Sheath for introducing catheter

• US 5,542,936 A
• Filed: 03/20/1995
• Issued: 08/06/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dean M. Razi
• Original Assignee: Dean M. Razi
• Inventors: Razi, Dean M.
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRING, NOELLE K
• Application Number:
  US08/406,587
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 128/656-658, 128/772, 604/43, 604/93, 604/104-109, 604/171, 604/264, 604/268, 604/280, 604/158, 604/167, 606/108, 606/194, 606/198
• US Class Current: 604/264
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0043 characterised by structural features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/01 Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters A61M25/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0662 Guide tubes

Abstract

An introducer sheath for inserting a catheter into a circulatory vessel, such as the femoral artery. The introducer sheath is in the form of a tube having an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen through which a device such as a catheter can be passed. The introducer sheath is provided with at least one, preferably multiple, fenestration through the tube wall, preferably at the outer radius of curvature of the introducer sheath where the sheath bends to transition from lying parallel to the femoral artery to being at an angle so as to exit the femoral artery, tissue and skin, such that blood can flow through the introducer sheath and continue to the extremities after the introducer sheath is inserted.

Claims

1. An introducer sheath for introducing a catheter into a bodily passageway, the introducer sheath being tubular and having an open proximal end, an open distal end, and defining a lumen through which a catheter can be passed,

said introducer sheath being provided with at least one fenestration wherein when said distal end of said tubular introducer sheath is inserted into a bodily passageway through a surgical opening the distal end is oriented coaxial with the bodily passageway, the proximal end is oriented coaxial with the surgical opening, and said introducer sheath describes an arc in the area in which it transitions from the orientation of the axis of insertion to the orientation of the axis of the bodily passageway, wherein said at least one fenestration is located at the outer radius of curvature of the introducer sheath at said arc,

and wherein said introducer sheath is further comprised of an anchor tube having an inner diameter dimensioned for sliding over said introducer sheath, said anchor tube having a proximal end and a distal end and fixed at said distal end to said introducer sheath proximally to said fenestration, a segment of said anchor tube provided with at least two longitudinal slits for separating said anchor tube into at least two strips of material, such that urging of said slidable end towards said fixed end causes said strips of material to bulge outwardly.

2. An introducer sheath as in claim 1, wherein said anchor tube is comprised of polyurethane.

3. An introducer sheath as in claim 1, wherein said fixed end of said anchor tube is fixed immediately adjacent said at least one fenestration.

4. An introducer sheath as in claim 1, wherein said proximal end of said anchor tube is provided with a flange capable of being grasped by hand, and wherein said slidable end of said anchor tube is provided with means for locking engagement with said introducer sheath when said strips of material are in the state of bulging outwardly.

5. An introducer sheath for introducing a catheter into a bodily passageway, the introducer sheath being tubular and having an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen through which a catheter can be passed, wherein said introducer sheath is provided with at least one fenestration through the sheath at a position such that said fenestration is within the bodily passageway when in use, wherein bodily fluids can flow into said open distal end of the introducer sheath and out said at least one fenestration, said introducer sheath further comprising:

at least one bridge member extending over and spaced apart from said introducer sheath and forming an aperture; and

at least one strip of material having a proximal end and a distal end and attached at said distal end to said introducer sheath immediately adjacent to and distal from said bridge member and passing under said bridge member, said strip of material capable of sliding under said bridge member;

wherein strip material distal of said bridge member forms a fold, and wherein said fold can be withdrawn by proximal pulling of the proximal end of said strip of material.

6. An introducer sheath for introducing a catheter into a bodily passageway, the introducer sheath being tubular and having an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen through which a catheter can be passed, wherein said introducer sheath is provided with at least one fenestration through the sheath at a position such that said fenestration is within the bodily passageway when in use, wherein bodily fluids can flow into said open distal end of the introducer sheath and out said at least one fenestration, said introducer sheath further comprising:

at least one strip of material having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said strip of material attached to said introducer sheath, said strip of material folded upon itself to form a releasable flap, and wherein pulling on said proximal end of said strip of material causes said flap to release from each other.