18943635. CONTROLLED OPENING OF EXPANDABLE ACCESS SHEATHS (EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION)

CONTROLLED OPENING OF EXPANDABLE ACCESS SHEATHS

Organization Name

EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION

Inventor(s)

Michael G. Valdez of Riverside CA (US)

Omar Fawzi Azanki of Coto de Caza CA (US)

Hien T. Nguyen of Aliso Viejo CA (US)

CONTROLLED OPENING OF EXPANDABLE ACCESS SHEATHS

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18943635 titled 'CONTROLLED OPENING OF EXPANDABLE ACCESS SHEATHS

Original Abstract Submitted

A medical access system can comprise an expandable access sheath and an introducer. The expandable access sheath can comprise a sheath shaft comprising an expandable distal end portion, and a shaft delivery lumen extending therethrough. The introducer can comprise an introducer shaft configured to be at least partially disposed within the shaft delivery lumen. The introducer shaft can comprise a first distal portion comprising a first diameter and a second distal portion proximal of the first distal portion and having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. A second externally oriented surface portion defining the second distal portion, and an externally oriented transition surface portion extending between a first externally oriented surface portion defining the first distal portion and the second externally oriented surface, can be angled relative to one another, such as forming an angle between about 80 degrees and about 100 degrees.