Introducer sheath
First Claim
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1. An introducer sheath which comprises:
- an elongated hollow hypotube defining an axis and having a proximal end and a distal end with an inner surface and an outer surface therebetween, wherein the hypotube is formed with a spiral cut extending from the proximal end to the distal end and through the hypotube from the outer surface to the inner surface, and further wherein the spiral cut is characterized at an axial location on the hypotube by a pitch angle (α
); and
a flexible polymer material positioned on the outer surface of the hypotube to establish a lubricious coating for the introducer sheath.
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Abstract
An introducer sheath includes an elongated hollow hypotube that is formed with a spiral cut that extends between the ends of the hypotube and extends through the hypotube from its outer surface to its inner surface. During manufacture, the spiral cut is made with a pitch angle (α) that can be varied along the length of the hypotube to provide different sections of the hypotube with different degrees of flexibility. A polymer coating is positioned on the outer surface of the hypotube to establish a lubricious coating for the introducer sheath.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An introducer sheath which comprises:
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an elongated hollow hypotube defining an axis and having a proximal end and a distal end with an inner surface and an outer surface therebetween, wherein the hypotube is formed with a spiral cut extending from the proximal end to the distal end and through the hypotube from the outer surface to the inner surface, and further wherein the spiral cut is characterized at an axial location on the hypotube by a pitch angle (α
); and
a flexible polymer material positioned on the outer surface of the hypotube to establish a lubricious coating for the introducer sheath. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An introducer sheath which comprises:
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a ribbon-like band having a first edge and a second edge with a width therebetween, wherein the band is configured as a spiral around an axis with the band positioned at a predetermined radial distance from the axis and the first edge is juxtaposed at a predetermined axial distance from the second edge to form a flexible tube having a first end and a second end with a lumen therebetween; and
a flexible polymer material positioned on the band to establish a substantially fluid-tight condition for the lumen. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for manufacturing an introducer sheath which comprises the steps of:
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providing an elongated hollow hypotube defining an axis and having a proximal end and a distal end with an inner surface and an outer surface therebetween;
forming a spiral cut extending from the proximal end of the hypotube to the distal end thereof and through the hypotube from the outer surface to the inner surface with the spiral cut being characterized at an axial location on the hypotube by a pitch angle (α
) measured from the axis to an inclination of the spiral cut; and
positioning a flexible polymer material on the outer surface of the hypotube to establish a lubricious coating for the introducer sheath. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification