Dual valve, flexible expandable sheath and method

• US 6,808,520 B1
• Filed: 03/01/2001
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lifeshield Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EndoVascular Technologies Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Fourkas, Michael G., Mitchell, David H., Baker, Steven G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Cris L.
• Application Number:
  US09/798,019
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: 604/103.06, 604/103.07, 604/171, 604/249, 604/256, 604/264, 604/104, 604/523, 604/19, 604/528, 604/533, 604/537, 604/167.01, 604/167.04, 604/167.06, 604/164.13, 604/164.02, 604/164.01, 604/164.09, 604/164.1, 604/164.11, 604/165.01, 604/158, 604/30, 604/526, 604/524, 251/4, 138/129-133
• US Class Current: 604/526
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3439 with means for changing the inner diameter of the cannula, e.g. expandable A61B17/3423, A61B17/3431 take precedence; catheters A61M25/0662
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3462 with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals expandable cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0021 characterised by the form of the tubing A61M25/0054 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0023 by the form of the lumen, e.g. cross-section, variable diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/005 with embedded materials for reinforcement, e.g. wires, coils, braids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0053 having a variable stiffness along the longitudinal axis, e.g. by varying the pitch of the coil or braid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0075 Valve means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0662 Guide tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0668 splittable, tear apart
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/06 Haemostasis valves, i.e. gaskets sealing around a needle, catheter or the like, closing on removal thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0613 with means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence

Abstract

A sheath for use in introducing a catheter or other medical instrument into a vessel in the body of a patient. The sheath includes an elongate sheath tube formed of a flexible material which has proximal and distal extremities and a passage extending therethrough A backflow adapter is secured to the proximal extremity of the elongate sheath tube. The backflow adapter has a central opening therein in registration with the passage in the sheath tube. A normally closed primary valve is disposed in the central opening of the backflow adapter and is movable le to an open position. A normally open secondary valve, movable to a closed position, may be configured in the backflow adapter proximal the sheath tube and distal the primary valve. The primary and secondary valves when open permit a catheter or other medical instrument to be inserted into the sheath.

Claims

1. An apparatus for slideably receiving medical devices, comprising:

a tubular body, the tubular body having a length;

a coil, the coil extending at least a portion of the length of the tubular body and can assume an expanded and a contracted configuration, the coil being permanently attached to and defining structure which is distinct from the tubular body;

an outer tubular member configured coaxially within the tubular body; and

an inner tubular member configured coaxially within the outer tubular member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the tubular body including an exterior and an interior, wherein the coil is attached to the exterior of the tubular body.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coil is embedded in the tubular body.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coil is self-expanding.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coil is made from nitinol.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is an introducer sheath assembly.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a cap affixed to a distal end portion of the inner tubular member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism for restricting longitudinal movement.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a backflow adapter.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, the backflow adapter further comprising a valve.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, the backflow adapter further comprising a rotatable device.