an opposing second side of the radially-expandable portion, such that the first and second segments of the steering element are parallel to each other, and wherein in a slackened configuration the steering element permits a width of the radially-expandable portion to increase and wherein in a taut configuration the steering element prevents expansion of the radially-expandable portion and bends a distal portion of the sheath component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An introducer sheath for providing a prosthesis delivery system percutaneous access to a patient'"'"'s vasculature comprising:
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a sheath component formed to have a longitudinally-extending, radially-expandable portion disposed between longitudinally-extending edges of a reinforced portion, the sheath component defining a central lumen; a steering element slidably disposed within the sheath component and positioned to at least partially extend with the reinforced portion along opposing longitudinally-extending skies of the radially-expandable portion, wherein the steering element includes a first segment that runs in parallel with a first longitudinally-extending side of the radially-expandable portion and a second segment that runs in parallel with an opposing second longitudinally-extending side of the radially-expandable portion, such that the first and second segments of the steering element are parallel to each other, and wherein in a taut configuration the steering element prevents expansion of the radially-expandable portion and bends a distal portion of the sheath component. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification