INTRODUCER SHEATH

摘要

Introducer sheath (10,30,40) having a flexible kink-resistant distal tip portion (26,32,42). A multilayer sheath structure is used, with an inner tube (12) such as PTFE having a coil (14) of wire wound therearound. A first length of outer tubing (20) such as of nylon is inserted over most of the coil-wound inner tube (12) in a manner exposing a distal length of coil-wound inner tube. A second length of outer tubing (22) with a softer durometer than first outer tubing length (20), is inserted over the exposed coil-wound inner tube and extends for a slight distance beyond the end of the coil. During heat application, the outer tubing lengths (20, 22) are melted to bond to each other and to flow between the spacings of the coil turns to bond to the roughened outer surface of the inner tube (12). The distal tip region corresponding to the second tubing length is flexible and is kink-resistant due to the coil (14).

主权项

1. A flexible kink-resistant introducer sheath comprising:
an inner tube extending to a distal end; a wire coil disposed around said inner tube extending to an end spaced proximally from said inner tube distal end, said wire coil comprising a plurality of uniformly spaced coil turns, each coil turn being free from crossing by another coil turn; a first outer tube disposed around said wire coil and said inner tube to a first outer tube distal end spaced proximally from said wire coil distal end such that a distal end portion of said wire coil extends beyond the first outer tube distal end; a radiopaque marker band positioned on the introducer sheath at the distal end of the coil; at least a second outer tube disposed around said wire coil and said inner tube therewithin extending distally from said first outer tube distal end and covering said distal end portion of said wire coil and extending beyond said distal end of said inner tube; and an atraumatic flexible, kink-resistant distal tip; said first outer tube being of a material having a first durometer of between 50 D and 60 D, and said second outer tube having a second durometer that is softer than said material of said first outer tube and being between 35 D and 45 D; wherein the second outer tube is polymeric and contains radiopaque filler particles; wherein the first outer tube is substantially free of radiopaque filler; and wherein the coil extends only partly within the length of the second outer tube.